Peter King on Gurley & Phillips

from: https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/12/26/philadelphia-eagles-nfl-playoff-picture-instant-replay-week-16-mmqb

Peter King

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Todd Gurley, running back, Los Angeles Rams. Catapulting into the MVP discussion in the past two weeks with six touchdowns in two dominant performances, Gurley again led the Rams to an impressive victory—this time to help the team win its first division title since 2003. In the 27-23 win over the Titans in Nashville, Gurley had 35 touches for 276 yards and two touchdowns—118 rushing yards and 158 in the air—and leaped tall defenders in a single bound. Twice. Gurley combines the power that Jeff Fisher cultivated with the athleticism and make-’em-miss ability that Sean McVay has wisely used. I didn’t think any 2017 player could be a better all-around back than Le’Veon Bell, but Gurley has certainly looked like it in this commanding run of greatness.

COACH OF THE WEEK

Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Rams. The amazing run of an amazing 70-year-old coach continues. With the Rams on the way to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, Phillips now has compiled a ridiculous streak of success. No one hits the ground running like Phillips.

In his first season on the staffs of the 1989 Broncos, the 1995 Bills, the 2002 Falcons, the 2004 Chargers, the 2007 Cowboys, the 2011 Texans, the 2015 Broncos and the 2017 Rams, those teams made the playoffs. Even though this Rams defense has bent, it hasn’t broken, and the fact that they’re 11-4 and have clinched the division with a week to play … well, Phillips has turned out to be a smart hire (a fairly obvious one, but smart nonetheless) by egoless Rams coach Sean McVay.