NFL Hotspot: Week 6 Evaluations

This is a new feature that will look at the happenings from the week that was from each division in the NFL. This is the NFL Hotspot. From standout performers, to the disappointing performers of the week, you can find all the evaluations for each division for each week.

The players or teams that had outstanding performances for the week will be recognized, and if a player or team was just downright horrible, they will be called out on it as well. Surprises that took place in each division will be highlighted and the Hotspot will keep you up to date on the standings for each team in the division.

So let's get started with the NFL Hotspot for Week 6 of the NFL.

NFC East

Hotspot Performers: LeSean McCoy—He had a big game by rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, leading his Philadelphia Eagles to a much needed 20-13 win over their division rivals the Washington Redskins.

Disappointment: Rex Grossman—9-22 for 143 yards and four interceptions is just not going to cut it. You cannot turn the ball over, and that many times, and expect to win games. Everyone has their bad games, but Grossman's performance on Sunday was just awful. The main problem is, this is about as good as it gets with Rex.

Surprises: No big surprises coming out of the division this week.

Bold Prediction: John Beck plays well in his first start next week with the Redskins.

What We Learned: The NFC East is up for grabs. No team has a stronghold on the division as every team is right there in the thick of things and no one has played consistent football yet. Things change from week to week, and even game to game, in the NFC East.

Standings:

New York Giants: 4-2

Washington Redskins: 3-2

Dallas Cowboys: 2-3

Philadelphia Eagles: 2-3

NFC North

Hotspot Performers: Green Bay Packers—Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are on a roll this season. They easily get the Hotspot performance award of the division for the week as they are still the only unbeaten team in the NFL at 6-0.

Disappointing Performance: Minnesota Vikings—The Vikings did not show up in prime time on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears. To add to that, the Vikings benched Donovan McNabb in favor of their first-round draft pick Christian Ponder.

I feel it was too soon to start Ponder as McNabb played a good game on Sunday, he does not play defense. Then again, I guess with the way the Vikings are playing, they needed to make something happen, and besides the coach, the quarterback will always be the first to fall. All I can say to Ponder is, have fun against Green Bay.

Surprises: The altercation between Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and San Fransisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Talk about a way to end a game? Their postgame antics adds some tension between these two teams shall they meet again in the playoffs.

What We Learned: Jay Cutler is a really good quarterback when he has time to look down the field. However, I don't know how long the Bears can go with their max protection scheme and only a couple receivers out. Eventually, strong defenses will shut that offensive approach down.

Standings:

Green Bay Packers: 6-0

Detroit Lions: 5-1

Chicago Bears: 3-3

Minnesota Vikings: 1-5  

NFC South

Hotspot Performers: Earnest Graham—Filling in for LeGarrette Blount, Graham had a big day on the ground with 109 yards on 17 carries to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a victory in a big win over their rivals the New Orleans Saints.

Drew Brees—Despite the loss and throwing three picks, I had to recognize Brees for becoming the first passer in NFL history with four consecutive games of at least 350 yards.

Michael Turner—Without a surprise to go with this week, I'll give another Hotspot performance shout-out to Michael "The Burner" Turner. He had a big performance that the Falcons needed from him with 139 yards on 27 carries.

Disappointment: It was a shame to see Sean Payton go down with the freak injury he sustained after Jimmy Graham incidentally ran into Payton. For now Payton will coach his team from the coach's booth, rather than the sidelines.

What We Learned: The NFC South is up in the air right now. While I believe the Saints are the best team in the division, the Bucs are close behind them and now hold a head-to-head win over the Saints.

Standings:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-2

New Orleans Saints: 4-2

Atlanta Falcons: 3-3

Carolina Panthers: 1-5

NFC West

Hotspot Performance: San Fransisco 49ers—While the 49ers might have surprised most with their 5-1 start, I think that it is about time. They had a good team last year with a lot of talent, now they have a coach in Jim Harbaugh that maximizes the talent of this team.

Alex Smith is playing well and this team should be a shoe-in to make the playoffs.

What We Learned: The 49'ers are for real after their road win over the Detroit Lions. They are the best team by far in the NFC West and they already have a two-and-a-half game lead over the Seahawks. Best thing for the rest of the division was that they were on their bye.

Also, I once again loved the confrontation between Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz.  

Disappointment: The St. Louis Rams—Continue to lose and you have to feel sorry for Sam Bradford, who continues to take a beating every Sunday because of his bad offensive line and lack of playmakers for receivers. Good thing for them they now have Brandon Lloyd.

Standings:

San Fransisco 49ers: 5-1

Seattle Seahawks: 2-3

Arizona Cardinals: 1-4

St. Louis Rams: 0-5

AFC East

Hotspot Performer: Tom Brady—Continues to add to his legacy by having another fourth-quarter comeback. He completed an eight-yard TD pass to Aaron Hernandez to lift his team to a 20-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Fred Jackson—Had another big day with 121 yards and a touchdown.

Disappointment: Miami Dolphins—This team looks just downright awful. That was a horrible display to watch on Monday night. The Dolphins could have at least attempted to make the game look interesting. I guess they were scared of the end zone.

What We Learned: The Bills are definitely a good team, but the Patriots are the kings of the division.

Bold Prediction: The Miami Dolphins will finally get their first win of the season over the Denver Broncos.

Standings:

New England Patriots: 5-1

Buffalo Bills: 4-2

New York Jets: 3-3

Miami Dolphins: 0-5

AFC North

Hotspot Performer: Joe Flacco—I have my doubts about Flacco. He is a good quarterback, but plays inconsistently and I feel he holds the Baltimore Ravens back. However, he had a good game in their win over the Houston Texans with 305 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Disappointment: Peyton Hillis—After a great 2010 season, Hillis has had a subpar 2011 season so far. He can't seem to stay healthy and when he does play, he is under-performing. If the Browns are going to have any chance in this tough division, they will need Hillis to get back on track fast.

Surprises: The Cincinnati Bengals are 4-2 and playing good football so far. The real test will be when they play the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers and see if they can beat those teams.

What We Learned: The Ravens are the best team in this division as they are the most complete team overall. They will be even more dangerous if Flacco can play consistently throughout the season.

Standings:

Baltimore Ravens: 4-1

Cincinnati Bengals: 4-2

Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-2

Cleveland Browns: 2-3

AFC South

Hotspot Performer: Tennessee Titans—Since everyone else in the division didn't do a whole lot for a Hotspot performance award, the Titans win by default since they were off for Week 6.

Disappointment: Houston Texans—Once Peyton Manning was unable to play for this season due to his ongoing neck injury, the Texans were suppose to easily have this division won, but six weeks through the season they are not even in first place in the division. They are not living up to expectations. With key injuries to impactful guys, the Texans will need to make adjustments to perform better this season.

Surprises: This division overall is pretty lackluster and as of right now the only surprise I can say is that the Titans are leading the division.

Standings:

Tennessee Titans: 3-2

Houston Texans: 3-3

Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-5

Indianapolis Colts: 0-6

AFC West

Hotspot Performance: Oakland Raiders—The Raiders got their first home win after the passing of their patriarch Al Davis.

Disappointment: With every other team off for the week, this week's award goes to Jason Campbell, who broke his collarbone and will miss significant time. Now with that injury, he may have lost his job with no fault of his own.

Surprise: The new signal-caller in Oakland is Carson Palmer after the Raiders gave up a 2012 first-rounder and a 2013 second-round pick, that could become a first, to the Bengals.

What We Learned: With the trade they made, the Raiders have made a statement that they want to win now. Al Davis wouldn't have it any other way. Just win, baby!

Standings:

San Diego Chargers: 4-1

Oakland Raiders: 4-2

Kansas City Chiefs: 2-3

Denver Broncos: 1-4

Backdrop

That's a look back at Week 6 of the NFL and now we move toward Week 7. I will try to have this feature going weekly after the Monday night game, mostly on Tuesday. If there are any things that you would like to see in the feature, comment and let me know. If you have any awards that you would like to see given just inform me of them.

Until next time, this has been the NFL Hotspot.