NFL

Tavon Austin finally shows Jets what they missed

Monday Morning NFL brings us a new category that must be called NO LONGER INCOGNITO:

Tavon Austin is no longer incognito.

It took 10 games, but Austin made a lot of people look good for a change Sunday with his stunning breakout performance against the Colts.

The Rams’ rookie speedster was a sight to behold in their 38-8 upset in Indianapolis, returning a punt 98 yards for a score, catching TD passes of 57 and 81 yards and accounting for 314 yards overall with kickoff and punt returns thrown in.

It was the all-round performance so many in the league — particularly the Jets — had expected when the Rams traded up to take the West Virginia product No. 8 overall last spring. It was later revealed Austin was the only offensive skill player new Jets GM John Idzik considered worthy of the first round, and Idzik went for defense in Sheldon Richardson and Dee Milliner when the Rams outmaneuvered him.

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer isn’t considered the most creative play-caller, of course, and he had gotten a lot of the blame for Austin going MIA in the first nine games.

That criticism still might be valid even after Sunday’s big game, though. Austin’s two TD catches were also his only two receptions of the game, and even though Austin’s combination of speed and versatility made him such a hot prospect, Schottenheimer gave him just one carry (for four yards) against Indianapolis.

Instead, it looks like the combination of a porous Colts defense, bad punt coverage and Austin finally getting tired of the “bust” whispers that had dogged him the first nine games.

So don’t be surprised if Sunday turns out to be an aberration for Austin — at least until he gets a new coordinator willing to put him in innovative positions to succeed.

Nine more breakout attractions from Week 10:

1. The Panthers are no longer incognito after upsetting the 49ers on the road, 10-9. You know these guys are for real when they can find a way to prevail when Cam Newton has a 52.7 QB rating. Ask Colin Kaepernick about the Carolina defense that sacked him six times. Kaepernick couldn’t complete a pass longer than 14 yards. “I’m a big fan of Luke Kuechly, I love watching him play,” former Panthers linebacker Jon Beason says.

2. The Lions are no longer incognito after beating the Bears on the road, 21-19, and taking over first place in the NFC North. Matthew Stafford keeps throwing touchdown passes, Calvin Johnson keeps catching them, and Ndamukong Suh keeps terrorizing quarterbacks and causing interceptions. Stafford was the top overall pick, and Megatron and Suh went No. 2. It helps when you make them count. With Packers QB Aaron Rodgers out for another two weeks at least, Jim Schwartz has a legitimate shot at bringing Motown its first division title in 20 years.

3. The Jaguars are no longer incognito. A game ball for Gus Bradley, at last, winning 29-27 after an 0-8 start. And the Titans are ashamed of themselves. “We looked past them, and they came in here and spanked us,” tight end Delanie Walker said. This is what can happen in the NFL when you take it two games at a time.

4. Mark Ingram is no longer incognito. The Saints’ 2011 No. 1 draft pick has been a bust, lost in the shuffle behind Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. He showed power and explosiveness (14 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD) against the Cowboys.

5. Vinny Rey is no longer incognito. The Bengals’ undrafted third-year reserve linebacker recorded 13 tackles and three sacks of Joe Flacco, with three passes defensed, his first career interception and two special-teams tackles. The Ravens showed championship heart keeping their playoff hopes alive in overtime, though Ray Rice (18 carries, 30 yards) is still incognito this season.

6. Scott Tolzien is no longer incognito. The third-string Packers quarterback will start Sunday against the Giants after relieving Seneca Wallace (groin) against the Eagles and throwing for 280 yards, though he was burned on an errant end-zone fade for Jordy Nelson that resulted in a disastrous pick. Tolzien was released by the 49ers on the cutdown to 53 and had never taken an NFL snap until Sunday. “I thought his game management was outstanding,” Mike McCarthy said.

7. Keenan Lewis is no longer incognito. The Saints cornerback was instrumental in Tony Romo targeting Dez Bryant (one reception, 44 yards) only twice.

8. James Ihedigbo is no longer incognito. The Ravens safety, a former Jet, intercepted Andy Dalton twice before letting a Hail Mary deflect off his hands for the 51-yard TD that forced overtime. Ihedigbo redeemed himself when he helped stop Giovani Bernard on a fourth-and-2 before Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal.

9. Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin are no longer incognito. If you’ve been living in a cave the past week, check out Monday Night Football, Dolphins versus Bucs. It just might be the one occasion when Darrelle Revis and Greg Schiano are incognito. If the Dolphins miss the playoffs, you can expect head coach Joe Philbin and GM Jeff Ireland to be incognito.

EJ Manuel re-Buffed in return to Bills

Geno Smith gets another chance to get bragging rights over EJ Manuel when the rookie quarterbacks meet again Sunday in Buffalo. The rematch comes at a time when Manuel’s development has been slowed by a second knee injury. Much like Smith, Manuel was schooled in his return to action by Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who improved his record against rookie QBs to 17-2 with a 23-10 win in Pittsburgh. The Bills coaching staff played not to lose, with Manuel playing the part of Captain Checkdown, and head coach Doug Marrone opting to punt fourth-and-5 at the Pittsburgh 36 down 14 early in the fourth quarter.

Chip ahoy! Eagles in division driver’s seat

If the Nick Foles Eagles can finally win a home game — they have lost 10 straight — against the Redskins on Sunday, they will emerge as the Team To Beat in the NFC East, ahead of the shaky Cowboys. Chip Kelly isn’t having the kind of season Andy Reid is, but the guy can coach.

On any given Sunday, Eli’s out there

Eli Manning is hardly playing his best football, but he will be there for his team and teammates Sunday at MetLife Stadium, as he always is, as he has been since the 10th game of the 2004 season, while Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) will not be available for the Packers.

“Obviously, you try to work out and do all the things and not take hits that aren’t necessary,” Manning said. “There’s some big guys out there, and you gotta understand your protection. Some of it obviously is being fortunate, being lucky. You never know when a certain hit or certain tackle, you fall a certain way, you land a certain way. … Had some bumps and bruises and some different injuries, but always want to be out there for the team and feel if I can go out there and play at a high level, then I’m gonna go out there and do it.”

Denver holds its breath as Big Brother Peyton (ankle) undergoes an MRI exam Monday. Eli twice came close to missing a game, once with a sprained shoulder (2007) and once with plantar fasciitis (2009).

“Couldn’t throw earlier that week, couldn’t throw on Wednesday, Thursday threw a little bit, probably 10-yard throws,” Eli said. “You’re a little worried how quickly it’s gonna come back and your strength and be able to make certain throws. That was probably the one that was a closer call.”