USC to NFL Week 4: Reggie Bush Looking MVP-Like

All Pro:

Reggie Bush (Detroit) - If only he could stay healthy, Reggie Bush might put up world beater numbers this year. Just check out his highlights from Sunday...no really...you'll want to see these. In his two full games this season (both Lions' wins, by the way), Bush has 364 yards rushing and receiving.

You could play "Madden NFL 25" all day long and might not be able to conjure up as many combo moves as Reggie Bush displayed Sunday in the Detroit Lions' 40-32 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Bush ran, spun, leapt, cut, spun again, shimmied and scampered all over the Bears' defense for 139 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. He added four catches for 34 yards. -- "Reggie Bush looks MVP-like"

Of his 139 rushing yards, 121 came between the tackles where 81 percent of his rushes this season have come at a 5.7 ypc clip. He had four runs of 14+ yards with his longest going for a 47-yard touchdown.

"Reggie Bush is special. He has speed. He can shake you. He can do everything." -- Chicago Bears safety Major Wright

Jordan Cameron (Cleveland) - For the third time this season, Jordan Cameron was targeted on double-digit occasions. He hauled in a career-high 10 catches on 12 targets, racking up 91 yards -- his third game with 90+ yards already this year. He also had his fifth touchdown catch, putting him one behind Jimmy Graham and Wes Welker for the NFL lead. Cameron went up over former Trojan teammate Taylor Mays in the left corner of the end zone and snatched the ball for a 9-yard score.

"We just tried to be physical on him and just limit him," safety Taylor Mays said of the tight end who caught three touchdowns the previous week at Minnesota. "It's just tough because he broke loose on a couple plays and those plays really hurt us."

Of his 10 receptions, three converted third downs, one went for a touchdown and another proved to be the most important play in the Browns game-defining fourth quarter drive [a 31-yard catch in the middle of the Bengals' D]. -- "Cameron becoming Hoyer's go-to-guy"

The five TDs is the most by a Cleveland tight end since Kellen Winslow had five in 2007. Through four games, Cameron has set a new franchise record with 30 receptions. He will see some familiar faces on Thursday when the Browns take on Nickell Robey, Robert Woods and the Bills.

Studs:

Jurrell Casey (Tennessee) - The Tennessee defense is a huge reason the Titans are off to a 3-1 start this season. Jurrell Casey has been an integral part of that strong D that has allowed 13 points per game in Tennessee's three victories. On Sunday, against the Jets, he had five tackles and pulled down Geno Smith for a sack.

Matt Cassel (Minnesota) - With Christian Ponder out with a broken rib, Matt Cassel stepped up across the pond in London and delivered Minnesota its first victory of the season. Cassel was a crisp 16-for-25, throwing for 248 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. It was a strong debut for Cassel and will fuel a QB debate for two weeks with the Vikings having a Bye this weekend, especially considering this:

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cassel went 7-for-10 against eight-man fronts, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown. Ponder has a 58.1 career completion percentage against those fronts, and has never hit more than six throws in a game.

The Steelers put eight men in the box more than any other team the Vikings have faced this season, and Cassel did what Ponder has often struggled to do: He took advantage of the matchups Peterson affords the Vikings' quarterback, and helped the Vikings generate an offense that looked surprisingly balanced.

Brian Cushing (Houston) - Brian Cushing didn't even make it three quarters Sunday. He had to leave the game after sustaining a concussion, and that's when everything shifted for the Texans. Cushing had accumulated nine tackles, including a stuff for a two yard loss, and a QB hit. He also forced Marshawn Lynch to fumble, but when the heart of Houston's defense left the game in the third quarter, Seattle was able to rally for two straight scores to send the game to overtime where it eventually won 23-20.

Everson Griffen (Minnesota) - The Vikings defensive line had four sacks in London on Sunday, but it was Everson Griffen's final blow to Ben Roethlisberger that sealed the 34-27 victory. Griffen grabbed Roethlisberger from behind, yanked him down and in the process knocked the ball free. Minnesota's recovery assured the win.

Malcolm Smith (Seattle) - After missing a week with a hamstring issue, Malcolm Smith returned to the Seattle starting lineup and collected a career-high seven tackles in Seattle's come-from-behind victory over. Smith also forced a fumble that led to a Seahawks' second-half field goal.

Robert Woods (Buffalo) - For the second straight week, Robert Woods was one of EJ Manuel's most popular intended targets. He was thrown to a team-high eight times, bringing in four receptions for 80 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown grab. Woods also had a near second touchdown catch that was overturned after the play was reviewed and it was found he hadn't established control by the time he got both feet in bounds. The rookie also was given the ball on a wide receiver reverse that went for 13 yards. On Tuesday, he talked with NFL.com about his strong rookie start.

Others of Note:

Sam Baker (ATL) - (Baker entered the game with ankle and knee injuries that caused him to miss last week. He only lasted until the second quarter before he went down clutching his left knee after being knocked off balance while pass blocking. But he was already having an atrocious game trying to play on the injured leg. In just 22 snaps, he was called for two penalties and gave up a sack, all together costing the Falcons 30 yards.)
Charles Brown (NO) - 1 penalty, 10 yards (holding), 1 sack allowed for -6 yards (There were concerns about Miami's ability to create pressure with its defensive front. While Brown did get called for holding once and gave up a six-yard sack, Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense rolled to easy win over the previously unbeaten Dolphins.)
Stanley Havili (IND) - 3 carries, 0 yards, 2 receptions, 1 yard
Matt Kalil (MIN) - 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed (Even across the seas in London, Matt Kalil is still one of the top left tackles. He protected Cassel and helped keep him upright for nearly the entire game.)
Kaluka Maiava (OAK) - 7 tackles
Rey Maualuga (CIN) - 11 tackles (Maualuga was second on the Bengals with 11 tackles. He and former ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict have combined for 76 tackles through four games.)
Taylor Mays (CIN) - 5 tackles (Mays tied the most tackles he's had since his 2010 rookie season with five bring downs. His playing time may decrease with Cincinnati's signing of Michael Boley though.
T.J. McDonald (STL) - 3 tackles (Unfortunately, Tim Jr. will be out six to eight weeks after suffering a fractured leg and having to be carted from the field.)
Mike Patterson (NYG) - 3 tackles
Carson Palmer (ARI) - 21-of-38, 248 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 sack (Carson Palmer didn't look great. He didn't target Larry Fitzgerald for a single pass in the first half and threw two third quarter interceptions, but he did just enough in the end to lead the Cardinals to a 13-10 victory over Tampa Bay and move Arizona to 2-2.)
Troy Polamalu (PIT) - 2 tackles

The Steelers can’t clone Polamalu. They can’t even guarantee he will stay healthy for an entire season given his style of play. Imagine the Steelers’ defense without Polamalu. Perhaps more depressing for Steelers fans is watching the defense flounder even with Polamalu playing as well as he has since 2010. Polamalu was the NFL defensive player of the year that season and the Steelers went to the Super Bowl, but that seems like ages ago. -- ESPN NFL Nation

Frostee Rucker (ARI) - 2 tackles, 1 QB hit.
Tyron Smith (NYG) - 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed (Dwight Freeney was able to get a couple of pressures on Tony Romo, but Tyron Smith kept him from getting a sack. Could Smith, who has yet to yield a sack this season, on his way to becoming a perennial Pro Bowler as this article suggests?)
Terrell Thomas (NYG) - 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss. (A week after not registering a stat, Thomas had one of New York's two tackles for loss.)
Damian Williams (TEN) - 7 targets, 5 catches, 53 yards. (With Kenny Britt out for Tennessee, Damian Williams got more playing time and took advantage.)

No Impact:

Allen Bradford (NYG), Fred Davis (WAS), Fili Moala (IND), Mike Morgan (SEA), Keith Rivers (NYG), Nickell Robey (BUF)

DNP:

Matt Barkley (PHI), Jeff Byers (CAR - Bye), Rhett Ellison (MIN), Khaled Holmes (IND), Wes Horton (CAR - Bye), Ryan Kalil (CAR - Bye), Clay Matthews (GB - Bye), Nick Perry (GB - Bye) Mark Sanchez (NYJ), Shareece Wright (SD)

IR:

David Ausberry (OAK), Brandon Carswell (SF), Anthony McCoy (SEA)