Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 13
Antonio Brown
Giants vs. Steelers • "AB is AB"
The situation: Second-and-3 from the New York 22-yard line, with the Steelers up 5-0 with 7:10 left in the first half. The play: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger breaks the pocket, then starts to move downfield and to his right, keeping his eyes on Antonio Brown, who's well-covered by cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Brown hits Jenkins with a hesitation move, then runs parallel with the back of the end zone. Roethlisberger throws a dime off one leg, the ultimate trust play with his primary weapon. Brown goes high for the ball despite Jenkins in his personal space. He comes down with his 11th touchdown of the season.
AP Photo/Don Wright
Albert Wilson
Chiefs vs. Falcons • Direct snap, fake punt, touchdown!
The situation: The Chiefs, leading 20-16, have the ball at their 45 with 13 minutes. 2 seconds left in the third quarter. The play: Albert Wilson, the punt protector, takes the snap and heads up the middle. He easily gets the first down and then outruns Atlanta defenders to complete the 55-yard touchdown.
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Eric Berry
Chiefs vs. Falcons • Taking the interception to the house
The situation: The Falcons have the ball first-and-10 from their 25 with 48 seconds left in the second quarter. The game is tied 13-13. The play:Eric Berry jumps in front of the intended receiver, Taylor Gabriel, and makes the interception. He then heads down the left sideline and stays inbounds, but just barely before getting into the end zone to complete the 37-yard play.
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Tom Brady
Rams vs. Patriots • The NFL's all-time winner
The situation: Patriots QB Tom Brady enters Sunday's game against the Rams tied with Peyton Manning on the NFL's all-time wins list with 200. The home fans at Gillette Stadium are aware of a potential milestone moment, as there are several signs in the crowd, one of which read that a fan had come for a special birthday present -- Brady's record-breaking 201st win. The play: Playing their first game since TE Rob Gronkowski underwent season-ending back surgery on Friday, the Patriots adjust their offensive approach by using more of the four-WR package. While the offense leaves some points on the field, they are able to do more than enough to help Brady secure his 201st win with a 26-10 victory.
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper
BIlls vs. Raiders • Scores with the stretch
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Buffalo 37-yard line, with the Bills up 24-23 with 14:15 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Amari Cooper, lined up on the outside on the right, runs the SLUGGO play, slant-and-go, and Bills rookie cornerback Kevon Seymour bites hard. Cooper gets by him on the double-move, is wide open down the right sideline and Derek Carr finds him with a beautifully placed ball. Cooper stretches into the end zone for the final few yards and his fourth TD of the season and the Raiders have their first lead of the game en route to a 38-24 victory and a 10-2 record..
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco
Dolphins vs. Ravens • Smokin' Joe
The situation: Joe Flacco sets season-highs with 381 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins. His performance comes one week after he criticizes the offense for being conservative. The result is the most completions (36) in one game in franchise history. The play: The most impressive of Flacco's touchdowns is a 9-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta. It caps an 18-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter that stakes Baltimore to a 21-0 lead. It also shows Flacco's patience as he scans the field before throwing to his fourth option.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Golden Tate
Lions vs. Saints • Golden moment
The situation: The Lions are in a third-and-10 at their own 34-yard line with 11:50 to go, leading New Orleans 19-13. The play: Matthew Stafford is blitzed but it is picked up and he finds a wide-open Golden Tate downfield. Tate then runs away from two New Orleans defenders for a 66-yard touchdown and a two-score lead, 25-13.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Matt Barkley
49ers vs. Bears • Can I get a completion?
The situation: The first quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between Chicago and San Francisco. The play: The Bears and 49ers fail to complete a pass in the opening quarter. The last time two NFL teams went an entire quarter without a completion occurred in 2009 Week 17, when the Jets and Bengals combined to go 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. The Jets and Patriots are the last teams to play the first quarter minus a completed pass on Nov. 13, 1988. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally completes a pass at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter. Barkley says the weather made an impact.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Lavonte David
Buccaneers vs. Chargers • Pick-6
The situation: First-and 10 at the Chargers' 8-yard line with the Bucs trailing 14-10 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. The play: After a three-and-out, the Bucs punt the ball back to the Chargers and Philip Rivers, who drops and fires a quick pass to Tyrell Williams. The ball bounces off Williams' hands as he's defended by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of Lavonte David, who returns it 15 yards for a touchdown and a major momentum shift. The Bucs sealed their fourth straight victory with another interception, by Keith Tandy, late in the fourth quarter.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The situation: Second-and-3 from the New York 22-yard line, with the Steelers up 5-0 with 7:10 left in the first half. The play: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger breaks the pocket, then starts to move downfield and to his right, keeping his eyes on Antonio Brown, who's well-covered by cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Brown hits Jenkins with a hesitation move, then runs parallel with the back of the end zone. Roethlisberger throws a dime off one leg, the ultimate trust play with his primary weapon. Brown goes high for the ball despite Jenkins in his personal space. He comes down with his 11th touchdown of the season.
AP Photo/Don Wright
Albert Wilson
Chiefs vs. Falcons • Direct snap, fake punt, touchdown!
The situation: The Chiefs, leading 20-16, have the ball at their 45 with 13 minutes. 2 seconds left in the third quarter. The play: Albert Wilson, the punt protector, takes the snap and heads up the middle. He easily gets the first down and then outruns Atlanta defenders to complete the 55-yard touchdown.
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Eric Berry
Chiefs vs. Falcons • Taking the interception to the house
The situation: The Falcons have the ball first-and-10 from their 25 with 48 seconds left in the second quarter. The game is tied 13-13. The play:Eric Berry jumps in front of the intended receiver, Taylor Gabriel, and makes the interception. He then heads down the left sideline and stays inbounds, but just barely before getting into the end zone to complete the 37-yard play.
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Tom Brady
Rams vs. Patriots • The NFL's all-time winner
The situation: Patriots QB Tom Brady enters Sunday's game against the Rams tied with Peyton Manning on the NFL's all-time wins list with 200. The home fans at Gillette Stadium are aware of a potential milestone moment, as there are several signs in the crowd, one of which read that a fan had come for a special birthday present -- Brady's record-breaking 201st win. The play: Playing their first game since TE Rob Gronkowski underwent season-ending back surgery on Friday, the Patriots adjust their offensive approach by using more of the four-WR package. While the offense leaves some points on the field, they are able to do more than enough to help Brady secure his 201st win with a 26-10 victory.
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper
BIlls vs. Raiders • Scores with the stretch
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Buffalo 37-yard line, with the Bills up 24-23 with 14:15 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Amari Cooper, lined up on the outside on the right, runs the SLUGGO play, slant-and-go, and Bills rookie cornerback Kevon Seymour bites hard. Cooper gets by him on the double-move, is wide open down the right sideline and Derek Carr finds him with a beautifully placed ball. Cooper stretches into the end zone for the final few yards and his fourth TD of the season and the Raiders have their first lead of the game en route to a 38-24 victory and a 10-2 record..
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco
Dolphins vs. Ravens • Smokin' Joe
The situation: Joe Flacco sets season-highs with 381 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins. His performance comes one week after he criticizes the offense for being conservative. The result is the most completions (36) in one game in franchise history. The play: The most impressive of Flacco's touchdowns is a 9-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta. It caps an 18-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter that stakes Baltimore to a 21-0 lead. It also shows Flacco's patience as he scans the field before throwing to his fourth option.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Golden Tate
Lions vs. Saints • Golden moment
The situation: The Lions are in a third-and-10 at their own 34-yard line with 11:50 to go, leading New Orleans 19-13. The play: Matthew Stafford is blitzed but it is picked up and he finds a wide-open Golden Tate downfield. Tate then runs away from two New Orleans defenders for a 66-yard touchdown and a two-score lead, 25-13.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Matt Barkley
49ers vs. Bears • Can I get a completion?
The situation: The first quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between Chicago and San Francisco. The play: The Bears and 49ers fail to complete a pass in the opening quarter. The last time two NFL teams went an entire quarter without a completion occurred in 2009 Week 17, when the Jets and Bengals combined to go 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. The Jets and Patriots are the last teams to play the first quarter minus a completed pass on Nov. 13, 1988. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally completes a pass at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter. Barkley says the weather made an impact.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Lavonte David
Buccaneers vs. Chargers • Pick-6
The situation: First-and 10 at the Chargers' 8-yard line with the Bucs trailing 14-10 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. The play: After a three-and-out, the Bucs punt the ball back to the Chargers and Philip Rivers, who drops and fires a quick pass to Tyrell Williams. The ball bounces off Williams' hands as he's defended by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of Lavonte David, who returns it 15 yards for a touchdown and a major momentum shift. The Bucs sealed their fourth straight victory with another interception, by Keith Tandy, late in the fourth quarter.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Eric Berry
Chiefs vs. Falcons • Taking the interception to the house
The situation: The Falcons have the ball first-and-10 from their 25 with 48 seconds left in the second quarter. The game is tied 13-13. The play:Eric Berry jumps in front of the intended receiver, Taylor Gabriel, and makes the interception. He then heads down the left sideline and stays inbounds, but just barely before getting into the end zone to complete the 37-yard play.
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Tom Brady
Rams vs. Patriots • The NFL's all-time winner
The situation: Patriots QB Tom Brady enters Sunday's game against the Rams tied with Peyton Manning on the NFL's all-time wins list with 200. The home fans at Gillette Stadium are aware of a potential milestone moment, as there are several signs in the crowd, one of which read that a fan had come for a special birthday present -- Brady's record-breaking 201st win. The play: Playing their first game since TE Rob Gronkowski underwent season-ending back surgery on Friday, the Patriots adjust their offensive approach by using more of the four-WR package. While the offense leaves some points on the field, they are able to do more than enough to help Brady secure his 201st win with a 26-10 victory.
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper
BIlls vs. Raiders • Scores with the stretch
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Buffalo 37-yard line, with the Bills up 24-23 with 14:15 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Amari Cooper, lined up on the outside on the right, runs the SLUGGO play, slant-and-go, and Bills rookie cornerback Kevon Seymour bites hard. Cooper gets by him on the double-move, is wide open down the right sideline and Derek Carr finds him with a beautifully placed ball. Cooper stretches into the end zone for the final few yards and his fourth TD of the season and the Raiders have their first lead of the game en route to a 38-24 victory and a 10-2 record..
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco
Dolphins vs. Ravens • Smokin' Joe
The situation: Joe Flacco sets season-highs with 381 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins. His performance comes one week after he criticizes the offense for being conservative. The result is the most completions (36) in one game in franchise history. The play: The most impressive of Flacco's touchdowns is a 9-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta. It caps an 18-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter that stakes Baltimore to a 21-0 lead. It also shows Flacco's patience as he scans the field before throwing to his fourth option.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Golden Tate
Lions vs. Saints • Golden moment
The situation: The Lions are in a third-and-10 at their own 34-yard line with 11:50 to go, leading New Orleans 19-13. The play: Matthew Stafford is blitzed but it is picked up and he finds a wide-open Golden Tate downfield. Tate then runs away from two New Orleans defenders for a 66-yard touchdown and a two-score lead, 25-13.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Matt Barkley
49ers vs. Bears • Can I get a completion?
The situation: The first quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between Chicago and San Francisco. The play: The Bears and 49ers fail to complete a pass in the opening quarter. The last time two NFL teams went an entire quarter without a completion occurred in 2009 Week 17, when the Jets and Bengals combined to go 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. The Jets and Patriots are the last teams to play the first quarter minus a completed pass on Nov. 13, 1988. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally completes a pass at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter. Barkley says the weather made an impact.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Lavonte David
Buccaneers vs. Chargers • Pick-6
The situation: First-and 10 at the Chargers' 8-yard line with the Bucs trailing 14-10 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. The play: After a three-and-out, the Bucs punt the ball back to the Chargers and Philip Rivers, who drops and fires a quick pass to Tyrell Williams. The ball bounces off Williams' hands as he's defended by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of Lavonte David, who returns it 15 yards for a touchdown and a major momentum shift. The Bucs sealed their fourth straight victory with another interception, by Keith Tandy, late in the fourth quarter.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper
BIlls vs. Raiders • Scores with the stretch
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Buffalo 37-yard line, with the Bills up 24-23 with 14:15 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Amari Cooper, lined up on the outside on the right, runs the SLUGGO play, slant-and-go, and Bills rookie cornerback Kevon Seymour bites hard. Cooper gets by him on the double-move, is wide open down the right sideline and Derek Carr finds him with a beautifully placed ball. Cooper stretches into the end zone for the final few yards and his fourth TD of the season and the Raiders have their first lead of the game en route to a 38-24 victory and a 10-2 record..
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco
Dolphins vs. Ravens • Smokin' Joe
The situation: Joe Flacco sets season-highs with 381 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins. His performance comes one week after he criticizes the offense for being conservative. The result is the most completions (36) in one game in franchise history. The play: The most impressive of Flacco's touchdowns is a 9-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta. It caps an 18-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter that stakes Baltimore to a 21-0 lead. It also shows Flacco's patience as he scans the field before throwing to his fourth option.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Golden Tate
Lions vs. Saints • Golden moment
The situation: The Lions are in a third-and-10 at their own 34-yard line with 11:50 to go, leading New Orleans 19-13. The play: Matthew Stafford is blitzed but it is picked up and he finds a wide-open Golden Tate downfield. Tate then runs away from two New Orleans defenders for a 66-yard touchdown and a two-score lead, 25-13.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Matt Barkley
49ers vs. Bears • Can I get a completion?
The situation: The first quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between Chicago and San Francisco. The play: The Bears and 49ers fail to complete a pass in the opening quarter. The last time two NFL teams went an entire quarter without a completion occurred in 2009 Week 17, when the Jets and Bengals combined to go 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. The Jets and Patriots are the last teams to play the first quarter minus a completed pass on Nov. 13, 1988. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally completes a pass at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter. Barkley says the weather made an impact.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Lavonte David
Buccaneers vs. Chargers • Pick-6
The situation: First-and 10 at the Chargers' 8-yard line with the Bucs trailing 14-10 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. The play: After a three-and-out, the Bucs punt the ball back to the Chargers and Philip Rivers, who drops and fires a quick pass to Tyrell Williams. The ball bounces off Williams' hands as he's defended by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of Lavonte David, who returns it 15 yards for a touchdown and a major momentum shift. The Bucs sealed their fourth straight victory with another interception, by Keith Tandy, late in the fourth quarter.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Golden Tate
Lions vs. Saints • Golden moment
The situation: The Lions are in a third-and-10 at their own 34-yard line with 11:50 to go, leading New Orleans 19-13. The play: Matthew Stafford is blitzed but it is picked up and he finds a wide-open Golden Tate downfield. Tate then runs away from two New Orleans defenders for a 66-yard touchdown and a two-score lead, 25-13.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Matt Barkley
49ers vs. Bears • Can I get a completion?
The situation: The first quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between Chicago and San Francisco. The play: The Bears and 49ers fail to complete a pass in the opening quarter. The last time two NFL teams went an entire quarter without a completion occurred in 2009 Week 17, when the Jets and Bengals combined to go 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. The Jets and Patriots are the last teams to play the first quarter minus a completed pass on Nov. 13, 1988. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally completes a pass at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter. Barkley says the weather made an impact.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Lavonte David
Buccaneers vs. Chargers • Pick-6
The situation: First-and 10 at the Chargers' 8-yard line with the Bucs trailing 14-10 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. The play: After a three-and-out, the Bucs punt the ball back to the Chargers and Philip Rivers, who drops and fires a quick pass to Tyrell Williams. The ball bounces off Williams' hands as he's defended by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of Lavonte David, who returns it 15 yards for a touchdown and a major momentum shift. The Bucs sealed their fourth straight victory with another interception, by Keith Tandy, late in the fourth quarter.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images