As the NFL season continues to progress, we are finding out who we were right and wrong about in our thought’s pre-season.
Following free-agency and the draft, each team across the NFL has altered from who they were last season. What we expect on paper isn’t always what we see on the field.
The depth charts on each team influenced the NFL lines at Draftkings going into the early season games, now we have a better understanding of how these groups are playing together.
Some of the standout players in the early stages of the season include:
Josh Allen
Source: espn.com
The Buffalo Bills quarterback had a strong season last year and his side looked to be progressing well under the leadership of Sean McDermott.
Allen threw for the 36 touchdowns last year, the seventh highest in the league, while this season he was second only to Patrick Mahomes after week six with 17.
The quarterback is considered one of the favorites in the MVP discussions for the end of the season. He manages the offense incredibly well and the Bills are looking hard to beat in the AFC East. They are one of only three sides, including the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, to be unbeaten at home so far.
Allen’s performances and the way he uses the offense is making it hard to look past the Bills for a spot in the Super Bowl at the end of the season.
Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles reached their bye week undefeated, winning six from six to start the season. Hurts has been in scintillating form, leading his side to being the highest points scorers in the NFC East even after the other three sides played during the Eagles bye week.
Hurst has caused issues for opposing defenses with his movement and speed as well as his throwing ability. He is leading a dynamic offense with a great mix of weapons that makes it so hard for teams to slow them down.
After six weeks he had thrown for six touchdowns and only two interceptions, and he had completed 123 of his 184 passes prior to the bye.
Nick Chubb
Source: cnn.com
The Cleveland Browns had been in a sense of off field chaos in pre-season, moving on from quarterback Baker Mayfield, they had already moved on Odell Beckham Junior, and then caused uproar in the fanbase by bringing in Deshaun Watson to replace Mayfield.
Nick Chubb has been a key part of the running game for a number of seasons now and is doing his fair share of getting the team going on offense. After seven weeks he led the league in rushing yards, 740, while also scoring eight touchdowns.
It hasn’t been enough to lift his team to a winning record so far, with the Browns having lost five of their first seven games. The playoffs look a long way off at this point, but Chubb is showing signs of life in a team which needs to improve its defense to compete,
Tyreek Hill
Source: nfl.com
Having moved on from the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill no longer had quarterback superstar Patrick Mahomes passing him the ball. The Miami Dolphins have had to switch between Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater due to injuries, but that hasn’t appeared to affect Hill one bit.
The speedster is leading the league in receiving yards with 773, and in receptions, with 57. Though he has only managed two touchdowns, both coming in the game against the Baltimore Ravens, he is key to moving his side up the field.
Aaron Donald
The off-season, Donald was made the highest paid player in NFL history that isn’t a quarterback. He was seen as imperative to the LA Rams plans on the field, and he has rewarded the back-office’s trust with continually high performances this season.
He dominated offenses in the Rams run to the Super Bowl last year, totaling 25 quarterback hits and 12.5 sacks. He has started this season well once again with four sacks in six games as well as nine tackles and one forced fumble.
The Rams are 3-3 after six games though have given up the least points in the NFC west so far. Their offense is slowly kicking back into the elite levels it showed last year and they will be looking to build a Super Bowl run once again.
Davonte Adams
Source: kicker.de
Adams left the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers for Las Vegas this off season, becoming the LV Raiders newest weapon on offense. The Raiders gave up a lot to get him, first and second round draft picks as well as nearly $66 million in guaranteed wages,
Rodgers and the Packers have suffered without him, while Derek Carr is delighted to have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL at his disposal. He has five touchdowns from 37 receptions and is doing all he can to help his side look to close the gap between them and Kansas City Chiefs and LA Chargers in the AFC West.
This is just the start, and there are many players looking to push their names up the lists for MVP consideration, as well as propel their teams into the playoffs. The NFL is once again producing quality excitement for fans around the world.
