Game-breakers: Priest Holmes headlines our list of offensive players who are capable of changing the momentum of a game in an instant

Football Digest, Dec, 2003 by William Wagner

DICK VERMEIL IS A LUCKY MAN. When he led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl title in 1999, Marshall Faulk was his running back. Now Vermeil is head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, and the man carrying the ball for him is Priest Holmes.

Yes, Dick Vermeil is a very lucky man.

Faulk was the greatest running back in football in 1999 (and for a couple of years after that), a do-it-all player who could turn around a game either with his running or pass-catching. Now, as the 30-year-old Faulk begins to slow down, he has been replaced by Holmes as football's most potent offensive weapon.

Holmes actually took the mantle from Faulk last season, rushing for 1,615 yards, catching 70 passes for another 672 yards, and scoring 24 touchdowns. Had he not suffered a season-ending hip injury with two games to go, he surely would have broken Faulk's single-season touchdown record of 26.

The hip injury did more than end Holmes' run at the touchdown record, though--it also put his career in jeopardy. The Chiefs, in fact, were so unsure that Holmes would be able to pick up where he left off in 2002 that they spent their first pick in the draft on a running back, Larry Johnson.

For Holmes, it merely was business as usual. He has, after all, spent his entire NFL career trying to win over the skeptics. Signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 as an undrafted free agent, he defied the odds by rushing for 1,008 yards in 1998. Still, the Ravens never fully believed in him and allowed him to sign with the Chiefs in 2001.

Not that the Chiefs really believed in him, either. Even as Holmes was on his way to capturing the rushing title in '01 with 1,555 yards, Vermeil was reluctant to make him the featured back. Vermeil later admitted that was a mistake, saying, "We didn't put enough emphasis on Priest Holmes."

Vermeil finally did last season--and with stunning results. But then the hip injury occurred, and Holmes had to prove himself all over again. What did he do? In Week 1 of the 2003 season, Holmes rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 98 yards as the Chiefs throttled the San Diego Chargers.

Since then, Holmes has been unstoppable--he's left no doubt that he's the most explosive player in football But while Holmes may be No. 1, he certainly isn't the only game-breaker in the NFL. There are plenty of other offensive players who are capable of changing the momentum of a game on a single play.

Here is a sampling:

Drew Bledsoe, quarterback Buffalo Bills

Last season, his first in Buffalo, Bledsoe reinvigorated a Bills franchise that had fallen on hard times. This year, he has gone one step further, turning the Bills into legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Ever since the New England Patriots made him the first pick in the 1993 draft, Bledsoe has been known for his strong arm. Now, though, he also is playing with a confidence and ease that is reminiscent of all-time greats like Dan Marino. With Bledsoe under center, the Bills feel as if they're never out of a game. He can put points on the board in bunches.

Randy Moss, wide receiver Minnesota Vikings

It was just one comment--something to the effect that he tried only when he wanted to--but it dogged Moss for all of last season. Even though he put up phenomenal numbers, leading the NFC in both catches (106) and receiving yards (1,347), he was branded a loser.

This year, though, he has wisely kept his mouth shut and let his play do the talking. As a result, the Vikings are getting back on track following last season's 6-10 disaster. Blessed with outstanding size (6'4") and breakaway speed, Moss is the most dangerous receiver in the game today. If he is able to maintain his focus, he'll go down as one of the greatest ever.

Tiki Barber, running back New York Giants

Three yards and a cloud of dust? Not anymore. Not with players like Barber.

For years, the Giants were known for their plodding offense. These days, however, they have a quick-hit attack--and Barber is its engine.

Barber, a second-round pick of the Giants in 1997, had his breakthrough season in 2002, rushing for 1,387 yards and catching 69 passes. Now he is considered one of the game's most versatile backs. Like Faulk and Holmes, he can beat teams either as a runner or a receiver. He also has developed a nose for the endzone, which is the defining characteristic of a game-breaker.

Laveranues Coles, wide receiver Washington Redskins

Boy, do the New York Jets miss this guy. Coles burst onto the scene in his third NFL season in 2002 with 89 catches for 1,264 yards. He was a major reason why the Jets got hot down the stretch and captured the AFC East title.

In the offseason, though, the Redskins stole Coles away from the Jets with a $35 million contract that included a $13 million signing bonus. And while the Jets' offense has floundered this year, the one in Washington is starting to roll. Coles, with his eye-popping speed, is just the kind of player coach Steve Spurrier needs to make his Fun 'N Gun attack work.

Coles proved his worth to the Redskins from the get-go. In Week 2, he was at the center of a 33-31, come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons, catching 11 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown.