The RedZone: Week 6 in the NFL

Ryan's Top 5

5. Steven Jackson - 29 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD. It's beginning to become clear that the Rams genuinely have a chance in the NFC West. Not because they're playing mindblowingly good football, just because everybody else is playing as averagely as them! However, a solid 20-17 home win against the Chargers is not to be taken lightly. Jackson ran them ragged all day with his first big game of the season, showing that the pressure is not squarely on Sam Bradford's shoulders to make things happen. For Norv Turner's Chargers, the realisation that, even with Marcus McNeill back, they cannot adequately protect Philip Rivers (7 sacks in all) must feel ominous!

4. Roman Harper - 7 tackles, 2 FF's. A week before the return of Darren Sharper, his partner-in-crime at safety, Harper put in a big hitting show to ease the pressure on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offense. By shutting down a vibrant Buccaneers offense in a 31-6 road win, Brees was able to return to his best, spreading the ball to various receivers and making use of undrafted rookie Chris Ivory in the backfield, who had a career day.

3. Andre Johnson - 8 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD in the dying stages. There has been so much talk of Johnson not being 100%, a dodgy ankle keeping him way short of his best and his status perpetually in doubt. There was little evidence in the 4th quarter here, as Johnson and Matt Schaub rallied for yet another comeback victory, 35-31 against the Chiefs. Schaub targetted Johnson no less than 5 times on the final game-winning drive, as they marched 80 yards up the field for victory, after their shoddy pass defense was earlier embarrassed by Chiefs' LB Mike Vrabel hauling in a TD catch from Matt Cassel!

2. Cameron Wake - 3 tackles, 3 sacks. What's the best way to deal with a star QB returning from a concussion? Wake provided the answer by hitting Aaron Rodgers constantly in the Dolphins' 23-20 OT victory against the clearly overrated Packers at Lambeau. Although Rodgers still threw for over 300 yards, his completion percentage was way down on his very best, which will disappoint him. Chad Henne blew more hot than cold on this occasion, which was enough for Miami to claim the spoils.

1. The Eagles offense - Kevin Kolb - 23/29, 326 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT; Jeremy Maclin - 7 catches, 159 yards, 2 TD's; DeSean Jackson - 2 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, 1 catch, 34 yards, 1 TD. This is what I'm talking about! Atlanta went into this game touted as one of the very best in the NFL right now, certainly the team to beat in the NFC. They left with that reputation in tatters as they were comfortably outplayed by a young Eagles outfit in a 31-17 defeat. It's clear now that you do not need a great QB like Donovan McNabb under centre, when you have receivers like Maclin and Jackson who can make things happen at any time. Kolb will never be as good as McNabb, but he has the weapons to be as effective. The same for Michael Vick, whoever gets the job against the Titans in week 7. Jackson started off as lead playmaker with an end-around rush and TD grab before a nasty collision with Falcons CB Dunta Robinson concussed him. Maclin then stepped up and finished the job.