1. Ryan Tannehill, QB Miami
You simply can’t vote
against a guy who won the AFC offensive player of the week award in week 1. His
team relies on him a ton to make plays and with a stagnant running game he
managed to pick up a few first downs with his feet, as well as toss 4
touchdowns through the air. He was very solid and the team was 1-0 with him
making zero mistakes. In a league where you’re penalized more for the mistakes
you make more than the points you score, Tannehill gets the nod in week 1.
Stats through week 1: 234
Yards 4 TD 0 INT 80% comp. Passing
27 Yards 0 TD Rushing
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB Buffalo
Rodgers was outstanding in
week 1, throwing for 3 touchdowns over 300 yards and completing 84% of his
throws. Normally this would be an easy vote as he was the preseason favorite
for the award. However, he did toss a pick and he threw one early that went
right through Suggs’ hands that could have made that a different game. That
being said, he didn’t do anything to hurt his chances in week 1 as he turned in
a typical dominant A-Rod performance. If he’s healthy he’ll shatter every
league passing record in Madden 19.
Stats through week 1: 320 Yards. 3TD 1 INT 84% comp. passing
0 yards rushing
3. Dak Prescott, QB New
England
Prescott is arguably the
biggest x-factor in the 3GML this season. If he can bounce back from a mediocre
first 3GML season the Patriots could play a major role in the 2018-19 season.
Prescott was outstanding in week 1 and played a really good football game. He
leads the 3GML in passing yardage through week 1 and completed 84% of his
throws. On top of that he also ran for a
score and used his legs for 48 more yards. The top 3 guys in this voting are
essentially tied through week 1, these ratings are extremely close.
Stats through week 1: 323 Yards, 1TD 1INT 84% comp. passing
48 yards 1TD rushing
4. Rashaan Melvin, CB New
England
Nothing in the madden
universe matters as much as takeaways and Melvin nabbing two off Deshaun Watson
was a major contributing factor to the Patriots starting 1-0. He graded out as
the number one rated defensive player through the first week in the league and
his playmaking ability was paramount. Odds are he doesn’t stay up here
throughout the year but someone always surprises in the 3GML universe with
outstanding years on defense, like last year’s darling James Bradberry.
Stats through week 1: 3
tackles 2 INT
5. Brandin Cooks, WR Buffalo
The former Jet and offseason
addition got paid mightily by the Bills and paid immediate dividends to
ownership and to Aaron Rodgers. Cooks’ speed was way too much for a Ravens team
without Jimmy Smith due to injury and Tavon Young due to the Jets’ GM being a
damn genius and using him as their dime back. Cooks had 166 yards on 6 catches
including 76 RAC yards and his deep route running and productivity is going to
be huge for the Buffalo to hoist a Lombardi. This season we think will be the
first in 3GML history where a running back doesn’t win MVP, everyone was
thinking QB, maybe Cooks nabs the award with a monster 19’ season.
Stats through week 1: 6
Receptions 166 rec. yards 2 TD
6. Julio Jones, WR New
England
Julio is a dominating player
and he turned in another great performance opening weekend. Jones had 7 catches
for 108 yards and a touchdown and is a force in opening up running lanes. A
touchdown and 48 RAC yards plus the constant scrutiny he is under as the focal
point of an offense leads Julio to be down at the schoolyard and in our 6th
position.
Stats through week 1: 7
receptions 108 rec. yards 1 TD
7. Devante Parker, WR Miami
Parker was another former
Jet who looks to have found a permanent home in the schematic genius of Adam
Gase. Parker caught contested passes, ran away from defenders and managed to
average 21 yards per catch through the first week. It was a strong showing on a
bevy of routes from someone who struggled to create separation early, maybe his
development will lead to Miami sneaking out of the rugged AFC East.
Stats through week 1: 5
receptions 105 rec. yards 1 TD
8. Vita Vea, DT Buffalo
Not very often you’ll find
someone who after their first game turns into an MVP candidate but it’s what
you found here with Vea. He played 60 snaps for Buffalo, a staggering sum for a
zero technique type player, but he came away with 3 tackles and 2 sacks. While
Garrett will end up with more sacks and they both had a pair this game, Vea’s
were when the game was on the line and tight early and his pressure and
constant eating of double teams was a major factor in Baltimore getting nothing
going on the ground. Dominant performance from the big guy.
Stats through week 1: 3
tackles, 2 sacks, 60 snaps
9. Derek Carr, QB New York
Finally a Jet makes the list
but it wasn’t what Carr did that gets him on this list as much as what he
didn’t do. Yes he missed a 60 yard touchdown to Cam Meredith but he controlled
the line of scrimmage, and didn’t turn the football over. He even showed
glimpses of how good of a runner he can be when challenged. He only threw 13
times but posted solid rating and ypa numbers while also rushing for 51 yards
and a 28 yard scamper. No his redzone eficiency wasn’t good but he was solid
and his team is 1-0.
Stats through week 1: 112
yards, 0TD 0 Int 69% comp. Passing
51 yards 1TD Rushing
10. Joey Bosa, DE New York
Bosa gets on the list
because his defense was absolutely dominant on Monday night. Bosa scored two
points himself and his entire defense only gave up 3 for the game. He had two
sacks on the night and a number of pressures.
You had to include the Jets defense somehow in the MVP voting and on
night one Bosa gets the nod.
Stats through week 1: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 safety.
