The RedZone: Week 5 in the NFL

Ryan's Top 5

5. Terrell Owens - 7 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD. The Bengals may be struggling for momentum as a team, but T.O has been carrying the offense, with Chad Ochocinco and Cedric Benson looking much less effective compared to last year, probably due to Carson Palmer's continuing decline. Any perceived "personality issues" that Owens' has should be disregarded when you look at the impact he has had so far this season, although it wasn't enough on this occasion to prevent a 24-21 reverse at home to the Bucs.

4. Quintin Mikell - 8 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 for a TD. With Asante Samuel concussed, it was important that the rest of the Eagles secondary stood up and made some big plays - not a difficult task when faced with Alex Smith and the woeful 49ers. It was Mikell who shone the brightest. Rookie Brandon Graham exploited Smith's concrete feet to sack him, allowing Mikell to scoop up the ball and return it to the house for a decisive score in a 27-24 victory.

3. Ray Rice - 27 carries, 133 yards, 2 TD's; 4 catches, 26 yards. When fit, there is no finer site than Ray Rice running for the Ravens from Rutgers. Injuries have taken their toll so far this season, but this was a true return to form in a 31-17 win over the Broncos. Joe Flacco and his receivers have been picking up the slack whilst Rice has been nursed through the first few games. Now he's back, that Baltimore offense looks good. Really good.

2. Matt Forte - 22 carries, 166 yards, 2 TD's; 2 catches, 22 yards. Another team who needed a big name to step up in the absence of another. With Jay Cutler still feeling the effects of the Giants' pass rush, the Bears had to turn to Todd Collins as their starting QB against Carolina. He was shocking, even worse than Carolina's offering of Jimmy Clausen followed by Matt Moore. When a QB throws 4 picks, you need a miracle from your offense to acheive success (and terrible opposition - as the Panthers are). Forte was that man, once again displaying a new found maturity and big-game mentality. The Bears won 23-6

1. Shaun Hill - 21/32, 227 yards, 3 TD's - the Lions deserved better than the 0-4 record they held as they faced the Rams on Sunday. Their opponents were riding high on a wave of optimism, after two straight wins amid signs that their defence and Sam Bradford could eventually take them places. Hill blew them out of the water in a 44-6 battering. He has far from disgraced himself since covering for the injured Matthew Stafford. What is particularly impressive is how he targeted 7 different receivers fairly evenly, without relying solely on Calvin Johnson.


Graeme's Top 5

5. Tony Romo - 31/46, 406 yards, 3 TD's - Yes, he threw 3 picks and yes the Cowboys lost. But Romo in the main played with great poise, especially considering the meltdown that occured around him. 2 of his INT's were not his fault, he took 6 sacks and his teammates were more concerned with increasing the penalty count than helping him out.

4. LaRon Landry - 13 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT - The forced fumble killed a Packers drive and set up a score for Washington. The INT, in overtime, won the game. For an undoubtedly gifted player (formed 6th overall draft pick after all), Landry lost his way somewhat with Jim Zorn and Greg Blache, but new DC Jim Haslett has him back in the fast lane.

3. Giants Defence - Limited Texans to 24 yards rushing (Texans franchise low) and 171 yards passing with no TD's through the air - Big Blue came together against the seemingly broken Texans, with the offense alive and well in the hands of Manning E. , Nicks and Bradshaw. But it was the defensive effort that made this a convincing win for New York. The Texans offense were completely nulified.

2. Lady Luck in Arizona - 2 fumbles by Max Hall, 2 Turnovers by the Saints - With rookie Hall starting at QB, and being asked to do a bit too much by the coaches, there were bound to be some mistakes made. The fumbles, though, were blessings in disguise as they were both recovered by Arizona linemen, one by Alan Faneca for a key first down, one by Levi Brown for a TD. The Saints two turnovers, a fumble and an INT, were both returned by the Cardinals D for scores to allow Arizona to scrap to a win.

1. Josh Freeman - 20/33, 280 yards, 1 TD - An away win against the reigning AFC North champions is no mean feat, and it shows that this young Tampa outfit, while perhaps not legitimate this year, are undoubtedly on the right track to something great. Freeman continues to improve and justify Ryan and myself's belief in him. The throw to Spurlock to set up the winning Connor Barth field goal was seemingly came from a different plane of existance to the rest of us mortals.

FavreWatch - 14/34, 264 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT - completion % shows a man with a mind elsewhere perhaps? You know you're out of form when calls are made for Tarvaris Jackson to replace you!

GM and RM