National Football League

NFL Week 4 Awards: Steve Smith proves he is an absolute boss

Published Sep. 28, 2014 6:29 p.m. ET

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Sid Saraf

We've hit the first week of byes, and while six teams sat around on Sunday, the other 26 made sure to put on a show.

We had some hard hits, some comedy and one veteran wide receiver who made good on his word. Let's not waste time chatting. It's time to hand out some hardware, so let's get to work.

1. Steve Smith Award for Playing Keep-Away with an NFL Referee: Steve Smith, Ravens

The man spent several years as one of the Carolina Panthers' signature stars before being unceremoniously released during the offseason. But he wasn't done. He signed with the Ravens and circled this week on the schedule. Smith promised "blood and guts" when he faced his old team, and he didn't disappoint. The veteran eviscerated the Panthers with 100-plus yards receiving and a pair of touchdown catches. What's more, he refused to let this eager official get his hands on the ball:

No, Mr. Referee. You don't deserve that football.

2. Roseanne Roseannadanna Award for Refusing to Take Guff While Having an Awesome Name: Danny Lansanah, Buccaneers

Don't you find it irritating when wide receivers celebrate first downs? Dude, you just successfully moved the chains, relax. Well, Lansanah agrees with me, because when Steelers wideout Antonio Brown tried to give the first-down signal, Lansanah was having none of it:

That's right, Antonio. Knock it off. Oh, and the Buccaneers ended up winning the game, so Lansanah deserves bonus points for that.

3. John Elway Award for Excellence in Quick Kicking: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Big Ben's squad lost on Sunday, but at least he'll having something positive to see when he watches the game film:

Nothing like seeing a quarterback get those legs up.

4. Excellence in Tweeting Award for Week 4: Patrick Mayo

Remember when everyone was in love with Kirk Cousins? You should, because it was a week ago. But one stinkbomb against the Giants on national television later, suddenly Kirky Cuz isn't the gift to quarterbacking send down from the heavens that everyone thought. So, fantasy writer Patrick Mayo won't have to deal with this anymore:

If you really would bench Aaron Rodgers in favor of Kirk Cousins, you've got issues.

5. Roberto Benigni Award for Uncontrolled Enthusiasm: Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers

The veteran wide receiver was so excited after pulling down the winning touchdown catch against the Steelers that he wasn't able to properly spike the ball:

Congrats on your first win of the season!

6. Robert Griffin III Award for Superior Sliding: Matthew Stafford, Lions

Stafford and Co. were trying to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win against the Jets when the gunslinging quarterback executed a perfect fake and found some open space on the right side. Before any Jets defender could reach him, Stafford put his butt on the turf with a perfect slide:

Did you see that, RG3? Hook the leg and let gravity do the rest. Take notes, please. This will be on the midterm.

7. Bye Week Award: Doug Baldwin, Seahawks

What do NFL players do during their one Sunday off during the season? Well, it seems Seattle's wide receiver is having a fruit issue:

8. Making the Best of a Bad Situation Award: Jay Cutler, Bears

Sunday turned into a complete disaster for Chicago, as several second-half mistakes turned into a home loss to the Packers.  However, Cutler was able to turn a botched snap into something special:

Nice gain. And a penalty flag to add some more yardage. Not bad, Jay.

9. Best Way to Hand Off to a Small Running Back: Joe Flacco, Ravens

Joe Flacco is a very tall man. Ravens running back Justin Forsett is a short man. So, adjustments must be made (H/T to Eric Kay):

10. Inappropriate Jersey of the Week: This guy in London

The NFL was back in London this week as the league felt its international market would be best served by giving England the Raiders vs. the Dolphins. Hmmm, OK. However, it was nice to see fans turn out wearing their jerseys. Except for one man in the foreground:

I know word travels slow across the pond, but someone should probably let him know that Adrian Peterson has been ... in the news a lot lately. And not for anything positive.

11. The Most Raiders Thing to Happen in Week 4: Oakland Raiders

Poor Matt McGloin. The backup quarterback entered the game when starter Derek Carr left with an injury. And, of course, this happened:

That's Dolphins defensive back Cortland Finnegan scooping up the loose ball and taking it to the house. Silly Raiders.

12. Eddie Murphy Award For Taking Forever to Fall Down: Stevie Johnson, 49ers

Remember Eddie's old standup bit when he described his aunt falling down the steps? Watch Stevie lose his balance after he runs out of bounds and imagine Eddie saying, "HELP ME LORD! OH, JESUS PLEASE!"

13. McKayla Maroney Award For Not Being Impressed: Referee in Baltimore

Ravens rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro reached the end zone on Sunday and gave us a little dance to celebrate the occasion:

However, that ref isn't fazed. In fact, he poker-faced the entire routine. Maybe he's still mad about getting stiffed by Steve Smith.

14. Clipboard Jesus Award: Charlie Whitehurst, Titans

What a charmed life. The journeyman backup gets an NFL paycheck and rarely has to, you know, "play" in games. However, he did start on Sunday in the Titans' loss to the Colts. And while Charlie might be a loser on this day, in life he is winning. Winning a lot:

Who wouldn't want that?

15. Frustrated Coach Award for Week 4: Jim Harbaugh, 49ers

We don't know what raised Jim's ire here, but it doesn't matter:

We love us some angry Harbaugh.

16. Most Amazing Pass in NFL History That Didn't Count: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

The superstar quarterback threw four touchdown passes in Sunday's win over the Bears, but he might be most remembered for one TD toss that didn't count:

The Packers were flagged for holding, so the play was negated. But still, how he completed that pass is anyone's guess.

17. Slow Your Roll Award for Week 4: Jason Garrett, Cowboys

Terrance Williams had quite a night against the Saints on Sunday, pulling down a pair of touchdown catches in the Cowboys' big win. Nobody was happier than his head coach, who took the chance to work over his wide receiver like a speed bag:

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