NFL Quarterly Report: Who is your MVP?

How we doing today guys, I hope the weekend has treated you well thus far. This Sunday marks week 5 in the NFL meaning that we are 1/4th the way through the NFL season. This got me to thinking to who has really preformed well for their team and really set themselves apart from the rest of the league thus far.

Arian Foster- Houston Texans

Arian Foster

Quick! who leads the league in rushing? Nope not Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, or Maurice Jones-Drew. Its Arian Foster from the Houston Texans. This guy has been an absolute stud thus far. Practice squad player last year to a record holder this year. One of only four guys in NFL history to have over 500 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the first 4 games. Not only that but the dude basically only played a half against the Raiders, hitting them up for 131 yards and a TD on the ground and 56 yards receiving and a TD. Averaging an absurd 6.3 yards per carry for 537 yards rushing, 152 yards receiving, and 5 TDs.
Coach! Put me in the Game!!

Troy Polamalu

The "experts" said the Steelers should be lucky to be 2-2 by the time Ben Roethlisberger finished his suspension. Obviously the Steelers weren't listening to that expert analysis. The Steelers are 3 and 1 and probably should be 4 and 0. The Steelers are boasting the number 1 run defense and the 5th Ranked defense overall. The Steelers are also giving up the least amount of points per game at 12.5, holdings teams to 62 yards rushing, 8 forced fumbles, 11 sacks and 6 interceptions. This is in large part to Troy Polamalu, when he is on the field the Steelers are a different team and now that Big Ben is back to bolster there offense I can assure you they will be a threat coming down the stretch.

Peyton Manning

           

Yes I understand the Colts are 2-2 and have lost 2 divisional games against the Texans and Jags, but can you really put any of that blame on Peyton? Peyton has been better than ever, this is probably one of the few guys who can make Austin Collie look one of the top 10 receivers in the league. Peyton has completed 69.7 % of this passes, thrown for 1365 yards, 11 touchdowns and 1 interception, and if you watched or saw the highlights of that Jags game you saw Brody Eldridge drop a touchdown pass and Anthony Smith make a shoelace grab and return the ball to midfield. Regardless, the loses don't hurt Peyton's status here, we knew the Texans were going to come out game one against the Colts at Reliant Stadium like it was the Super Bowl. Second it took Josh Scobee to hit a 59-yard field goal with the clock expiring to win that game in Jacksonville. Fine. Its part of the game, but Peyton will continue to play like the ultra elite quarterback he is and deserves MVP consideration.

Peyton Putting in Week 4 Work

Antonio Gates

Antonio " Enemy at the Gates" in a word has been a beast. This guy might go down as being the best Tight End to ever play the game, not many people realize that Gates didn't even play football in college. Gates was a basketball player at Kent State, went undrafted, landed on the Chargers in 2003 and well the rest is history. Gates is forth in the league in receiving(386 yards), First in the league in receiving touchdowns(6), and top five in targets. Again I realize the Chargers are 2 and 2 but I assure you they will pick it up late like they normally do and rip off 7 straight wins. Since Vincent Jackson's future is still up in the air I dont see any decrease in Gates' numbers because he is a load to contain. Gates is too fast for linebackers and too big and strong for DB's, the man is a match up nightmare. And hey when you got Phillip Rivers dealin' the ball your always going to be in good shape.

Gates Lighting up the Cards: 7reps,144 yards,2TDs

Honorable Mention

Clay Matthews Jr.

Clay Matthews Jr. Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers has been stuntin like his daddy (literally). Clay comes from one of the finest Football linages next to the Mannings of course. His grandfather Clay Matthews Sr.played in the NFL in 50s, drafted by the Rams, then played 4 years in San Francisco. Bruce Matthews, Clay's Uncle, was 14 time Pro Bowler and a All of Famer for the Oilers who later became the Titans when Bruce last played in 2001. Clay's Father was a 4 time Pro Bowler for the Browns in the 80's and 90's. Clay's brother Kyle played safety at USC (2000-2003) and his youngest brother Casey plays linebacker at Oregon.

The family ties definitely translate into his game. Clay is a monster on the edge racking up 18 solo tackles, 7 sacks and a forced fumbled so far. He is listed as a linebacker but he is a hybird between linebacker and defensive end. Clay has the speed to blow by tackles to get sacks or drop into coverage and the strength to close gaps and stop the run in the trenches. 

If your a Michael Vick fan you might want to thank Matthews because he is the guy who chased down Kevin Kolb and sacked him causing his concussion. If Matthews doesn't make the sack we probably don't see the resurgence of Michael Vick this season.   

Great Read on Matthews: ESPN