Best and Worst Of NFL Week Ten

Week Ten of the NFL has come and gone, with a few notable events taking place. The AFC playoff picture is taking a little more shape, now with the Jets on the outside looking in after falling to Buffalo. The Jets and Bills are just two of the ten teams still have a winning record, which makes every matchup between contenders feel doubly important. That's why Kansas City and Cleveland's wins in Week 10 stuck out, as it makes the playoff picture even crazier in the AFC. Green Bay couldn't pull off a comeback against Detroit, but fell short of that goal. Denver, on the other hand, would like to have a do over from their meeting with Kansas City, as Peyton had one of the worst games of his career. Carolina and New England keep their perfect seasons rolling right along, while the Bengals where knocked off on Monday night, ending their perfect run. Rex Ryan came out a big winner, taking his first matchup against his former team, while the Giants still can't find a way to beat the Patriots during the regular season. With all that being said, lets take a look at some of the best and worst performances from week ten in the National Football League.

Best:
Ben Rothlesberger, Quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers
When the Steelers game on Sunday started against the Browns, he was the backup to Landry Jones. Big Ben was activated, but was still dealing with the sprained foot. Then Jones went down with an injured foot in his own right early on against Cleveland, and Rothlesberger was called upon to take over under center. As soon as he came in, he went off like a bat out of hell. Ben finished the day going 22 of 33 for 379 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 pick. We will talk about this in a little bit, but the Steelers big wide receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant really benefited from Ben throwing the ball to them. Cleveland I'm sure would have wanted him to stay on the sidelines, but clearly that didn't happen, and Pittsburgh is really really happy because of it.

Worst:
Peyton Manning, Quarterback Denver Broncos
OK this one really hurts me to say this, because I'm a big big fan of this guy. I really starting to think that his career is now on the decline. The one positive that he had from his game on Sunday against Kansas City, was that he managed to pass Brett Farve on the all time yards list with 71,871. But that was the lone bright spot from Peyton's start on Sunday, after getting benched from Brock Osweller in the 2nd half. Peyton finished the day going 5 of 20 for 35 yards and 4 picks. No that isn't a misprint, those were Peyton on Sunday against the Cheifs. He had a bad day. I'm really starting to get this sinking feeling that this is the end of the line for Peyton's career. He's had a Hall of Fame career and hasn't look like the same QB the last few games. He's really had only one good game this season and that was against the Packers a few years ago. Denver is lucky that they are still a great team with only two losses on the year. But if they want to sustain anything they need to get it figured out with Peyton under center.

Best:
Adrian Peterson, Running Back Minnesota Vikings
He isn't one of the top running backs in the game for nothing folks. I think that Adrian Peterson has made a comeback and in a big way this season. He had a monster game last week against Oakland in a 30-14 Minnesota win. Peterson finished the day with 26 carries for 206 yards and a touchdown. Yeah 206 yards on the ground, that's a pretty good day. In fact, AP was one of only two running backs in week ten (LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills was the other one) who had over 100 yards rushing in a game this week. Peterson was rushing an incredible pace of 7.8 yards per carry. He also scored on a magnificent 80-yard touchdown. Yeah he was FEELING in on Sunday against the Raiders.

Worst:
Joe Flacco, Quarterback Baltimore Ravens
Not so elite was he this week? In back-to-back-to-back drives, Flacco committed three consecutive turnovers, consisting of two interceptions and a fumble. As a result of the turnovers, the Jaguars pulled off a last-second win, 22-20, over the Ravens after Jason Myers kicked a 53-yard field goal for the road team. Flacco finished the day going 34 of 45 for 316 yards 3 touchdowns and a pair of picks. Unfortunately, Flacco’s carelessness cost the Ravens yet another game, and his chronic turnovers have been a serious issue for the Ravens all season long. He really has started to have more and more stinkers the last few games. I think part of it has to do with the fact that Steve Smith Sr. isn't there for Flacco tho throw to, because he's out with an injury. Still it doesn't totally mean he can suck. He has got to try and find a way to lead this team again, otherwise its going to be season over before the calender changes over.

Best:
Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers
Thank you Big Ben for coming in to play this week. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant must have both been overjoyed to see Ben Roethlisberger come back under center. Bryant had 178 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Just to add to that, Brown had 139 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches, and he has a good argument for being the best non-quarterback in the NFL this season. Bryant and Brown put up the top two receiving days this week in the entire league, with Bryant finished with the most yards out of anybody in one game. Brown already has 1,141 yards and that’s with some wasted weeks when Michael Vick couldn’t get him the ball. He also had an awesome front flip celebration on one of his touchdowns. Yeah those two guys were in a bigtime groove against Cleveland last week.

Worst:
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles
Sanchez was called into duty on Sunday, in relief of an injured Sam Bradford. He came in during the second half of Philadelphia’s late loss to the Miami Dolphins. Another bone-headed play from the Butt Fumble architect all but gave the game away, as Sanchez threw an interception in the end zone with the Eagles down just one point late in the fourth quarter. A field goal would have won the game. A series later, Philadelphia turned the ball over on downs to end the game. At one point in the first quarter, the Eagles led 16-3. Now he isn't totally to blame for the Eagles loss on Sunday. A lot of that had to do with the fact that the Eagles couldn't help hold a lead against to Fins. But, Sanchez did help finished the collapse.

Best:
Kirk Cousins, Quarterback Washington Redskins
Your going up against one of the worst defenses in all of football, so you kind of figured you would have a good game right? That's exactly what happened with Kirk Cousins. He picked on that horrible defense, completing 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards, four touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating during Washington’s 47-14 win over the Saints. Three of his scores came in the first half, when the Redskins gained almost 400 yards and built a 27-14 lead. Anyone and everyone is slicing and dicing the New Orleans defense these days, but credit Cousins for producing a career best day to help his team stay alive at 4-5. When a guy is throwing the ball that well, he and his team are going to be difficult to beat.

Worst:
New Orleans Saints Defense
I guess it is possible for a defensive unit to be mistaken for Swiss Cheese. The New Orleans Saints defense has proven that is possible after all. Because of how bad this defense is, Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is now looking for employment. His flat-lining defense gave up over 500 yards to Washington, including almost 400 in the first half. The Redskins scored 47 points, giving Saints’ opponents 130 over the last three games. Troubles with quarterbacks remain a big reason for the Saints’ struggles, as Kirk Cousins’ four scores Sunday marked the third straight game New Orleans has allowed at least four passing touchdowns without an interception. By week’s end, the Saints will have the NFL’s worst scoring defense. Deservedly so. And here I thought my Jets defense last year was a train wreck, the Saints actually have it worse. By Far.