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The Packers won an ugly game this Sunday, and while Aaron Rodgers had an okay day, you'll notice that he's not the headliner on this week's MVP candidate list. This week, it's dominated instead by a few young, emerging stars who made their mark at Ford Field yesterday.
Here are your candidates:
WR Randall Cobb - Number 18 tied a career high this week with nine receptions (he also caught nine balls in week 1 against the 49ers). Cobb also made a marvelous adjustment to a ball in the air to catch the game-winning touchdown with two minutes left in the game. He now has six touchdowns in his last four games. Cobb also contributed with a pair of runs for 19 yards. He wasn't much of a force in the return game today, but he definitely was one of the few consistent contributors on offense.
TE Jermichael Finley - Imagine seeing Finley on this list after the series of games he has had recently! Finley only caught three balls, but got the first one in the end zone in the first half, then forced a broken tackle an sprinted down the sideline for a 40-yard catch and run that set the Packers up in scoring position before Cobb's game-winner. Hopefully this performance gets Finley's confidence back up and helps make him a game-changer again as the season winds down.
CB Casey Hayward - The rookie corner was a stud once again today. According to Pro Football Focus, Hayward allowed only one completion for six yards on the seven balls thrown to his receiver. He also made a great interception and broke up three more passes, including a couple on early drives that helped force the Lions to go three and out multiple times.
FS Morgan Burnett - Burnett had a couple of miscues during Sunday's game (the ball going right through his hands on Calvin Johnson's touchdown comes to mind), but he was very steady overall in coverage and made a nice sack of Matthew Stafford when he stepped up to blow up a broken play. He also tied for the team lead in tackles with A.J. Hawk (10 total, 8 solo). This was another very positive game for Burnett, as he continues to stack up good performances after another great game against Arizona.
Where does your vote go? Does M.D. Jennings deserve recognition this week for his pick-six? Did I unfairly leave Aaron Rodgers off the list? Sound off in the comments below.