NFL Week 1 – NFC Players of the Week

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Saquon Barkley, Tyrique Stevenson & Jake Moody Named Week 1 NFC Players of the Week

NEW YORK – Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Chicago Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend (September 5-6, 8-9).

OFFENSE: RB SAQUON BARKLEY, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

  • Barkley scored a league-high three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and totaled 132 scrimmage yards (109 rushing, 23 receiving) in his Eagles debut, helping Philadelphia defeat Green Bay, 34-29, in the NFL’s first-ever game in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday night.
  • This is the fourth-career Offensive Player of the Week Award for Barkley and second on Kickoff Weekend:
    • 2018: Week 11 (N.Y. Giants)
    • 2019: Week 16 (N.Y. Giants)
    • 2022: Week 1 (N.Y. Giants)
    • 2024: Week 1 (Philadelphia)
  • Barkley becomes the third Philadelphia running back to earn the honor in the last 10 seasons, joining D’Andre Swift (Week 2, 2023) and Boston Scott (Week 17, 2019).

DEFENSE: DB TYRIQUE STEVENSON, CHICAGO BEARS

  • Stevenson recorded a 43-yard interception-return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 24-17 comeback victory over Tennessee, which ended up being the winning score. It marked the longest defensive touchdown in the league in Week 1. Stevenson also added four tackles in the win.
  • This is the second-career Defensive Player of the Week Award for Stevenson, also earning the honor in Week 17 of the 2023 season as a rookie.
  • Stevenson becomes the fourth Chicago defensive back to earn the honor multiple times, joining Charles Tillman (three-time winner), Mike Brown (two) and Eddie Jackson (two). 

SPECIAL TEAMS: K JAKE MOODY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

  • Moody led the NFL with 20 points in Week 1, converting all six of his field goal attempts in the 49ers’ 32-19 victory over the Jets on Monday Night Football, including two from over 50 yards.
  • This is the first-career Special Teams Player of the Week Award for Moody, as he becomes the fourth San Francisco kicker to earn the honor in the past 15 years, joining Robbie Gould (seven-time winner), Phil Dawson (three) and David Akers (two).
  • Moody becomes the second former Michigan Wolverine kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Jay Feely (three times).  
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NFL Editor
NFL Editor
https://sportsgamingjournal.com/category/nfl/
Profile: A dedicated NFL analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s strategic, cultural, and statistical landscape. This columnist provides weekly coverage that blends film‑study insight, advanced metrics, and league‑wide context, offering readers a clear view of how teams evolve across a long and demanding season. Background: With extensive experience covering professional football, the columnist has contributed to national sports platforms, digital media outlets, and radio segments focused on team dynamics, coaching trends, and roster construction. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a methodical approach to evaluating performance, breaking news, and long‑term organizational strategy. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement League trends, coaching philosophies, and historical context Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and seasoned bettors. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful analysis, and a comprehensive understanding of the NFL’s fast‑shifting landscape.