Studs and Duds Week 14: Brian Westbrook Takes Naps in the Giants' End Zone

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 14 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory. (Disclaimer: This will only be for the Sunday games, since you probably can't even remember the Thursday games at this point.)

Studs

Brian Westbrook, RB Philadelphia (33 rushes, 131 yards, 1 TD, 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD) -- Not a lot of people have exposed the Giants' defense like Westbrook did yesterday, but I guess not a lot of people have completely taken over games in Brandon Jacobs' house. Westbrook had 203 all-purpose yards in the upset by the Eagles, not only keeping Philly's playoff chances very much alive but showing that when the offense is clicking, this team will be scary for the other side of the sidelines. Donovan McNabb might have just found his best offensive scheme yet -- check down to Westbrook and let the athlete make the plays.

Kevin Walter, WR Houston (6 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD) -- Sometimes, when the defense keys up on your superstar (in this case, Andre Johnson) it leaves another pretty good receiver open for the big plays. Walter snagged a 58-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub in the first quarter to get things going, and continued to be his favorite target in the win over Green Bay. The 6-7 record for Houston has to be disappointing, but a few things the team can build on -- rookie Steve Slaton is a beast, Johnson is a top-3 receiver in the league and Schaub looks, when healthy, to be a perfect fit at starting quarterback. Oh, and they have this Walter guy, who keeps putting up sneaky productive games. Walter, Johnson and Owen Daniels? Doesn't this group look a lot like the Marvin Harrison-Reggie Wayne-Dallas Clark group that starred when the Colts were really hitting their stride?

Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis (26-for-32, 277 yards, 3 TDs) -- Look at that, another "dud to stud" story that took just a week. Last Sunday, Manning tossed no touchdowns and two interceptions in the squeaker against Cleveland, but took a little more advantage of a lost Bengals defense, hooking up three times with three different receivers to propel the Colts to 9-4 with Detroit and Jacksonville in their next two games. Somehow, the Colts are going to make the playoffs despite what some might consider a down year and if this Peyton shows up, you guys will all be going down (to the fourth floor!).

Ed Reed, S Baltimore (3 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 TD, 2 INTs) -- Last night, John Madden continually called Reed a "ball hawk," and after looking at those numbers you see why. Reed was personally responsible for Jason Campbell's and the Redskins' inability to keep the ball in the first half, proving that as long as the Ravens offense can avoid any huge blunders, the defense will take care of the rest. Added bonus? Michael Phelps was rocking a Reed jersey in his luxury box at the game.

Duds

Tony Romo, QB Dallas (19-for-36, 210 yards, 3 INT, 1 fumble) -- Tony, you are doing it wrong! The Dallas quarterback came into the marque Week 14 game with high hopes, but could never get anything clicking. Romo connected on just 53 percent of his passes yesterday, and unfortunately for all the Cowboys fans in the stands, hit the Steelers defenders three times. The last one, with 1:40 left, was snagged by Deshea Townsend, who gladly returned it for a Pittsburgh touchdown and the game. You win by the sword and you die by costly interceptions, and Tony's boys found that out the hard way Sunday. The consolation prize for Romo -- Giants, Ravens, and Eagles to close the season. Yikes.

Jamal Lewis, RB Cleveland (7 rushes, 7 yards) -- You know when your team had a bad day? When the "top performer" is a guy who rushed the ball two times for one yard. Lewis, who had yet to touch the ball less than 12 times this season, was handed the rock and did absolutely nothing with it. That might be more Tennessee's defense than it was Lewis' inability, but 1.0 yards per carry? Fantasy owners everywhere curse your name, Jamal.

Brett Favre, QB NY Jets (20-for-31, 137 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) -- Brett, you know you were playing the 49ers, right? The Jets have lost two games in a row, and the pattern points back to one player.

Favre against Denver last week -- 23-for-43, 247 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 INT, 60.9 passer rating, 17 Jets points
Favre against San Francisco -- 20-for-31, 137 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 INT, 60.8 passer rating, 14 Jets points

Three weeks ago the Jets were arguably the best team in the AFC. Now, they look like a team searching for anything to get out of this recent slump. The bright side? Next week they host a Bills team that looks even more lost than this group.

Marshawn Lynch, RB Buffalo (13 carries, 31 yards) -- Hey, speaking of those Bills, here is their "superstar." Lynch had 134 yards last week in the loss to the 49ers but couldn't find anything against those sneaky Dolphins. The Bills have lost seven of their last nine games and it might come back to Lynch, who was ferocious to start the season, scoring six touchdowns in their first seven games. Since then? He's found the end zone once and the Bills look like a team fit for a long winter hibernation.

Near Studly -- Pierre Thomas, Calvin Johnson, Chris Johnson, Marvin Harrison, Matt Schaub, Roddy White, Seneca Wallace, and Wes Welker.

Near Dudly -- Joseph Addai, Willie Parker, Steven Jackson, Chris Cooley, David Garrard, the Packers defense.