Kirk Cousins

NFL Week 10 Awards: Who would have thought Kirk would outperform Peyton?

Published Nov. 15, 2015 8:38 p.m. ET

James Parziale

More and more every week, the NFL surprises us. Week 10 was no different. Who would have predicted that Kirk Cousins and Jay Cutler would have had banner days and Drew Brees and Peyton Manning would sink their squads (as well as countless fantasy teams everywhere)?

This week I pinch hit for the irreplaceable Sid Saraf. I only hope I could make him proud. Enjoy that Merlot, buddy.

Your Fantasy Team Could Have Used Him Award: Kirk Cousins

Cousins could have been confused with Peyton Manning on Sunday after this first half.

Kirk Cousins' 296 Pass yds in 1st half were 2nd-most in NFL this season. Redskins lead, 27-14, at start of 2nd. pic.twitter.com/lKTG6JKTos
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2015

Cousins ended up 20 of 25 for 324 yards and four touchdowns, torching and confusing the Saints Swiss-cheese defense. But you should check out the video above to see how much fun Cousins and his teammates are having.

Laser, Rocket Arm Award: Jay Cutler Award

The Bears quarterback is no longer the maligned, beleaguer quarterback of yesteryears. In the first half alone against the Rams, Cutler diced one of the league's best defenses to the tune of 233 yards and three touchdowns on 12 of 15 passing. He's got the Bears at 4-5, and creeping back into the playoff hunt. Who would have thunk it? He leveled off later, completing 19 of 24 for 258 yards in the game and adding one more score. That's because rookie running back Jeremy Langford, playing for the injured Matt Forte, totaled 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Jay Cutler Award: Peyton Manning

The good? Manning broke the NFL all-time passing yardage mark. The very bad? He threw four interceptions and was benched for Brock Osweiler after throwing four interceptions. Manning came into the game with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions already, so this will not silence naysayers that said he should have called it quits in the offseason.

Up, Up and Away Award: Todd Gurley

Able to leap single defenders in a single bound! Check this out. Gurley, the first rookie in league history to rush for at least 125 yards in each of his first four career starts, entered Sunday's matchup fourth in the league in rushing with 664 yards despite sitting out the first two games while rehabbing from knee surgery.

Just Win Baby, Award: Dallas Cowboys

Of course, we're kidding here. The Cowboys actually got a turnover at the goal line that would have saved the game and likely their season, but a holding penalty negated the fumble, and Dallas couldn't rally the troops. That's why we're burying the 2015 Cowboys now.

Starter Turned Backup, Turned Starter Award: Ben Roethlisberger

Ankle, shmankle. After Landry Jones went out after the Steelers' first possession, Big Ben was pressed into duty and maybe the Browns did themselves a disservice. Jones was relatively inexperienced, but Roethlisberger proved to be healthy after all, and lit up the Browns. Big Ben hosed Cleveland to the tune of 22 of 33 for 379 yards and three scores. That'll teach the Bengals to go easy on the backup next time.

Pop That 24-Year-Old Champagne Award: Detroit Lions

Talk about exorcising some demons. Kudos to the Lions, who won in spite of themselves. Two missed extra points by Matt Prater and an onside kick recovery by the Packers (6-3) always kept this heinous streak alive. Instead, the Lions (2-7) sent their archrivals to their third straight loss and a week of tumult.

Hands Team Award: Landon Collins

Collins dropped an interception on the Patriots' final drive that would have sealed a fourth straight Giants win. Instead, Collins couldn't hang onto the ball on the way down and it gave the Pats second life en route to a 27-26 win. The Patriots (9-0) snapped their three-game skid against their nemesis.