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It’s Wednesday morning. That means it’s time to take a bow for the week with a range of prizes.
And the price itself is, as always, the price. There is no money. There is no trophy. There is nothing. Except for the tiny release of dopamine for those who win.
And maybe for one or more of those named as finalists.
Here’s the list of week three award winners, along with those who came close to winning nothing more than satisfaction.
Offensive Player of the Week: Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson.
For the 14th time in 64 career games, Lamar Jackson generated at least 100 yards of passes and 100 yards of rushing. He also scored five touchdowns against a defense led by one of the greatest coaches of all time.
For three weeks, the 2019 MVP puts himself in the conversation for a bookend for his previous award. He seems to be as good as ever and just getting better.
Other finalists: Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith (eight catches, 169 yards, one touchdown); Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (262 passing yards, three touchdowns); Bear runs back Khalil Herbert (157 rushing yards, two touchdowns); Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (340 passing yards, three touchdowns); Falcons run back Cordarrelle Patterson (141 rushing yards, one touchdown).
Defensive Player of the Week: Cowboys Defensive End DeMarcus Lawrence.
Lawrence led a swarming defense of Dallas with three sacks against the Giants. He made a career high and he has re-established himself as one of the best pass rushers in the game.
Other finalists: Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (interception who set up the winning field goal), Eagles defense end Brandon Graham (2.5 sacks), Lions defenseman Jeff Okudah (keeping Justin Jefferson on three catches and 14 yards).
Rookie of the Week: Packers receiver Romeo Doubs.
The choice of the fourth round in the 2022 draft could emerge as the best option in the Green Bay passing game. He caught eight passes on eight goals for 73 yards and a touchdown in a two-point win over Tampa Bay.
After three games, Doubs is the team’s leading receiver with 14 catches and 137 yards.
Other finalists: Saints receiver Chris Olave (nine catches, 147 yards), Falcons receiver Drake London (three catches, 54 yards, one touchdown), Colts receiver Jelani Woods (two catches, 13 yards, two touchdowns), Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (seven tackles, three passes defended, one interception).
Coach of the Week: Dolphin Coach Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins have quickly adopted a find-a-way attitude, influenced by the cool confidence of their freshman coach. On Sunday, the Dolphins repeatedly took the best punches the Bills had to offer, and still managed to get just enough points to win.
The statistical differences were staggering. Buffalo had the ball for over 40 minutes. They won 497 yards from Miami’s 212. They had a total of 90 plays; Miami had 39.
But the Dolphins finished with 21 points, the Bills with 19. And Miami now has three wins and no losses.
Other finalists: Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Colts coach Frank Reich.
Game of the Week: Steelers receives the OBJ-esque catch from George Pickens.
In the first half of Thursday night’s game in Cleveland, Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky did what he had to do: trust Georgia rookie George Pickens to be open, even though it looks like he isn’t.
The ball came in. Pickens twisted his body to make a one-handed catch. This angle makes it even more impressive.
And while OBJ’s Sunday night catch in 2014 will always be more memorable, it can be argued that Pickens’ catch was even better. First, he didn’t see the ball until the last second; Beckham had time to track the throw and prepare for the catch. Second, Pickens adjusted the momentum that carried him in one direction and swung around to make the catch. For Beckham there was no change of direction.
Other finalists: Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb’s one-handed touchdown catch, Vikings receiver KJ Osborn’s game-winning touchdown catch, Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd’s 56-yard touchdown catch, Jaguars running back James Robinson’s 50-yard touchdown run on fourth and one, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’ 45-yard throw to receiver Jaylen Waddle on third and 22, Raiders receiver Mack Hollins’ 48-yard catch on fourth and 15, the Butt Punt.