#1 Star: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
Alma Mater: USC
Stats (10/25): 20/24, 233 Yards, 5 Touchdowns, 146.7 QB Rating

The Chicago Bears came in at 3-2 after losing a tough game to the Falcons last week, and the Cincinnati Bengals came in at 4-2 after a letdown loss to the Houston Texans. Both teams were looking for a bounceback win, which should have provided a tough, competitive game; but Carson Palmer and the Bengals had other ideas.

The Cincinnati Bengals scored early and often, and Carson Palmer went 20 for 24 (83.3%) with 233 yards and five touchdowns (tops in the NFL this week). On the Bengals first drive of the game Palmer connected on a nine yard touchdown to Chris Henry. With one minute and seven seconds left in the first quarter, Chad Ochocinco caught an eight yard strike from Palmer. Palmer led the Bengals to points on all five first half possessions, including four touchdown passes.

If the Bengals weren’t up 31 – 3 (effectively ending the need to pass), there is no telling how many more yards and touchdown passes Carson Palmer could have racked up. If this offense can continue to click like it did last week, you will be seeing a lot more of Palmer on this list.

#2 Star: Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals
Alma Mater: Oregon State
Stats (10/25): 10 Receptions for 118 Yards, 2 TDs

Chad Ochocinco also had his say in the Bengals 45 – 10 romping of the Chicago Bears. Ochocinco made it 14 – 0 late in the first quarter with his eight yard touchdown reception. While up 31 – 3, Ochocinco added even more insurance for the Bengals grabbing his second score, a 13 yard reception late in the third quarter making it 38 – 3.

Like Carson Palmer, Ochocinco did most of his work in the first half of this blowout game. He had eight catches for 103 yards, completely making a joke of the Chicago Bears secondary. Once again if this game was close I would have loved to see how many yards and touchdowns Ochocinco could have had, but I guess we will have to wait for another week to see if these guys can keep up their success together.

#3 Star: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Alma Mater: Cal
Stats (10/26): 2 Receptions for 69 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Rush for 67 Yards, 1 TD

After the Philadelphia Eagles lost a shocking game last week to the Oakland Raiders 13 – 9, many people wondered who would step up for the Eagles and get them back on track against the Washington Redskins.  With no touchdowns last week and really no explosive plays at all, DeSean Jackson made sure that would not happen back-to-back weeks as he electrified Monday Night Football fans accross the country with two huge plays.

Jackson finished the game with only two receptions for 69 yards, and one rush for 67 yards, but in his three touches he managed two touchdowns. On the first drive of the football game DeSean Jackson took a reverse handoff from Donovan McNabb, and ran down the left side of the field nearly untouched to give the Eagles the 7 – 0 lead that they would never lose. If one huge play wasn’t enough, Jackson struck again on the first play after the two minute warning of the first half, on a third and 22 at his own 43 yard line. Jackson burnt the corners and was wide open down the sideline where McNabb hit him in stride for his second touchdown of the game untouched.

Many Eagles fans have been concerned about DeSean Jackson and his ankle problems over the last couple of weeks but if this game wasn’t a sign that he is starting to feel better then I don’t know what is. Look for Jackson and the Eagles to continue to pile up some victories the rest of the way.

Honorable Mentions:

Cal’s Aaron Rodgers (15/20, 246 Yards, 3 TDs, 155.4 QB Rating)
Oregon State’s Steven Jackson (23 Rushes for 134 Yards)
Washington’s Dashon Goldson (6 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery)
USC’s Terrell Thomas (5 Tackles, 1 Interception, 4 Pass Deflections)
Cal’s Thomas DeCoud (10 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Pass Deflection)