NFL Week One Star Performers

Week One saw some awesome match-ups, two games into O/T and a couple of upsets but who were the difference makers?

Patrick Mahomes

QB, Kansas City Chiefs, W44-21 @ Cardinals.

The Baby GOAT was imperious on Sunday night, showing a lacklustre Arizona defense why it’s not a great idea to bring the blitz against Mahomes. Finishing 30/39 for 360yds, 5TDs whilst simultaneously managing to avoid any interceptions or sacks, it’s fair to say that Mahomes demonstrated to us all once again why he deserved that huge 10-year contract extension that’s worth half a billion dollars.

Even without Tyreek Hill, he looked completely unstoppable. Can Mahomes do it again next week against stiffer opposition when the Chiefs host the Chargers and one of the most talent-filled Defences in the league? Hell yeah he can.

Justin Jefferson

WR, Minnesota Vikings, W23-7 vs Packers.

Justin Jefferson put in a performance that was akin to a peak Randy Moss. No matter the coverage, he continually found himself able to beat his marker and dominate the Packers defensive backs. I thought a defensive outfit housing Rashan Gary, Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander would do a better job of containing JJ. But I was wrong.

Nine receptions on 11 targets for 184yds and 2TDs was a game-winning effort. Fantasy owners, hold tight and ride this train all the way to your post-season.

Minkah Fitzpatrick

S, Pittsburgh Steelers, W23-20 @ Bengals.

The Steelers traded a first round pick (and change) for Fitzpatrick back in 2019. It was quite a purse. But the former Alabama man demonstrated to everyone why he commanded that sort of price-tag. 14 tackles, a pick-six and a game-changing blocked PAT meant that the Steelers’ lumbering offence had enough back-up from the D to crawl over the line in overtime.

He showed that he is the lockdown safety he was designed to be. If he keeps firing like this throughout the season, Pittsburgh should have just about enough legs to stay competitive in most games this season.

And a week to forget for… Dak Prescott

QB, Dallas Cowboys, L3-19 vs Bucs

Before the game ending injury to his hand, Dak Prescott wasn’t playing well. Managing to throw an interception in a turgid game versus a Bucs team doing Bucs things, he didn’t look like he was having fun.

Queue a helmet to the thumb and a break to the hand that’ll require surgery and a few weeks off work, it was a week to forget for the Cowboys star.