NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Six weeks into the NFL season and things are starting to take shape in terms of pretenders and contenders. The injury bug has hit and some squads like the Saints, for example, are holding strong until their stars get back on the field. We can argue about who is the best team and why but one thing you can’t argue is who are the top two players in the league this year. One is a former Super Bowl winner and has been in two Super Bowls and counting. He has led his team to a 4-1 record and very well could be 5-0. The other was questioned and doubted coming out of school and has been the word workhorse defined. Other names will come out and be in the race but for now, these two are head of the class. The NFL is a marathon, not a sprint. When I think of MVP I think if this person is off the field his team has next to ZERO chance to win.
Russell Wilson Quarterback Seattle Seahawks:
At some point, we all will stop talking about the top QB’s in the league and leaving Russell out of the conversation. One of the things that makes Tom Brady the goat is he can make ANYONE look good. Think about some of the wideouts that have played with him David Patten, Wes Welker, Troy Brown. None of them are elite but damn Tom made them look like all pros. Can you name a Seahawks receiver NOT names D.K. Metcalf? I’ll wait. Wilson just makes plays, with his ability to run and then slide the right way with his baseball background he is a nightmare for defenses. And the throws he makes are insane, I mean holy tight window, Batman. With all the improv he does he still is yet to throw an interception. Yes, Patrick Mahomes is a human video game and makes you replay his highlights over and over. But is anyone asked to do more for the team like Wilson is? These next four weeks are a chance for him to put a chokehold on the award games against the Ravens, and 49ers both we good defenses, a hungry Bucs team, and underperforming Falcons. You take him off the Seahawks and even the most loyal 12th man knows this team is a top 3 draft pick squad. Would you know who Tyler Lockett is if not for number 3 and his command of the game? Watching how the rest of the season for him plays out will be one of the best storylines.
12 TD 0 INT 1,409 yards passing 126.3 QBR
Christian McCaffrey Running Back Carolina Panthers:
Son of a former Super Bowl winner who went to Stanford, the stereotypes and assumptions came from all over. Sure he ran all over Pac-12 defenses but at 5’11 200Lbs could he handle the NFL? Well with the 8th pick in the NFL draft the Carolina Panthers picked him and said they had big plans to showcase his skills. I will admit that I hated the pick thought he was too small, is he really THAT fast? Well, he shut me and a lot of others up his rookie year. And now this year he has slapped us in the face! Run CMC is a stud and the straw that stirs the Panthers drink. Call me crazy but I don’t think Cam Newton is the most important player on this team anymore, he is a part of it. What McCaffrey is doing is amazing every game it’s a new franchise record or league record being broken. What he does sets up everything else the team wants to do on offense. 107 receptions last season is a drop in the bucket compared to what he is on track to do this year. With his combination of speed, quickness, and power that most didn’t know he had. The only concern I have for him is wear and tear his workload so old school you can tell Norv Turner is the OC. Hopefully, Reggie Bonnafon will see more of the field and he can help keep McCaffrey fresh along with the return of a healthy Cam Newton.
7 total touchdowns 587 yards rushing at 5.7 yards per carry
31 catches for 279 yards
With 12 weeks left who knows how things will unfold but there is no doubt, these two will have a part in it. The two things they both have in common is they were underrated coming out of the draft due to size and have taken those “issues” and thrown them out the window. Every week in the NFL is a new episode of reality TV will these two make it until the season finale?
