This weekend’s NFL action included a lot of close games and some surprising outcomes. Here are the players who played at the top of their game on Sunday, and those who fell short of expectations.

Peak Performers

QB Tom Brady, New England — Brady should be able to break the single-season passing touchdown record easily. He threw five touchdowns against Dallas and six touchdowns this past Sunday against Miami. Against Miami he also completed 21 of 25 passes for 354 yards passing. Brady already has 27 touchdown passes on the season, and if he keeps performing at this level New England is a lock to win the Super Bowl.

RB Kenny Watson, Cincinnati — The Bengals had a big, bruising running back in Rudi Johnson, but the explosiveness of Watson has been too much to ignore. Johnson has struggled with injuries this season, which has lead to more carries for Watson. Watson had 31 carries for 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Jets on Sunday. Obviously if Johnson continues to be hurt, the Bengals will have no problem filling the void.

WR Laveranues Coles, NY Jets — Wes Welker had another big game for the Patriots, but Coles had a big game in a hard-fought loss for the Jets. Coles had his biggest game of the season so far on Sunday with eight catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Jerricho Cotchery has been outshining Coles so far this season, but Coles stepped into the spotlight on Sunday.

TE Jason Witten, Dallas — No tight end really performed all that well on Sunday. Witten put up the biggest numbers and had ten catches for 86 yards in the Cowboys’ victory against Minnesota.

Indianapolis Defense — It is safe to say that Indianapolis probably remembers the game last season where Jacksonville ran for 345 yards on their defense. The Colts gave up only 117 total rushing yards and 226 yards of total offense in their Monday night victory. Jaguar quarterback David Garrard was injured early in the game and his backup, Quinn Gray, threw two interceptions. Indianapolis proved it can play defense against a solid Jacksonville team.

K Rob Bironas, Tennessee — Bironas set a league record on Sunday making eight field goals in one game. Bironas easily ran away with the stats for best kicker this past weekend. Bironas made all eight field goals he attempted and both extra points.

Bottom of the barrel

QB Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota — The fact that Minnesota is a one-dimensional team shows more week-by-week. Adrian Peterson is becoming a star fast, but quarterback Jackson is not doing much to help the offense. In Sunday’s loss to Dallas, Jackson completed six of 19 passes for only 72 passing yards. Minnesota is obviously a running team, but Jackson will need to be more efficient for the Vikings to have success.

RB LaMont Jordan, Oakland — Remember when LaMont Jordan was a fantasy stud a couple of years ago? Well, this weekend he looked like he should revert to backing up Curtis Martin. Jordan had 11 carries for only 29 yards. The Raiders are a defensive team, but Jordan has been solid so far this season and will need to help carry the load on offense.

WR Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis — The Colts do not suffer from a lack of star receivers, that is for sure. Peyton Manning has trouble distributing the ball to all of his receivers. Reggie Wayne had a big night Monday, so obviously Harrison had some lower numbers. Harrison had only three catches for 16 receiving yards. Harrison will obviously get the ball in the Colts’ offense; he just had an off night on Monday.

TE Chris Cooley, Washington — Cooley had a big game for the Redskins in a tough loss to the Packers last weekend. Sunday against the Cardinals was a different story. Cooley had one catch for only three yards. Cooley has been one of the surprises at tight end in the NFL and will be an integral part of the Redskins’ consistent passing offense.

Pittsburgh Defense — The Steelers have a reputation for playing tough defense. When they won four Super Bowls in the 1970s the nickname for the defense was the “Steel Curtain.” On Sunday night they looked like a paper curtain. A struggling Broncos offense was able to put up 324 yards of total offense and 31 points against the Steelers. The weakness of the AFC North could help the Steelers to an AFC North division title if they can get the offense and defense balanced.

K Neil Rackers, Arizona — Rackers has one of the strongest legs in the NFL. On Sunday, he let down the Cardinals in a big way though. In a close game with the Redskins, Rackers missed his only field goal attempt and one of two extra points that could have earned a Cardinals victory. Rackers is one of the best kickers in the NFL and will just need to put this game behind him.

—Edited by Rachael Gray