NFL Power Rankings: Top 12 Playmakers of Week 10

Week 10 in the NFL was a playmaker's paradise, and there were a ton of standout performances.

There has been an upheaval of surprises going on with the playoff picture, but one thing always stays the same in this league—there is never any shortage of high voltage excitement from week to week.

Sure, there will always be games that only the hardcore fan could bear, such as the Ravens' pathetic loss to the Seahawks or the brutal Rams win at Cleveland.

But there will always be room for dazzling displays of athleticism and brutality that NFL fans cherish. 

When considering who is a playmaker, I heavily weigh certain stats like touchdowns, interceptions, sacks and forced fumbles.

These are my rules, and this is my game. I hope you enjoy it.

Terence Newman: Dallas Cowboys

Terence Newman had a big game against the Buffalo Bills, intercepting Ryan Fitzpatrick twice. One of those was a pick six when the game was well in hand for the Cowboys in the fourth quarter.

His play would be worthy of a higher spot on the list if it weren't for the fact his team didn't have any competition in the game.

The Bills looked completely bewildered, and they never stood a chance. 

Newman had something to do with the win but not much. Tony Romo remembered where he left his marbles, and the Cowboys rolled.

Jeremy Mincey: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jeremy Mincey is little known to those outside Jacksonville, but he had a monster day against the Indianapolis Colts. 

He sacked perpetually red-eyed quarterback, Curtis Painter, two and a half times and forced a fumble that was scooped up by fellow lineman, Tyson Alualu, for the turnover.

We'll be keeping an eye on him in the future, though a big day against the Colts isn't a career-changing experience.

Laurent Robinson: Dallas Cowboys

Laurent Robinson came out of nowhere in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers to help hand them their lone loss of the season.

Since that game, he had been relatively quiet. Until now. 

Against the Bills, Robinson only caught three of Romo's passes, but two of them went for touchdowns, and he was a main cog in the Dallas offensive machine. 

Ryan Kerrigan: Washington Redskins

Ryan Kerrigan is making his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Playing for a horrible Redskins team, he never shows anything other than a relentless determination and grit that has sustained him through this awful season.

In a losing effort against Miami, Kerrigan sacked Moore twice and forced a fumble both times.

He now has five sacks and four forced fumbles for the season.

Arian Foster: Houston Texans

Arian Foster and the Houston Texans are starting to look like they could pull away with a No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

Against a bipolar Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, Foster showed off his versatility and speed. He starred both on the ground and through the air, coming away 186 total yards and two touchdowns.

The Texans are becoming dangerous, and Foster is a chief component to their success.

Carlos Rogers: San Francisco 49ers

On the biggest stage in the biggest game of the week, Carlos Rogers and the 49ers took the game away from Eli Manning and the Giants.

Carlos Rogers had two interceptions in this contest, and they both came at crucial moments in the competitive matchup.

Eli Manning has proven to be one of the best throwers of the ball in the NFL. Rogers and the 49ers' secondary still did enough to win.

These interceptions now bring Rogers's total up to five for the season, tying him for first place in that category.

Denarius Moore: Oakland Raiders

Denarius Moore performed beautifully on the stage of the first Thursday night game of the season against the division rival San Diego Chargers.

Carson Palmer hooked up with his young playmaker five times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The two of them look to be developing some chemistry, which could be deadly accompanied by the Raiders' devastating rushing attack.

Moore is one of the promising young playmakers rising up in the NFL. 

Larry Fitzgerald: Arizona Cardinals

It's been a very quiet season so far for Larry Fitzgerald. He has not been getting the same kinds of opportunities this season, as the team has tried adjusting to Kevin Kolb.

No Kolb, no problem.

John Skelton made the start in place of Kolb, and Larry Fitzgerald was the beneficiary. The two of them hooked up seven times for 146 yards and two touchdowns. 

Larry Fitzgerald remains one of the top playmakers in the NFL. His ability to snag a ball out of the air is unparalleled, and I'm glad to see him make it on this list.

Rob Ninkovich: New England Patriots

The Patriots are awful on defense, right? Don't tell Rob Ninkovich and the rest of the guys on that team.

Ninkovich had two crucial interceptions against the Jets, one of which he returned for a touchdown. It's one thing for a cornerback or a safety to accomplish this feat, but linebackers hardly ever have a game like the one he had.

Ninkovich and the Patriots effectively hold a two-game lead over the Jets due to the tiebreaker, so it's likely his Week 10 performance was a key to the success of their season.

Rob Gronkowski: New England Patriots

I know he's white, but Rob Gronkowski may as well be Randy Moss out there for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Against the Jets in a crucial divisional game, Gronkowski had eight receptions for 113 yards and two magnificent touchdowns.

He may very well be one of the best playmakers in the entire league.

Kamerion Wimbley: Oakland Raiders

Kamerion Wimbley had a career day against the Chargers. He looked like a man possessed, baffling opposing linemen with speed and quickness.

Wimbley's four sacks are a career high, and nobody can deny he was one of the best playmakers of Week 10.

Now that the Raiders are becoming balanced on offense, with a terrific running game to complement the deep strike threat that Carson Palmer and his receivers pose, the defense will be in more positions for Wimbley to continue his stellar play.

Andre Carter: New England Patriots

Andre Carter, the old grey-beard, has found the fountain of youth in New England.

Usually, the Patriots are in the habit of discarding players as they age, but they reversed the trend when they signed Carter in the offseason.

Against the Jets, Carter abused the offensive line on his way to a four-and-a-half sack performance. His pressure on Mark Sanchez is one of the main reasons Sanchez struggled so badly in the second half. 

On the national stage, Andre Carter came up bigger than any of his peers, which is why he is the best playmaker of Week 10.