It's tough to win on the road. Especially if you're in the home yard of an undefeated team coming off a week in which the experts were debating all that had gone horribly wrong for a team many considered a contender for Super Bowl XLVII.
Greatest on the road ...
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
There was so much blame to go around following a devastating loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Much of it directed at Rodgers, who hadn't been playing up to the ridiculous standards he set in a 45-touchdown, six-interception MVP campaign last season.
Against an unbeaten Houston Texans team and its third-ranked defense, Rodgers picked the perfect moment to break out of what was a season-long slump. Rodgers finished with six touchdown passes, setting a new career high and tying a franchise record (Matt Flynn from Week 17 of last season). After a sluggish start to the season, Rodgers appears back on form. Rodgers had just three touchdowns vs. two interceptions in the Packers' first three games this season, but now has thrown for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions in the team's last three games.
That effort, and the resulting 40-burger haymaker laid on a Texans team expected to contend for a championship, could reignite the Packers' playoff aspirations and puts Green Bay back in the thick of what promises to be a compelling NFC North divisional race.
Also considered:
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
For more than three quarters, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to hold Detroit's dynamic duo of Matthew Stafford and Johnson in check. As a result, the Lions faced a 16-6 deficit in the fourth quarter. With their season potentially in the balance, Stafford and Johnson came alive. Five of Johnson's six receptions came in the final quarter, a period in which the Lions managed to put 17 points on the board and force overtime.
Jason Hanson booted the game-winner in the extra period and the Lions walked away 26-23 winners in a potential season-altering road win. Johnson finished with 135 yards receiving, 107 of which came during the Lions' rally for victory.
Antrel Rolle, New York Giants
Arguably the most emphatic statement of Week 6 was made by the Giants, on the road against a San Francisco 49ers team looking to avenge its heartbreaking loss in last season's NFC Championship Game. Instead, the Giants defense bullied the 49ers as the defending Super Bowl champions won in a 26-3 rout.
49ers quarterback Alex Smith threw three interceptions in the game, two of which went to Rolle, who halted two San Francisco drives with picks that ultimately led to scores as the Giants built an insurmountable lead.
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
