10 Biggest NFL Surprises After Four Weeks

There are surprises every year in the National Football League. What fun would it be if we would predict everything that could happen?

It's difficult to predict anything after just four games, but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been plenty of surprises so far. Some of these will die out within the next few weeks; others will remain until the end of the season. Only one thing is for sure.

These are 10 that you wouldn't have guessed happening four weeks ago.

10. Bradford Leads Rams to 2-2 Start

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 3: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on October 3, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Last season, the St. Louis Rams were the worst team in football. After a 1-15 record, they entered the 2010 Draft with the No. 1 pick. After rumors of trading down to receive more picks, the Rams elected to stick with the top pick and take quarterback Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. Bradford, who was coming off of shoulder surgery, was expected to be a franchise quarterback.

However, very few believed he could do it in his first season. Bradford has been out to prove the critics wrong this season, leading the Rams to more wins in four weeks than they had all last season. Sitting at 2-2 and second place in the NFC West, the Rams and Bradford are poised to actually make a playoff run. This is partially due to the weak competition within the NFC West, but also because Bradford has shown fantastic improvement every week.

Even if the Rams fail to make the playoffs this season, they have to be satisfied with the performance of Bradford thus far. They now have a quarterback for many years to come.

9. League Interception Leaders

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks returns an interception against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

Think about the best defensive backs in the National Football League. We have Darrelle Revis over on Revis Island. Nnamdi Asomugha up in Raider nation. The cheese head Charles Woodson. If you had to guess, which one do you think leads the NFL in interceptions after four weeks?

None of them. In fact, Woodson is the only one with an interception. There is actually a four way tie for the current role as interception leader. Charles Godfrey, Leon Hall, Earl Thomas, and Nate Allen are all tied for the lead with three interceptions each.

The surprise? Earl Thomas and Nate Allen are both rookies. It is very rare for rookies to make an immediate impact on any team. It's even more rare for them to lead the NFL in any statistical category.

8. LaDainian Tomlinson Isn't Done Yet

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets is tackled by Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the

It was just in 2006 when LaDainian Tomlinson broke the record for rushing touchdowns in a single season. That year, he rushed for 1,815 yards and found the end zone 28 times.

His next three years with the Chargers were a steady decline. Each season, Tomlinson finished with less yards and a lower yards per carry average. During the offseason, the Chargers decided it was time to move on, cutting one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL.

For awhile, it appeared that Tomlinson's time in the league may be done. At 31 years old, which is very old for a running back, it seemed as if the best years of his career were behind him. Nearing the start of preseason, Rex Ryan and the Jets finally pulled the trigger, signing Tomlinson to the New York Jets. Many expected him to see limited carries and mentor young running back Shonn Greene.

After four weeks, Tomlinson leads the team in carries, yards, and rushing touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry, which is better than any other total during his 10 years in the league. It looks Tomlinson is out to prove something, and it doesn't look like he'll be slowing down any time soon.

7. Brett Favre Should Have Stayed Home

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings grabs his torso as he lies on the turf after taking a hard hit from Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Lou

Brett Favre. With the name comes drama. It seems like Favre has spent the last five years deciding whether or not to retire. After yet another offseason of speculation and Favre talk, he decided to return to the Minnesota Vikings for presumably one final year.

Do you think Favre is regretting that decision now? The Vikings are currently sitting at third in the NFC North at a 1-2 record. He has thrown for 597 yards, two touchdowns, six interceptions, and has a 60.4 quarterback rating (28th of the 32 starting quarterbacks).

Favre was coming off one of the best statistical years in his career. He has started this year as one of his worst.

6. Clay Matthews On Pace to Break Record

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers encourages the crowd during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan

Rushing, passing, and receiving records seem to get broken at an alarming rate in today's game. Every season, there is somebody that has the opportunity to make their mark in history at a skill position. However, it is somewhat rare to see records broken in the sack category.

It's hard to forget the moment that Michael Strahan broke the record for most sacks in a single season. It was week 17 in the 2001 season, and Michael Strahan needed one sack to break the record. The New York Giants were facing the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers. With time winding down, Strahan still didn't record that final sack. Favre ran a bootleg to Strahan's side and slid down allowing Strahan to break the record. Michael Strahan deserved the record, but it is a shame it happened that way.

Clay Matthews now has his sights set on the record, compiling seven sacks in just the first four games of the season. If Matthews continues at this extraordinary rate, he will achieve 28 sacks by the conclusion of the season. That's plenty enough to break Strahan's record, and hopefully nobody lays down for him to get it.

5. Steelers 3-1 Without Big Ben

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches an interception thrown by Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL season opener game on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by J

Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four weeks of the season following an incident in a Georgia bar during the offseason. After a disappointing 9-7 season where the Steelers failed to make the playoffs, the loss of Big Ben left many in question about the ability of the team to win without him.

Dennis Dixon was named starting quarterback after an impressive preseason performance. Dixon led the team to an impressive Week 1 victory over Atlanta where he completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. There was hope for Steeler fans.

Then, after another solid start in Week 2, Dixon went down with a knee injury. The injury required surgery, and Dixon would be out the remainder of the season. Charlie Batch took over and, despite a pathetic offensive game, the Steelers got away with another victory.

In week three, the Steelers dominated Tampa Bay sending them to a 3-0 record. In week four the Steelers finally fell 17-14 to the Baltimore Ravens after a touchdown catch by T.J. Houshmandzadeh with less than a minute remaining in the game.

Now, entering Week 5, Big Ben returns to a team that is 3-1 and has the top defense in the league. Suddenly, the Steelers are the team to beat.

4. Kyle Orton Leads the NFL in Pass Yards

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos delivers a pass against the Indianapolis Colts at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. Orton passed for 476 yards as the Colts defeated the Broncos 27

Drew Brees. After leading the Saint's to a Super Bowl victory last year it seems he is all people want to talk about. He left the Chargers a few years back, with his career in shambles, only to turn around a franchise in New Orleans and led them to a championship. After four weeks this season, it's a different quarterback with a similar story that leads the race in passing yards.

Kyle Orton, another Purdue University graduate, currently leads the NFL in passing yards. Two years ago, the quarterback was traded from the Chicago Bears after a short and average performance with the team. Since starting for the Broncos, Orton has looked nothing short of fantastic. However, he seems to fail to get this recognition.

Let's do a little math here. Orton has thrown for 1,419 yards in four games. There are 16 games in a season. So, if Orton can continue on the path he has started, he will throw for 5,676 yards this season.

The NFL record? Dan Marino threw for 5,084 in 1984.

3. Arian Foster Leads the NFL in Rush Yards

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

At this point one year ago, Arian Foster was a player on the practice squad for the Houston Texans. Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, and Chris Brown were all competing for the No. 1 spot running back spot at Houston the entire 2009 season.

Slaton, the original starter, had problems with ball security. Due to his fumbling problems, Moats and Brown were given opportunities to start. Moats did a fantastic job in his first start, but then battled injuries the rest of the season.

Brown failed to ever stand out. He had average performances throughout the season but failed to have a breakout game.

Arian Foster was brought onto the active roster in Week 10. He saw very minimal playing time until the last two weeks of the season. In week 16, he rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown against Miami in a Houston victory.

After the production in week 16, the Texans named Foster the starter for the final week of the regular season. There he rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots. Those two games cemented him a shot at starting in 2010.

After an impressive preseason, Foster was named the starter for Houston's Week 1 game against the Colts. Foster broke several Texan and NFL records that day, rushing for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Foster posted the second-highest NFL opening day rushing total, trailing only O.J. Simpson's 250 yards in 1973. He hasn't slowed down since, leading the league with 537 rushing yards.

If he continues at this rate, we will see yet another 2,000 yard rusher by the end of the season.

2. The Michael Vick Experience: Version 2

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Fans yell out to quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles before taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

During the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles traded away quarterback Donovan McNabb. McNabb has been the face of the franchise for the past decade. However, the organization showed obvious interest in moving onto a new era with a focus on getting young.

Kevin Kolb was set to lead the show with young weapons DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy around him. After a rough start in week one against the Packers, Kolb went down on a sack by Clay Matthews. In came Michael Vick.

The Eagles failed a late comeback attempt in week one, but that was not because of Vick. He threw for 175 yards and one touchdown. Had the Eagles not been in such a deep hole when he entered the game, they may have won.

After it was announced that Kolb was out with a concussion, the drama began. Vick was to start his first game since his release from prison. In week two against the Lions, Vick threw for 284 yards and two more touchdowns.

The controversy began. Philadelphia was split. Should Vick start? Should Kolb start? After a big Andy Reid flip flop, the country was shocked to hear that Mike Vick would be the starter until further notice.

Vick answered the call in Week 3, throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns against the Jaguars.

The fun didn't last for Eagles fans. In the huge week four game against the Redskins, Vick went down early with a rib cartilage injury. The injury sidelined him for the game, and will probably keep him on the sidelines for roughly two more weeks.

Who is this Mike Vick, and what did he do with the guy we all grew to hate?

In two and a half games, he has thrown for 799 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He has also rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown as well. His quarterback rating is 108.8. Only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have a better rating this season.

Expect to see Vick back on the field in a few weeks. Kolb will more than likely see average results at best during Vick's time away. Then, we can all watch the continuation of the Mike Vick Experience V2.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Only Remaining Undefeated Team

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: A pair of Kansas City Chiefs fans look on during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Last season, the NFL had two teams undefeated heading into Week 15. The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints were both at 14-0 and poised to attempt an undefeated season. Although both failed to complete the task, they would later meet in the Super Bowl where the Saints would bring home the city's first Lombardi Trophy.

This season, after four weeks, only one team remains undefeated: the Kansas City Chiefs. If you would have guessed that four weeks ago, society would have laughed in your face.

I don't think many people realize how much the Chiefs have improved off last season. Kansas City didn't even win a game until Week 6 in 2009.

Let's not get carried away and call the Chiefs a Super Bowl team, but they have obviously found something that is working for them. They defeated the most difficult team in their division, San Diego, in Week 1. Running back Jamal Charles leads starting running backs in yards per carry average at 7.0.

Even the defense has looked amazing. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed less points per game.

Two of the most important things in football are ball control and defense. The Chiefs have both, and with some good coaching and consistent play, this team could make a run at the playoffs after a 4-12 season just a year ago.