Breaking down the best and worst from Week 6 in the NFL: 5. Best returner: Devin Hester ?» Hester continues to establish himself as the greatest return man in NFL history, adding a career-best 98-yard kickoff return to his storied resume in the Bears’ 39-10 rout of the Vikings. “The shocking part to us is that people still kick to him,” quarterback Jay Cutler told reporters.
4. Best return from an injury: Rashard Mendenhall » After sitting out Week 5 with a hamstring injury, Mendenhall returned with a 146-yard rushing performance to help the Steelers dash out to a 17-3 first-half lead and 17-13 win.
3. Worst day for coaches » Sean Payton tore a knee ligament and suffered a lower leg break after being hit on the sideline in the Saints’ 26-20 loss to the Bucs. But 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz stole the spotlight with a heated altercation that featured Schwartz chasing Harbaugh down following a disrespectful handshake.
2. Best tribute: Raiders » In the team’s first home game since longtime owner Al Davis’ death, the Raiders handled the Browns 24-17 to improve to 4-2. Perhaps the most impressive play was Oakland punter Shane Lechler’s 35-yard touchdown pass off a fake field goal.
1. Best clutch gene: Tom Brady ?» Nevermind that he was sacked three times and intercepted twice by the Cowboys. When the clock hits the fourth quarter, it’s Brady time. Down 16-13 with 2:31 remaining, Brady completed eight of nine passes for 78 yards on a drive that was capped off with an 8-yard TD pass with 22 seconds left. It was the 32nd successful comeback in Brady’s career when the Patriots trailed or were down in the fourth quarter. Now if only Tony Romo could follow suit.
– Scott Gleeson
