Three rookie QBs took the helm on Sunday and were all impressive despite failing to lead their teams to victory.

Don't write off the New York Giants' defense just yet. For that matter, don't write off the defending division champions, either. Shrugging off intense criticism and the always treacherous bye week, the Giants rediscovered the team that won a division title a year ago. For at least a week, New York also renewed its own hopes that this team is still capable of big things.

By John Pezzullo SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Wide receivers Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins and Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans were named as the NFL Players of the Week, the league announced Wednesday.

Running back Clinton Portis' return has sparked a Redskins offense that got off to a slow start.

After dismantling the Seahawks on Sunday, the undefeated Bears are atop the rankings for the first time.

Santana Moss spoke with his mouth full, munching on two cookies as he spoke with reporters in the parking lot with the television cameras rolling. His cell phone went off four times, providing a rap music soundtrack to his candid comments. Moss didn't care. He is not about image. He rarely does anything off the field to draw attention to himself.

In the first quarter, Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss made a spin move that left Jacksonville Jaguars safety Deon Grant sprawled on the grass at the 11-yard line. In the fourth quarter, Moss caught a pass and darted inside just in time to make cornerback Brian Williams whiff near the goal line.

Whenever a Washington Redskins offensive lineman commits a penalty, he has to put money into a kitty that is kept by guard Randy Thomas. The "fines" run about $25 per foul, so the enterprise hurts the ego more than the wallet. On Wednesday, Thomas made a major change in the kitty rules. "If we win, then nobody gets fined," left tackle Chris Samuels said with a big smile.

The surprising thrashing of the Falcons on Monday night has catapulted the Saints into the rankings' top 12.

Leon Washington zigzagged all over the field and eluded would-be tacklers with some shifty moves, leaving opponents on the ground completely frustrated. That was back when he was just a pesky little kid growing up in Jacksonville, Fla. Now, the New York Jets rookie running back is showing the same kind of elusiveness in the NFL.

Mark Brunell flicked a simple shovel pass to begin his record-breaking streak and needed a do-over to finish it. He completed only one downfield throw, relying on screens, flares, dump-offs and floaters for all the rest. The defense he faced is the arguably the worst in the NFL. Yet, a complete pass is a complete pass, even if it only travels a few yards to a wide-open receiver.

Mark Brunell spent all week trying to ignore the criticism. Then he spent all of Sunday quieting it. One connection after another, Brunell kept finding holes in the Houston Texans' shaky defense, breaking an NFL record for consecutive completed passes en route to Washington's first win. Brunell completed his first 22 throws and Clinton Portis scored two touchdowns in his first start of the season as...

Washington quarterback Mark Brunell broke the NFL record for most consecutive passes completed in a single game when he connected on his first 22 passes on Sunday against the Houston Texans. The old record was held by Oakland's Rich Gannon, who completed 21 straight against Denver on Nov. 11, 2002. The 36-year-old Brunell found Santana Moss on 6-yard pass late in the third quarter for his 22nd...

In 1985, Joe Theismann was 36 years old and having his worst season in the NFL, with eight touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. The Washington Redskins were hanging around .500, on the way to missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Coach Joe Gibbs refused to take Theismann out. When the quarterback change finally took place, it was by gruesome means.

It's the third week of the season, and Jon Jansen is already hinting that Washington Redskins are in desperation mode. "We're kind of in a must-win situation, really for quite a while now," the team's offensive right tackle said Wednesday. "First of all, we've got to get our first win. After we do that, we've got to get back to .500, and then we can start talking about maybe being good at that...

Having already lost CB Lito Sheppard for at least a month, the Eagles must now replace All-Pro DE Jevon Kearse.

Advocates for the deaf are suing the Washington Redskins to get them to offer closed-captioning during games at FedEx Field. The National Association of the Deaf filed the class-action lawsuit Aug. 31 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on behalf of three Maryland fans who regularly attend home games. "Providing captioning is not rocket science; it is simple, and it is the right thing to do," Shane...

With their stingy D and improved offense, the Jags have matured into a team capable of playing deep into January.

With eight minutes to play against the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins receivers Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El had one catch apiece. Tight end Chris Cooley had none. That's a lot of talent going to waste. "We've got playmakers there. We are disappointed in it," coach Joe Gibbs said Monday.