NFL The Power Players- Week 1

So Week 1 has been and gone along with some amazing plays, surprising results and unforgettable moments by some of the greatest athletes on the planet. But if you could make a dream team of the week filling each position with any player from any team, who would you pick? I have listed my dream team of the week for the opening week in the NFL below, feel free to share yours in the comments.
The team is based on-
4 offensive players
4 defensive players

Followed by my top 5 teams of the week.


Quarterback- Peyton Manning 
Team- Broncos
Yards-462
Touchdown passes-7
Pass completion- 27-42
Passer rating 141.1 

There was simply no better man to run an offence this weekend. Even more astounding, these statistics were recorded against the 2012 superbowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. Manning lead his team to a more than impressive victory and has made a big statement that he wants to go all the way this season. 


Running Back- LeSean McCoy
Team- Eagles
Yards-184
Carries-34
Touchdowns-1
Average- 5.9

Shady McCoy returned to the field with a bang last night in Washington aiding the Eagles to beat the divisional champions 33-27. The new Chip Kelly offence suits both LeSean and Mike Vick so well as it is based around high tempo, short passes and runs. McCoy showed us exactly how dangerous this new College style offence is as he carried for 184 yards, constantly breaking through the Redskins defense who simply could not contain him. If you need a running back for your fantasy team this season, this is your guy!

Wide Receiver- Anquan Boldin

Team- 49ers
Receptions-13
Yards-208
Touchdowns-1

What a way to debut for a new team, Anquan Boldin helped Colin Kaepernick defeat the Green Bay Packers in what was simply an amazing matchup. Boldin and Kaepernick have a lot of chemistry and can easily be compared to the likes of Brady and Gronkowski. Boldin could be set for a big first season at San Francisco.


Tight End- Jared Cook
Team- Rams
Receptions-7
Yards-141
Touchdowns-2

For the first time in years, the Rams go 1-0 in their season opener. A lot of this was down to the performance of tight end Jared Cook who did exactly what a Tight End should be doing and picking up big yards when all receivers are locked down. Jared was exceptional bringing in two touchdowns. He looked very athletic right from the get go with a massive 47 yard catch and looked like superman when he scored his first of the day flying over the pylon. 



Outside Linebacker- Justin Houston
Team- Chiefs
Tackles-5
Sacks-3
Forced Fumbles-0

The Chiefs started their 2013 campaign the right way with a win over the Jaguars and a lot of that came down to some brilliant defensive work. Linebacker Justin Houston sacked the Quarterback 3 times along with making 5 tackles. Not only does this put him at the top of the scoreboard for most sacks in the league but it sends a clear message that the 24 year old means business.


Safety- LaRon Landry
Team-Colts
Tackles-15
Sacks-0
Forced Fumbles-0

LaRon was simply outstanding last night, the colts were good on offence scoring in 3 of the 4 quarters but it was Landry who did all the damage on Defense, preventing any attack that came his way with a massive 15 tackles against the Oakland Raiders. He was quick, decisive and more importantly didn't give away any silly penalties. A very mature and steady mindset is needed to play the Safety position, and LaRon is at the top of his game.



Defensive Back- Dimitri Patterson
Team- Dolphins
Sacks-0
Interceptions-2
Interception yards-2
Tackles-2

Ex Eagle Dimitri Patterson's 7th season in the NFL got underway this weekend and to mark such an occasion, the Defensive back made two interceptions and became the heart of the Dolphins defense. The line came alive after the first but as soon as Dimitri made the second Interception it was clear that the defense was more than fired up and ready to get the ball back in their control. The end result, a 23-10 victory.



Corner Back- Charles Tillman 
Team- Bears
Sacks-0
Interceptions-2
Interception yards-41
Tackles-7

Possibly the most up and down game of the weekend came from 11 season veteran Charles Tillman. From 2 interceptions and a 41 yard return one minute to an entire defensive series spent on the sidelines to get hydrated. The team had nothing but praise for Charles but it is difficult to ignore the troubles he had holding off Green who had 9 receptions for 162 yards with 2 touchdowns. But overall, the 7 tackles he made along with two big interceptions meant that he played a vital role in the Bears opening game.


POWER 5 TEAMS OF THE WEEK

1. Denver Broncos

2. New Orleans Saints

3. Kansas City Chiefs

4. Philadelphia Eagles

5. San Francisco 49ers

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NFL The Power 5:- teams to keep a close eye on this season

Football season is almost upon us with pre-season games hitting their fourth and final week. Now Pre-Season isn't a fully accurate representation of what we could see in the NFL but there are some encouraging signs and some teams who will most definitely be on the hunt for the Lombardi trophy this season.

 5) Miami Dolphins 
 Like many in their debut season, Ryan Tannehill showed glimpses of greatness. In week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, Tannehill threw for a very impressive 431 yards whilst in others he simply could not deliver. But overall, the rookie out of Texas also became the fifth quarterback in team history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season. Couple that with the addition of receiver Mike Wallace and there is no reason why the Dolphins can't be one of the most intimidating offences in the NFL and challenging for a play off spot at the end of the season.


4) Detroit Lions
The Lions have had a great pre season so far including a demolishing victory over the Patriots. Matt Stafford has been on unrelenting form as of late and is going to be one of the most powerful quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Calvin Johnson has the potential as he always does to make some of the most important catches a receiver can make a long with some of the most impressive. If LeShoure can avoid injury and Reggie Bush can chip in where needed, this could be the balance the offence so desperately craved last year.
     The team suffered a horrible record last season but with the NFC West becoming one of the most unpredictable divisions in the league, this could be the year they return to the top.

3)San Fransisco                
  So close yet so far, the 49ers will be looking to come back with a vengance this season as they look to return to the Superbowl for the second year running. You could argue that out of the big 4 Quarterbacks going into this season, (Kaepernick, RGIII, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson) that The Nevada star comes the most equipped. With a Bazooka for an arm and the agility of a Moto GP rider, Colin is always going to be a threat no matter what defensive line you put in front of him. 
   The defense is also going to be extremely fired up. For the third year running the line will compete as one of the best in the league, not just the division or the conference, the league. Eric Reid will start as free safety in week 1, and for the LSU rookie this could be the opportunity he needs. With one of the best defensive units in the league, he can learn so much and really take the first step on the road to greatness. 
    There are not many teams in the NFL where you look at them and expect them to make the play offs year upon year yet the 49ers constantly exceed our expectations with demolishing defeats and sheer fire to make the play offs and ultimately lift the Lombardi trophy.

2) Seattle
If there really is a war forming between the Seahawks and the 49ers in the NFC West then Two words are going to turn it into a nuclear battle, Russell Wilson. He was absolutely sensational last year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions for a 100 passer rating. Now THAT does not come easy in your first season as a QB. So just how much of an impact did he make? The Seahawks posted an 11-5 record in 2012, the third most wins in franchise history and went undefeated at home for only the third time in franchise history.
     It isn't all down to Wilson however, the defense who started with a 4-4 record helped turn the season around to lose just one more game of the remaining 8. With the signing of nickel corner Antoine Winfield as well, the Seahawks are entering 2013 with VERY few weaknesses.

1) Philadelphia
Okay so the Eagles may not be Superbowl material just year but with the departure of head coach Andy Reid and the arrival of ex Oregon coach Chip Kelly, it's clear to see in the pre season alone that the Eagles offence has been completely reformed. Every play has the ability to turn into the pace seen in a 2 minute offence with a consistent run of first downs and the defense are no longer left picking up pieces but in face helping to lead the charge to restore the Eagles to their former glory.
     Kelly named Vick as the starting QB this season and Mike himself has said all pre season long that he has nothing but praise for the new playing style and you can see this in his opening pre season games. Vicks accuracy and ability to out run most defensive players helps to slot him in perfectly to this new playbook.
   Nick Foles the man who replaced the injured Vick last season will sit in at number two but it seems he reacted to the news of not getting the number one spot just as Chip intended as he completed 10/11 throws against the Jaguars helping the Eagles reach a 31-24 victory.
    McCoy is also looking as dangerous as ever along with tight end Celek and the ever impressive DeSean Jackson, this could be the year the Eagles look competitive again. But to do that they need to overthrow the highly rated Redskins in week one of the regular season in the NFC East rivalry game. 
  

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