I know everyone is discussing Pro Bowls and what not but that doesn’t mean we should abandon an old favorite right?
In other words, sit down, take a load off, and prepare to hear which players produced the best performances in Week 16. Consider it a Christmas gift from me to you as I do my weekly bit to give credit to those guys who just don’t receive enough of it.
That means this week I’m looking at some linemen in Ohio, some Texans who caused all sorts of problems, and a center who may have got a new contract, but just doesn’t receive any love from anyone.
That’s right, it’s the Week 16 Team of the Week.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, DET (+6.8)
Has anyone seen Stafford play better than that? On the money with nearly all of his throws, he sliced the Chargers coverage unit with such ease you wonder where this guy has been all year.
Running Back: Rashard Mendenhall, PIT (+3.4)
Edging out Marshawn Lynch, Mendenhall picked up 6.4 yards per carry against a Rams outfit that had no fear of Charlie Batch. Didn’t force the eight missed tackles that Lynch did, but didn’t let defenders get close to him.
Fullback: Lawrence Vickers, HOU (+2.0)
Vickers may hit harder than any fullback, but that doesn’t mean much if guys can get around you to make plays. That didn’t happen against the Colts with Vickers helping his team pick up some big yardage on the ground.
Tight End: Jared Cook, TEN (+3.7)
Cook caught all eight balls thrown his way for 169 yards and a touchdown. That’s always likely to earn you a spot on this team.
Wide Receivers: Reggie Wayne, IND (+2.3) and Jordy Nelson, GB (+2.7)
Wayne wasn’t blessed with a perfect QB display but made some key catches to inspire the Colts to a second victory of the season. Nelson is slightly more fortunate with who he has throwing him balls, but he still had to get the separation that led to a 115-yard day with two touchdowns.
Tackles: Andrew Whitworth, CIN (+4.1) and Andre Smith, CIN (+5.6)
It’s always nice when your two highest rated players of the week play for the same team. Whitworth gave up a hit, but between them that was it. Furthermore both excelled in the run game, with Smith showing the kind of talent that saw the Bengals take a chance on him.
Guards: Mike Iupati, SF (+3.8) and Jon Asamoah, KC (+4.4)
The best thing you can say about Asamoah is that whenever he locked onto a man, they ended up going where he wanted them to go. You could say something similar about Iupati. Neither man gave up any pressure.
Center: John Sullivan, MIN (+2.4)
Gave up a sack to Barry Cofield, but outside of that Sullivan was all over the former Giant, moving him about to open running lanes for his back.
DEFENSE
4-3 Defensive Front
Defensive Ends: Trent Cole, PHI (+6.3) and Justin Tuck, NYG (+5.2)
Just what Tuck needed to kick-start his down year; Wayne Hunter. He finished the day with a sack and six hurries along with two batted passes. Cole picked up more pressure on less rushes, finishing the day with a sack, hit and five hurries.
Defensive Tackle: Chris Canty, NYG (+4.3) and Marcell Dareus, BUF (+4.3)
Two men making the team for very different reasons, with Canty applying the pressure on the QB (a sack, hit and two pressures) and Dareus the disruptor in the run game (three defensive stops).
Linebackers: Chris Kelsay, BUF (+4.6), Dane Fletcher, NE (+3.8) and James Anderson, CAR (+2.8)
The transition to linebacker hasn’t always been easy for Kelsay, but he backed up some good work rushing the passer with some excellent work in the run game (six defensive stops). Anderson’s biggest success came in allowing just 33 yards in the air despite being thrown at seven times. We’ve thrown Fletcher into the middle hot on the heels of his best game as a pro. Sure he only had four tackles but there’s more to defending the run than making tackles.
3-4 Defensive Front
Defensive Line: Calais Campbell, ARZ (+4.2), Jay Ratliff, DAL (+5.6) and J.J. Watt, HOU (+6.4)
Incredible that Watt earned that rating despite picking up four penalties. He was just that good against an overmatched right side of the Colts line. Campbell is playing as well as he ever has, and seeing his value go up and up in his contract year. Timing is everything, after all. Ratliff gets the nod over Sione Pouha, though I’d have no arguments going the other way.
Outside Linebackers: Brooks Reed, HOU (+5.1) and Aldon Smith, SF (+4.6)
That’s as good as Reed has looked down it does come with a giant Jeff Linkenbach sized disclaimer. A quiet day for Aldon Smith; by which I mean just the one sack, one hit and one pressure. It’s like he can’t be stopped.
Inside Linebackers: Brian Cushing, HOU (+3.9) and London Fletcher-Baker, WAS (+3.1)
LFB continues to defy age with good performances after good performances … 10 tackles and seven defensive stops led all inside linebackers this week. Cushing may have been overlooked for the Pro Bowl but not for this team of the week. Aren’t many inside linebackers who can attack like he does.
Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis, NYJ (+5.9) and Corey Webster, NYG (+4.7)
The battle of New York saw two excellent cornerback displays with Revis just about edging out Webster for the top dog award. That’s what happens when you break up an incredible five passes.
Safeties: Troy Polamalu, PIT (+5.6) and Jairus Byrd, BUF (+3.3)
You may as well have written Polamalu's name on this teamsheet as soon as you knew Kellen Clemens was starting. The Steeler smelt blood and was his usual destructive self. Byrd is another of these players who is getting overlooked despite consistently good play. His rookie year where quarterbacks were throwing balls to him may have created unrealistic expectations but he’s actually developed into a much better player.
SPECIAL TEAMS
You’re going to make this team when you block two field goals like Richard Seymour did … Leodis McKelvin caused all sorts of problems with his punt returns … Good day for David Akers who keeps knocking in field goals … Another big day of punting for Shane Lechler
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