Breaking down the best and worst from Week 4 in the NFL: 5. Worst collapse: Cowboys » While the Lions are becoming the league’s best comeback artists, the Cowboys are just the opposite, giving up their second big lead of the season. They blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Week 1, then squandered a 24-point third-quarter advantage in a 34-30 loss to Detroit on Sunday.
4. Worst “Dream Team”: Eagles » Following a week of Michael Vick lashing out at officials after back-to-back weeks of injuries, Week 4 showed Philadelphia’s problems are not under center. Vick threw for a career-high 416 yards and ran for 75 yards, but it was not enough to hold off the 49ers, who surged back from a 20-point deficit to drop the Eagles to 1-3.
3. Best late-game rally: Giants?» In an NFL season already filled with epic comebacks, Eli Manning threw two touchdowns in a 58-second span late in the game to rally New York over the Cardinals 31-27. Arizona, which has lost three straight games by four points or less, was left stunned again.
2. Best statement game: Ravens?» After destroying the Steelers in the opener, Baltimore made perhaps an even bigger statement with its 34-17 win over the Jets. The Ravens’ defense flourished, provoking Jets coach and former Ravens assistant Rex Ryan to say, “It reminded me of the 2000 and 2006 [Ravens] defenses.” Baltimore’s three scores on defense were the most in franchise history.
1. Best MVP-like performance: Aaron Rodgers » The Packers are off and rolling with a 4-0 start fueled by Rodgers, who threw for a career-best 408 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another two scores to help Green Bay stay unbeaten and demolish the Broncos.
– Scott Gleeson
