PFF Team of Week 10

Each week the staff at Pro Football Focus watches over a combined 400 hours of football to ensure we know who the best players are. It makes us the premier outfit in player evaluation, used by NFL teams and fans alike to understand which guys are getting the job done and which guys aren’t.

It’s with this knowledge we can put out our Team of the Week, going beyond the box scores and the highlight reel plays to see who were the best players on every play of every game.

Here’s the Team of Week 10.

(Note: Team will be updated after Monday Night Football games are analyzed and on Wednesday when All-22 footage helps us study plays in even more detail where needed with an asterisk noting any change.)

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Drew Brees, NO (+4.8)

You really can’t do much more than Brees did to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. He was ruthlessly efficient in completing 82.9% of passes at 9.6 yards per attempt.

Honorable Mention: Robert Griffin III (WAS)

Running Back: Marshawn Lynch, SEA (+4.9)

A phenomenal display of running as Lynch picked up 80 of his 145 rushing yards after contact. When you break seven tackles that’s what can happen.

Honorable Mention: Andre Brown (NYG)

Full Back: Jed Collins, NO (+3.1)

A good week for fullback play, but Collins edged the selection as he used his 39 snaps to pave the way for a big rushing day for New Orleans.

Honorable Mention: John Conner (NYG)

Tight End: John Carlson, MIN (+4.1)

Who saw this coming? Showing some nice moves after the catch and not looking out of place with his blocking, this was a Carlson none of us expected on Thursday Night Football.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Reed (WAS)

Wide Receivers: Brandon Marshall, CHI (+3.9) and Marques Colston, NO (+3.8)

Marshall didn’t just pick up 139 yards and two touchdowns, he also continued his fantastic season of run blocking that you rarely see from a wide receiver. There was little of that from Colston, but there’s no shame in catching 7-of-8 balls thrown your way for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Honorable Mention: Demaryius Thomas (DEN) and Golden Tate (SEA)

Tackles: Michael Roos, TEN (+4.5) and Zach Strief, NO (+5.3)

Roos had another perfect game in pass protection doing what he does. Continually the Titan just gets his job done to great effect. On the right side, Strief offset some good work in pass protection (one hurry allowed) with getting some movement in the run game.

Honorable Mention: Joe Staley (SF) and LaAdrian Waddle (DET)

Guards: Andy Levitre, TEN (+5.9) and Mackenzy Bernadeau, DAL (+5.0)

This is the kind of Levitre Titans fans had hoped to see when the team made him their highest paid offseason acquisition. Superb stuff to keep Mathis out of the team. In all the bad play by Dallas Bernandeau had his best game since joining the team. Go figure.

Honorable Mention: Evan Mathis (PHI) and Jahri Evans (NO)

Center: Stefen Wisniewski, OAK (+4.0)

Some excellent work in the run game ensured the Raiders' center got the nod here. Kudos.

Honorable Mention: Brian De La Puente (NO)

DEFENSE

Each week we put forward a hybrid defense that features two edge rushers (4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers), three players on the “interior” of the defensive line (defensive tackles or 3-4 defensive ends) and two linebackers (all inside linebackers and 4-3 outside linebackers).

Defensive Interior – Ends: J.J. Watt, HOU (+10.8) and Calais Campbell, ARZ (+9.4)

There was never any doubt here. Two guys from the same game, both of whom will see themselves a place on our Page of Fame once the All-22 confirms what the broadcast footage showed. These two were on fire.

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Babineaux (ATL) and Kyle Williams (BUF)

Defensive Interior – Nose: Marcell Dareus, BUF (+5.8)

The Bills got thumped but it wasn’t because of the play of their defensive line. Dareus was particularly impressive with four defensive stops and four quarterback disruptions. Nice day, indeed.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Mebane (SEA)

Edge Rushers: Von Miller, DEN (+5.8) and Robert Mathis, IND (+4.6)

The Colts were terrible. Nobody is denying that, but at the same time it doesn’t mean they were all bad. Mathis, with two sacks and two hits, is continuing to excel out of the shadow of Dwight Freeney. Miller, who is so dangerous around the line of scrimmage has wasted no time hitting his stride since coming back from his suspension.

Honorable Mention: Everson Griffen (MIN) and William Hayes (SL)

Linebackers: Stephen Tulloch, DET (+6.3) and Vincent Rey, CIN (+3.9)

How about Tulloch? He was a wrecking ball against the run and in fine form in coverage, where the bulk of his grade came. His stats didn’t quite match up to Rey who finished with three sacks, a pick and five more defensive stops. That’s a nice problem for the Bengals to have when Rey Maualuga returns.

Honorable Mention: Geno Hayes (JAX) and Mason Foster (TB)

Cornerbacks: Lardarius Webb, BAL (+5.4) and Jimmy Smith, BAL (+4.3)

Did Andy Dalton make these guys look good, or was it the other way around with them making him look bad? Either way, this Ravens duo combined to allow just 5-of-15 into their combined coverage for 60 yards with a pick and five pass break-ups.

Honorable Mention: Dwayne Gratz (JAX) and Trumaine Johnson (SL)

Safeties: Aaron Williams, BUF (+2.7) and Ryan Clark, PIT (+2.3)

It wasn’t the flashiest of games but it did produce two solid safety displays in a week that really lacked anything to wow us.

Honorable Mention: Jairus Byrd (BUF) and Chris Conte (CHI)

Kicker, Justin Tucker, BAL: It never hurts hitting game winners.

Punter, Shane Lechler, HST: He’s having a tremendous year and it reached new heights against the Cardinals.

Returner, Tavon Austin, SL: That’s more like it.

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