Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 14
Anquan Boldin
Bears vs. Lions • Top 10
The situation:First-and-goal from the Chicago 16-yard line, with the Lions and Bears tied 3-3 and 24 seconds left in the first half. The play: Anquan Boldin runs a corner route toward the pylon. He leaps up to catch a pass from Matthew Stafford, catching the ball over a Chicago defender and rolling into the end zone to give the Lions a 10-3 lead. With the catch, 36-year-old Boldin is now in 10th place all-time on the NFL receptions list with 1,063, passing the recently retired Andre Johnson.
Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports
DeSean Jackson
Eagles vs. Redskins • Going long
The situation: Second-and-9 from the Eagles' 20-yard line, with Philadelphia leading 13-7 with 9:26 left in the third quarter. The play: Receiver DeSean Jackson, aligned to the right, runs up the right sideline, but he breaks inside vs. corner Leodis McKelvin. The Eagles are in man coverage, so McKelvin has no safety help -- and the safety is occupied by receiver Jamison Crowder breaking inside. That leaves plenty of room for Jackson to haul in an 80-yard touchdown pass -- catching it over his right shoulder.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Walt Aikens
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • Two-point return
The situation: The Dolphins' lead is cut to six points with 7:05 remaining in the game after the Cardinals score a touchdown and line up for the extra point. The play: Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips blocks the kick and defensive back Walt Aikens picks it up, and he runs it back all the way to earn two points for Miami.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Jadeveon Clowney
Texans vs. Colts • Big pressure
The situation: The Colts have a third-and-goal from the Houston 3-yard line late in the third quarter. The Texans lead 16-10, but Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has led Indianapolis down the field on a nine-play drive. The play: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who lines up on the right side of the Texans' line, beats tight end Dwayne Allen to strip sack Luck. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus recovers the fumble to give the Texans the ball at their own 14. The Texans score what turns out to be the game-winning field goal on that possession.
Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports
Le'Veon Bell
Steelers vs. Bills • Huge day
The situation: Third-and-2 from the Buffalo 3-yard line, with the score tied 0-0 and 6:00 left in the first quarter The play: Ben Roethlisberger hands off to Le'Veon Bell, who runs up the middle and gets stuffed close to the goal line. But Bell and his offensive line keep pushing, with Bell turning his back toward the end zone and backpedaling behind his guards. The tenacious second effort set the tone for Bell's historic day. He rushed for 236 yards, a franchise record. It was the first of Bell's three touchdowns on the day.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Nelson
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • End around
The situation: First-and-10 from the Cardinals' 44 with 8:12 left in the first quarter and Arizona trailing the Miami Dolphins 7-0. The play: Lining up as the outside receiver in a bunch set off the left side of the offensive line, J.J. Nelson pulls out of his receiver stance as the ball is snapped and heads toward quarterback Carson Palmer for an end-around that results in a 56-yard touchdown. Nelson sees a hole open up on the right, thanks to a block by tight end Darren Fells, and uses his speed to outrun the defense.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Gabriel
Falcons vs. Rams • Air attack
The situation: The Falcons lead 21-0 when they take over at their own 36-yard line with 13:18 left in the third quarter. The play: Matt Ryan drops back and launches a pass that covers 42 yards in the air -- Ryan's second-most air yards on a TD this season (46, also to Taylor Gabriel, in Week 6 vs. the Packers) -- and Gabriel races the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown. It is Gabriel's fifth TD catch of the season, three of which have been caught more than 30 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams
Seahawks vs. Packers • Quick start
The situation: Third-and-4 from the Packers' 34-yard line on the game's opening drive. The play: Davante Adams runs an out-and-up, and as soon as Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane bites, Adams throws up his right hand and Aaron Rodgers hits him in stride down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. That play is the Packers' longest from scrimmage this season.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
The situation:First-and-goal from the Chicago 16-yard line, with the Lions and Bears tied 3-3 and 24 seconds left in the first half. The play: Anquan Boldin runs a corner route toward the pylon. He leaps up to catch a pass from Matthew Stafford, catching the ball over a Chicago defender and rolling into the end zone to give the Lions a 10-3 lead. With the catch, 36-year-old Boldin is now in 10th place all-time on the NFL receptions list with 1,063, passing the recently retired Andre Johnson.
Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports
DeSean Jackson
Eagles vs. Redskins • Going long
The situation: Second-and-9 from the Eagles' 20-yard line, with Philadelphia leading 13-7 with 9:26 left in the third quarter. The play: Receiver DeSean Jackson, aligned to the right, runs up the right sideline, but he breaks inside vs. corner Leodis McKelvin. The Eagles are in man coverage, so McKelvin has no safety help -- and the safety is occupied by receiver Jamison Crowder breaking inside. That leaves plenty of room for Jackson to haul in an 80-yard touchdown pass -- catching it over his right shoulder.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Walt Aikens
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • Two-point return
The situation: The Dolphins' lead is cut to six points with 7:05 remaining in the game after the Cardinals score a touchdown and line up for the extra point. The play: Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips blocks the kick and defensive back Walt Aikens picks it up, and he runs it back all the way to earn two points for Miami.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Jadeveon Clowney
Texans vs. Colts • Big pressure
The situation: The Colts have a third-and-goal from the Houston 3-yard line late in the third quarter. The Texans lead 16-10, but Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has led Indianapolis down the field on a nine-play drive. The play: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who lines up on the right side of the Texans' line, beats tight end Dwayne Allen to strip sack Luck. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus recovers the fumble to give the Texans the ball at their own 14. The Texans score what turns out to be the game-winning field goal on that possession.
Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports
Le'Veon Bell
Steelers vs. Bills • Huge day
The situation: Third-and-2 from the Buffalo 3-yard line, with the score tied 0-0 and 6:00 left in the first quarter The play: Ben Roethlisberger hands off to Le'Veon Bell, who runs up the middle and gets stuffed close to the goal line. But Bell and his offensive line keep pushing, with Bell turning his back toward the end zone and backpedaling behind his guards. The tenacious second effort set the tone for Bell's historic day. He rushed for 236 yards, a franchise record. It was the first of Bell's three touchdowns on the day.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Nelson
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • End around
The situation: First-and-10 from the Cardinals' 44 with 8:12 left in the first quarter and Arizona trailing the Miami Dolphins 7-0. The play: Lining up as the outside receiver in a bunch set off the left side of the offensive line, J.J. Nelson pulls out of his receiver stance as the ball is snapped and heads toward quarterback Carson Palmer for an end-around that results in a 56-yard touchdown. Nelson sees a hole open up on the right, thanks to a block by tight end Darren Fells, and uses his speed to outrun the defense.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Gabriel
Falcons vs. Rams • Air attack
The situation: The Falcons lead 21-0 when they take over at their own 36-yard line with 13:18 left in the third quarter. The play: Matt Ryan drops back and launches a pass that covers 42 yards in the air -- Ryan's second-most air yards on a TD this season (46, also to Taylor Gabriel, in Week 6 vs. the Packers) -- and Gabriel races the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown. It is Gabriel's fifth TD catch of the season, three of which have been caught more than 30 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams
Seahawks vs. Packers • Quick start
The situation: Third-and-4 from the Packers' 34-yard line on the game's opening drive. The play: Davante Adams runs an out-and-up, and as soon as Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane bites, Adams throws up his right hand and Aaron Rodgers hits him in stride down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. That play is the Packers' longest from scrimmage this season.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Walt Aikens
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • Two-point return
The situation: The Dolphins' lead is cut to six points with 7:05 remaining in the game after the Cardinals score a touchdown and line up for the extra point. The play: Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips blocks the kick and defensive back Walt Aikens picks it up, and he runs it back all the way to earn two points for Miami.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Jadeveon Clowney
Texans vs. Colts • Big pressure
The situation: The Colts have a third-and-goal from the Houston 3-yard line late in the third quarter. The Texans lead 16-10, but Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has led Indianapolis down the field on a nine-play drive. The play: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who lines up on the right side of the Texans' line, beats tight end Dwayne Allen to strip sack Luck. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus recovers the fumble to give the Texans the ball at their own 14. The Texans score what turns out to be the game-winning field goal on that possession.
Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports
Le'Veon Bell
Steelers vs. Bills • Huge day
The situation: Third-and-2 from the Buffalo 3-yard line, with the score tied 0-0 and 6:00 left in the first quarter The play: Ben Roethlisberger hands off to Le'Veon Bell, who runs up the middle and gets stuffed close to the goal line. But Bell and his offensive line keep pushing, with Bell turning his back toward the end zone and backpedaling behind his guards. The tenacious second effort set the tone for Bell's historic day. He rushed for 236 yards, a franchise record. It was the first of Bell's three touchdowns on the day.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Nelson
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • End around
The situation: First-and-10 from the Cardinals' 44 with 8:12 left in the first quarter and Arizona trailing the Miami Dolphins 7-0. The play: Lining up as the outside receiver in a bunch set off the left side of the offensive line, J.J. Nelson pulls out of his receiver stance as the ball is snapped and heads toward quarterback Carson Palmer for an end-around that results in a 56-yard touchdown. Nelson sees a hole open up on the right, thanks to a block by tight end Darren Fells, and uses his speed to outrun the defense.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Gabriel
Falcons vs. Rams • Air attack
The situation: The Falcons lead 21-0 when they take over at their own 36-yard line with 13:18 left in the third quarter. The play: Matt Ryan drops back and launches a pass that covers 42 yards in the air -- Ryan's second-most air yards on a TD this season (46, also to Taylor Gabriel, in Week 6 vs. the Packers) -- and Gabriel races the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown. It is Gabriel's fifth TD catch of the season, three of which have been caught more than 30 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams
Seahawks vs. Packers • Quick start
The situation: Third-and-4 from the Packers' 34-yard line on the game's opening drive. The play: Davante Adams runs an out-and-up, and as soon as Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane bites, Adams throws up his right hand and Aaron Rodgers hits him in stride down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. That play is the Packers' longest from scrimmage this season.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports
Le'Veon Bell
Steelers vs. Bills • Huge day
The situation: Third-and-2 from the Buffalo 3-yard line, with the score tied 0-0 and 6:00 left in the first quarter The play: Ben Roethlisberger hands off to Le'Veon Bell, who runs up the middle and gets stuffed close to the goal line. But Bell and his offensive line keep pushing, with Bell turning his back toward the end zone and backpedaling behind his guards. The tenacious second effort set the tone for Bell's historic day. He rushed for 236 yards, a franchise record. It was the first of Bell's three touchdowns on the day.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Nelson
Cardinals vs. Dolphins • End around
The situation: First-and-10 from the Cardinals' 44 with 8:12 left in the first quarter and Arizona trailing the Miami Dolphins 7-0. The play: Lining up as the outside receiver in a bunch set off the left side of the offensive line, J.J. Nelson pulls out of his receiver stance as the ball is snapped and heads toward quarterback Carson Palmer for an end-around that results in a 56-yard touchdown. Nelson sees a hole open up on the right, thanks to a block by tight end Darren Fells, and uses his speed to outrun the defense.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Gabriel
Falcons vs. Rams • Air attack
The situation: The Falcons lead 21-0 when they take over at their own 36-yard line with 13:18 left in the third quarter. The play: Matt Ryan drops back and launches a pass that covers 42 yards in the air -- Ryan's second-most air yards on a TD this season (46, also to Taylor Gabriel, in Week 6 vs. the Packers) -- and Gabriel races the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown. It is Gabriel's fifth TD catch of the season, three of which have been caught more than 30 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams
Seahawks vs. Packers • Quick start
The situation: Third-and-4 from the Packers' 34-yard line on the game's opening drive. The play: Davante Adams runs an out-and-up, and as soon as Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane bites, Adams throws up his right hand and Aaron Rodgers hits him in stride down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. That play is the Packers' longest from scrimmage this season.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Falcons vs. Rams • Air attack
The situation: The Falcons lead 21-0 when they take over at their own 36-yard line with 13:18 left in the third quarter. The play: Matt Ryan drops back and launches a pass that covers 42 yards in the air -- Ryan's second-most air yards on a TD this season (46, also to Taylor Gabriel, in Week 6 vs. the Packers) -- and Gabriel races the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown. It is Gabriel's fifth TD catch of the season, three of which have been caught more than 30 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams
Seahawks vs. Packers • Quick start
The situation: Third-and-4 from the Packers' 34-yard line on the game's opening drive. The play: Davante Adams runs an out-and-up, and as soon as Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane bites, Adams throws up his right hand and Aaron Rodgers hits him in stride down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. That play is the Packers' longest from scrimmage this season.
Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports