Tom E. Curran • E-mail

MVP
Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans
The best, most disruptive player on a defense allowing 10 points per game. Haynesworth’s five sacks – an extremely high total for an interior lineman – is a tribute to the 6-foot-6, 320-pounder’s speed and power.

Others receiving thought: Trent Edwards, QB, Bills; Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers; Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos; Justin Tuck, DE, Giants; Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys

OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos
His team is 3-1 and he’s completed 65 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns (third in the league) and four picks. He’s also second in the league in passing yards (1,275).

Others receiving thought: Edwards, Bills; Rivers, Chargers; Michael Turner, RB, Falcons; Brett Favre, QB, Jets

DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Haynesworth, Titans

Others receiving thought: Tuck, Giants; Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa; James Harrison, LB, Steelers), Juqua Parker, DE, Eagles, Omar Gaither, LB, Eagles

COACH OF THE QUARTER
Dick Jauron, Bills
So underrated. He’s got his team firing on all three disciplines – offense, defense and special teams – better than any team in the NFL and that’s why they’re 4-0.

Others receiving thought: Jeff Fisher, Titans, John Harbaugh, Ravens; Tom Coughlin, Giants; Jim Zorn, Redskins

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE QUARTER

Special feature Top waiver pickups Rotoworld.com's Chris Wesseling breaks down Week 16's top players to pick up. NBCSports.com

DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
On pace for 88 catches and more than 1,300 yards with four touchdowns and four balls dropped outside the 1-yard line on long receptions.

Others receiving thought: Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys, Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens; Chris Johnson, RB, Titans; Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons; Matt Forte, RB, Bears

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE QUARTER
Jerod Mayo, LB, Patriots
A starter at inside linebacker from Day 1, he didn’t come off the field until the third game of the season. Mayo is on pace for well over 100 tackles.

Others receiving thought: Chris Horton, S, Redskins

BIGGEST STORY
Tom Brady’s Blown Knee
The best player on the reigning best team goes down for the year in the first quarter of the first game. That’s a story.

Others receiving thought: Firings of Linehan and Kiffin; Al Davis’ Meltdown; Favre’s Start in New York; The Entertaining and Volatile Cowboys.

BIGGEST GAFFE
DeSean Jackson dropping the ball at the Cowboys 1 after hauling in a bomb from Donovan McNabb during the Eagles epic Monday night loss at Dallas.

BIGGEST SPLASH
Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan’s 62-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins on the third play of the season putting him on pace to break every passing record ever conceived.

BEST ACQUISITION
Michael Turner, RB, Falcons
Finally out of LT’s shadow in San Diego, Turner ran for 220 yards in his first game in Atlanta and has a league-leading 422 yards and five TDs so far.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Special feature 10 NFL players under pressure Rodgers, Cassel, Tuck among those who carry a disproportionate amount of pressure on their shoulders. NBCSports.com

(Tie) The 1-3 Vikings’ faceplant out of the gate. The 0-4 Bengals utter ineptitude.

BIGGEST SURPRISE
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
Pressed into duty far earlier than Baltimore wanted to use him, Flacco’s poise, arm strength and athleticism have exceeded all expectations.

BEST GAME
Cowboys 41, Eagles 37, September 15
It was 30-24, Eagles at the break. By then, there were 770 yards accounted for by the two teams combined.

MOST SHOCKING GAME
Dolphins 38, Patriots 13, September 21
Ronnie Brown ran for four scores and threw for another as the Dolphins, losers of 20 of their previous 21, ended New England’s 21-game regular season winning streak in Foxboro.