By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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In baseball, if you succeed three out of 10 times, you’re pretty close to Hall of Fame status. By that way of thinking, this week’s road squads are deserving of induction into immortality.

Six visiting squads won, while the other six lost. For you math wizards at home, that’s a .500 winning percentage. The leaders away from home included blowout wins on the part of New Orleans, Dallas and Atlanta. We had a couple thrillers, too, but we’ll save the excitement for below. These are your road heroes from Week 9. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Let’s just cut to the chase this week: Oakland’s win over Tampa Bay was a sloppy mess that probably had the likes of Tom Landry, Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi turning in their graves. No matter, though, because this is 2016, it’s Jack Del Rio’s year and we’re all just watching the madness, flying yellow flags included.

Oakland leads the way, legitimately standing as the greatest squad on the road with a 5-0 record away from home. Their leader is our winner on the eve of November. The autumn wind is a pirate; the autumn wind is a Raider.

The Raiders were one of four road teams to win in Week 8. These are your greatest on the road. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Not too shabby this week, road teams. Five visitors produced wins, and one ended in a tie, which is gross but part of competition in instances in which neither road or home kickers can do their job effectively.

No worries. We still have stars from the road winners, including a big comeback win in the Peach State. These are your best performers away from home in Week 7. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Week 6 wasn’t one to write home about for road teams. Only three came away with wins, while a few others watched their chances at victory slip away in the waning moments. The pickings were unusually slim, but stars emerged. These are the best road performers from Week 6.

Greatest on the Road

Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

This selection kicks off a pair of decisions between quarterback and running back. This could have gone to Alex Smith, who was accurate and decisive, completing 19 of 22 passes for 224 yards. But we instead turn to the backfield, where an unheralded tailback took the reigns and led the Chiefs‘ offense with punishing runs.

Kansas City isn’t a team that beats you with the big play, but instead picks you apart with quick passes and a consistent run game. Ware was the engine that powered the rushing attack in Week 6. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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For the second week in a row, Week 5 was one that called for some credit for road squads. Of the first 13 games of the week, six were won by teams away from home. The visitors brought home a few statement wins, including a game that saw the return of one future Hall of Fame quarterback. These are your best performers in unfriendly confines.

Greatest on the Road …

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

It was just a typical lost Sunday in Cleveland for the Browns. Nothing to write about here. Oh wait, that’s right, a certain quarterback, wildly popular in the New England region and one of the best to ever play the position, was set to take the field for the first time this season. Seems notable enough for a little extra attention. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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What a week for road teams. Seven of the week’s first 14 games ended with wins for the visitors, included a surprising shutout win on the part of Buffalo over New England, and two stunning comebacks for Oakland and New Orleans. Those late-game heroics, plus a great pass in a close finish in Arizona gave us our candidates for this week’s Greatest on the Road.

Greatest on the Road …

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Much has been made over the years when looking in hindsight at the San Diego Chargers right around the year 2005. Drew Brees, 32nd-overall selection of the Chargers out of Purdue, was on the way out. A shoulder injury to Brees in 2005 hastened the process of the Chargers hitting reset by turning to second-year quarterback Philip Rivers and offering Brees a contract he rebuffed, leading him to sign with New Orleans. Sunday was Brees’ first trip back to Qualcomm Stadium since the divorce, and he made it one to remember. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A big congratulations is due for six of the week’s 16 road teams (with Atlanta and New Orleans yet to play on Monday night), as they came away winners in Week 3. The Cleveland Browns should have been team No. 7, but then again, we could go on and on about things that should have happened (especially in Cleveland), couldn’t we?

We saw a first-year starter continue his development leading the reigning champions in a hostile den along the Ohio River, and a former quarterback do a little bit of everything in an attempt to will his team to a victory. Minnesota’s defense again powered the Vikings to a major win, and while we’d love to give honors to all 11-plus members of the unit, we decided to zero in on one man who’s had himself a good 13 months.

These are the best performers away from home in Week 3. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Week 2 wasn’t friendly to road teams. It rarely is.

Before Monday night’s game, only five of 15 road teams came away with wins this week. Two of those wins required late, go-ahead scores to secure the win. One called for 25 unanswered points to overcome a 20-point deficit — to the Browns. Simply put, it was tough sledding for the guys coming from the hotel.

But stars still emerged. Thursday night saw a blast from the past, even if the uniforms looked more like something from the future. And a young kid shined in the nation’s capital. These are your best road warriors of Week 2. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Not everyone gets to start a new season filled with hope at home. No, half of the league’s teams must spend Week 1 on the road, a crucible that makes heroes of some and goats of many more.

In an opening weekend that featured multiple close finishes and surprises from road squads, we can only choose one winner (and two who get pats on the back for coming close to winning this prestigious honor). Here are the men who weaved their tapestries of road greatness in Week 1. Continue reading →