So it is one week down and 16 more to go in NFL 2013.
Here, we will take a look at the best of the best position-wise on a weekly basis. While you can debate the choices, keep in mind that it won't always be strictly about the numbers. And on occasion, we will be taking a look ahead as well as give a history lesson or two.
Bottom line here is that we will do our "best."
Peyton Manning, Reggie Bush And Chip Kelly Earn Top 10 Honors In NFL's Week 1 Slideshow
QB Peyton Manning
It was hard not to go with a guy who tied the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game (7), the first player to achieve that feat since 1969. This week, big brother meets younger brother at MetLife Stadium as Peyton takes on Eli on Sunday afternoon. The latter threw for five scores last week at Dallas. Four were to his teammates but one of those was to the other team, part of the Giants' six-turnover fiasco in a loss to the Cowboys.
RB Reggie Bush
Yes, LeSean McCoy made easy work of the Washington Redskins defense on Monday night, running for 184 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. But we would be Lion if we weren't more impressed with the overall play of Bush. The explosive performer rushed for 90 yards on 21 attempts and tacked on 101 more on four receptions, along with a touchdown, as Detroit snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season with a 34-24 victory over the Vikings.
WR Anquan Boldin
The veteran wide receiver began his second decade in the NFL in outstanding fashion as he suited up for his third team. And just as he did in his debuts with the Arizona Cardinals ('03) and Baltimore Ravens ('10), Boldin got at least a c-note worth of receiving yards, totaling 13 grabs for 208 yards and a score in the Niners' 34-28 win over the Green Bay Packers. But the sure-handed receiver may find that Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and friend won't be easy pickings on Sunday night.
TE Jason Witten
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looked the veteran tight end's way nine times Sunday night and Witten caught eight passes for 70 yards and both of Romo's touchdown passes against the Giants. Witten has now totaled 814 catches in 11 seasons and one more grab ties him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe (815) for second place all-time among tight ends. You have to like his chances of being enshrined too.
Offensive Line: Bears
Great job by the new-look line of the new-look Chicago offense as quarterback Jay Cutler was kept clean in a 24-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Cincinnati has standouts such as Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson up front. But four news starters up front for the Bears meant no sacks for a Bengals' defense that totaled 51 sacks in 2012. Still, Cutler and head coach Marc Trestman can't celebrate the win too much with defensive end Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings coming to town this Sunday.
DE Robert Quinn
Jeff Fisher's club tied for the league lead with 52 sacks last season and got off to a good start in 2013. Quinn is a member of that first-round laden defensive front of the Rams and spent a good chunk of the afternoon in the Arizona Cardinals backfield this weekend. Three tackles, 3.0 sacks and a pair of critical forced fumbles were a big part of the team's 27-24 win. Now can the mighty Quinn and company corral Matt Ryan and the Falcons this week?
LB Justin Houston
Well, we know that Green Bay's Clay Matthews won't be getting the San Francisco 49ers vote this week. In any case, the nod goes to Houston, who had no problem getting to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Then again, either did any of the other Chiefs. Houston finished the day with five tackles and had half (3.0) of the team's six sacks of Gabbert in Kansas City's 28-2 win.
DB LaRon Landry
In his first game with his third team in as many seasons, the former Redskin and Jet free safety defender was kept busy by the Oakland offense and in particular, quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Landry totaled 15 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and knocked down a pass in Indianapolis' 21-17 win. Fortunately, teammate Antoine Bethea came up with the game-clinching interception in the closing minute.
Special Teams: Dwayne Harris
Huh? Two punt returns for 19 yards gets you this honor? Not really. But when you consider that Harris was usually the first one down the field on the Cowboys’ kick coverage and totaled three tackles on special teams, it makes it much easier to explain.
Coach: Chip Kelly
The innovative offensive mind is leading a different flock of birds these days. And on Monday night, the Eagles' attack had the Washington Redskins ducking. Kelly's team ran 53 plays, gained 322 yards and scored 26 points ... in the first half. Philadelphia held on for a 33-27 win and now get the San Diego Chargers, who are also coming off a short week and weren't as fortunate when it came to holding onto a big lead.
-- Read more of Russell S. Baxter at ProFootballGuru.com. Follow him on Twitter @BaxFootballGuru.
