Some moments transcend sports, when the play on the field is secondary to the story behind the scenes. It's rare to come across these moments mid-season when the games don't matter as much and there's little off-field drama. However, one performance on Sunday was so amazing and so moving that it merits sincere acknowledgement. To be great on the road means to overcome -- and thrive on -- the simple adversity of playing in a hostile environment. What Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander did in the Georgia Dome this week was more than great. It was extraordinary.
Greatness on the Road winner...
Kwon Alexander
Backstory. Less than 48 hours before taking on the Falcons, the Tampa Bay rookie learned some horrifying news -- his 17-year-old brother, Broderick Taylor II, had been shot and killed in their hometown of Anniston, Ala. Despite the unspeakable tragedy, Alexander told coach Lovie Smith that he intended to play Sunday, claiming his brother would have wanted him to: "He was my little brother, but I know he'd want me to be strong for him, and I came out here and dedicated this game to him."
With the team rallying around Alexander -- quarterback Jameis Winston preached the Bucs had to be "our brother's keeper" -- the linebacker made his presence felt early and often against the Falcons. With Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense backed up near their own end zone in the first quarter, Alexander ripped the ball right out from a streaking Julio Jones. His feverish return put Tampa Bay in scoring position and swung the momentum early on.
Alexander outdid himself late in the second quarter when he intercepted a Ryan pass in the middle of the field, giving the Buccaneers the ball in position to score. Winston would throw a touchdown pass to close out the half and give Tampa Bay a 10-point lead, one they'd eventually relinquish during their 23-20 overtime win. Alexander finished with 11 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble; he was responsible, via takeaways, for 10 vital points; and he kept the 3-4 Buccaneers alive in the NFC South.
During what was likely the most difficult week of his life, Alexander played the game of a lifetime in honor of his fallen brother and rightfully earned the game ball. If that's not greatness...
Runners up
Eli Manning
Rare is it for any six-touchdown performance to get overshadowed, especially one conducted by a potential Hall of Famer playing in his home town. But c'est la vie when you catch Drew Brees on a good day.
Down in the Bayou, the prodigal son -- or at least one of them -- returned and put on a show for the Superdome crowd. Manning tossed his six touchdowns -- a career high -- on 30 completions for 350 yards. He threw eight balls to fellow Louisiana native Odell Beckham Jr. for 130 yards and three TDs, and also dished out scores to Shane Vereen and Dwayne Harris.
The only reason Manning isn't leading off this list is because of his counterpart's out-of-body showing. Brees one-upped Manning, throwing seven touchdowns -- tying the NFL record -- and leading the game-winning drive in the Saints' 52-49 win. Of course, this isn't new territory for Eli -- he's sure used to playing second fiddle to better quarterbacks.
Richard Sherman
Yeah, the Seahawks cornerback tends to talk the talk a tad too often. But every now and then, he walks the walk and reminds you why he is the self-proclaimed best corner in the game.
Sunday at Jerryworld was a fascinating proving ground for Sherman with Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant returning from a foot injury. With a mediocre Matt Cassel quarterbacking Dallas, Bryant was targeted six times during the Cowboys' 13-12 loss at home; he caught just two balls for 12 yards. Credit Sherman and the little voice in his stomach with that defense.
Sherman hugged Bryant like a Snuggie all game long, breaking up deep passes by high-pointing Cassel's passes and short routes with well-timed swipes. The Cowboys' top wideout never got free of Sherman's grasp and Dallas was never a true threat in the contest because of it.