NFL Up-Down Drill'
Chris Simms
Denver's backup quarterback stepped in against Washington when starter Kyle Orton left at halftime with an ankle injury. It didn't go exactly as Hollywood would have scripted it when the understudy took center stage. Simms was 3 for 13 for an unlucky 13 yards and an interception as the Broncos lost their third in a row - this time, by 27-17.
Chris Johnson
The Tennessee running back had a career day in a 41-17 victory over Buffalo. Johnson accounted for more than 200 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 132 on 26 carries and tacking on 100 on nine receptions.
Denver's special teams
Here's a new twist on the old "fool me" expression: Fool me after you told me you were going to fool me - and you can call me the Denver Broncos. Washington lined up for an obvious fake field goal, called a time-out, came back, and still ran a fake for a touchdown.
Reggie Bush
The New Orleans running back finally had the type of game that was supposed to be typical for him when he was drafted near the top of the first round in 2006. Bush scored twice against St. Louis, once on a flying 3-yard rush and again on a 15-yard catch-and-run. The Saints needed all the points they could muster in staying undefeated with a 28-23 win.
Vince Young
Tennessee is 3-0 since its former first-round draft pick was reinstalled as the starting quarterback. Young was 17 of 25 for 210 yards and a touchdown, with one interception, against the Bills.
Shayne Graham
Cincinnati's kicker booted four field goals, including two that represented the winning margin in an 18-12 victory over Pittsburgh. Graham knocked home three-pointers of 23, 32, 32, and 43 yards.
Troy Polamalu
The Pittsburgh safety had a very down day, not for performance but for ill fortune. He had to leave the game against the Bengals after one series when he aggravated the left-knee injury that kept him out of four games earlier this season.
Detroit's defense
Going into yesterday, the Lions had one of the NFL's worst defenses, having given up an average of nearly 30 points a game. Against, Minnesota, the Lions took another step in having hands-down the most porous defense in the league, yielding 492 yards in a 27-10 loss.
Ricky Williams
Yesterday must have been the day for resurgent first-round picks - along with the Titans' Young and the Saints' Bush, Miami's Ricky Williams performed to his draft status. Williams had 102 yards on 20 carries as the Dolphins edged Tampa Bay, 25-23. It was the first 100-yard day for Williams this season and his first since Game 9 of last season.
Maurice Jones-Drew
The Jacksonville running back pulled a Brian Westbrook - meaning a very smart play - when he took a knee at the New York Jets' 1-yard line with about 11/2 minutes left, rather than score a touchdown. The Jaguars sat on the ball until Josh Scobee could boot the winning field goal in the 24-22 triumph. Jones-Drew apologized to his fantasy owners after the game.
Dallas' offense
The Cowboys scored just one touchdown, gave up five sacks, and committed three turnovers in a 17-7 loss to Green Bay. Even the touchdown was meaningless: Dallas scored with just 38 seconds left.
