Ducks lead undefeated San Francisco 49ers and their unstoppable defensive front-seven, shutting out Washington at home. Royce Freeman displays his versatility in a brutal Week 7 loss to the Chiefs.

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Offense

Top Offensive Performers

• Royce Freeman - Denver Broncos

Freeman has carved out an important role for himself in a tumultuous Denver Broncos offense. Despite lacking a starting role, Freeman has assumed the role of third-down back, while essentially splitting carries with running back 1a., Phillip Lindsay. In Thursday’s loss to Kansas City, Freeman rushed for 35 yards on 10 carries scoring a goal-line touchdown. He brought in four of his five targets for 32 yards giving Freeman a total of 67 yards from scrimmage against Washington.

Averaging 66.6 yards from scrimmage since their loss to Green Bay in Week 3, the 71st overall pick in 2018 has seen seven more passing targets, while seeing only 16 less carries in the previous five games. While the Broncos aren’t doing exceptionally well by any means, it’s nice to see Freeman be as important to an offense as he is with some of the disappointments thus far in the 2019 season.

• Marcus Mariota -Tennessee Titans

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Speaking of disappointments, the disappointment mentioned just above has all signs pointing in this direction. Whether you disagree with the benching of Mariota, or not, it’s unfortunate to see his “fall from grace”. It’s especially not a good look with replacement-starter, Ryan Tannehill leading the Titans to a home victory over the largely debilitated Los Angeles Chargers. Tannehill threw for 312 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with a rating of 120.1, according to Pro Football Reference.

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Defense

Top Defensive Performers

• Arik Armstead - San Francisco 49ers

Washington might be about as low-class of competition as it gets in the NFL and the 49ers defense showed their dominance once again. Armstead was at the forefront of San Francisco’s defense totaling three tackles, recording a sack and a tackle for loss on quarterback Case Keenum. Armstead is on his way to have a “Buckneresk” breakout season. Through seven weeks, Armstead has already set his season-high sack record with 3.5. He’s also just one tackle-for-loss short of tying his career-high with 10 games remaining on the regular season schedule.

• Troy Hill - Los Angeles Rams

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The Rams have made some splashy moves this last week and with the absence of the five-time Pro-Bowler Aqib Talib, Hill will get ample opportunity to get some meaningful snaps. In L.A.’s 37-10 win over the Falcons, Hill totaled four solo tackles and a QBH. With the Integration of the newly aqcuired, Jalen Ramsey into the Rams’ secondary, it will be interesting to see how much Hill’s snap-count fluctuates over the next several games.

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Special Teams

Top Special-teamer

• Kenjon Barner - Atlanta Falcons

With Atlanta’s defense in as rough of shape as it is, Barner received his chances on kick returns and making them count. Barner took back two returns for 65 yards, averaging 32.5 yards per attempt and a long of 33.

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Honorable Mention

• DeForest Buckner - San Francisco 49ers

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Second on the 49ers defense in tackles against Washington, Buckner registered six tackles, three solo, three assisted, giving him 27 on the year through six games. While Buckner may be declining in comparison to 2018, San Francisco’s defensive-front is as loaded as they come. Each seems to have their night. One day it’ll be Buckner, the next it could be Armstead, or Bosa. While his stats may be declining from years past, it’s only due to the distribution of wealth among one of the NFL’s best defenses. And nothing to do with Buckner’s individual efforts.