NFL Week 4: Handing out MVP Awards for Each Game

With Week 4 of the 2011 NFL regular season nearly over, it's time to look at who stood out in each of this week's games.

This weekend, you might have seen that a certain Super Bowl MVP quarterback, a kicker in the AFC West and a little-known running back for the Redskins all had big days.

Having said that, I might as well get down to business.

Here are my MVPs for each game in the NFL's Week 4.

Panthers vs. Bears

Bears RB Matt Forte

Forte was on fire for the Bears in this game.

He had 228 total yards from scrimmage, including 205 yards rushing on just 25 carries.

If he hadn't had a career day in this one, Chicago could have easily lost to the Panthers and their high-powered offense.

Bills vs. Bengals

Bengals QB Andy Dalton

Even though he threw two interceptions and completed only 50 percent of his passes, Cincinnati rookie quarterback Andy Dalton showed that he can hang with the big boys near the end of this game.

He orchestrated two key drives late in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning drive for the Bengals.

Dalton finished the day with 298 yards passing and two TDs—one through the air and one with his legs.

Titans vs. Browns

Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck

Like Andy Dalton, Hasselbeck didn't have the best numbers in his team's Week 4 road win against the Browns.

However, he did account for three of his squad's four touchdowns for the day, and he also did a nice job of spreading the ball around to several Tennessee receivers.

He has really done a great job of leading his new team to a 3-1 start this season.

Lions vs. Cowboys

Lions WR Calvin Johnson

Megatron continued to show the league why he is a beast in his team's game against Dallas.

Johnson caught eight passes for 96 yards and two TDs, including this amazing touchdown catch, which ended up being the game-winning score.

Unfortunately for the Lions, Johnson got injured on this play—but the damage to the Cowboys defense had already been done.

Vikings vs. Chiefs

Chiefs K Ryan Succop

It's not often that you see a kicker win the game's MVP award.

Third-year kicker Ryan Succop nailed all five of his field-goal attempts on Sunday, including a career-long 54-yarder against the Vikings.

He scored 15 of the team's 22 points and was definitely the team's best offensive weapon in this game.

Redskins vs. Rams

Redskins RB Ryan Torain

Ryan Torain was unstoppable in Week 4 against the Rams.

He ran for 135 yards on just 19 carries, and added a touchdown as well.

With QB Rex Grossman and the passing game never really getting into a rhythm, Torain nearly single-handedly took over this game for the 'Skins.

49ers vs. Eagles

49ers QB Alex Smith

QB Alex Smith and his offense did the unthinkable in Week 4.

They stormed backed from a 20-point deficit in Philly to win by one point against a very talented Eagles team.

Smith's two TD passes keyed the big second-half comeback by the 49ers in this one.

Saints vs. Jaguars

Saints RB Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles is one of the quickest backs in the NFL.

He showed that on Sunday, as he had 75 rushing yards and 76 receiving yards for the high-powered Saints offense.

With QB Drew Brees not having one of his best days, Sproles helped deliver the knock-out blows to the Jaguars that his team needed.

Steelers vs. Texans

Texas RB Arian Foster

Foster didn't look affected at all by his hamstring injury on Sunday.

He had 155 rushing yards and a score to help his Texans defeat the Steelers at home.

In this game, Foster looked like the back that led the league in rushing yards a season ago.

Giants vs. Cardinals

Giants QB Eli Manning/WR Hakeem Nicks

I thought that both Manning and Nicks deserved this award after their combined efforts on Sunday.

Manning had 321 passing yards and two TDs, while Nicks had 10 catches for an amazing 162 yards and a score.

It appears that the players are getting more of a feel for each other—which is bad news for opposing defenses.

Falcons vs. Seahawks

Falcons WR Julio Jones

Jones' big day was much needed in a thrilling 30-28 win for Atlanta.

The rookie wideout finished the game with 11 catches for 127 yards, but every one of his receptions were big for the Falcons.

He appears to be yet another young, talented playmaker in an already-dynamic Falcons offense.

Broncos vs. Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

What else can you say about how this guy is playing right now?

On Sunday, he passed for more than 400 yards—again. And he accounted for six of his team's seven TDs on the day.

If he continues playing the way he's been playing through Week 4, you might as well just hand Rodgers the MVP award for this season.

Patriots vs. Raiders

Patriots WR Wes Welker

It's beginning to seem like every week is a big week for New England wideout Wes Welker.

In Sunday's win against Oakland, he had nine receptions for 158 yards and a score.

It is clear that he is All-Pro QB Tom Brady's go-to guy, and he's been literally unstoppable so far in 2011.

Dolphins vs Chargers

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews

Finally, it appears that Ryan Mathews is starting to break out for San Diego.

In his team's 26-16 win against Miami on Sunday, the former Fresno State star had 149 yards from scrimmage, including 81 yards on the ground.

When you consider that Philip Rivers is still leading the offense, this already-tough unit just got even harder to stop with a much-improved Mathews.

Jets vs. Ravens

Ravens Defense

Normally these awards are supposed to go to individual players—but I made an exception for this one.

The Baltimore D was just downright nasty on Sunday night against the Jets, giving up just 150 yards of total offense.

Did I mention that they also scored three TDs off turnovers and held the Jets offense to just seven first downs all game?