Bleacher Report's NFL Awards Week 6: Handing out Hardware

Another wild week of action is in the books, and now it's time to pass out the hardware.

There was a lot to like in Sunday's action, from late comebacks to redeeming performances to the postgame arguments from a pair of head coaches.

In addition to the usual MVP and LVP awards, this week's slideshow also breaks down the injury of the week and a uniform that needs to be dumped immediately.

Here are the awards for the action in Week 6.

Game of the Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions

Lost in the hubbub after the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions (which we'll get to later in this slideshow) was the fact this was one heck of a game. 

The Lions, entering the game undefeated, seemed to have the game in the opening period, getting an early lead at 10-0. The fans at Ford Field were overpowering, leading the Niners to several false start penalties.

However, the Niners overcame their early struggles, putting up 12 points in the second quarter (including a safety on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford).

The game featured several tightly reviewed plays, including a review of the two feet inbounds rule (hopping on one foot twice does not make a completed catch) and of the reception continuation rule (which is still a mystery to me).

Alex Smith, who struggled for most of the day, found his stride in the team's final drive. He connected on a fourth down pass to tight end Delanie Walker for the Niners' winning score (breaking the plane of the endzone by about an inch).

The Niners with the win have shown that they can handle top-end competition, while the Lions' will surely take the loss as a challenge to improve for their matchup next week against the Atlanta Falcons.

It was also particularly satisfying as a Niners fan watching this game with my uncle, a Lions fan.

Stinker Game of the Week: Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings

While Sunday night's game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings was a great demonstration of the Bears' strengths (and of the return prowess of Devin Hester), this game was sunk by the non-effort of the Vikings. The game was over almost as quickly as it started.

The only interesting aspect of this game was watching the debut of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. The rookie, filling in for beleaguered starter Donovan McNabb, completed 9-of-17 passes for 99 yards.

With the Vikings struggling immensely, one has to wonder how long it will be until the rookie takes the reins.

That Was Smooth Award: Michael Vick

Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick vented some frustration following a run by kicking a ball set up on the Washington Redskins sideline. What he didn't realize was that ball he kicked came inches away from blasting a Redskins' cheerleader. Vick apologized, nobody was hurt, so ultimately no foul.

However, this would never have happened if he could had stayed on the bench…nice interception Vince Young (are we sure it wasn't his impostor?)

Not a Great Idea Award: LeSean McCoy

Last time I checked…poking your coach in the stomach like the Pillsbury Doughboy is probably not a good idea.

Apparently, nobody passed that on to Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy.

Trash 'Em Award: Green Bay Packers Throwbacks

Throwback uniforms can be pretty cool, until they're not. The Green Bay Packers' blue and gold jerseys Sunday, a replica of the team's 1929 design, should have been dumped after their wearing last season.

Despite the ugly duds, the Packers did lay the whooping on the St. Louis Rams (who hasn't at this point?) 24-3. 

Ending on a High Note Award: Tom Brady

Another contender for Game of the Week, the close matchup between the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys was decided late thanks to an impressive drive led by quarterback Tom Brady.

With Brady struggling for most of the game, he had one final opportunity to pull out a victory with a late drive in the fourth quarter. Down three with 2:31 left in the game, Brady completed several short passes to move down the field. He finished the drive with a precision pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez for an eight-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the game.

The calm presence shown by Brady Sunday is just one of the many reasons he considered among the best passers in the game.

Ending on a Low Note Award: Drew Brees

With the New Orleans Saints trailing NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers by six in the final moments of their game Sunday, it was expected that Saints quarterback Drew Brees would be able to complete the comeback.

With the Saints deep in Buccaneers' territory, Brees did the exact opposite. An endzone interception, made by Quincy Black, ended the Saints' drive and comeback hopes.

While the loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Saints, it was sweet redemption for a Buccaneers squad that was beat by 45 points only a week before by the San Francisco 49ers.

"What Was That?" Award: Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz

In what surely will become the moral high horse issue of the week, the postgame altercation between San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz drew plenty of attention Sunday.

The breakdown: Following the game, Harbaugh came over to shake Schwartz's hand, and while doing so thumped him on the back. Looking to follow up on the initial encounter, Schwartz chased his counterpart down the field to continue their exchange. The two coaches then had to be separated by players and team officials.

The two coaches spoke candidly about the incident.

Harbaugh placed blame on himself, saying, "I shook his hand too hard." 

Schwartz called out Harbaugh for his handshake and for saying an obscenity in their meeting.

"Obviously, when you win a game like that, you are excited, but there is a protocol that goes with this league," Schwartz said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the incident will be reviewed.

While the two will certainly look to shrug off the controversy, I'm sure they would relish the opportunity for a rematch…in the playoffs.

"Nice Catch, Guy!" Award: Brent Celek

With all due respect to the great catch of the Detroit Lions' Brandon Pettigrew, the play that stood out from the rest was made this Sunday by Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek.

Thrown a pass slightly behind him, Celek was able to tip the ball up twice, before coming underneath the ball to make the catch.

"Nice catch, guy!"

Injury Nightmare of the Week: Jason Campbell

The Oakland Raiders have to be on edge after losing quarterback Jason Campbell indefinitely after he broke his collarbone.

Campbell was taken out in the second quarter after sliding for a first down.

The question now: Who will take over for Campbell? Kyle Boller is the initial starter, but there have been rumblings about a possible move to snag David Garrard or even the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer (although the team lacks the middle round picks it would most likely need to make a deal.)

MVP: Ahmad Bradshaw

In what would be a very close battle between in-state rivals, the play of New York Giants Ahmad Bradshaw was the difference. 

Along with three goal line touchdowns, Bradshaw amassed 104 yards on the day. His 30-yard rush late in the game was critical in setting up the winning field goal.

For a team that was suspected to lose a step in the rushing game without Brandon Jacobs, Bradshaw stepped up in a major way.

LVP: Rex Grossman

It was a disastrous day in the office for Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman. 

In addition to throwing four interceptions, Grossman was benched for backup John Beck.

Grossman had little to say for himself, other then that he "didn't execute." No kidding.

Thinking about today's game, I could only think of the words of former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green (after a loss to a Chicago Bears team led by Grossman).

With an opportunity to effectively eliminate a division rival from playoff contention only six weeks into the season, the Redskins let the Eagles off the hook.

Rex Grossman is for the most part who we thought he was.

Special Interview

Listen to featured columnist Gordon Block talk about his awards on the Outside the Pocket podcast with Bleacher Report front page editor Thomas Emerick.