NFL's Week 9 Surprise Performers

SI Staff | Nov 4, 2008

NFL's Week 9 Surprise Performers

Byron Leftwich

AP

D.C. native Byron Leftwich took over for the injured Ben Roethlisberger Monday night and completed 7-of-10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers topped the Redskins 23-6.

Abram Elam

Fred Vuich/SI

The Jets' Abram Elam, starting in place of injured safety Eric Smith, returned an interception thrown by Trent Edwards 92 yards for a touchdown, sparking a 26-17 win over the Bills. Elam also deflected two passes, and his interception was the first in his three-year career.

Anthony Gonzalez

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Anthony Gonzalez caught four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns, his first two of the season, in the Colts 18-15 win over the Patriots.

Peyton Hillis

Peter Read Miller/SI

The Dolphins held the Broncos to 14 yards on the ground in a 26-17 Miami win, but Denver's rookie fullback Peyton Hillis caught seven passes for 116 yards, becoming the third running back in Broncos history to gain 100 yards in a game through the air and the first since Floyd Little in 1974.

Corey Webster

Al Tielemans/SI

Corey Webster had the first two-interception game of his career and helped send Cowboys quarterback Brad Johnson to the bench while giving the Giants great field position during their 35-14 victory.

Mark Bradley and Tyler Thigpen

WD/Icon SMI, Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Tyler Thigpen, making his third career start, was 14-for-25 for 164 yards and a touchdown and also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Mark Bradley. Bradley led the Chiefs in receiving with 65 yards on four catches in a 30-27 loss to the Buccaneers in overtime.

Cedric Benson

AP

Cedric Benson ran for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals 21-19 win against the Jaguars. Benson is the first Bengal to rush for over 100 yards this season, with Chris Perry previously running for a team-high 74 yards this season in Week 3.

Koren Robinson

AP

Koren Robinson caught a team-record 90-yard touchdown pass from Seneca Wallace on Seattle's opening play against the Eagles. Robinson caught four passes for 105 yards -- his first 100-yard receiving game in three years -- in the Seahawks 26-7 loss.

Brent Celek

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Brent Celek, playing because L.J. Smith was out with a concussion, set an Eagles record for yards receiving by a tight end in a regular-season game with 131 on six receptions. His previous career highs were three catches for 50 yards.

Ray Rice

Aaron Josefczuk/Icon SMI

First-year running back Ray Rice ran for 154 yards to lead the Ravens to a 37-27 comeback victory over the Browns. Rice had previously rushed for a career-high 64 yards twice during the season before Sunday.

Mark Clayton

AP

Mark Clayton caught four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, his first since Week 15 of the 2006 season. Clayton had a combined 98-yards receiving this season prior to Sunday's meeting with the Browns.