Who's Hot Who's Not

Who's Hot

COLTS

Look who's streaking. By whupping Seattle, Indy won its 13th regular-season game in a row. "We played greatness," Seahawks coach Jim Mora said of Colts QB Peyton Manning (right), who needs one TD pass to stand third by himself on the NFL career list. He could feast this week, against reeling Tennessee.

OVIE

Up to his usual tricks. In two games reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin had NHL highs of six points and three goals for the unbeaten Capitals. Let's see, that projects to a 246-point season.... Said Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, "I wouldn't want to put any limits on him."

STEVE SMITH

No, not the Panthers' four-time Pro Bowl receiver, but rather the Giants' third-year wideout, who was leading the NFL in catches (34) and receiving yards (411). So long as he doesn't shoot himself in the foot, Eli Manning's favorite target could have Giants' fans saying, "Plaxico who?"

MARINERS

They didn't make the playoffs—not by a long shot—but no team in MLB improved more than 85--77 Seattle, which lost 101 games in 2008. Ace Felix Hernandez closed in on the Cy Young, and M's icon Ken Griffey Jr. (right) singled in what may have been his last career at bat.

Who's Not

TITANS

Remember them? The team that began last season 10--0 got smashed by the Jaguars to remain 0 for '09 (including a playoff loss to Baltimore last January). "This season is getting away from us," said defensive end Jevon Kearse. And it's getting harder: Tennessee plays Indy and New England the next two weeks.

OZZIE

That didn't take long. The Red Wings' perennially uneven goaltender Chris Osgood faced only 23 shots in Detroit's opener—and he let four of them get past him in a loss to St. Louis. "A weird game," he said after blowing a 3--1 lead. Game 2? Osgood was on the bench.

MARK CLAYTON

Certainly not the former Dolphins deep threat and five-time Pro Bowl choice, but rather the Ravens veteran who has averaged 33 receiving yards the last three weeks and who dropped a "perfect pass" (his words) at the nine-yard line to seal Baltimore's loss to the Pats.

INDIANS

They lost 97 games (their most since '91), dropped their last 15 on the road and settled next to K.C. in the AL Central cellar. No other AL team fell off more than Cleveland did from its 81--81 in '08. And this was awkward: Eric Wedge managed the last six games even after he was fired.

SI PLAYERS NFL POLL

WHO IS THE MOST OVERRATED PLAYER IN THE NFL?

Brett Favre, Vikings QB 13%

Tony Romo, Cowboys QB 10%

Terrell Owens, Bills WR 8%

Eli Manning, Giants QB 7%

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers QB 5%

FAST FACTS

Players couldn't vote for a teammate.... Poll was completed before Week 2.... Reggie Bush of the Saints, who got the most votes of any running back, and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who got the most of any defensive player, tied for eighth with 2.5%.... Owens had eight catches in four games through Sunday.

Based on a survey of 239 NFL players

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ANDREW HANCOCK (MANNING)

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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (OVECHKIN)

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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (CLAYTON)

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GEORGE HOLLAND/CAL SPORT MEDIA (GRIFFEY)

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BOB ROSATO (ROMO)

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JOHN BIEVER (FAVRE)