Week 4 NFL Players of the Week

 This article is coming out a bit later than usual this week, but don't worry, the top players from last week are still going to be crowned right here! While the NFL world might have their minds on the thrilling Rams' victory over Seattle last night, here, we are still thinking about the winners of last week's awards!

OFFENSIVE Player of the Week: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, Atlanta Falcons

Statline: 5 receptions, 82 yards, 3 TDs receiving | 34 yards rushing

While some NFL experts wouldn't give the player of the week ever to someone whose team didn't win, we are different. We believe the best player of the week deserves the award and that was the case here with Patterson. The Falcons choked another large lead like usual, but that was not in the fault of Cordarrelle Patterson. The former special teams ace has found his way into a massive role in the Falcons offense. Brought in this off-season as an under the radar move, Patterson's versatility has been an issue for opposing defenses to figure out. While he is officially listed as an RB and lines up there often, he is really a WR. Patterson was borderline unstoppable on Sunday. He caught 5 passes for 82 yards which is nothing crazy but THREE touchdowns! They weren't just boring TDs with no meaning, they were important when they happened and were some really nice plays by Patterson. One of them was so improbable, it was a corner of the endzone fade route and Patterson just went up over the defenders head and mossed em with ease. It was one of those jaw-dropping plays. He also had another nice catch, run, and dive for the endzone. While the Falcons again, did not win, Patterson deserved this. His 100+ scrimmage yards on offense and three TDs were a signal of elite play. He has become the best offensive player on a stacked Falcons offense that includes Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, and Mike Davis. We don't know
how long that will last but we are enjoying it while we have it. While the first three OPOTW were guys we could have expected (Kyler Murray, Derrick Henry, Josh Allen), I don't think anyone could have seen Cordarrelle Patterson ever getting the award coming into the season. That is why the NFL is so great.
// Last Week's Winner: Josh Allen (QB, Bills)

DEFENSIVE Player of the Week: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys

Statline: 2 INTs, 4 tackles

After one of the worst seasons for rookie CBs in 2020, a few of those guys are stepping up big-time in 2021, Trevon Diggs the most. Diggs had a super up and down 2020 rookie season, but is looking like an elite CB1 suddenly to begin the 2021 campaign. Diggs leads the NFL with 5 interceptions in just 4 games. That is just not seen. 5 picks in just 4 games! Last season, Dolphins CB Xavien Howard led the league with 10 picks in an entire season. Diggs already has half of that in just 4 games. With 13 to go, he could smash Howard's total from last season. Against the hot Panthers team, Diggs was the difference maker. With his two interceptions, the Cowboys got some extra drives that they were able to capitalize on. Without those picks, Dallas might have lost the game. While the entire Dallas defense is playing so much better to start this season, the play of Diggs could be the biggest reason why. Dallas lacked a true star in their secondary last season and Diggs is stepping up to be that guy right now. After brother Stefon Diggs broke out in a big way last year, it appears the younger Diggs brother is doing the same this year. It's only been 4 weeks and a lot will change, but Trevon Diggs looks like he is the DPOY front runner as we speak. He is also the DPOTW of week 4.
// Last Week's Winner: Myles Garrett (DE, Browns)

SPECIAL TEAMS Player of the Week: DeAndre Carter, Returner, Washington Football Team

Statline: 101-yard Kickoff-Return TD, 152 total return yards (50.7 yard return average)

DeAndre Carter had one of the best return man days we've seen in awhile. The aggressive ace from Washington finally ran one back. Known best for his anger when he is unable to return the ball (when it gets kicked out of the back of the endzone for example), Carter wasn't angry with this day. Carter started Washington's comeback bid with his masterful 101 yard return TD in which he just ran a straight-line through everyone and was just faster. Aside from that, Carter piled up a total of 152 return yards that was good for 50 yards on average for each of his returns. It's rare that a non-kicker or punter wins this award in a week, but occasionally you will see a performance from a return man as good as DeAndre Carter that garners the ST-POTW.
// Last Week's Winner: Justin Tucker (K, Ravens)

ROOKIE of the Week: Zach Wilson, Quarterback, New York Jets

Statline: 297 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT passing, First Career WIN

How refreshing was this performance by Zach Wilson, Jets fans? The much-maligned no. 2 overall draft pick finally had his breakout performance. Wilson was downright awful through the first 3 weeks of the season as the Jets were 0-3 and no one looked worse. Suddenly, there was a big change in week 4. The Jets came out hot and were moving the ball against the Titans who are a good NFL team who made the playoffs last season. Wilson finally looked comfortable and was showing off the things he does that made him such a high draft pick. There was one particular bomb that Wilson threw as he rolled way to the right. On the move he just flung the ball 53 yards and over the heads of two defenders right into the hands of Corey Davis for a TD. It was Aaron Rodgers-like. With such ease he just got the ball 50+ yards. That is the true arm-talent that this kid possesses and is why he is likely a future star QB in this league. The Jets beat the Titans in a major upset win in OT for Wilson and the team's first win of the season. An easy choice to make Zach Wilson the rookie of the week for this one!
// Last Week's Winner: Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Bengals)

TEAM of the Week: Arizona Cardinals (4-0) beat Los Angeles Rams (3-1) | Final Score: 37-20 Cardinals

Week 4's team of the week gets the award for beating week 3's team of the week! Going into this one, the Rams were hot as could be. They just handed the defending Super Bowl champs their first loss of the season and looked easily like the best team in football. The Cardinals simply did not care. They continued to do everything they've done all season and just put the pedal to the metal from the opening kick. They embarrassed these Rams. Matthew Stafford did not look like Matthew Stafford for much of this game and Kyler Murray razzle-dazzled this defense. The Cardinals with the win made their claim for the best team in football. They remain the only unbeaten left in the league just 4 weeks in. This is the most wide-open the NFL has been in years. The Cards have the best record and there appears just to be no clear Super Bowl favorite right now. This win was a major confidence boost for a hot Cardinals team who has gone one step closer to becoming that favorite in the wide-open NFC.
// Last Week's Winner: Los Angeles Rams