Breaking down the best and worst from Week 5 in the NFL: 5. Best surprise performance ?» It’s one thing to beat a good team, but the 49ers embarrassed the Bucs, who entered Sunday on a three-game winning streak. The 48-3 score marked the Niners’ largest win since 1987 and matched the worst loss for Tampa Bay ever. New coach John Harbaugh has San Francisco (4-1) off to its best start in nine years.
4. Best alternate ending » The Vikings held double-digit leads in their first three games … and lost. Minnesota found itself in a familiar position with three first-quarter touchdowns from Adrian Peterson. But this time, the Vikings didn’t find a way to squander a 28-3 halftime lead and earned their first win of the year.
3. Best relief appearance » Broncos fans finally got their wish to see Tim Tebow in action, and the former Heisman Trophy winner nearly rallied Denver back from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. But Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst completed the comeback after coming in for an injured Tarvaris Jackson. Whitehurst threw a go-ahead 27-yard touchdown with 2:37 left to beat the Giants.
2. Worst stat line » And here’s why Tebow got his opportunity: Starter Kyle Orton went 6-for-13 for 34 yards (2.6 yards an attempt) with an interception in the first half — worthy of a 21.0 passer rating. Orton is tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions and has led the Broncos to just one victory. Looks like it’s Tebow time.
1. Worst ball security » Eagles quarterback Michael Vick threw for 315 yards and ran for another 90, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning passed for a career-high 420 yards. But both were in losing efforts because each quarterback was responsible for four of his team’s five turnovers.
– Jeffrey Tomik
