C.J. Stroud threw five touchdown passes in Houston's 44-22 win at the Chargers, and Jordan Love threw for 372 yards and ran for a score in Green Bay's 45-27 win at New England. Arvell Reese sacked Joe Milton three times and Dominic Zvada made four field goals, including a 53-yarder, as the Giants won 19-11 in Philadelphia. Carson Schwesinger had 15 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble at the 2 in Cleveland's 23-22 overtime loss at New Orleans, and Tyler Bass made all three of his kicks in Buffalo's 23-6 win at Minnesota on Monday night.
W Texans 44, Chargers 22 · at Los Angeles Chargers
21 of 35, 384 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT (11.0 yards per attempt, 125.5 rating); 2 rushes, 20 yards
Stroud threw five touchdown passes at SoFi Stadium. After the Chargers pulled within 10-9 on Cameron Dicker's third field goal in the second quarter, he answered with a 63-yard touchdown to Tank Dell on a two-play drive, then finished a 76-yard drive with a 12-yard score to Kayshon Boutte with 31 seconds left for a 24-9 halftime lead. He added a 13-yard touchdown to Nico Collins on third-and-6 in the third quarter and a 63-yarder to Boutte on third-and-5 early in the fourth. The Chargers came in 0-7, and Daiyan Henley intercepted him once. Joe Burrow was the closest call, going 24 of 29 for 271 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, plus a 1-yard scoring run, in Cincinnati's 34-17 win over Atlanta in Madrid. Burrow was cleaner against a better team, but Stroud threw for 113 more yards and two more touchdown passes, on the road.
Runner-up: Joe Burrow, Bengals: 24 of 29, 271 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, plus a 1-yard TD run, in a 34-17 win over Atlanta in Madrid
L Saints 23, Browns 22 (OT) · at New Orleans Saints
15 tackles (10 solo), 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Schwesinger ended three New Orleans red-zone trips short of the end zone. On third-and-8 from the Cleveland 10 in the first quarter, he sacked Tyler Shough and the Saints kicked a field goal. With the game tied 3-3 in the second quarter, he forced Jordyn Tyson to fumble at the 2, and Tyson Campbell recovered at the 1. On third-and-6 from the 7 in the third quarter, he sacked Shough again, and New Orleans settled for a field goal and a 6-6 tie. The Saints didn't score a touchdown until 58 seconds were left in regulation. Cleveland lost 23-22 in overtime on a failed two-point try. Nik Bonitto was the closest call: with Carolina down 26-21 at the Denver 36 and 1:24 left, he strip-sacked Bryce Young and recovered the fumble himself to seal a road win. That play decided a game, but it was one of his two tackles, and nothing else this week matched three red-zone stops.
Runner-up: Nik Bonitto, Broncos: 2 tackles, 1 sack, plus a forced fumble and recovery on the sack with 1:24 left and Carolina at the Denver 36, in a 26-21 win at Carolina
3 of 3 field goals (39, 25 and 52 yards) and 2 of 2 extra points, 11 points
Bass made all three of his kicks at Minnesota, against a Vikings team that came in 6-1, in a game that stayed within one score until 6:17 remained. His 39-yarder opened the scoring after Greg Rousseau recovered a Carson Wentz fumble at the Minnesota 44, his 25-yarder made it 13-6 in the third quarter, and his 52-yarder with 4:40 left made it 23-6. Cam Little was the closest call after going 4 of 4 from 36, 45, 47 and 33 yards for 15 points in Jacksonville's 33-10 win at Baltimore. Little scored more, but the Jaguars led 17-3 at halftime against a 4-4 team, while Bass's points came in a tighter game against a better one. Spencer Shrader made the week's longest field goal, a 59-yarder that tied Dallas 20-20 with 5:56 left, and a 50-yarder for a 23-20 lead with 1:37 left, but Indianapolis lost 27-23.
Runner-up: Cam Little, Jaguars: 4 of 4 field goals (36, 45, 47 and 33 yards) and 3 of 3 extra points, 15 points, in a 33-10 win at Baltimore
W Packers 45, Patriots 27 · at New England Patriots
23 of 29, 372 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT (12.8 yards per attempt, 153.2 rating); 1 rush, 13 yards, 1 TD; 2-point conversion run
Love threw for 372 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in Foxborough against a Patriots team that came in 5-3. He ran 13 yards for a touchdown on Green Bay's first drive, hit Matthew Golden for 49 yards to set up a 5-yard scoring pass to Golden for a 14-0 lead, and found Christian Watson for 43 yards to the New England 2 before Kaleb Johnson's touchdown made it 24-7. To open the second half he led a 70-yard drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown to Savion Williams, then hit Watson for a 39-yard score and ran in the two-point conversion for a 42-14 lead. Dak Prescott was the closest call with 335 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions at Indianapolis, including a 46-yard throw to Ryan Flournoy with 1:37 left that set up the winning touchdown. Prescott's drive decided a close game, but Love put up bigger numbers against a better team.
Runner-up: Dak Prescott, Cowboys: 21 of 34, 335 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, including a 46-yard completion that set up the winning score with 1:08 left, in a 27-23 win at Indianapolis
Reese sacked Joe Milton three times in Philadelphia and finished with 12 tackles. With the Eagles up 8-6 early in the second quarter and facing third-and-5 at the New York 42, he stripped Milton, and Micah McFadden recovered at midfield. Later in the quarter his sack on third-and-10 forced a punt. With the Giants up 16-8 midway through the fourth, his third-down sack pushed Philadelphia back to its 42, the Eagles botched the punt that followed, and Dominic Zvada's 49-yard field goal made it 19-8. Myles Garrett was the closest call with three sacks and a forced fumble in the Rams' 20-13 win at Washington, the last on third-and-5 with 2:31 left, which led to a turnover on downs. Garrett's final sack came later in a closer game, but the Commanders still got the ball back, and Reese matched his sacks and forced fumble with nine more tackles.
Runner-up: Myles Garrett, Rams: 3 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble, the last sack on third-and-5 with 2:31 left, in a 20-13 win at Washington
4 of 4 field goals (53, 49, 38 and 49 yards) and 1 of 1 extra points, 13 points
Zvada scored 13 of the Giants' 19 points in Philadelphia. His 53- and 49-yarders gave New York a 6-0 first-quarter lead, his 38-yarder made it 16-8 with 9:06 left, and his 49-yarder with 4:24 left, after an Eagles punt went wrong, made it 19-8 and meant Philadelphia needed two scores. Teammate Jordan Stout was the closest call: five of his six punts pinned the Eagles inside their 20, including one downed at the 2 before halftime and one out of bounds at the 5 with 1:42 left. Cairo Santos made a 38-yard field goal as time expired to beat Tampa Bay 27-24, but it was one of his two kicks. Jake Bates also went 4 for 4 in Detroit's 19-9 win at Miami, but his longest was 43 yards.
Runner-up: Jordan Stout, Giants: 6 punts, 52.3-yard average, 5 inside the 20 (long 62), in a 19-11 win at Philadelphia
Jordan Love threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another as Green Bay won 45-27 at New England, with Christian Watson catching 171 yards and Xavier McKinney intercepting Drake Maye twice. Myles Garrett had three sacks and a forced fumble at Washington, Arvell Reese had three more at Philadelphia, and Quinnen Williams's red-zone strip helped Dallas win at Indianapolis. In the season lists, Joe Burrow takes over at quarterback, Kenneth Walker III at running back, Zyon McCollum at corner and Jordan Stout at punter. Love, Matthew Golden, Cole Van Lanen, Steve Avila, David Bailey, Reese, McKinney, McCollum and Logan Cooke come in; Jared Goff, Chris Olave, Trent Williams, Trey Smith, Aidan Hutchinson, Quincy Williams, Julian Love, Jamel Dean and Tommy Doman Jr. drop out.
Tuesday, November 10. Player of the week for Week 9 and the season top 5 through Week 9, at each of 14 positions.
Offense
Quarterback
Player of the week
Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers
W Packers 45, Patriots 27 · at New England Patriots
23 of 29, 372 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 3 sacks, 153.2 rating; 1 rush for 13 yds, 1 TD; 2-point conversion run
New England came in 5-4 and was down 14-0 inside eight minutes. Love scrambled 13 yards for a touchdown on second-and-9, then hit Matthew Golden for 49 and found him from the 5 on third-and-goal. Late in the first half a 43-yarder to Christian Watson reached the New England 2. In the third he threw a 10-yard score to Savion Williams on third-and-7 and a 39-yarder to Watson, then ran in the two-point try for 42-14. C.J. Stroud threw five touchdowns, against a winless team.
Runner-up: C.J. Stroud, Texans: 21 of 35, 384 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT in a 44-22 win at the Chargers
219 of 296, 2,386 yds, 23 TD, 6 INT, 15 sacks; 23 rushes, 77 yds, 3 TD · 8 games
Twenty-six touchdowns, the most here, and 2,386 yards at 8.1 an attempt, with four more scores against Atlanta in Madrid. Six interceptions and 15 sacks are the marks; the volume puts him ahead of Purdy.
2
Brock PurdySF=
163 of 236, 1,980 yds, 17 TD, 5 INT, 8 sacks; 39 rushes, 201 yds, 2 TD · 8 games
Eight sacks in eight games and 8.4 yards an attempt for the 7-1 49ers, plus 201 rushing yards. Nineteen touchdowns to Burrow's 26 is the gap; he stays ahead of Allen on efficiency and protection.
3
Josh AllenBUF▼2
156 of 236, 2,027 yds, 12 TD, 6 INT, 17 sacks; 61 rushes, 285 yds, 9 TD · 8 games
Twenty-one touchdowns, nine of them rushing, for the 7-1 Bills, who have won at Houston, the Rams, Las Vegas and Minnesota. Twelve touchdown passes and 17 sacks drop him from first.
4
Trevor LawrenceJAX▲1
146 of 224, 1,932 yds, 18 TD, 4 INT, 13 sacks; 21 rushes, 79 yds · 8 games
Eighteen touchdowns and four interceptions at 8.6 yards an attempt, and a clean game in Baltimore. No rushing scores and fewer yards than the three above keep him fourth.
5
Jordan LoveGBNew
215 of 341, 2,618 yds, 19 TD, 6 INT, 17 sacks; 12 rushes, 23 yds, 2 TD · 9 games
Two thousand six hundred eighteen yards, the most of any quarterback, and 372 at New England. Six interceptions and 17 sacks put him behind Lawrence; he edges Jared Goff, who has 2,134 yards and 19 sacks.
Wide receiver
Player of the week
Christian Watson
Green Bay Packers
W Packers 45, Patriots 27 · at New England Patriots
7 catches on 8 targets, 171 yds, 1 TD, long of 43
Green Bay led 17-7 late in the first half when Watson caught a 43-yard ball to the New England 2. He opened the second half with catches of 9 and 28, turned a third-and-2 at the Green Bay 30 into 33 yards, and caught a 39-yard touchdown down the middle that made it 42-14. Twenty-four yards a catch on the road against a 5-4 team. Matthew Golden caught all 10 of his targets in the same game, for seven fewer yards.
Runner-up: Matthew Golden, Packers: 10 catches on 10 targets, 164 yds, 1 TD in a 45-27 win at New England
71 catches on 99 targets, 1,036 yds, 9 TD · 9 games
The only receiver past 1,000 yards, with nine touchdowns and no fumbles on 84% of Seattle's snaps. He leads Watson by 157 yards and two scores.
2
Christian WatsonGB▲1
49 catches on 74 targets, 879 yds, 7 TD · 9 games
Eleven point nine yards a target, the best here, and 17.9 a catch, after 171 at New England. He's played 77% of the snaps; fewer catches and yards than Smith-Njigba keep him second.
3
Tee HigginsCIN▼1
48 catches on 67 targets, 758 yds, 6 TD · 8 games
Eleven point three yards a target and no fumbles in eight games. A 32-yard week in Madrid let Watson pass him; he stays ahead of Lamb on efficiency.
4
CeeDee LambDAL=
70 catches on 108 targets, 904 yds, 7 TD · 9 games
Nine hundred four yards and seven touchdowns, the most volume after Smith-Njigba, with 195 at Indianapolis. At 8.4 yards a target and with a lost fumble there, he trails Higgins.
5
Matthew GoldenGBNew
53 catches on 92 targets, 783 yds, 5 TD · 9 games
Seven hundred eighty-three yards and five scores, with a 10-for-10 game at New England. He edges Chris Olave, who has two touchdowns, and Ja'Marr Chase, who has 136 fewer yards.
Running back
Player of the week
Kenneth Walker III
Kansas City Chiefs
W Chiefs 35, Jets 12 · vs New York Jets
18 rushes, 102 yds (5.7), 1 TD, long of 12; 4 catches on 4 targets, 41 yds, 2 TD
The Jets led 6-0 after a quarter. Early in the second, Walker caught a 7-yard touchdown from Patrick Mahomes for the lead, and on second-and-11 from the Jets 25 he took a short pass 25 yards for a 14-9 lead. With 11 seconds left in the third he ran in from the 2 for 28-12. Three touchdowns and 143 yards, against a 2-7 team at home. Bucky Irving scored twice at Chicago, including the tying touchdown with 2:51 left, in a loss.
Runner-up: Bucky Irving, Buccaneers: 20 rushes, 97 yds, 2 TD; 4 catches, 28 yds in a 27-24 loss at Chicago
Eleven touchdowns, 5.5 yards a carry and no fumbles lost in eight games, with three scores against the Jets. Gibbs has 88 more yards from scrimmage; Walker's efficiency and ball security put him first.
One thousand one hundred thirty-two yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, tied for the most here. Two lost fumbles and 4.8 a carry are why he drops a spot.
Eight hundred eighty rushing yards, the most here, 1,130 from scrimmage and no fumbles for a 3-6 team, with 147 against Cincinnati. Six touchdowns to Gibbs's 11 keep him third.
Five point nine yards a carry, the best here, and 998 yards from scrimmage. Pittsburgh was off in Week 9, and three touchdowns in eight games put him behind Robinson.
Eight rushing touchdowns and 31 carries in the win at Minnesota. Two lost fumbles and 12 catches keep him fifth, ahead of Bucky Irving, who also has two fumbles lost.
Tight end
Player of the week
Darren Waller
Carolina Panthers
L Broncos 26, Panthers 21 · vs Denver Broncos
8 catches on 10 targets, 90 yds, 1 TD, long of 21
Denver came in 7-2 and Waller kept moving the chains against it. In the second quarter he converted third-and-5 from the Carolina 19 with a 12-yard catch. He opened the second half with a 21-yarder, and on third-and-9 from the Denver 15 he caught the touchdown that put Carolina ahead 14-13. Brock Bowers had 111 yards and a score at San Francisco but lost a fumble at the 49ers 26 with the Raiders down 11.
Runner-up: Brock Bowers, Raiders: 7 catches on 8 targets, 111 yds, 1 TD, 1 lost fumble in a 38-17 loss at San Francisco
Seventy-three catches, the most at the position by 25, on 90% of the snaps, every game played and no fumbles. Bowers has more yards and a touchdown more in two fewer games; availability decides it.
2
Brock BowersLV=
48 catches on 69 targets, 658 yds, 6 TD · 7 games
Six hundred fifty-eight yards, the most here, and 94 a game, with 111 at San Francisco. Two missed games and two lost fumbles keep him behind McBride.
3
George KittleSF=
38 catches on 53 targets, 483 yds, 5 TD · 8 games
Five touchdowns and 243 yards after the catch on 53 targets for the 7-1 49ers. Fewer catches and yards than the two above; more yards than Likely, on fewer targets.
4
Isaiah LikelyNYG▲1
46 catches on 69 targets, 448 yds, 6 TD · 8 games
Six touchdowns, tied for the most here, after a score at Philadelphia. At 6.5 yards a target he's less efficient than Kittle; the scoring puts him ahead of LaPorta.
5
Sam LaPortaDET▼1
35 catches on 49 targets, 399 yds, 3 TD · 8 games
Eight point one yards a target on 90% of Detroit's snaps, with no fumbles. Three touchdowns to Likely's six drop him a spot; he stays ahead of Travis Kelce, who has scored twice.
Offensive tackle
Player of the week
Colton McKivitz
San Francisco 49ers
W 49ers 38, Raiders 17 · vs Las Vegas Raiders
73 snaps, 0 penalties; 49ers sacked once, by Maxx Crosby; 43 rushes for 190 yds, 414 total yds
San Francisco drove 69, 89 and 84 yards for touchdowns in the first half and led 21-7. Brock Purdy went down once, Maxx Crosby's sack at the 49ers 35 with 1:12 left in the half, and threw a 37-yard touchdown to Jordan Watkins on third-and-3 late in the third for 35-17. McKivitz played every snap without a flag. Alaric Jackson was as clean in the Rams' win at Washington, behind an offense that scored 20.
Runner-up: Alaric Jackson, Rams: 75 snaps, 0 penalties; Los Angeles sacked once on 44 dropbacks in a 20-13 win at Washington
8 games, 498 snaps, 1 penalty; 49ers sacked on 3.1% of dropbacks, 4.2 yards per designed run
Every snap for the 7-1 49ers with one false start, behind a line that has allowed eight sacks in eight games. The cleanest combination of protection and penalties at the position.
2
Kahlil BensonKC=
8 games, 510 snaps, 2 penalties; Chiefs sacked on 3.8% of dropbacks, 5.1 yards per designed run
Every snap for a Chiefs team that runs for 5.1 a carry, the best here. Two holding calls and a slightly higher sack rate are the gap to McKivitz.
3
Kolton MillerLV=
9 games, 592 snaps, 0 penalties; Raiders sacked on 3.2% of dropbacks, 2.9 yards per designed run
No penalties in 592 snaps, the only tackle here without one, and no sacks allowed by the line at San Francisco. The Raiders run for 2.9 a carry, the weakest number here.
4
Terence SteeleDAL=
9 games, 623 snaps, 2 penalties; Cowboys sacked on 3.8% of dropbacks, 3.9 yards per designed run
Every Dallas snap, the most work here, with two penalties and a clean game in a 14-flag win at Indianapolis. Miller has none, which decides third and fourth.
5
Cole Van LanenJAXNew
8 games, 458 snaps, 1 penalty; Jaguars sacked on 5.2% of dropbacks, 4.0 yards per designed run
One penalty in 458 snaps for the 6-2 Jaguars, and no sacks allowed in Baltimore. He edges Trent Williams, who has four penalties, three of them holds; Jacksonville's sack rate keeps him fifth.
Linemen don't have a box score. They're judged on snaps, penalties, how the offense did around them and independent pass- and run-block charting.
San Francisco ran 43 times for 190 yards. Christian McCaffrey scored from the 1 off left guard for a 7-0 lead and Brock Purdy ran one in from the 1 for 14-0. Up 35-17 in the fourth, the 49ers ran 12 plays and 6:34 off the clock for a field goal, with Kaelon Black going for 16 and 18. Puni played all 73 snaps without a penalty. Kevin Dotson was clean at Washington in a 20-13 Rams win, behind a run game at 4.3 a carry.
Runner-up: Kevin Dotson, Rams: 75 snaps, 0 penalties; Los Angeles sacked once on 44 dropbacks in a 20-13 win at Washington
8 games, 492 snaps, 1 penalty; 49ers sacked on 3.1% of dropbacks, 4.2 yards per designed run
One penalty in 492 snaps for the 7-1 49ers, who have allowed eight sacks in eight games, the lowest rate here. Thuney has played more without a flag, but the protection numbers favor Puni.
2
Joe ThuneyCHI=
9 games, 660 snaps, 0 penalties; Bears sacked on 5.6% of dropbacks, 4.0 yards per designed run
All 660 of Chicago's snaps without a penalty, the most work at the position, for a 7-2 team. The Bears' 5.6% sack rate is what keeps him behind Puni.
3
Steve AvilaLARNew
9 games, 574 snaps, 2 penalties; Rams sacked on 3.7% of dropbacks, 4.7 yards per designed run
A Rams run game at 4.7 a carry and a 3.7% sack rate, both better than Chicago's, over nine games. Two penalties, a holding call and a face mask, and fewer snaps than Thuney put him third.
4
Chris LindstromATL▼1
9 games, 540 snaps, 1 penalty; Falcons sacked on 5.6% of dropbacks, 4.6 yards per designed run
One penalty in 540 snaps and a Falcons run game at 4.6, with no sacks allowed against Cincinnati. Atlanta's passing game has been poor around him, and that's the gap to Avila.
5
Dalton RisnerCIN▼1
8 games, 503 snaps, 1 penalty; Bengals sacked on 4.7% of dropbacks, 3.7 yards per designed run
One false start in 503 snaps for the 6-2 Bengals, who protect better than Atlanta. A run game at 3.7 keeps him fifth, ahead of Denver's Quinn Meinerz and Kansas City's Trey Smith, who has four penalties.
Linemen don't have a box score. They're judged on snaps, penalties, how the offense did around them and independent pass- and run-block charting.
Center
Player of the week
Cooper Beebe
Dallas Cowboys
W Cowboys 27, Colts 23 · at Indianapolis Colts
79 snaps, 0 penalties; Cowboys sacked 3 times; 34 rushes for 179 yds (5.3), 508 total yds
Dallas drew 14 penalties in Indianapolis and none were Beebe's. The Cowboys ran for 179 yards, much of it inside: Javonte Williams went 14 up the middle in the second quarter, 12 off right guard on third-and-17 from the Dallas 5 in the third, and scored the winner up the middle from the 1 with 1:08 left. Dak Prescott was sacked three times. Jake Brendel was clean in a 38-17 win, at home against a 4-5 team.
Runner-up: Jake Brendel, 49ers: 67 snaps, 0 penalties; 43 rushes for 190 yds, sacked once in a 38-17 win over Las Vegas
8 games, 506 snaps, 1 penalty; Chiefs sacked on 3.8% of dropbacks, 5.1 yards per designed run
Every snap but a handful for a Chiefs team that runs for 5.1 a carry, the best here, and has 1,023 yards on designed runs. One penalty; Brendel protects slightly better, Humphrey's run game is clearly better.
2
Jake BrendelSF=
8 games, 484 snaps, 0 penalties; 49ers sacked on 3.1% of dropbacks, 4.2 yards per designed run
No penalties and the lowest sack rate of any center here, 3.1%, for the 7-1 49ers. A run game at 4.2 is the gap to Humphrey.
3
Cooper BeebeDAL=
9 games, 624 snaps, 0 penalties; Cowboys sacked on 3.8% of dropbacks, 3.9 yards per designed run
Every one of Dallas's 624 snaps without a penalty, the most work here, and 179 rushing yards at Indianapolis. The Cowboys' 3.9 a carry for the season keeps him behind Brendel.
4
Coleman SheltonLAR=
9 games, 634 snaps, 1 penalty; Rams sacked on 3.6% of dropbacks, 4.6 yards per designed run
All 634 of the Rams' snaps with one false start, a run game at 4.6 and a 3.6% sack rate. One more penalty than Beebe, on a passing game that has done less around him.
5
Jared WilsonNE=
9 games, 573 snaps, 0 penalties; Patriots sacked on 6.1% of dropbacks, 3.8 yards per designed run
No penalties in 573 snaps for the 5-4 Patriots. A 6.1% sack rate and a run game at 3.8 keep him fifth, ahead of Buffalo's Connor McGovern, who has the same sack rate and a penalty.
Linemen don't have a box score. They're judged on snaps, penalties, how the offense did around them and independent pass- and run-block charting.
Dallas led 20-17 with 9:55 left when the Colts reached the Dallas 18. Williams stripped Jonathan Taylor on first down and Shemar James recovered, taking points off the board. With the game tied 20-20 and 1:55 left, he dropped Taylor for a 1-yard loss at the Dallas 35, and the Colts settled for a field goal that Dallas answered with the winner. Earlier he threw Seth McGowan for a 5-yard loss. Chris Jones had two sacks against the Jets, one ending a drive before half.
Runner-up: Chris Jones, Chiefs: 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 PD in a 35-12 win over the Jets
Forty-eight tackles and six sacks, both the most at the position, on 88% of the snaps, with a sack against Tampa Bay. Williams has more tackles for loss; Simmons does more of everything else and plays more.
Fourteen tackles for loss, the most here by five, two forced fumbles and five sacks, with a strip in the red zone at Indianapolis. He's played 67% of Dallas's snaps, and that's the gap to Simmons.
Four forced fumbles, the most here, plus five sacks and seven tackles for loss on 84% of a 2-7 team's snaps, with a sack and a strip against the Giants. Only three quarterback hits keep him behind Allen.
5
Dexter LawrenceCIN▼1
25 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks, 8 QB hits · 8 games
Eight tackles for loss and five sacks for the 6-2 Bengals on 69% of the snaps. No forced fumbles drops him below Carter; he edges Alim McNeill, who has 5.5 sacks and 17 tackles.
Edge rusher
Player of the week
Myles Garrett
Los Angeles Rams
W Rams 20, Commanders 13 · at Washington Commanders
Washington led 10-3 and had the ball at midfield with 2:20 left in the half when Garrett sacked Jayden Daniels and forced a fumble that the Rams recovered. With the Rams up 20-13 early in the fourth he sacked Daniels again at the Washington 39. With 2:31 left, on third-and-5 at the Rams 38, he dropped Daniels for 12 yards, and the drive was done. An offside and a neutral zone flag count against him. David Bailey had two sacks and two forced fumbles for the Jets, in a 23-point loss.
Runner-up: David Bailey, Jets: 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 3 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles in a 35-12 loss at Kansas City
Twenty-five quarterback hits, the most here by five, eight sacks, eight passes batted or defended and three forced fumbles for the 7-1 Bills, with a sack at Minnesota. Nobody here gets home more often.
Nine and a half sacks and 12 tackles for loss, both the most here, after two more sacks at the Chargers. Eight fewer quarterback hits and two fewer forced fumbles than Rousseau keep him second.
Five forced fumbles and 43 tackles, both the most at the position, with 7.5 sacks for a 2-7 team, two strips at Kansas City among them. Fewer hits than the two above; the turnovers put him ahead of Watt.
Seven and a half sacks, nine tackles for loss and an interception returned for a touchdown, on 66% of Pittsburgh's snaps. The Steelers were off in Week 9; Bailey's forced fumbles moved past him.
Twenty quarterback hits and seven sacks for the 6-2 Vikings. Six tackles for loss is the gap to Watt; he edges teammate Andrew Van Ginkel, who has 7.5 sacks and four fewer hits.
Philadelphia led 8-6 in the second quarter when Reese sacked Joe Milton on third-and-5 at the Giants 42 and forced a fumble that Micah McFadden recovered at midfield. Six minutes later he sacked Milton again on third-and-10 at the Eagles 46, forcing a punt. With the Giants up 16-8 and 7:22 left, his third sack, on third-and-10 at midfield, ended another drive. Twelve tackles, 10 solo. Carson Schwesinger had 15 tackles and two sacks in an overtime loss at New Orleans.
Runner-up: Carson Schwesinger, Browns: 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble in a 23-22 overtime loss at New Orleans
Four and a half sacks, 10 quarterback hits and seven passes defensed from off the ball, with no touchdowns allowed in coverage through Week 8. Twelve more tackles against Buffalo. Reese matches the sacks; Cashman does more in coverage.
Eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble on 99% of the Giants' snaps, three of the sacks at Philadelphia. Half as many quarterback hits as Cashman; more plays on the ball than Singleton.
Four forced fumbles, the most here, and no touchdowns allowed in coverage through Week 8 for the 7-1 49ers. Twenty-nine fewer tackles than Singleton.
5
Ernest JonesSEA▼1
88 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PD · 9 games
Eighty-eight tackles, three sacks and an interception on every Seattle snap, with no coverage touchdowns through Week 8. He edges Nakobe Dean, who has more tackles and eight misses.
Safety
Player of the week
Xavier McKinney
Green Bay Packers
W Packers 45, Patriots 27 · at New England Patriots
4 tackles (2 solo), 2 INT (38 return yds), 2 PD
On New England's first possession, second-and-9 at its 26, McKinney picked off a deep ball for Mack Hollins at midfield and returned it 36 yards to the Patriots 14. Green Bay scored a touchdown on the short field. With the Packers up 17-7 midway through the second quarter and the Patriots at the Green Bay 44, he intercepted Drake Maye again at the 29. Caleb Downs had an interception that sealed Dallas's win at Indianapolis, plus a sack.
Runner-up: Caleb Downs, Cowboys: 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 PD in a 27-23 win at Indianapolis
Eleven passes defensed, the most among safeties, three interceptions and two forced fumbles on every Rams snap. Two touchdowns allowed through Week 8 are the knock; nobody here affects more throws.
2
Evan WilliamsGB=
75 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT, 7 PD · 9 games
Seventy-five tackles, the most here, three interceptions and 5.4 yards a target allowed through Week 8, the best coverage numbers of the five. Four fewer breakups than Lake.
3
Xavier McKinneyGBNew
38 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 5 INT, 6 PD · 9 games
Five interceptions, tied for the most of any safety, two of them at New England. He's allowed 7.8 yards a target through Week 8 and has half Williams's tackles, which keeps him third.
4
Amani HookerTEN▼1
51 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 INT, 6 PD · 7 games
Five interceptions in seven games for a 1-7 team that was off in Week 9. He's missed a game and allowed 8.3 yards a target through Week 8, more than McKinney.
5
Kyle HamiltonBAL▼1
58 tackles, 9 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PD, 1 FF · 9 games
Nine tackles for loss from safety, the most here, with an interception and a forced fumble on 92% of Baltimore's snaps. He edges Julian Love, who has better coverage numbers and less of everything else.
Cornerback
Player of the week
Zyon McCollum
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
L Bears 27, Buccaneers 24 · at Chicago Bears
5 tackles (4 solo), 2 INT, 2 PD, 1 TFL
Chicago led 14-3 and had first down at the Tampa Bay 35 when McCollum picked off Caleb Williams's deep ball for Luther Burden at the 18. With 43 seconds left in the half and the Bears at their own 26, he took another one away from Kalif Raymond at the Chicago 43, ruled on review. In the fourth he stopped Burden for a 2-yard loss on third-and-5. Jaylon Johnson's 67-yard pick-six decided the game for Chicago, at home against a 3-6 team.
Runner-up: Jaylon Johnson, Bears: 3 tackles, 1 INT returned 67 yds for a TD, 1 PD in a 27-24 win over Tampa Bay
Four interceptions, tied for the most at the position, 11 passes defensed and every snap of Tampa Bay's season, with one touchdown allowed through Week 8. Parrish has more breakups; McCollum has twice the picks and hasn't missed a game.
2
Jacob ParrishTB▼1
39 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 14 PD · 8 games
Fourteen passes defensed, the most at the position, and two interceptions. He's allowed 7.6 yards a target through Week 8 and missed a game, which puts him behind his teammate.
3
Byron MurphyMIN=
38 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 INT, 7 PD · 8 games
Four interceptions, one of them against Buffalo, and no touchdowns allowed through Week 8 for the 6-2 Vikings. Seven breakups to Parrish's 14.
4
Trent McDuffieLAR▼2
25 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, 8 PD · 6 games
Two point nine yards a target allowed through Week 8 and no touchdowns, the best coverage numbers here. He's played six of the Rams' nine games, and missed time is what drops him.
5
Nohl WilliamsKC▼1
34 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 9 PD · 8 games
Four point two yards a target allowed through Week 8, nine breakups and five tackles for loss. One interception keeps him fifth; he edges Jamel Dean, who has missed a game and has one breakup fewer.
Special teams
Kicker
Player of the week
Dominic Zvada
New York Giants
W Giants 19, Eagles 11 · at Philadelphia Eagles
4 of 4 field goals (53, 49, 38, 49 yds), 1 of 1 extra points, 13 points
Thirteen of the Giants' 19 points, all on the road. Facing fourth-and-11 at the Philadelphia 34 in the first quarter he made a 53-yarder, and five minutes later a 49-yarder from the 31 for 6-0. With the Giants up 13-8 in the fourth, his 38-yarder made it 16-8, and with 4:24 left he hit from 49 for 19-8, which left the Eagles needing two scores. Tyler Bass made a 52-yarder in Buffalo's win at Minnesota.
Runner-up: Tyler Bass, Bills: 3 of 3 field goals (39, 25, 52 yds), 2 of 2 extra points, 11 points in a 23-6 win at Minnesota
22 of 22 field goals (4 from 50+), 18 of 18 extra points · 9 games
Perfect on 22 field goals and 18 extra points, the most attempts without a miss of any kicker here. Four makes from 50 or longer, fewer than Shrader, but no misses at all.
2
Tyler BassBUF=
19 of 19 field goals (3 from 50+), 23 of 25 extra points, 1 game-winner
Nineteen of 19, with a 52-yarder at Minnesota and a game-winner. Two missed extra points and three fewer field goals than McLaughlin keep him second.
3
Spencer ShraderIND▲1
22 of 24 field goals (8 from 50+), 16 of 17 extra points, 1 game-winner
Eight field goals from 50 or longer, the most here, including 59 and 50 against Dallas. Two misses and a missed extra point put him behind Bass; the range puts him ahead of Reichard.
4
Will ReichardMIN▼1
20 of 22 field goals (7 from 50+), 10 of 10 extra points · 8 games
Seven from 50 or longer and all 10 extra points for the 6-2 Vikings, who were held to six points by Buffalo. Two misses, like Shrader, on two fewer makes and one fewer long one.
5
Ka'imi FairbairnHOU=
18 of 19 field goals (7 from 50+), 21 of 21 extra points, 1 game-winner
One miss in 19 tries, seven from 50 or longer and a game-winner, with three more makes at the Chargers. Fewer attempts than the four above; he edges Andre Szmyt, who has missed twice.
Punter
Player of the week
Jordan Stout
New York Giants
W Giants 19, Eagles 11 · at Philadelphia Eagles
6 punts, 314 yds, 52.3 average, 5 inside the 20, 0 touchbacks, long of 62
A game decided by field position. Facing fourth-and-1 at his own 29 late in the first quarter, Stout hit a 62-yarder to the Philadelphia 9. From his own 46 just before the half he dropped one at the Eagles 2, downed there. Midway through the third his 62-yarder from the Giants 29 went to the 9, and with 1:42 left and the Giants up 19-11 he put a 47-yarder out of bounds at the Philadelphia 5. Brett Thorson put four of five inside the 20 for Minnesota, in a 17-point loss.
Runner-up: Brett Thorson, Vikings: 5 punts, 48.0 average, 4 inside the 20, 0 touchbacks in a 23-6 loss to Buffalo
33 punts, 51.8 gross, 44.5 net, 17 inside the 20, 2 touchbacks · 8 games
The best gross and net averages here, 51.8 and 44.5, and 17 punts inside the 20, the most of the five, five of them at Philadelphia. Clear of the field on every count.
2
Jack FoxDET▲2
26 punts, 48.2 gross, 44.1 net, 13 inside the 20, 2 touchbacks · 8 games
A 44.1 net with half his 26 punts inside the 20, and his only punt at Miami inside the 20. Four fewer inside the 20 than Stout, on seven fewer punts.
3
Corey BojorquezCLE▼1
43 punts, 50.4 gross, 44.0 net, 15 inside the 20, 3 touchbacks · 9 games
Forty-three punts, the heaviest load here, at a 50.4 gross and 44.0 net. Three touchbacks and a hair less net than Fox; the volume puts him ahead of Waitman.
4
Corliss WaitmanSF▼1
21 punts, 46.9 gross, 44.1 net, 10 inside the 20, 1 touchback · 8 games
A 44.1 net with one touchback and 10 inside the 20 for the 7-1 49ers. Twenty-one punts, under half of Bojorquez's work, keep him fourth.
5
Logan CookeJAXNew
28 punts, 48.6 gross, 43.9 net, 11 inside the 20, 1 touchback · 8 games
A 43.9 net and one touchback on 28 punts, with a 55.3 average at Baltimore. He replaces Tommy Doman Jr., whose net fell to 43.2 after a 35.2 night at Minnesota.
How we pick
One player per slot, judged the way the power rankings judge teams: what happened on the field, against whom and where. Production counts, and so does the opponent. A big game against a good defense or on the road beats the same numbers at home against a bad one, and a play that decided the game beats one that padded a lead. A great game in a loss can still win if nothing else comes close.
NFL awards follow the league's format, AFC and NFC, and go up on Tuesday morning, a day before the league names its own. College awards are national and go up on Sunday morning. Where there's an official pick (the NFL's, or Walter Camp's for college offense and defense), it's listed under ours, agree or not.
The NFL page also goes position by position: a player of the week and a season top 5 at each of 14 spots, from quarterback to punter. Players are filed by the job they do, so an edge rusher is anyone who rushes from the line, whether he's called an end or an outside linebacker, and a linebacker plays off the ball. The top 5 is the whole season's body of work, not a count of weekly wins, and a player needs to have played real snaps to make it. Offensive linemen have no box score, so they're judged on pressures and sacks allowed, penalties and what the offense did around them; that's noted on those cards.