This happened shortly after Congress began questioning what the NFL was doing to prevent and treat head trauma. The caution teams are taking with injured players is refreshing, even if numbskulls like Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward would question a teammate's toughness (quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) for not playing with a concussion. This also is a large step toward helping to minimize the health issues affecting previous generations of players who were too often led to believe that being "dinged" wasn't a big deal.

First-quarter pick: Philadelphia Eagles fans don't boo everyone (i.e. Michael Vick).

The Eagles faithful still haven't turned on Vick, but the love affair has cooled. Vick hasn't made anywhere near the kind of offensive impact expected when he signed in August. In fact, his Sunday return to Atlanta isn't the major headline story initially expected entering this weekend's games. That's remarkable considering how much media attention enshrouded Vick during his dog-fighting ordeal.

Surprise team

Third-quarter pick: Cincinnati.

I'd love to see a Bengals-Saints Super Bowl simply to settle the ongoing "Who Dey?" vs. "Who Dat?" debate. In all seriousness, Cincinnati finally appears to have gotten it together with a 6-0 division record, outstanding offensive line play, and nasty defense with top-notch cornerbacks Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. Road games against Minnesota and San Diego in Weeks 14 and 15 will provide a litmus test of how good the Bengals truly are.

First-quarter pick: Denver. At 7-4, the Broncos are still a pleasant surprise considering the low expectations surrounding the team when the season began. Denver, though, still runs the risk of missing the playoffs after a 6-0 start.

Surprise player

Third-quarter pick: Minnesota WR Sidney Rice

Favre is in line for a nice Christmas gift. Rice had done little in two NFL seasons before No. 4 arrived in Minnesota. Rice now has more receiving yardage (964 yards) and a higher per-catch average (17.2) than such elite wideouts as Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson and Chad Ochocinco.

First-quarter pick: Giants WRs Steve Smith and Mario Manningham.

Both are still enjoying career years, but like the Giants themselves, Smith and Manningham have both come back to earth after quick starts.

Surprise coach

Third-quarter pick: Indianapolis' Jim Caldwell

Shula, Landry, Noll, Lombardi. None of those icons or any other rookie coach in NFL history has ever won their first 11 games. Caldwell has benefited from having a talented roster and brilliant front office already in place, but that shouldn't minimize the splendid job he has done replacing another coaching legend in Tony Dungy.

First-quarter pick: San Francisco's Mike Singletary.

The 49ers (5-6) are back to middle-of-the-road status after a 3-1 start, but Singletary is growing as a head coach. The improvement of players like Alex Smith, tight end Vernon Davis, nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and defensive end Ray McDonald also speaks well of Singletary's assistants.

Disappointing team

Third-quarter pick: Pittsburgh.

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2. Brees: Brees was actually more impressive against the Patriots than Manning in last month's Colts comeback victory. Only one other quarterback in NFL history (Brady) had ever thrown five touchdown passes, completed at least 75 percent of their passes and tallied more than 350 yards without tossing an interception. Amazingly, Brees would have hit those marks earlier in the season with one more touchdown against the Giants.

3. Favre: Not even Father Time can catch Favre, who is playing better at age 40 than earlier in his Hall of Fame career.

4. Tennessee RB Chris Johnson: The more Tennessee keeps winning, the more Johnson's name will surface among the frontrunners. Johnson is coming off the most productive month ever for an NFL running back with 800 yards in five November games.

5. Rivers: He is flying under the radar, but Rivers ranks among the league's best quarterbacks. He also guided San Diego (8-3) through a rough early-season stretch.

First-quarter picks: 1. Manning, 2. Brees, 3. Brady, 4. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson, 5. Minnesota DE Jared Allen/San Francisco LB Patrick Willis.

Peterson is still a great player but doesn't have to carry the offensive load as much thanks to Favre's arrival. Allen and Willis are Defensive Player of the Year candidates.

Top five rookies

1. Minnesota WR Percy Harvin: Mercy, Percy! Like with Rice, Harvin is making a bigger impact than expected. Thirty-two of his 42 catches have resulted in first downs. He also is dangerous on kickoff returns.

2. Houston LB Brian Cushing: Houston found the impact outside linebacker it was sorely lacking. Cushing ranks third in the NFL in tackles (99) with three interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

3. New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez hasn't always lived up to the "Sanchize" nickname bestowed upon him after a 3-0 start. But he is hanging tough through growing pains while keeping the Jets (5-6) in playoff contention.

4. Buffalo S Jairus Byrd: Byrd began to take flight in Week Five with eight interceptions in a five-game span.

5. St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis: His 85 tackles rank second to Cushing among rookies. Laurinaitis also has more defensive responsibilities as a middle linebacker than Cushing, who plays on the strong side.

First-quarter picks: 1. Sanchez, 2. Laurinaitis, 3. Chicago WR Johnny Knox, 4. Minnesota RT Phil Loadholt, 5. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford.

Knox, Loadholt and Stafford still have promising futures, but other rookies have moved higher on the totem pole.