Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Here were the standout players recognized for their Week 1 performances in the AFC and NFC:
- RB Kenneth Walker, Kansas City Chiefs
- LB T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
- K Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
- RB D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
- LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Simi Fehoko, Arizona Cardinals
Simi Fehoko just showed why the Cardinals kept 7 receivers
Fehoko was the X-factor in Arizona's surprising 26-14 upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers, with a crucial blocked punt.
It felt like the Chargers had momentum for a comeback, especially given how heavy of underdogs the Cardinals were. But with Arizona suddenly up just 16-14, Fehoko's blocked punt provided that extra cushion.
It set the Cardinals offense up perfectly, and Trey McBride scored just two plays later. Arizona's defense surprisingly held its own, allowing the Cardinals to pull off the biggest Week 1 upset with ease.
Unfortunately, their schedule only gets tougher from here, with Arizona's home opener on Sunday, September 20 against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Though Seattle will be without quarterback Sam Darnold, it's still a daunting matchup against a divisional rival and one of the league's best defenses. Arizona could really use a boost in special teams to help the Cardinals offense start in a better scoring position.
Hopefully Fehoko, or someone else this time around, can step up and turn the tide in Arizona's favor to pull off yet another upset. But the fact that Fehoko came away with the potentially game-saving block in Week 1 is particularly significant because of the uncertainty around whether he'd even be part of this 53-man roster.
His strong play doesn't come as a surprise considering that's exactly what we've seen throughout the preseason. It's also what essentially forced Arizona's hand to retain seven receivers on its 53-man roster.
With Kendrick Bourne emerging as the WR3 alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, uncertainty surrounded the futures of players like Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, rookie Reggie Virgil, and, to a lesser extent, Devin Duvernay.
Duvernay had essentially already separated himself thanks to his special teams contributions. Meanwhile, their wideouts on the roster bubble -- Brooks, Virgil, and Fehoko were playing too well to part ways with. But with most of the talk surrounding Duvernay's spot being all but secure due to his special teams role, it was actually Fehoko who emerged as the standout special teams performer in the entire NFC for Week 1.
That recognition further confirms why the Cardinals were right to take an unconventional approach and keep seven receivers on this 53-man roster. Those buried on the depth chart at the position will need the versatility to contribute elsewhere, and Fehoko is already proving his worth on special teams.
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