The past week in the NFL has offered much drama on and off the field.

On Sunday, quarterback Brett Favre, of the New York Jets, confirmed the scandal surrounding his return was not enough to keep him down. Proving beyond any reasonable doubt that he still belongs in the NFL, Favre threw for 6 touchdown passes… an amazing feat for any quarterback, much less a previously-retired, 38-year old.

This is the first time in his professional career that Favre has thrown 6 touchdowns in a game, including in all 16 seasons at the helm of the Green Bay Packers. The Jets defeated the Arizona Cardinals 56-35.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier, shot 14 times last month in an apparent random shooting in Jacksonville is paralyzed from the waist down and had to have his left leg amputated due to a blood clot. Collier, who was initially on life support following the shooting, is expected to leave the hospital soon.

Since the shooting, no arrests have been made and no suspect or motive has been named. His career now ended, the 26-year old played two full seasons in the NFL after graduating with a Communications degree from Valdosta State University.

Matt Bryant, place kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, kicked 3 field goals to help the Bucs defeat the Green Bay Packers 30-21, in front of a hometown crowd on Sunday. In-of-itself not necessarily a newsworthy story, the heart-wrenching drama surrounding Bryant’s appearance at Raymond James Stadium left many on the field and in the stands wiping away tears.

The day before, Bryant and his family buried his 3-month old son Tryson, who had passed away earlier in the week. Unsure of his playing status toward the end of the week, the team chartered a plane to Tampa for Bryant after Saturday’s funeral in Texas when Bryant indicated he wanted to play Sunday. The Bryant family is awaiting autopsy results to determine why Tryson died.

Former star running back Travis Henry was arrested in Denver this week in a federally-coordinated cocaine sting operation. The former Pro-Bowler and member of the Tennessee Volunteers’ 1998 National Championship team had been previously suspended for violating the league’s drug policy and was released by the Denver Broncos prior to the start of the season. Henry is facing life in prison if convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute.

You’re fired: Two head coaches in the NFL have already heard these words just a few weeks into the season. Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders has been fired “with cause” by team owner Al Davis.

During the Tuesday press conference to discuss the firing, Davis berated Kiffin, saying he would not receive any further pay, nor would any other terms of Kiffin’s contract be upheld, due to the nature of the decision to fire him as head coach and used words such as ‘liar’ to discuss his displeasure with Kiffin and his short career in Oakland. Davis had publicly demanded Kiffin resign prior to this week’s termination.

Tom Cable has been named interim coach. He becomes the eighth head of the Raiders since their return to Oakland in 1995.

Tom Haslett replaces Scott Linehan as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, who was fired Monday after a 0-4 start. Linehan leaves the Rams after two-plus seasons and only 11 total wins.

In a soap-opera like week, the NFL has experienced awe-inspiring triumph and tremendous tragedy. With so many dealings off the field, there is hardly any time to mention the antics of Terrell Owens or the amazing dancing skills of fleet-footed former defensive tackle Warren Sapp.