Shaun Alexander got quite familiar with the pylon on Sunday afternoon. Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

By Joe Levit, Special to SI.com

After three weeks of fantasy action, we finally had a few knockout performances from the top players, the kind of effort that can single-handedly give you a win in a given week. LaDainian Tomlinson had almost 200 yards rushing Sunday night to go with his three rushing scores. He even passed for a touchdown. Shaun Alexander gained 140 yards, which was fine, but also netted four TDs on the day. Now you remember why these two players went first in drafts, and for the most money in auctions.

A growing number of guys are on a searing streak. Pay close attention to these players because their inclusion in this category indicates there is a high likelihood that you can count on them for some outstanding fantasy production each week. Though Tomlinson and Alexander aren't surprising members of this cast, trading for players such as Terry Glenn or Thomas Jones based on their streaks could be a slightly covert way to add talent to your roster, especially if their owners consider them early-season flukes. For instance, maybe an owner still thinks Cedric Benson will be stealing Jones' thunder any day now, and perhaps the owner of Glenn is expecting him to pull up lame very soon.

As always, below is the Hot Streaks grading rubric. Two corrections from last week -- both Alge Crumpler and Terrell Owens were on searing streaks at that time, but did not receive their due credit in this column. While Owens couldn't keep it going to make it a three-week streak, he did win the battle of the bragaddocio wideouts in week three, besting Randy Moss, who also missed a chance to extend his searing streak.

Searing streak

QUARTERBACK

Hot Streak Classifications QB RB WR TE HOT 300 pass yds or 3 TDs 100 rush yds or 2 TDs 100 rec yeds or 2 TDs 50 rec yds or 2 TDs SCORCHING 300 pass yds and 3 TDs 100 rush yds and 2 TDs 100 rec yds and 2 TDs 50 rec yds and 2 TDs SEARING STREAK Hot or Scorching in consec. weeks Hot or Scorching in consec. weeks Hot or Scorching in consec. weeks Hot or Scorching in consec. weeks

Donovan McNabb, Eagles (2 weeks): The fantasy fun just keeps coming from this half of the dynamic pass-and-catch duo in Philadelphia. This time he just barely beat the Raiders. His 365 passing yards trails only Tom Brady this week.

Carson Palmer, Bengals (2 weeks): After a nice game last week, Palmer followed that up for his fantasy owners by passing for three scores to beat up the Bears defense. It is clear that Carson is going to perform no matter which team is opposing him.

RUNNING BACK

Carnell Williams, Buccaneers (3 weeks): I didn't even need to move him from his slot. Williams makes it three weeks in a row as a hot performer in fantasy leagues. His blistering beginning has helped the Bucs win their first three games, this week beating former division rival Green Bay, sending the Brett Favre-led Packers to an 0-3 start. Williams now has the best three-game start of any running back in NFL history (434 yards rushing), surpassing Alan Ameche's mark of 410 yards set in 1955.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (2 weeks): With an increase in touches this week against the Giants, Tomlinson created an increase in production. It is always a good day when one of your starting runners throws for a score. Tomlinson nearly registered his fourth 200-yard game, finishing with 191 yards on the ground.

Shaun Alexander, Seahawks (2 weeks): Screaming Seahawks! Alexander trashed Arizona with one of his multiple-touchdown traipses. Shaun glides through defenses for a score like the bully in your third grade class did through the red rover line.

Edgerrin James, Colts (2 weeks): What happened to Ran Carthon? James really scored the touchdown? And without Peyton Manning throwing for one? Here is what James owners wanted to see.

Thomas Jones, Bears (2 weeks): Once again Jones runs for more than 100 yards and adds a score. This time he did it in a severe loss. It seems he is going to produce regardless of the circumstances.

WIDE RECEIVER

Hines Ward, Steelers (2 weeks): Hyperactive Hines has become his team's main receiver, much like Muhsin Muhammad last year for the Panthers. Since Ben Roethlisberger loves to throw to his No. 1 guy, expect more of the same this season. Why didn't we all see this coming?

Chad Johnson, Bengals (2 weeks): Johnson made Bears safety Mike Brown look silly on Sunday, and made a checkmark on his list for the third straight cornerback who couldn't cover him.

Terry Glenn, Cowboys (2 weeks): Clearly some players who cannot motivate themselves excel under coach Bill Parcells. Glenn has now gained 294 yards in the last two games.

Darrell Jackson, Seahawks (2 weeks): Jackson is becoming a weekly yardage threat, gaining over 100 yards yet again. As the main focus in the passing game, he should remain a weekly threat.

TIGHT END

Antonio Gates, Chargers (2 weeks): He could have been a three-week hottie had he not been suspended for the first game of the season. Gates does amazing things on the field, and is such a key part of San Diego's offense. He nearly topped 100 yards receiving, and did score a touchdown. Even with the one required week off, he may best Tony Gonzalez to take the TE crown.

L.J. Smith, Eagles (2 weeks): Smith is a big target and is the player McNabb looks for when the QB needs a key first down, or when T.O. is covered. Because the backup wideouts on this team are not experienced, Smith will continue to get his yards.

Jeremy Shockey, Giants (2 weeks): It looks like Shockey is applying himself again. He added more yards, and a touchdown, this week.

Scorching

QUARTERBACK

Daunte Culpepper, Vikings: After an abysmal beginning, during which time Culpepper led the league with eight interceptions, he finally led a successful raid on an opponent. His three touchdowns and precisely 300 yards did a lot to get him back in his owners' good graces. His ability to excel without Nate Burleson in the lineup may mean he is ready to ramp up his statistics.

RUNNING BACK

Brian Westbrook, Eagles: A huge bonus in leagues that score receptions, Westbrook caught six passes to top 100 yards receiving while scoring a touchdown. He added 68 yards and a score on 13 rushes.

WIDE RECEIVER

Steve Smith, Panthers: In a losing effort, Smith snared 11 passes to total 170 yards. Most impressively, he scored three times. This mini monster has understated strength and determination. He is a fantastic addition to any fantasy team.

Brandon Lloyd, 49ers: With Rattay rocketing the passes, Lloyd continues to play well. His total of 142 yards and two scores is the type of stat line that makes the owners who started him smile like they knew what would happen, and the owners' competitors snarl with a mixture of disbelief and pure rage.

Keenan McCardell, Chargers: McCardell is back with two more touchdowns. He scored two in the opener, but now has done so when Tomlinson and Gates are also in the mix. Clearly McCardell is a value player this year. He has the savvy to separate during routes that all good veterans develop.

Hot

QUARTERBACK

Mark Bulger, 3 TDs: Mr. Steady has another good day
Jake Delhomme, 3 TDs: Has rediscovered his No. 1 WR
Tim Rattay, 3 TDs: Keeps this team in games
Eli Manning, 300+ yards: Found some targets in a shootout
Kerry Collins,  300+ yards: Very efficient, no interceptions
Drew Bledsoe, 300+ yards: The Drew and Terry show, part II
Tom Brady, 300+ yards: Completed 12 of 12 in fourth quarter. Mr. Clutch

RUNNING BACK

Julius Jones, 2 TDs: Capitalized in the red zone
Corey Dillon, 2 TDs: Crossing the stripe counts big time
Willis McGahee, 100+ yards, TD: Heavy workload in a loss
Ronnie Brown, 100+ yards, TD: Will he now hold off Ricky?
Mewelde Moore, 100+ yards: Out of doghouse, team in win column

WIDE RECEIVER

Joey Galloway, 2 TDs: A good thing going with Griese
Travis Taylor, 2 TDs: Becoming a nice end-zone target
Torry Holt, 100+ yards, TD: Always was a yardage king
David Givens, 100+ yards: Came through over the middle

TIGHT END

Courtney Anderson, 100+ yards: Anderson shakes hands with Franklin
Jason Witten, 50+ yards, TD: TE used a lot in this offense
Ernie Conwell, 50+ yards, TD: Showing some consistency
Erron Kinney, 50+ yards: Troupe got the touchdown, though
Jermaine Wiggins, 50+ yards: Back in business

K.C./Denver MNF contest not included

Hire Joe Levit for corporate or client appreciation events at fantasyfootballspeaker.com. His fantasy football columns also appear on  thehuddle.com. He can be reached at joelevit_writer@yahoo.com.