A Look Back at the NFL's Week 6

Brady & Patriots Beat Titans, Saints Defeat Giants, Vikings Unbeaten

Oct 19, 2009

Week 6 of the 2009 NFL season featured lopsided wins, upsets, record-setting performances, and a little luck. Here's a look at the storylines.

It was a tale of two quarterbacks when the New England Patriots welcomed the Tennessee Titans to Gillette Stadium on Sunday. On one side was Tom Brady. On the other, Kerry Collins. Both had career days, but Collins' day was one he'd like to soon forget. Brady threw six touchdown passes, including five in the 2nd quarter, a new NFL record for most TD passes in one quarter. The outcome was a foregone conclusion by halftime as the Patriots led 45-0. While Brady was slinging TD passes to Randy Moss (3 TD receptions), Wes Welker (2) and Kevin Faulk (1), Collins was simply trying to complete a pass. He finished the game with just two completions on 12 attempts for -7 yards and one INT. He also fumble twice, losing one. Overall, the Patriots outgained the Titans in yardage 619 to 186.

Saints Undefeated; Giants Lose First of Season

When the league's best defense (New York) matched against the league's best offense (New Orleans) on Sunday something just had to give. And it did. The Saints made the Giants' defense look second-rate as Drew Brees picked it apart all afternoon long. Brees completed 23/30 passes for 369 yards and 4 TDs as his offense struck early and often, taking a 34-17 lead into the locker room at the half. By contrast, Eli Manning couldn't get his offense rolling. Manning finished 14/31 for 178 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT before being replaced by David Carr late in the 4th quarter with the game out of hand.

The Saints (5-0) stay unbeaten while the Giants (5-1) drop their first game of the year.

Vikings Off to Best Start Since 2003

Whenever Brett Favre takes the field in a close game you always believe he's capable of delivering the dramatic last-second win for his team. But on Sunday all he could do was hide his face on the sidelines and cross his fingers as the Baltimore Ravens kicked for the win.

With Minnesota holding on comfortably to a 17-point lead in the 4th quarter Baltimore took the wind out of their sails as they erased the deficit in less than 10 minutes and grabbed a 31-30 lead. Favre was able to take his team downfield - courtesy of a 58-yard pass to Sidney Rice - and into field goal range for Ryan Longwell, who booted a 31-yard kick to snatch the lead back with less than two minutes left. But the Ravens, proving multiple times that you couldn't count them out, fought their way to the Vikings' 26. It was from there that Baltimore kicker Steven Hauschka sent the kick wide right and sent the Vikings and their fans into a frenzy.

Favre finished the game 21/29 for 278 yards and 3 TDs. Joe Flacco had a solid game for the Ravens, going 28/43 for 385 yards and 2 TDs.

Week 6's Best Performances (by position)

QB - Tom Brady (New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0): 29/34, 380 yards, 6 TDs

RB - Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars 23, St. Louis Rams 20): 33 carries, 133 yards, 3 TDs

WR - Randy Moss (New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0): 8 catches, 129 yards, 3 TDs

Defense - Oakland Raiders: the Raiders upset the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-9, sacking Donovan McNabb six times, holding the Eagles to 67 rushing yards, and not allowing a single touchdown by one of the league's most potent offenses in the process

Other Week 6 NFL Scores:

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