THE MORNING AFTER - NFL WEEK 6 REPORT

Mr. Goodell has his trigger finger ready to drop the hammer. A scuffle between 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz has overshadowed the fact that the 49ers defeated the previously unbeaten Lions, snapping their 9 game regular season winning streak and improving to 5-1. They have all but clinched the NFC West title, just 6 games into the season. Harbaugh was deservedly jacked up as the final seconds ticked off the game but failed to calm down before meeting Schwartz at midfield. Harbaugh's emotions cause an intense and physical handshake between the coaches, that involved a slight push to the back of Schwartz as they passed. Schwartz was set off by the exchange and chased down Harbaugh, fighting off players and coaches to try and get a piece of the 49ers coach. In the post-game press conference, Harbaugh took ownership of the situation by admitting that his handshake was "too hard". Its good to see passion and emotion from coaches, but despite the excitement the skirmish caused, these two, embarrassed both their teams and the game by acting like, well, players.

Props to Sean Payton. Despite an upset loss in Tampa Bay, Payton continued coaching despite suffering a broken tibia and torn MCL after Jimmy Graham was driven into him on the sideline, gruesomely hyperextending his knee. Payton finished coaching the first half sitting on a bench at field level (how he managed to see the play, I have no idea) and then finished the game in a box upstairs. However, the injury can't excuse the fact that they lost to the Bucs. How do you get blown out 48-3 by the Niners the previous week and then turn around and beat the Saints? I guess NFL math doesn't add up.

Congrats to Ray Lewis. Lewis became the first player in NFL history to reach 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in his Hall of Fame career. Lewis has defined the middle linebacker position during his illustrious 16 year career. 

In "America's Game of the Week", on cue, Tom Brady went 8 for 9 on a game-winning Patriot drive, capped off by an eight yard touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez. The Cowboys were more than game in their upset attempt but when Brady has the ball with the game on the line, the result seems to be inevitable. Despite the less-than-impressive performance, the Pats improve to 5-1 and continue their steady march towards the playoffs.

The Packers improved to 6-0 with a ho-hum 24-3 win over the Rams. In the second quarter, Rodgers displayed nothing short of perfection at quarterback with a picture-perfect roll out pass to James Jones for a 35 yard TD. It was a thing of beauty and a perfect example of the level of QB that Rodgers is playing at right now.

Is it Terrell Pryor time in Oakland?

Week 6 Game Balls

1) Ahmad Bradshaw - This little back can run hard. Bradshaw picked up over 100 yards on the ground, powered through the Bills defence for three TDs and was the difference for the Giants in their win over Buffalo.

2) Shane Lechler - The Raiders win over the Browns Sunday was highlighted by the Raiders punter hitting Kevin Boss with a TD pass after a faked Janikowski field goal attempt. The Browns bit hard.

3) Chicago Bears Offensive Line - This much-maligned group put it all together Sunday Night. Despite facing a strong Viking front four, the Bears O-line protected Cutler for the first time all year. Cutler showed what he could do with protection and led the Bears to a blow-out win.

4) Alex Smith - Despite a modest 125 yard passing game, Smith was clutch on a 4th and goal game winner as he hit Delaney Walker on a slant to improve to 5-1.

5) Kurt Coleman - The Eagles safety had a career game in Washington. Coleman picked off Rex Grossman three times in their win over the Redskins. His three picks helped the Eagles win the turnover margin, who are now 2-0 when they do so.

6) Michael Turner - Turner had a monster game as the Falcons held serve over the Panthers. Turner rushed for 139 yards and 2 TDs, proving he still can be a fantasy stud.

7) Devin Hester - Hester continues his case for the greatest returner in NFL history. He buffed up his resume with a 98 yard kickoff return TD against the Vikings, Sunday night. He also added 91 receiving yards and a TD. Not bad.

8) Cedric Peerman - Peerman, a backup RB for the Bengals, earns a game ball for his earth shattering block on A.J. Edds of the Colts. Edds literally had an out of body experience.

9) Dallas Clark/Brent Celek - Two tight ends earns game balls for their awesome one-handed catches on Sunday.

Week 6 Goats

1) A.J. Hawk - After sacking Sam Bradford, Hawk proceeded to flip off his own sideline in celebration. Hawk claimed it was an inside joke between teammates. Hilarious, A.J. Expect a call from Goodell after hes through with the fighting Jim's.

2) Vince Young - Young, the backup QB who coined the "Dream Team" nickname for the Eagles, had the worst stat line of the afternoon. Young went 0-1, with an unbelievably bad interception to DeAngelo Hall. Its not a dream Vince, you're simply delusional.

3) NFL Rules Committee - Last year, Calvin Johnson had a TD called back, on what looked to be a good catch. It was ruled that Johnson failed to control the ball to the ground despite having possession for few seconds. On Sunday, Nate Burleson, Johnson's Lions teammate, had a very similar play in the endzone. But this time, the play was overturned and ruled a TD by referee, Mike Carey and the replay officials. The NFL needs to find consistency.

4) Rex Grossman - Before the season, Grossman all but guaranteed the Redskins would win the NFC East. In chance to back up his talk in a huge divisional game, Grossman promptly went 9 for 22 for 143 yards and 4 interceptions. Grossman was replaced by John Beck in the third quarter for the rest of the game, and likely the season.

5) Donovan McNabb - Time to hang 'em up Donovan.

6) Pierre Garcon - A lateral attempt with two and a half minutes left? Garcon's blunder ensures the Colts stay winless.

Rankin' Em After Week 6

1) Green Bay Packers (6-0) - Simply way too easy.

2) New England Patriots (5-1) - Was there any doubt Brady would march a Patriot 4th quarter game winner down the field?

3) San Francisco Giants (5-1) - Harbaugh is quickly becoming the face of the franchise and his intensity is rubbing off on all his players.

4) Baltimore Ravens (4-1) - The Ravens are flying under the radar. Who's Torrey Smith?

5) Detroit Lions (5-1) - After 9 straight wins, Jim Schwartz forgot how to lose, and he didn't like how it felt.

6) San Diego Chargers (4-1) - Without Rivers playing at a high level, the Chargers should travel to Green Bay with a 6-1 record a few weeks from now.

7) New Orleans Saints (4-2) - Sean Payton is one tough dude but I hope he didn't call the 4th and 2 Brees rollout pass attempt that ended the game. You drafted Mark Ingram, run the ball.

8) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) - Polamalu's spectacular 4th quarter hip-piercing tackle of Jones-Drew in the Jags backfield was one of few impressive moments in a lackluster win over the Jags.

9) Oakland Raiders (4-2) - The Raiders continue to roll but lose Campbell for the next 4-6 weeks. Think David Garrard might be getting a call this morning?

10) Buffalo Bills (4-2) - Bills lose a tough game in the Meadowlands. Good news is, Fred Jackson is still an animal.

On the Bubble - Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals

Pickin' MNF

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-7)

Two AFC East teams who have lost a combined 7 games in a row meet on Monday Night. 'Phins wide receiver Brandon Marshall promises to be ejected from the game and fined by Roger Goodell for starting a fight with the Jets defence. Not sure how that will help Matt Moore, who replaces the injured Chad Henne behind center for the Dolphins. Since the Phins have other priorities, the Jets will show their desperation, feasting on Matt Moore, and scoring enough to cover the spread.

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