Week Nine Players of the Week

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If there's a player who can back up a five-interception game with a five-TD game, it's Kurt Warner. The Cardinals improved to 4-0 on the road thanks to Warner's strong game (22-of-31 passing, 261 yards, five TDs) after a disappointing home effort against the Panthers. In his tremendous career, Warner has thrown five TD passes in a game twice before, but this game was big for the Cardinals — and Warner knew it. "So much of this business is how you respond and how you come back," Warner said. "I always want my teammates to know that I'm going to be there every week battling with them. And if I have a bad week, hopefully they can pick me up. If not, I'll try to do my best the next (week)."

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jonathan Babineaux • DT • Atlanta Falcons

It's rare that a defensive tackle gets double-digit tackles. It might be rarer still to see one with multiple sacks. Babineaux did both Sunday in the Falcons' win over the Redskins. He had 10 tackles and 2½ sacks, doing most of his work early in the game to set the tone. Babineaux three times smashed RB Clinton Portis on run plays near or behind the line of scrimmage, and Portis quickly was knocked out of the game. In the second quarter, Babineaux and John Abraham combined for a sack on Redskins QB Jason Campbell, knocking him out of the game also. Campbell came back in the second half but met — who else? — Babineaux, who stopped the QB on a short scramble, which put the injured Campbell out of the game for good.

SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Clifton Smith • RS • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ending the Buccaneers' losing streak required all three phases, especially special teams. The Bucs used a blocked punt return for a TD and strong work in the return game by Clifton Smith, who missed the loss to the Patriots in London with a concussion. Smith had 54 yards on four punt returns and 107 yards on two kickoffs, including an 83-yarder. The long runback came after the Packers had scored with 13 minutes remaining to go up 28-17. But Smith brought the Bucs back, returning the ball to the Green Bay 17-yard line. They scored three plays later and came back for head coach Raheem Morris' first victory. "We always feel like 'Peanut' (Smith) is one block away," special-teams coordinator Richard Bisaccia told the Tampa Tribune.

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