Bleacher Report's NFL Awards Week 9: Handing out Hardware

Another Sunday of NFL action is in the books, and now's the time to recognize the best and worst of the day that was.

With several late clutch drives from Eli Manning, Tom Brady and Joe Flacco, wild special teams plays and star performances, there was a lot to like from the action on the field.

In addition to the typical awards honoring the best game and player, this week's awards also includes a special award for avoiding contact and recognition for the clutch moment of the week.

Here are the awards for Week 9.

Game of the Week: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Sunday's action had too many good games to count, but the Sunday afternoon contest between the New York Giants and New England Patriots was the best in my mind. 

Echoing the famous Super Bowl XLII finish, the New England Patriots thought they had the game wrapped up when they scored a touchdown with 1:36 left to take a three point lead. However, Giants quarterback Eli Manning had other plans in mind. Leading an 80-yard drive in just over a minute, Manning connected with tight end Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left to seal the 24-20 win.

The Giants, whose victories leading to Sunday were less than spectacular (especially their close win over the then-winless Miami Dolphins), now have a signature win for their season. 

The team now travels to California to take on the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers.

Honorable Mention: Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

A late touchdown pass from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith was the difference as the team swept the regular season series with division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stinker Game of the Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts

Ignore the optimistic coach-speak of coach Jim Caldwell. Ignore the upbeat return talk for quarterback Peyton Manning. 

Halfway through the NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts know their best outcome for this season is landing the No. 1 overall pick of next year's draft.

While this may not completely reflect the outlook of the team's players, coaches and management, that's really the only view one can take given the team's play so far this season.

As such, all games of the Indianapolis Colts will be considered the favorite to be the stinker game of the week until further notice.

Though it's not exactly fair for the surging Atlanta Falcons to be lumped in this category (they played a great game), these are the breaks with the Colts playing so poorly.

"What Now?" Award: Oakland Raiders

After a great start that had many penning them as major AFC contenders, the Oakland Raiders of the past two games have been a completely new squad. With quarterback Carson Palmer not fully integrated in the offense (given his time away from the game, it's too much to expect him to be at this point), the team's weaknesses on defense have been exposed in the worst way.

Against the struggling Denver Broncos, the defense was exploited for 31 points (another seven points were added from a nice punt return from Eddie Royal). In a game the team should have won, the Raiders played lethargically.

Despite these struggles, the Raiders are still hanging strong in the AFC West, sitting in a three-way tie for first at 4-4. They have four days to prepare for a tough matchup with the San Diego Chargers, who enter the game on a three game losing streak.

"Nice Catch Guy!" Award: Julio Jones

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had a tremendous game Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts, and the highlight of his game was this other-worldly 50-yard touchdown catch.

With a Matt Ryan pass thrown to him between two defenders, Jones was able to get under the ball (skidding toward the ball near the end), and secure the catch. While the initial ruling was an incompletion, a second look made it clear this was a catch.

A real nice catch.

Most Disappointing: Miami Dolphins

On one hand, the Miami Dolphins should be excited with their play Sunday. In defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-3, the team was able to score their first win of the season in impressive fashion.

On the other hand, the win may have just put them out of contention for a shot at Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

One step forward, several steps back.

Surprise of the Week: The Contenders

After nine weeks of action, the No. 1 seed in the AFC is...the Cincinnati Bengals.

You are not reading this incorrectly. The 6-2 Bengals are currently the highest ranked team in the conference. They are trailed by the (surprise) Houston Texans, who sit at 6-3.

In the NFC, the previously hum-drum San Francisco 49ers are sitting in second at 7-1 (behind the undefeated Green Bay Packers), and might clinch a playoff spot before December. A few spots down from them are the Detroit Lions, who are better known for fans wearing bags on their heads than fans wearing smiles from seeing their team win.

Everybody Forget About Last Week Award: Tim Tebow

With much of the past week spent over-analyzing the poor play of Tim Tebow against the Detroit Lions (including the formation of several mocking memes), Tim Tebow showed signs of improvement in the Denver Broncos win over the Oakland Raiders.

Make no mistake: Tebow was solid, but not spectacular (He ended with 10 completions on 21 attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns, along with another 118 yards rushing). Frankly, the credit for the win would be better suited for Willis McGahee, who averaged an unreal 8.2 yards per carry for 163 yards and two touchdowns for the day.

Regardless of who deserves credit, I'm sure there are several sighs of relief that the Tebow worshipping that was made unjustifiable last week can be continued. If the Broncos can catch up to their AFC West rivals, his fans may lobby for his inclusion in Canton by Christmas.

Big Play of the Day: Anthony Spencer

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer took the direct line in blocking a field goal attempt from the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. 

Instead of working around blockers, Spencer hopped right over the line, giving him the easy block. 

While other players attempting the move have stepped on other players in the process of leaping the line (resulting in a penalty), Spencer was able to clear the line without any extra contact. 

The Cowboys would win 23-13.

Clutch Award: Patrick Peterson

Rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson put the Arizona Cardinals on his back as he made a dramatic return to win the game against the St. Louis Rams in overtime. 

Catching a punt on the 1-yard line (a risky proposition given the Cardinals' two earlier safeties), he weaved through a parade of arm tackles, before speeding casually down the right sideline.

The return would be his third of the year, making him the first player in NFL history to return three punts for touchdowns in their first eight games. His return touchdown was only the second time in league history a punt was returned for a touchdown in overtime (the other was Tamarick Vanover of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Diego Chargers in October 1995).

Jump Award: Mark Sanchez

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a heck of a good game Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills, but he'll probably receive some flack in the locker room for this play late in the game.

Lined up in the receiver slot of the left side while the offense ran a wildcat play, Sanchez was spooked by the Bills' Drayton Florence, jumping back several yards before starting to block against him.

To add insult to injury, Sanchez was flagged on the play for holding while blocking Florence.

Mr. Consistency Award: Frank Gore

The San Francisco 49ers are among the best in the NFC with their 7-1 record (including a six game winning streak), and running back Frank Gore can be credited with a lot of the team's success on offense. 

Gore, with his 107 yards Sunday versus the Washington Redskins, became the first player in Niners' team history to have five 100-yard rushing games in a row. 

As the Niners look forward to a tough matchup against the New York Giants, there's no doubt the team will keep looking to their workhorse rusher.

Scary Moment of the Week: Tracy Porter

New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter scared plenty after a neck injury on the second play of the game left him on the Superdome turf for more than 10 minutes Sunday. Taken to a local hospital, he was able to give a thumbs-up as he left the field.

Saints head coach Sean Payton was upbeat following the game, saying it was "good to get in here after the game and find out that he is doing pretty well."

While most injury stories have less than positive endings, it can only be hoped that Porter will be alright after his scary collision.

MVP: Aaron Rodgers

In the shootout that was Sunday's game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers, the difference in quarterbacking was drastic. 

While Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns and a third one coming a few yards short), Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was calm and collected. With his four touchdowns (to only five incompletions), Rodgers controlled the Packers' offense with a precision game that is as fun to watch as it is deadly.

The only question: Who can slow this offense down?

It may be a while until we find out.

Honorable Mention: Vincent Jackson

Impressive day for Jackson, which included 141 yards and three touchdowns. While quarterback Philip Rivers was not always on his A-game Sunday, Jackson was a consistently dangerous target.

LVP: John Skelton

Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton can pass if he wants to, he can throw a pass behind...cause his friends don't pass...and if they don't pass, then they're no friends of...John Skelton (work with me here).

The Cardinals may have won their game Sunday, but I refuse to give him any of the credit.

In the third quarter, Skelton was responsible for a pair of embarrassing back-to-back safeties. The first came on a sack, while the second came on an obvious intentional grounding pass thrown from the end zone.

The series of safeties was the first time a player yielded two safeties in a quarter since Aaron Rodgers against the Minnesota Vikings in November 2008. The last person to have safeties in consecutive plays was Kordell Stewart against the Jacksonville Jaguars in October 1999.

Special Podcast Interview

Listen to featured columnist Gordon Block talk about his awards for Week 9 on the Outside the Pocket podcast with Bleacher Report front page editor Thomas Emerick.