Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 15
Charles Clay
Browns vs. Bills • Using his head
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Browns' 19-yard line, with the Bills leading 10-7 with 0:40 left in the second quarter. The play: Tight end Charles Clay streaks down the left seam and is left uncovered in the end zone by two Browns defenders. Noticing the coverage breakdown, quarterback Tyrod Taylor lofts a pass to Clay that falls short of its target, causing Clay to stop and fall toward the ball. As Clay dives forward, he secures the ball against his helmet for his second touchdown of the season.
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
Justin Tucker
Eagles vs. Ravens • Ties NFL record
The situation: Fourth-and-6 from the Philadelphia 35-yard line, with the Ravens leading 10-3 and two minutes left in the first quarter. The play: Justin Tucker drills a 53-yard field goal in the rain and swirling winds. It marks his 10th field goal of 50 yards or beyond this season, which ties the NFL record set by Blair Walsh in 2012. Tucker is now 10-of-10 from that distance. Tucker adds a 46-yarder in the second quarter to help the Ravens pull out a 27-26 victory.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Titans vs. Chiefs • There's no catching him
The situation: The Chiefs have the ball facing a second-and-4 from the Kansas City 32 with 11:55 left in the first quarter. The score is still 0-0. The play: Tyreek Hill is sharing the backfield with Spencer Ware. Hill gets the handoff and is quickly in the Tennessee secondary, where he easily outruns safety Kevin Byard, who is the last defender with a realistic chance to bring him down, for a 68-yard score.
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
Adrian Peterson
Colts vs. Vikings • Tough day back
The situation: First-and-10 from the Colts' 22 with Indianapolis leading 17-0 and 6:22 remaining in the second quarter. The play: Adrian Peterson runs up the middle for his longest gain of the day, but at the end of the 13-yard carry, he suffers a familiar problem and fumbles. Indianapolis recovers and converts it into a touchdown. In his first game since tearing his meniscus on Sept. 18, Peterson rushes six times for 22 yards.
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee
Jaguars vs. Texans • With help from a friend
The situation: The Texans kick off from their own 35-yard line after Nick Novak's field goal cuts the Jaguars' lead to 13-8 with 7:02 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Jaguars returner Marqise Lee receives a Novak kickoff at the goal line near the numbers on the right side of the field. He heads straight upfield and then cuts slightly outside at the 25-yard line and pulls away from defenders. The only defender with a chance to make the tackle is Robert Nelson. However, Arrelious Benn is free and ahead of Lee and runs with Nelson and bumps him at the Houston 30-yard line and again inside the 20 and 10 to keep him away from Lee. Just before crossing the goal line, Lee points at Nelson and is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It is the Jaguars' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Maurice Jones-Drew did it against New Orleans on Nov. 4, 2007.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Eli Rogers
Steelers vs. Bengals • For the lead
The situation: On second-and-16 from the Cincinnati Bengals' 24-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers trail 20-18 with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes a shotgun snap with receiver Eli Rogers operating out of the slot. Rogers fakes an out route and utilizes a head fake to get back inside, where the middle of the field is open. Roethlisberger delivers an accurate pass over the middle to Rogers, who holds on to the ball in heavy Bengals traffic. The touchdown gives the Steelers their first lead of the day and provides the final margin as Pittsburgh misses on the two-point attempt.
AP Photo/Frank Victores
Jordy Nelson
Packers vs. Bears • 60-yard redemption
The situation: Third-and-11 from the Packers' 26-yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 27-27. The play: Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to take a shot downfield instead of playing for overtime. Aaron Rodgers sees Jordy Nelson beat rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Nelson throws his hand up in the air to make sure Rodgers spots him. Off his back foot, Rodgers rainbows a ball that travels 52 yards in the air and falls into Nelson's hands. Rodgers then spikes the ball with 3 seconds left to set up Mason Crosby's 32-yard game-winning field goal as time expires.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Odell Beckham Jr.
Lions vs. Giants • Another one-handed catch for touchdown
The situation: It's third-and-1 from the Lions' 4-yard line with 5:51 remaining. The Giants hold a slim 10-6 lead. It's a key play in the contest. The play: Beckham is working out of the slot to the right of quarterback Eli Manning. He runs a quick out pattern toward the near sideline. Lions cornerback Asa Jackson drops off, allowing Beckham to run freely toward the pylon. Manning's throw is low and outside, but Beckham reaches out with his left arm and corrals it one-handed. Jackson throws his hands in the air as if he was expecting help from the outside cornerback. Beckham celebrates his 10th touchdown in his past 10 games and the Giants extend their lead to 17-6.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Phillip Dorsett
Colts vs. Vikings • The final strike
The situation: The Colts have the ball at midfield leading 27-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. The play: Receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is lined up in the slot, appears to be going down the middle of the field on his route before breaking to the corner. Quarterback Andrew Luck sells the play-action before finding Dorsett in the left corner for the easy touchdown. It's the final dagger in a 34-6 Colts victory over the Vikings.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
The situation: Second-and-10 from the Browns' 19-yard line, with the Bills leading 10-7 with 0:40 left in the second quarter. The play: Tight end Charles Clay streaks down the left seam and is left uncovered in the end zone by two Browns defenders. Noticing the coverage breakdown, quarterback Tyrod Taylor lofts a pass to Clay that falls short of its target, causing Clay to stop and fall toward the ball. As Clay dives forward, he secures the ball against his helmet for his second touchdown of the season.
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
Justin Tucker
Eagles vs. Ravens • Ties NFL record
The situation: Fourth-and-6 from the Philadelphia 35-yard line, with the Ravens leading 10-3 and two minutes left in the first quarter. The play: Justin Tucker drills a 53-yard field goal in the rain and swirling winds. It marks his 10th field goal of 50 yards or beyond this season, which ties the NFL record set by Blair Walsh in 2012. Tucker is now 10-of-10 from that distance. Tucker adds a 46-yarder in the second quarter to help the Ravens pull out a 27-26 victory.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Titans vs. Chiefs • There's no catching him
The situation: The Chiefs have the ball facing a second-and-4 from the Kansas City 32 with 11:55 left in the first quarter. The score is still 0-0. The play: Tyreek Hill is sharing the backfield with Spencer Ware. Hill gets the handoff and is quickly in the Tennessee secondary, where he easily outruns safety Kevin Byard, who is the last defender with a realistic chance to bring him down, for a 68-yard score.
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
Adrian Peterson
Colts vs. Vikings • Tough day back
The situation: First-and-10 from the Colts' 22 with Indianapolis leading 17-0 and 6:22 remaining in the second quarter. The play: Adrian Peterson runs up the middle for his longest gain of the day, but at the end of the 13-yard carry, he suffers a familiar problem and fumbles. Indianapolis recovers and converts it into a touchdown. In his first game since tearing his meniscus on Sept. 18, Peterson rushes six times for 22 yards.
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee
Jaguars vs. Texans • With help from a friend
The situation: The Texans kick off from their own 35-yard line after Nick Novak's field goal cuts the Jaguars' lead to 13-8 with 7:02 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Jaguars returner Marqise Lee receives a Novak kickoff at the goal line near the numbers on the right side of the field. He heads straight upfield and then cuts slightly outside at the 25-yard line and pulls away from defenders. The only defender with a chance to make the tackle is Robert Nelson. However, Arrelious Benn is free and ahead of Lee and runs with Nelson and bumps him at the Houston 30-yard line and again inside the 20 and 10 to keep him away from Lee. Just before crossing the goal line, Lee points at Nelson and is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It is the Jaguars' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Maurice Jones-Drew did it against New Orleans on Nov. 4, 2007.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Eli Rogers
Steelers vs. Bengals • For the lead
The situation: On second-and-16 from the Cincinnati Bengals' 24-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers trail 20-18 with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes a shotgun snap with receiver Eli Rogers operating out of the slot. Rogers fakes an out route and utilizes a head fake to get back inside, where the middle of the field is open. Roethlisberger delivers an accurate pass over the middle to Rogers, who holds on to the ball in heavy Bengals traffic. The touchdown gives the Steelers their first lead of the day and provides the final margin as Pittsburgh misses on the two-point attempt.
AP Photo/Frank Victores
Jordy Nelson
Packers vs. Bears • 60-yard redemption
The situation: Third-and-11 from the Packers' 26-yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 27-27. The play: Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to take a shot downfield instead of playing for overtime. Aaron Rodgers sees Jordy Nelson beat rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Nelson throws his hand up in the air to make sure Rodgers spots him. Off his back foot, Rodgers rainbows a ball that travels 52 yards in the air and falls into Nelson's hands. Rodgers then spikes the ball with 3 seconds left to set up Mason Crosby's 32-yard game-winning field goal as time expires.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Odell Beckham Jr.
Lions vs. Giants • Another one-handed catch for touchdown
The situation: It's third-and-1 from the Lions' 4-yard line with 5:51 remaining. The Giants hold a slim 10-6 lead. It's a key play in the contest. The play: Beckham is working out of the slot to the right of quarterback Eli Manning. He runs a quick out pattern toward the near sideline. Lions cornerback Asa Jackson drops off, allowing Beckham to run freely toward the pylon. Manning's throw is low and outside, but Beckham reaches out with his left arm and corrals it one-handed. Jackson throws his hands in the air as if he was expecting help from the outside cornerback. Beckham celebrates his 10th touchdown in his past 10 games and the Giants extend their lead to 17-6.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Phillip Dorsett
Colts vs. Vikings • The final strike
The situation: The Colts have the ball at midfield leading 27-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. The play: Receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is lined up in the slot, appears to be going down the middle of the field on his route before breaking to the corner. Quarterback Andrew Luck sells the play-action before finding Dorsett in the left corner for the easy touchdown. It's the final dagger in a 34-6 Colts victory over the Vikings.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Titans vs. Chiefs • There's no catching him
The situation: The Chiefs have the ball facing a second-and-4 from the Kansas City 32 with 11:55 left in the first quarter. The score is still 0-0. The play: Tyreek Hill is sharing the backfield with Spencer Ware. Hill gets the handoff and is quickly in the Tennessee secondary, where he easily outruns safety Kevin Byard, who is the last defender with a realistic chance to bring him down, for a 68-yard score.
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
Adrian Peterson
Colts vs. Vikings • Tough day back
The situation: First-and-10 from the Colts' 22 with Indianapolis leading 17-0 and 6:22 remaining in the second quarter. The play: Adrian Peterson runs up the middle for his longest gain of the day, but at the end of the 13-yard carry, he suffers a familiar problem and fumbles. Indianapolis recovers and converts it into a touchdown. In his first game since tearing his meniscus on Sept. 18, Peterson rushes six times for 22 yards.
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee
Jaguars vs. Texans • With help from a friend
The situation: The Texans kick off from their own 35-yard line after Nick Novak's field goal cuts the Jaguars' lead to 13-8 with 7:02 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Jaguars returner Marqise Lee receives a Novak kickoff at the goal line near the numbers on the right side of the field. He heads straight upfield and then cuts slightly outside at the 25-yard line and pulls away from defenders. The only defender with a chance to make the tackle is Robert Nelson. However, Arrelious Benn is free and ahead of Lee and runs with Nelson and bumps him at the Houston 30-yard line and again inside the 20 and 10 to keep him away from Lee. Just before crossing the goal line, Lee points at Nelson and is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It is the Jaguars' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Maurice Jones-Drew did it against New Orleans on Nov. 4, 2007.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Eli Rogers
Steelers vs. Bengals • For the lead
The situation: On second-and-16 from the Cincinnati Bengals' 24-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers trail 20-18 with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes a shotgun snap with receiver Eli Rogers operating out of the slot. Rogers fakes an out route and utilizes a head fake to get back inside, where the middle of the field is open. Roethlisberger delivers an accurate pass over the middle to Rogers, who holds on to the ball in heavy Bengals traffic. The touchdown gives the Steelers their first lead of the day and provides the final margin as Pittsburgh misses on the two-point attempt.
AP Photo/Frank Victores
Jordy Nelson
Packers vs. Bears • 60-yard redemption
The situation: Third-and-11 from the Packers' 26-yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 27-27. The play: Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to take a shot downfield instead of playing for overtime. Aaron Rodgers sees Jordy Nelson beat rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Nelson throws his hand up in the air to make sure Rodgers spots him. Off his back foot, Rodgers rainbows a ball that travels 52 yards in the air and falls into Nelson's hands. Rodgers then spikes the ball with 3 seconds left to set up Mason Crosby's 32-yard game-winning field goal as time expires.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Odell Beckham Jr.
Lions vs. Giants • Another one-handed catch for touchdown
The situation: It's third-and-1 from the Lions' 4-yard line with 5:51 remaining. The Giants hold a slim 10-6 lead. It's a key play in the contest. The play: Beckham is working out of the slot to the right of quarterback Eli Manning. He runs a quick out pattern toward the near sideline. Lions cornerback Asa Jackson drops off, allowing Beckham to run freely toward the pylon. Manning's throw is low and outside, but Beckham reaches out with his left arm and corrals it one-handed. Jackson throws his hands in the air as if he was expecting help from the outside cornerback. Beckham celebrates his 10th touchdown in his past 10 games and the Giants extend their lead to 17-6.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Phillip Dorsett
Colts vs. Vikings • The final strike
The situation: The Colts have the ball at midfield leading 27-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. The play: Receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is lined up in the slot, appears to be going down the middle of the field on his route before breaking to the corner. Quarterback Andrew Luck sells the play-action before finding Dorsett in the left corner for the easy touchdown. It's the final dagger in a 34-6 Colts victory over the Vikings.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee
Jaguars vs. Texans • With help from a friend
The situation: The Texans kick off from their own 35-yard line after Nick Novak's field goal cuts the Jaguars' lead to 13-8 with 7:02 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Jaguars returner Marqise Lee receives a Novak kickoff at the goal line near the numbers on the right side of the field. He heads straight upfield and then cuts slightly outside at the 25-yard line and pulls away from defenders. The only defender with a chance to make the tackle is Robert Nelson. However, Arrelious Benn is free and ahead of Lee and runs with Nelson and bumps him at the Houston 30-yard line and again inside the 20 and 10 to keep him away from Lee. Just before crossing the goal line, Lee points at Nelson and is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It is the Jaguars' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Maurice Jones-Drew did it against New Orleans on Nov. 4, 2007.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Eli Rogers
Steelers vs. Bengals • For the lead
The situation: On second-and-16 from the Cincinnati Bengals' 24-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers trail 20-18 with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes a shotgun snap with receiver Eli Rogers operating out of the slot. Rogers fakes an out route and utilizes a head fake to get back inside, where the middle of the field is open. Roethlisberger delivers an accurate pass over the middle to Rogers, who holds on to the ball in heavy Bengals traffic. The touchdown gives the Steelers their first lead of the day and provides the final margin as Pittsburgh misses on the two-point attempt.
AP Photo/Frank Victores
Jordy Nelson
Packers vs. Bears • 60-yard redemption
The situation: Third-and-11 from the Packers' 26-yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 27-27. The play: Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to take a shot downfield instead of playing for overtime. Aaron Rodgers sees Jordy Nelson beat rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Nelson throws his hand up in the air to make sure Rodgers spots him. Off his back foot, Rodgers rainbows a ball that travels 52 yards in the air and falls into Nelson's hands. Rodgers then spikes the ball with 3 seconds left to set up Mason Crosby's 32-yard game-winning field goal as time expires.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Odell Beckham Jr.
Lions vs. Giants • Another one-handed catch for touchdown
The situation: It's third-and-1 from the Lions' 4-yard line with 5:51 remaining. The Giants hold a slim 10-6 lead. It's a key play in the contest. The play: Beckham is working out of the slot to the right of quarterback Eli Manning. He runs a quick out pattern toward the near sideline. Lions cornerback Asa Jackson drops off, allowing Beckham to run freely toward the pylon. Manning's throw is low and outside, but Beckham reaches out with his left arm and corrals it one-handed. Jackson throws his hands in the air as if he was expecting help from the outside cornerback. Beckham celebrates his 10th touchdown in his past 10 games and the Giants extend their lead to 17-6.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Phillip Dorsett
Colts vs. Vikings • The final strike
The situation: The Colts have the ball at midfield leading 27-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. The play: Receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is lined up in the slot, appears to be going down the middle of the field on his route before breaking to the corner. Quarterback Andrew Luck sells the play-action before finding Dorsett in the left corner for the easy touchdown. It's the final dagger in a 34-6 Colts victory over the Vikings.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Jordy Nelson
Packers vs. Bears • 60-yard redemption
The situation: Third-and-11 from the Packers' 26-yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 27-27. The play: Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to take a shot downfield instead of playing for overtime. Aaron Rodgers sees Jordy Nelson beat rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Nelson throws his hand up in the air to make sure Rodgers spots him. Off his back foot, Rodgers rainbows a ball that travels 52 yards in the air and falls into Nelson's hands. Rodgers then spikes the ball with 3 seconds left to set up Mason Crosby's 32-yard game-winning field goal as time expires.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Odell Beckham Jr.
Lions vs. Giants • Another one-handed catch for touchdown
The situation: It's third-and-1 from the Lions' 4-yard line with 5:51 remaining. The Giants hold a slim 10-6 lead. It's a key play in the contest. The play: Beckham is working out of the slot to the right of quarterback Eli Manning. He runs a quick out pattern toward the near sideline. Lions cornerback Asa Jackson drops off, allowing Beckham to run freely toward the pylon. Manning's throw is low and outside, but Beckham reaches out with his left arm and corrals it one-handed. Jackson throws his hands in the air as if he was expecting help from the outside cornerback. Beckham celebrates his 10th touchdown in his past 10 games and the Giants extend their lead to 17-6.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Phillip Dorsett
Colts vs. Vikings • The final strike
The situation: The Colts have the ball at midfield leading 27-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. The play: Receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is lined up in the slot, appears to be going down the middle of the field on his route before breaking to the corner. Quarterback Andrew Luck sells the play-action before finding Dorsett in the left corner for the easy touchdown. It's the final dagger in a 34-6 Colts victory over the Vikings.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images