PFF Team of Week 6

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 6.

(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 changes.)

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Tom Brady, NE (+6.1)

It could have been very different but he overcame seven drops from his receivers to lead his team to a memorable victory.

Honorable Mention: Matthew Stafford (DET)

Running Back: Arian Foster, HOU (+3.3)

He’s running well right now and his 143 yards proved it. Not the kind of guys to break tackles, but an extremely decisive runner at his best.

Honorable Mention: Giovanni Bernard (CIN)

Fullback: Anthony Sherman, KC (+3.2)

As well as Tolbert played, we like our fullback to make a bigger impact with his lead blocking. That’s why we’ve gone for Sherman who is excelling for Andy Reid.

Honorable Mention: Mike Tolbert (CAR)

Tight End: Vernon Davis, SF (+3.0)

A big receiving day for Davis who turned 11 targets into 180 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a promising sign for the 49ers' offense.

Honorable Mention: Greg Olsen (CAR)

Wide Receivers: Antonio Brown, PIT (+3.8) and Justin Blackmon, JAX (+2.6)

In catching 9-of-11 targets for 86 yards Brown made defenders miss and made the most out of every opportunity. It was a different type of outing for Blackmon who saw the Jags' offense run through him. Still despite the extra attention he ended with a very healthy 190 yards.

Honorable Mention: Riley Cooper (PHI) and Brandon Marshall (CHI)

Tackles: King Dunlap, SD (+5.7) and Demar Dotson, TB (+4.5)

How about that from Dunlap? It's rare you see a left tackle exhibit so much dominance in the run game. As for Dotson he doesn’t get any much attention around the league but it’s time people started to recognize the player he has become.

Honorable Mention: Trent Williams (WAS) and Anthony Davis (SF)

Guards: Travelle Wharton, CAR (+3.7) and Brandon Brooks, HOU (+3.7)

With the team losing Amini Silatolu they needed Wharton to step up and boy did he in this one with a dominant display of run blocking. On the other side, Brooks hasn’t always looked like the best fit in Houston but you wouldn’t have known the way he played on Sunday.

Honorable Mention: Evan Mathis (PHI) and Todd Herremans (PHI)

Center: Chris Myers, HOU (+3.9)

The ever-reliable Myers is our top-ranked center on the year and if he keeps playing like this there’s very little anyone will be able to do to change that.

Honorable Mention: Alex Mack (CLE)

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: Fletcher Cox, PHI (+5.1) and Jason Hatcher, DAL (+5.6)

Chip Kelly described the play of Cox as the best he’s seen from him in his time. We’d go one step further, with it the highest grade we’ve ever given him. On the other side, Hatcher had a breakout campaign last year and he’s not letting the Cowboys' defensive scheme change slow him down. He was superb this week with two sacks and three hurries.

Honorable Mention: Geno Atkins (CIN) and Cedric Thornton (PHI)

Defensive Interior – Nose: Damon Harrison, NYJ (+5.0)

An ideal fit in the Jets' scheme, Harrison is more than just a space eater with an ability so shed blocks and make plays around the line of scrimmage.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Mebane (SEA)

Edge Rushers: Elvis Dumervil, BAL (+6.2) and Brian Orakpo, WAS (+3.6)

Another big pass rushing day for Dumervil who took full advantage of a favorable matchup to pick up two sacks, two hits and a hurry. Orakpo didn’t get the quarterback down but did have five hurries and added some good work in the run game.

Honorable Mention: Jerry Hughes (BUF) and Sio Moore (OAK)

Linebackers: Erin Henderson, MIN (+2.8) and Jamari Lattimore, GB (+3.0)

Good work against the run and some pressure rushing the passer meant Henderson finished the week with his head held high. Filling in for the injured Brad Jones, Lattimore coped with an increased workload to really look the part, especially in run defense.

Honorable Mention: Curtis Lofton (NO) and Karlos Dansby (ARZ)

Cornerbacks: Brandon Carr, DAL (+4.8) and Carlos Rogers, SF (+4.5)

How about this for a day from Carr. Thrown at 12 times, allowing just four completions and breaking up three. Not too bad at all. Rogers had himself a pick while picking up four defensive stops.

Honorable Mention: Tracy Porter (OAK) and Darrelle Revis (TB)

Safeties: Yeremiah Bell, ARZ (+3.4) and Eric Weddle, SD (+3.5)

It's telling that Bell was able to get this grade despite getting beat for a couple of touchdowns such was his impact on the other 96% of his snaps. Fine work in coverage by Weddle who saw five targets but only allowed 18 yards with one pass break up.

Honorable Mention: Morgan Burnett (GB) and Eric Reid (SF)

Kicker: Strong stuff from Shaun Suisham who kicked all four of his attempts.

Punter: It feels good to be home for Brian Moorman.

Returner: Was there ever any doubt that Dwayne Harris would be the guy?

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