Week 11 has concluded and the headlines are as follows:

First tie in the NFL since 2002 … first 11-10 final score in league history … Tampa Bay beats Minnesota 19-13 … Miami edges Oakland 17-15 … Dallas beats Washington 14-10 in Romo’s return.

With games like these, how is someone supposed to get excited about heading into playoff football? Weeks like this make me plead with the NFL to abolish the field goal. Seriously, what a boring week of NFL “action”.

If you were busy on Sunday and managed to catch just the Patriots vs. Jets game Thursday night, consider yourself lucky. You will be able to judge Week 11 based solely on one of the best games of the year and not by the bombardment of awful execution, conservative play-calling, sloppy ball-handling, safeties and field goals that was Week 11. These guys really need to shape up and execute before we head into January.

Big Bertha here with your (relative) goods and (understated) bads of Week 11 in the NFL.  

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
The golden boy’s replacement may have finally come into his own this past Thursday night. Cassel threw for a Week 11 best 400 yards and added three touchdowns to the box score as well. For those who stuck with Cassel as a fantasy starter, his Week 11 MVP performance might have been good enough to help you improve to 4-7 this season. Stay strong though because Week 12 is a big revenge game for Cassel and company as they head to Miami after getting worked by the Fins at home in Week 3.

Runners-Up

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
He ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Granted, it was expected because of Jake Delhomme’s inability to throw the ball and the Detroit Lions’ well-documented tackling woes. But, add the fact that he only got 14 carries and you’re looking at a running back who is, at the very least, efficient and effective.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinatti Bengals
Both the Bengals and Eagles lucked out because neither deserves anything but a loss for their atrocious 13-13 tie. But, one bright spot proved to be Housh, who caught 12 passes for 149 yards and Cincinnati’s only score. Even though Philadelphia’s defensive backfield is over the hill, when you go for that kind of yardage against the likes of Asante Samuel and Brian Dawkins, you’re definitely doing something right.

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers
Grant had a breakout game against the long-time rival Chicago Bears on Sunday, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown. It looks like Grant could start posting second half numbers close to his ‘07 figures and help some fantasy owners limp into the playoffs.

MOST SURPRISING PERFORMANCE

Justin Gage, WR, Tennessee Titans
In his first 100-yard game since Week 17 of last year, Gage proved to be a vital part of the Titans’ resurgence against the Jags with four catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The unbeatens found themselves down 11 at the half but scored 21 straight in the second to bring home the W. And over those two games we’ve seen Kerry Collins airing it out as Chris Johnson may have hit the bally-hooed rookie wall after Week 9. Gage could come up big down the stretch if the trend continues.

Runners-Up

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
I’m not sure anyone could have predicted that a former Ivy-leaguer would step into an abysmal situation, like in Cincinnati, and engineer a tie against the Philadelphia Eagles and Donovan McNabb. Fitz threw for 261 yards and a touchdown against a tough Philly defense. The blitz packages, speed in the secondary, and big play ability we’ve seen from this D all year made it a tough day for anyone on the Bengals offense. The fact that Fitzpatrick didn’t blow the game came as a huge surprise to everyone.

Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Parker took 25 carries for 115 yards in the ugly Steelers win over San Diego on Sunday. The first NFL game ever with the final score of 11-10 also marked the first 100-yard game for Parker since Week 2. If he can keep himself off the injury report, Parker will be a valuable fantasy asset as the weather deteriorates because the Steelers are going to take the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hands and put it into the arms of “Fast” Willie.

Peyton Hillis, RB, Denver Broncos
Hillis is a former fullback who broke out another gem in Week 11. He only ran for 44 yards, but managed to punch in two scores. With the revolving door of running backs in Shanahan’s backfield, it is always a surprise when someone, especially a fullback, gets the opportunity to grab two scores in a game.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
Rivers only threw for 159 yards and added two completions to the other team. The weather was awful and the Steelers defense is suffocating, but that type of fantasy turn-out isn’t going to get the job done, especially when owners are vying for playoff spots. This is crunch time, and when one of the best statistical quarterbacks turns in a dud, regardless of his opponent, it’s a big disappointment in the fantasy world.

Runners-Up

Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins
Five catches for 29 yards just isn’t very good. But this is the kind of inconsistency fantasy owners have come to expect from Moss.

Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona Cardinals
11 carries for 35 yards is the kind of stat line you get when a touchdown vulture can’t find paydirt.

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers
For the second straight week, Delhomme played a terrible team and couldn’t perform. He failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark and threw for only one touchdown. Carolina’s effectiveness on the ground with the Stewart-Williams tandem played a role in Delhomme’s inability to produce, but only 98 yards against Detroit is inexcusable. At least it’s better than four picks against Oakland.

CUTTABLE PLAYER

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers
In the past two games, Delhomme has thrown for a combined 170 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. And that was against Oakland and Detroit. Carolina runs the ball too much and Delhomme doesn’t use Steve Smith enough to make himself a legitimate fantasy quarterback. Drop him and pick up Brady Quinn or someone who’s going to drop back and air it out.

WAIVER WIRE SPECIAL

Justin Gage, WR, Tennessee Titans
Gage has three touchdowns in the last two games. Kerry Collins has had two straight 200-yard games (his first of the season) and seems to be improving each week. Gage has the advantage of light secondaries because teams have to stop “Smash and Dash” combination of Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Look for Gage to haul in a couple of balls a game and find his way into the endzone a few more times in ‘08.

DREAM LINEUP
QB - Matt Cassel, NE
RB - DeAngelo Williams, CAR
RB - Frank Gore, SF
WR - T.J. Houshmandzadeh, IND
WR - Anquan Boldin, ARI
TE - Benjamin Watson, NE
K - Neil Rackers, ARI
D/ST - Green Bay Packers

NIGHTMARE SQUAD
QB - Kyle Orton, CHI
RB - Tim Hightower, ARI
RB - LenDale White, TEN
WR - Chansi Stuckey, NYJ
WR - Steve Breaston, ARI
TE - Antonio Gates, SD
K - Josh Scobee, JAC
D/ST - Chicago Bears

HIGHLIGHT REEL (Best Play)

Week 11 was rough. A lot of bad weather and bad football. But after watching an entire day’s worth of games, there are a few plays worthy of some Week 11 hardware.

The “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN AWARD” Award

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans
Slaton broke threw the line and into the Colts secondary after bursting through a huge hole created by his offensive line. His quick feet and explosive acceleration made it clear that his speed was a tough matchup for the Colts defense. Slaton was barely touched on a 71-yard score.

The “COUGH IT UP” Award

James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Harrison blitzed Chargers QB Philip Rivers from his blind side deep in San Diego territory and hit him from behind, forcing a fumble and a safety. The Steelers won by an 11-10 score and Harrison’s play ended up being the difference.

The “Y2J” Award

Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets
Cotchery pinned a 46-yard pass to the side of his helmet with his biceps while being molested by a Patriots corner. It was ridiculous.

The “HERE’S YOUR ‘TOM BRADY’” Award

Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
Cassel topped off a beautiful last-drive by shedding a tackle, rolling out of the pocket, and delivering a perfect 16-yard bullet to Randy Moss with one tick left on the clock. The score tied the game against the Jets and may have earned Cassel a fat check in the offseason as he’s due to be a free agent. It also helped to illustrate that the NFL overtime policy of sudden-death is a devastating way to end a football game.

WEEK 11 BONUS AWARDS

THE “AND THAT’S WHY YOU’RE A LION” AWARD

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Detroit Lions
You’re the Lions. You’re down by two in the second half against a 7-2 Panthers team. You miss the two-point conversion but get a HUGE stop on Carolina’s ensuing possession and have the opportunity to drive down the field and take the lead. But Culpepper throws a pick inside your own red zone and now you’re down nine and it’s all downhill from there. And that’s why you’re the Lions.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ahman Green, RB, Houston Texans
There were a lot of comeback scenarios in Week 11: Romo back from injury, Cadillac re-activated, Culpepper getting the start for Detroit, and Tatum Bell’s first game back in Denver. We could not, however, have come up with the possibility that Green would score … twice. It was his first two-score game since Oct. 29, 2006, when he was a Packer.