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San Francisco’s Duo of edge-rushing Ducks lead the way en route of 41-17 home victory — Marcus Mariota stands out, just not necessarily as hoped.
Offense
Top Offensive Performers
- Royce Freeman - Denver Broncos
Despite dropping a tight home contest to the Chicago Bears, Freeman accumulated more than 100 yards from scrimmage. The second-year back led the Broncos run-game with 54 yards on 11 attempts, adding 48 yards on 5 receptions for 9.6 yards per reception. Freeman took a back seat to starting running back Phillip Lindsay with 13 carries, but that’s the second game now that Freeman has outperformed the undrafted All-Pro rookie. As Denver moves to 0-2 there might be “a change in the wind” of the Mile High City’s backfield, if struggles continue.
- Marcus Mariota - Tennessee Titans
Not Mariota’s strongest performance. While the Indianapolis Colts may have lost Andrew Luck in the preseason with his, well let’s just put it, surprising decision to retire, they’re still a solid football team. Mariota managed 154 yards on 19-28 attempts and a touchdown with 32 rushing yards on five attempts. Indianapolis’ defense was extremely disruptive in the Titans’ backfield sacking Mariota four times and forcing a fumble. Mariota took a beating as the Titans fall to 1-1 losing their first game of the season at home to the Colts, 17-19.
Walker was open in the flat, clearly Mariota was trying to find something downfield. pic.twitter.com/aTKGOVCN2O
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) September 16, 2019
Marcus Mariota’s goal is to play a full season. Sometimes you have to take risks but for s guy having difficulty sustaining weight gain and stay healthy, this and another play in this game seems counterproductive. pic.twitter.com/kzcAGaSXRq
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 16, 2019
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Defense
Top Defensive Performers
- Arik Armstead - San Francisco 49ers
A huge part of why San Francisco’s defense has had the success they’ve seen so far, Armstead has kicked off 2019 on a tear. With his second sack on the season, Armstead moves into the top ten sack leaders. Perhaps this is his breakout year. In the 49ers second game of the season, Armstrong finished with three tackles, the sack and two TFL as the 49ers beat Cincinnati handily, 41-17.
Arik Armstead with the hesi/forklift/rip. @arikarmstead is able to pry the hands of Andre Smith off of him & get the sack! #49ers pic.twitter.com/2da1v3Qcm1
— Fourth and Nine (@fourth_nine) September 15, 2019
- DeForst Buckner - San Francisco 49ers
It’s hard to see DeForest through the trees, but with all the first-round trees standing on the San Francisco defensive line, it’s no surprise he can be hard to see. The 49ers got to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Andy Dalton, four times with Buckner getting in on the action for his own with 1.0 sacks in the game. Buckner finished with two QB hits and a TFL. That’s seven sacks for San Francisco’s defense in two games making them the fifth ranked team in sacks to begin 2019.
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Special Teams
Top Special-teamer
- De’Anthony Thomas - Kansas City Chiefs
Thomas made a reception in Kansas City’s 28-10 trampling over the Raiders, however his impact in the return game was felt a bit more. His one and only kick return went for 19 yards, but Thomas was able to field five punt returns for an average of 5.6 YPR.
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Honorable Mention
- Tyrell Crosby - Detroit Lions
Replaced Taylor Decker after the left tackle reported questionable with a back injury before Week 2’s game. Crosby didn’t allow a sack in Detroit’s 13-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was his first start of the season; through 60 snaps in 2019 Crosby has an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 57.3.
Tyrell Crosby allowed two pressures against the Chargers. Neither of them came on this play, the 31-yard TD pass to Kenny Golladay. pic.twitter.com/ujObwhrnpZ
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) September 16, 2019