The absence of Chargers NT Jamal Williams was not noticed as much against a banged-up, struggling Chiefs offensive line, but his absence has helped push the Chargers' rushing defense to the bottom six of the league, as the defensive front has struggled to recover since Williams went down in Week One with a season-ending triceps injury. Equally disappointing has been the declining performance of OLB Shawn Merriman, who has not looked nearly as strong or explosive as he was prior to his knee injury. He has failed to notch a sack this season despite not receiving the same amount of extra attention as Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware, who was also shut out the first quarter of the season before picking up four sacks the past two games.

Chargers critics seem to be split about whether GM A.J. Smith, Norv Turner or both need to go for the Chargers to take the next step. With Smith having signed a five-year contract extension that runs through 2014, the straight-shooting GM is very secure in his position, but will demand greater results than Turner has been able to produce this season, as the coaching has increasingly come under fire for not sparking a fire in its players.

As a developer of quarterbacks and as an offensive play-caller, Turner receives high marks and has proven largely successful throughout his tenure in the NFL. As an inspirational leader capable of motivating men, he has been most criticized, and Smith's expressed public concerns over the soft playing temperament of San Diego's defense reflects on the issue that most NFL executives believe is most responsible for Turner's inability to achieve as a head coach. 

Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera's overall lack of experience operating a 3-4 front without its most critical piece, the nose tackle, also has come under increased scrutiny, as Rivera trained under Eagles late defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, running an even front.

• Ware, who still notched two sacks against Atlanta, despite having to beat triple protection, matched his total from the previous game against Kansas City before the bye after being shut out the first quarter of the season. With Matt Ryan getting rid of the ball very quickly, he had been sacked less than any other passer when he entered the game, being dropped only twice. The Cowboys' vaunted pass rush, which paced the league with 59 sacks a season ago, consistently put bodies on Ryan and even created two turnovers, one of which Ware created when he stripped Ryan on a sack. Miles Austin is likely to receive most of the attention after the Cowboys' 37-21 win given his second consecutive whopper performance and the newfound rhythm he has established with Tony Romo, but it was the Cowboys' pass rush that was most responsible for the victory.

• Jets OLB Calvin Pace, on his way to racking up three sacks, appeared to hit his stride in his third week back from a four-game season-opening suspension. He walked right over Oakland ORT Khalif Barnes for his first sack on the opening play, jarring the ball loose from an unsuspecting JaMarcus Russell who never felt the front-side pressure. With Bruce Gradkowski entering the game early in the second quarter, and tending to hold on to the ball too long, it helped Pace reach the more elusive Gradkowski after the energized pass rusher ran around OLT Mario Henderson for the second sack. And he later used his quickness to circle Barnes for his third of the day. The Raiders could stand to improve their edge protection, but Pace was a terror off the edge, using his hands very well to rip free and playing with an energy that noticeably stood out on the Jets' defense.

• On top of Russell being removed from the game, Tampa Bay QB Josh Johnson was pulled late in a blowout loss to New England, giving way to rookie Josh Freeman. Alex Smith, looking somewhat reminiscent of then-Bears QB Jim McMahon when he came off the bench on a Monday night in 1985 to rally Chicago past the Vikings, replaced Shaun Hill at halftime and quickly struck with Vernon Davis on three skinny posts that closed a 21-point deficit. Smith showed an unusually strong rhythm with Davis and rookie Michael Crabtree and has more weapons at his disposal than he ever has before in his career.

• Expect veteran backup A.J. Feeley to take more snaps in practice this week and see action in the Panthers' next game. Jake Delhomme has failed to correct his accuracy issues, overthrowing Gary Barnidge and Steve Smith for two Jairus Byrd interceptions. Turnovers have been the Panthers' greatest enemy this season, and they can't win with the way Delhomme is playing, averaging more than two picks.

• New England S Brandon Meriweather capitalized on the youth of Josh Johnson, snagging two interceptions in the first quarter. Meriweather has shown exceptional range and playmaking ability on the back half and is playing at a very high level. 

• Dolphins RB Ricky Williams might be past his prime, but he quietly has been producing some tough yardage for Miami's second-ranked ground game and has been a very solid complement to Ronnie Brown this season.

• The Patriots' offense has looked like more like the offensive juggernaut it was in 2007 the last two games than the more simplified version the league saw Matt Cassel running a year ago, but the true test won't come until after their bye week, when they host Miami and have to travel to Indianapolis for a Sunday-night showdown. If Tom Brady can move the sticks against an upstart Dolphins squad and the Colts' speedy defense the same way it did against winless Tennessee and Tampa Bay, it will be a sure sign that the pre-injury Brady is back to full form. 

• Cedric Benson denied trying to pay back his former team after creasing the Bears' defense to the tune of 189 yards on a record 37 carries, but there was no mistaking Benson had more to prove against Chicago, which has fielded a very inconsistent defense that has seemed to worsen each week as injuries have taken their toll, sitting Tommie Harris and LB Pisa Tinoisamoa this week after already losing Brian Urlacher. Getting embarrassed and completely blown out by five touchdowns by a defense that just lost its top pass rusher to injury has to rank among the low points of Lovie Smith's coaching tenure.

• The loss of scatback and return man Leon Washington would seem to be a major blow to the Jets' offense on the surface, but after Shonn Greene ably stepped in to replace him and helped establish a more powerful tandem with Thomas Jones, the Jets could be even more difficult to defend. Defenses likely will look to stack the box more often now, as Mark Sanchez's responsibilities were tailored back and he reverted to more of the game manager role he played the early in the season. Washington's absence could be felt most heavily as a return man, where the Jets might have to consider giving Darrelle Revis a chance touching the ball — something he did well in college.

• Brett Favre surprisingly was throwing his body around early in the season, delivering a block downfield on Patrick Willis when the Vikings faced the Niners. However, after a screen pass intended for Chester Taylor was tipped and knocked into the awaiting hands of Steelers LB Keyaron Fox, Favre did not want anything to do with making the tackle, as he slid to the ground when he saw physical safety Ryan Clark leading the way, clearing the way for Fox to the endzone. Dick LeBeau's aggressive pressure packages and ability to contain Adrian Peterson keyed the Steelers' attack. They forced Favre to beat them in the fourth quarter and he turned the ball over twice.

• How bad is Eric Mangini's defensive line? The Packers have allowed more sacks than any offensive line in the league, yet the Browns could not find a way to reach Aaron Rodgers all day, as it was the first game this season that he made it through without getting sacked. He tried to tuck it and run early in the third quarter and barely escaped the line of scrimmage, but it was more the result of strong coverage and moving up in the pocket than any pressure created. Even more disheartening for the Browns was producing a mere 139 total yards of offense. The Browns were thoroughly dominated on both sides of the ball. The only phase in which they have remained competitive has been on special teams, with returner and cover man extraordinaire Joshua Cribbs continuing to lead the league in multi-purpose yardage.

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