6. Drew Brees: The Eagles are good again, for which McNabb deserves the bulk of the credit (see above). Understanding this, how big was the Saints' win over McNabb's Eagles on Sunday? Would anyone dreamed it possible before Brees signed a free-agent contract during the offseason? He has some weapons. Coach Sean Payton is already one of the league's best play callers. But Brees is the triggerman for the NFL's most surprising team.

5. Rex Grossman: He was the toast of Chicago until Monday night's loss to the Cardinals. The Bears proved last year that they can win without Grossman when Grossman went down and Kyle Orton managed them to an 11-5 record. They proved Monday night that Grossman can almost single-handedly derail what appears to be a Super Bowl team. He can't play like he did against the Cardinals if the Bears hope to remain undefeated.

4. Tom Brady: Bill Belichick is a great coach. No question. But where would he be without Brady? Did anyone say Cleveland? That's too harsh. But the more the years go by and the offensive talent departs the more you realize just how central to the Patriots' success Brady really is.

3. Matt Leinart: If there's a bright spot for the Cardinals after their gut-wrenching loss to the Bears it's that Leinart appears to be a quarterback for the ages. You can't rattle the kid. The Cardinals aren't going anywhere this year but Leinart has the potential to lift this long woebegone franchise onto his shoulders for the next decade. That's reason enough for him to make this list.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

2. Phillip Rivers: It would be easy to put LaDainian Tomlinson here. The multi-talented running back is absolutely vital to everything San Diego does offensively. But the Chargers won't become a championship-level team unless Rivers continues to develop into a championship-level quarterback.

1. Terrell Owens: Hate to mention him here. The newspaper column inches, internet blogs and sports-talk radio minutes he has already filled this season would fill a back hole in space. But he has the ability to make or break a team. He proved that with the Eagles, and nothing we've seen during his brief career with the Cowboys, including his feud with his position coach followed by a three-touchdown performance against the Titans on Sunday,  changes that.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year