Jim Lang

Jim Lang is a columnist for sportsnet.ca. Also check out Jim's website, www.jimlang.ca

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, reacts with wide receiver Malcom Floyd during Monday night's win over the Broncos.

The Chargers were left for dead back in October, but now they are a legitimate contender.

Ten games into the regular season and there is still so much up in the air in the NFL. In the AFC, the top 11 teams are only separated by three games. In the NFC, there are nine teams at the top of the standings only separated by three games.

With that in mind, it is time to take a look back at what happened in Week 11.

Star of the week

This is a tough one this week. There’s a good reason why Jack Del Rio handed out one of his game balls to running back Maurice Jones-Drew; because the Jaguars would be screwed without him. MoJo ran for 133 yards and a touchdown and also lead the team with 87 yards receiving in the Jags win over the Browns. Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees all had big games. But my star of the week award goes to Bills receiver Steve Johnson after he caught three touchdowns in the second half of the Bills comeback win over the Bengals. Johnson is now tied among all NFL receivers with nine touchdown catches this year.

Stiff of the week

Brad Childress wins this award hands down. It was painfully obvious that the relationship between Childress and Brett Favre was completely unworkable and that the Vikings season had become a train wreck. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf finally had enough of the losing and replaced Childress with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

I know from speaking to Jared Allen that he is a huge fan of Frazier and thinks he will be an excellent head coach "He provides a good work environment; he provides a learning environment, not an abrasive environment. Overall he’s a good man and you like working for him," said Allen. The first think Frazier did upon meeting with the media is declare that Brett Favre will be his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Redskins.

Team on the rise

I have been very impressed with how the Cowboys have responded since Jason Garrett took over as their interim head coach. It really looks like Garrett has changed the culture of the lockerroom in Dallas. The ultimate team on the rise this week is a team that was written off as dead in October. It is a team that has climbed out of the depths of despair and is now a legitimate contender to win the AFC West, the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers destroyed the Broncos 35-14 Monday night as they extended their winning streak to three games. Philip Rivers leads all NFL quarterbacks with 3,177 yards in only 10 games and the Chargers now have the number one ranked offence in the NFL. Rivers best receiver, Vincent Jackson, is slated to return to the Chargers lineup for their upcoming game against the Colts.

What were they thinking?

I would love to know what went through Vince Young’s mind on Sunday. According to Jim Wyatt of the Tenessean.com, Young, who had been booed in the first half and left the game in the second half because of a thumb injury, tossed his helmet and shoulder pads into the stands as he left the field. Jeff Fisher was pissed after the game, saying he was “very disappointed” in Young’s actions. Fisher also said about Young, "we got some things we have to sort out with him." Now the Titans have placed Young on season ending injury reserve as a result of his thumb injury. This means that rookie Rusty Smith will get the start Sunday against the Texans.

The race for No. 1

When you name Brian St. Pierre as your starting quarterback and you are about to face the Ravens, then you know the Carolina Panthers are very serious about grabbing that number one pick in the 2011 NFL draft. After allowing the Bills to walk into Cincinnati and score 35 unanswered points in the second half, you have to think the Bengals would really like that number one pick as well.

The Ronnie Lott Award

I realize he was kicked out of the game, but Richard Seymour’s one punch knock down of Ben Roethlisberger was the kind of thing you used to see in the NFL back in the bad old days of the 60’s and 70’s. After the pain of getting slapped upside his head by a badass dude like Seymour, I think Big Ben will think twice before talking smack with a defensive lineman who outweighs him by 70 pounds.

The Unsung Hero

It has to be Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber. Barber had an interception in the Bucs 21-0 shutout win over the 49ers Sunday as Tampa improved to 7-3. Barber, the oldest player on the NFL’s youngest team, is now the only player in league history with 40 interceptions and 25 sacks. It was also the Bucs first win in San Francisco since 1980. For his efforts, Raheem Morris handed Barber one of the game balls.

Big injury of the week

The Washington Redskins had eight players injured in their overtime game against the Titans. That was bad, but what happened to the Eagles Ellis Hobbs was way worse. Hobbs lay on the field in Philly for 15 minutes as he was tended to by the medical staff after an incidental helmet-to-helmet hit. Hobbs is now done for the year with a neck injury.

Rex Ryan Watch

This is what the Jets have done their last three games; overtime win over the Lions, overtime win over the Browns, scored last second touchdown to beat the Texans. Against the Lions, Santonio Holmes’ 52-yard-catch in OT helped set up the game-winning field goal. Against the Browns, Holmes caught the game-winning touchdown. Against the Texans Holmes caught the game-winning touchdown with only 10 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter.

It was vintage Rex Ryan that met with the media after the win over the Texans. "I want to apologize to all of the Jets fans for affecting the heart a little bit, but we’ll take the win. I understand we have some issues finishing games. We blew some assignments and coverages, but we’ll get it fixed. We’re 8-2 and we’ll get it fixed, so I’ll take it."

Hot Cheerleaders award

Because of the New Orleans Saints' glorious girls and the fine ladies of the Philadelphia Eagles, we give thanks to our American friends.

What to watch for next week

Because of the American Thanksgiving, there is a triple header on Thursday. I will be in Detroit covering the Lions and Patriots game. On Sunday there will be a battle between two of the best teams in the NFC as the 7-3 Packers take on the 8-2 Falcons. In Washington, Leslie Frazier makes his head coaching debut as the Vikings take on the Redskins.