NFL Week 4 Recap: LaDainian Tomlinson, Four Others Who Guided Team To Win

It was an exciting week in football once again with a number of games going down to the wire. The New Orleans Saints were able to hold off an upstart Carolina Panther team from pulling off the upset while the New York Jets cruised to a victory.

We saw Donovan McNabb return to Philadelphia and led the Washington Redskins to a win and a number of other exciting games.

But what players stood out and helped guide their respective teams to victory? Don't worry the answers are in the slides to come.

L.T.

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Let's start off with the guy that will be a future Hall of Famer one day, and had a flashback performance to his days as a San Diego Charger. L.T. made the Jets front office look like geniuses with his 133 yards on the ground and his two touchdown game today. 

Many said that L.T. was done after the Chargers let them go, but he has rejuvenated his career in New York. Rex Ryan rode the swift running back's legs to a dominating 38-14 victory over Buffalo.

There's no doubt that L.T. received a game ball after his performance, and the way he looked Sunday, it likely won't be his last.

Arian Foster

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans scores a touchdown in front of linebacker Rolando McClain #55 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game October 3, 2010 at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakla

After being benched in the first quarter for missing a team meeting Foster bounced back in a big way totaling 187 yards on the day to go along with two TDs.

With Foster out Houston was able still able to run the ball effectively, but in the second half the Texans leaned on their star back to carry them to a win. The Texans ended up winning by a touchdown and it is safe to say that the game could have ended up differently if Foster didn't play. 

With the win the Texans now have sole possession of first place in the AFC South. It was a game that Houston needed to win and they took care of business with Andre Johnson sidelined. 

Houston improved to 3-1 on the year and they couldn't have done it without Foster running the ball the way he did.

Kyle Orton

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Denver won 26-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

This just in: Kyle Orton is playing at a Pro-Bowl level and nobody's paying attention. With virtually no running game Orton had to throw the ball 50 times against a very good Tennessee defense and did so admirably. 

The Bronco QB finished with 341 yards through the air and tossed two TDs. He also completed 70 percent of his passes and had a QB rating of 93.8.

More importantly, Orton led the Broncos to a victory moving them to 2-2 on the season. 

Orton has been throwing for an absurd amount of yards through the air with his lowest total being 295 yards—the only game he hasn't reached 300. With his latest showing Orton deserves more attention from the national media.

Antonio Gates

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 03: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium on October 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Cardinals 41-10.

Who needs Vincent Jackson when you have the best tight end in football? 

Gates continues to torment defenses with his size and athletic ability. The Arizona Cardinals saw just how good he is this past Sunday when finished with seven catches for 144 yards and two scores. 

It was his sixth TD of the season and he is on pace to easily break 1,000 yards receiving. It was another dominating performance from the former basketball player and he was the main contributor in a 31-point victory over the Cards.

Charles Woodson

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions by taking him to the ground at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated th

Woodson's 48-yard interception return for a touchdown proved to be pivotal as Detroit would rally and come within two before falling short. It was just another big play in Woodson's impressive career that will most likely lead him to the Hall of Fame one day.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year also added 11 solo tackles to end up with 13 overall. With the struggling Packers' offense struggling the Woodson touchdown ended up being the game winner. 

Detroit dominated the second half yet were unable to find the end zone leading to four second half field goals by Jason Hanson. The Packer defense was the definition of "bend but don't break" Sunday. They now sit atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears at 3-1.