Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 17
Michael Floyd
Patriots vs. Dolphins • Powering it over the goal line
The situation: First-and-10 from the Miami 14-yard line with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter and the Patriots holding a 7-0 lead. The play: Wide receiver Michael Floyd catches a Tom Brady pass on an in-cutting route at the 8-yard line, and as he turns up toward the end zone, four Dolphins converge on him. Floyd uses his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to power through them and a fifth Dolphins player arriving late to the scene, to score a hard-earned touchdown that had fellow teammates such as Julian Edelman excited for him.
Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports
Tony Romo
Cowboys vs. Eagles • Scoring for Dallas
The situation: First-and-goal from the Philadelphia 3 with the score tied 3-3. The play: Playing for the first time since Thanksgiving 2015, Romo carries the Cowboys into scoring position after just five plays after Nolan Carroll is flagged for interference on Dez Bryant. With Terrance Williams split to his left, Romo delays his throw to find Williams in the back corner of the end zone for a 3-yard score. It is Romo's first touchdown pass since Nov. 22, 2015, at Miami, and the 248th touchdown pass of his career. The celebration is minimal, but the Cowboys make sure they get the ball for a keepsake.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Sean Spence
Texans vs. Titans • Strip sack leading to TD
The situation: The Texans face third-and-9 from their own 14-yard line in the first quarter of a scoreless game. The play: Texans QB Tom Savage takes the snap out of the shotgun and feels immediate pressure when he drops back. Titans linebacker Sean Spence strips the ball from Savage and the ball rolls into the Texans' end zone, where DaQuan Jones pounces on it for the game's first score. The day only got worse from there for Savage, who later had to leave the game to be examined for a concussion, only to come back and then be ruled out after halftime upon re-examination.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Jordan Howard
Bears vs. Vikings • Record-setting run
The situation: Jordan Howard needs 61 yards on Sunday to break Matt Forte's single-season rookie rushing record for the Bears. The play: Howard takes a handoff on second down and rushes 17 yards up the middle for the record. Howard finishes the day with over 100 yards, his seventh 100-plus-yard rushing game of the year. The fifth-round pick is one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 3-13 season for Chicago.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Robert Griffin III
Browns vs. Steelers • Last game, first TD
The situation: Robert Griffin started his fifth game of the season, but had not thrown a touchdown pass in the first four. The play: On second-and-7 from the Steelers' 12 early in the first quarter, Griffin fakes a handoff left and rolls right. He is in the clear as he runs, but chooses to throw a short pass to tight end Seth DeValve, who is able to navigate the final yards and dance into the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead -- and Griffin's first TD pass of his Browns career.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Corey Grant
Jaguars vs. Colts • Running 57 yards to the house
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Jaguars' 43-yard line, Jaguars leading 10-0 with 5:57 remaining until halftime. The play: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles changes the play to a run to the right side of the formation, and Corey Grant takes the handoff and starts that way before cutting back to his left through a huge hole. He breaks a tackle at the Jaguars' 47, cuts outside the numbers and outraces safety T.J. Green, who trips him up at the goal line, but not before he scores for a 57-yard touchdown. It's the longest run by any Jaguar since 2014.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Robert Mathis
Jaguars vs. Colts • Shining in final game
The situation: The Jaguars have the ball at the Colts' 24-yard line on third-and-8 trying to break a 17-17 tie with 11:58 left in the game. The play: Playing in his final NFL game, Robert Mathis, who is on the edge, comes up the middle and swipes the ball out of the hands of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and then pounces on the loose ball to complete the strip sack. It's a fitting end to the 14-year career of Mathis, who is the NFL's all-time leader in strip sacks.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Devonta Freeman
Chiefs vs. Chargers • 75-yard score
The situation: The Falcons lead the Saints 7-3 with first-and 10 from the Atlanta 25-yard line. The play: Freeman takes a handoff up the middle and finds a big hole before cutting outside and outracing two Saints defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run. That puts Freeman over 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season, the first Falcon to do that since Michael Turner (2010-11).
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants vs. Redskins • Intercepting Kirk Cousins
The situation: Washington is facing first-and-10 from the New York 43-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, trailing by three points. The Redskins need to win the game to reach the postseason. The play: Cousins drops back to pass, but cannot find anyone open. He starts to climb the pocket - he could run for positive yards - but stops and throws back to the middle for receiver Pierre Garcon. But the ball is too far inside Garcon and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepts his second pass of the day.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The situation: First-and-10 from the Miami 14-yard line with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter and the Patriots holding a 7-0 lead. The play: Wide receiver Michael Floyd catches a Tom Brady pass on an in-cutting route at the 8-yard line, and as he turns up toward the end zone, four Dolphins converge on him. Floyd uses his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to power through them and a fifth Dolphins player arriving late to the scene, to score a hard-earned touchdown that had fellow teammates such as Julian Edelman excited for him.
Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports
Tony Romo
Cowboys vs. Eagles • Scoring for Dallas
The situation: First-and-goal from the Philadelphia 3 with the score tied 3-3. The play: Playing for the first time since Thanksgiving 2015, Romo carries the Cowboys into scoring position after just five plays after Nolan Carroll is flagged for interference on Dez Bryant. With Terrance Williams split to his left, Romo delays his throw to find Williams in the back corner of the end zone for a 3-yard score. It is Romo's first touchdown pass since Nov. 22, 2015, at Miami, and the 248th touchdown pass of his career. The celebration is minimal, but the Cowboys make sure they get the ball for a keepsake.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Sean Spence
Texans vs. Titans • Strip sack leading to TD
The situation: The Texans face third-and-9 from their own 14-yard line in the first quarter of a scoreless game. The play: Texans QB Tom Savage takes the snap out of the shotgun and feels immediate pressure when he drops back. Titans linebacker Sean Spence strips the ball from Savage and the ball rolls into the Texans' end zone, where DaQuan Jones pounces on it for the game's first score. The day only got worse from there for Savage, who later had to leave the game to be examined for a concussion, only to come back and then be ruled out after halftime upon re-examination.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Jordan Howard
Bears vs. Vikings • Record-setting run
The situation: Jordan Howard needs 61 yards on Sunday to break Matt Forte's single-season rookie rushing record for the Bears. The play: Howard takes a handoff on second down and rushes 17 yards up the middle for the record. Howard finishes the day with over 100 yards, his seventh 100-plus-yard rushing game of the year. The fifth-round pick is one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 3-13 season for Chicago.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Robert Griffin III
Browns vs. Steelers • Last game, first TD
The situation: Robert Griffin started his fifth game of the season, but had not thrown a touchdown pass in the first four. The play: On second-and-7 from the Steelers' 12 early in the first quarter, Griffin fakes a handoff left and rolls right. He is in the clear as he runs, but chooses to throw a short pass to tight end Seth DeValve, who is able to navigate the final yards and dance into the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead -- and Griffin's first TD pass of his Browns career.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Corey Grant
Jaguars vs. Colts • Running 57 yards to the house
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Jaguars' 43-yard line, Jaguars leading 10-0 with 5:57 remaining until halftime. The play: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles changes the play to a run to the right side of the formation, and Corey Grant takes the handoff and starts that way before cutting back to his left through a huge hole. He breaks a tackle at the Jaguars' 47, cuts outside the numbers and outraces safety T.J. Green, who trips him up at the goal line, but not before he scores for a 57-yard touchdown. It's the longest run by any Jaguar since 2014.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Robert Mathis
Jaguars vs. Colts • Shining in final game
The situation: The Jaguars have the ball at the Colts' 24-yard line on third-and-8 trying to break a 17-17 tie with 11:58 left in the game. The play: Playing in his final NFL game, Robert Mathis, who is on the edge, comes up the middle and swipes the ball out of the hands of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and then pounces on the loose ball to complete the strip sack. It's a fitting end to the 14-year career of Mathis, who is the NFL's all-time leader in strip sacks.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Devonta Freeman
Chiefs vs. Chargers • 75-yard score
The situation: The Falcons lead the Saints 7-3 with first-and 10 from the Atlanta 25-yard line. The play: Freeman takes a handoff up the middle and finds a big hole before cutting outside and outracing two Saints defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run. That puts Freeman over 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season, the first Falcon to do that since Michael Turner (2010-11).
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants vs. Redskins • Intercepting Kirk Cousins
The situation: Washington is facing first-and-10 from the New York 43-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, trailing by three points. The Redskins need to win the game to reach the postseason. The play: Cousins drops back to pass, but cannot find anyone open. He starts to climb the pocket - he could run for positive yards - but stops and throws back to the middle for receiver Pierre Garcon. But the ball is too far inside Garcon and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepts his second pass of the day.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Sean Spence
Texans vs. Titans • Strip sack leading to TD
The situation: The Texans face third-and-9 from their own 14-yard line in the first quarter of a scoreless game. The play: Texans QB Tom Savage takes the snap out of the shotgun and feels immediate pressure when he drops back. Titans linebacker Sean Spence strips the ball from Savage and the ball rolls into the Texans' end zone, where DaQuan Jones pounces on it for the game's first score. The day only got worse from there for Savage, who later had to leave the game to be examined for a concussion, only to come back and then be ruled out after halftime upon re-examination.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Jordan Howard
Bears vs. Vikings • Record-setting run
The situation: Jordan Howard needs 61 yards on Sunday to break Matt Forte's single-season rookie rushing record for the Bears. The play: Howard takes a handoff on second down and rushes 17 yards up the middle for the record. Howard finishes the day with over 100 yards, his seventh 100-plus-yard rushing game of the year. The fifth-round pick is one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 3-13 season for Chicago.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Robert Griffin III
Browns vs. Steelers • Last game, first TD
The situation: Robert Griffin started his fifth game of the season, but had not thrown a touchdown pass in the first four. The play: On second-and-7 from the Steelers' 12 early in the first quarter, Griffin fakes a handoff left and rolls right. He is in the clear as he runs, but chooses to throw a short pass to tight end Seth DeValve, who is able to navigate the final yards and dance into the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead -- and Griffin's first TD pass of his Browns career.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Corey Grant
Jaguars vs. Colts • Running 57 yards to the house
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Jaguars' 43-yard line, Jaguars leading 10-0 with 5:57 remaining until halftime. The play: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles changes the play to a run to the right side of the formation, and Corey Grant takes the handoff and starts that way before cutting back to his left through a huge hole. He breaks a tackle at the Jaguars' 47, cuts outside the numbers and outraces safety T.J. Green, who trips him up at the goal line, but not before he scores for a 57-yard touchdown. It's the longest run by any Jaguar since 2014.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Robert Mathis
Jaguars vs. Colts • Shining in final game
The situation: The Jaguars have the ball at the Colts' 24-yard line on third-and-8 trying to break a 17-17 tie with 11:58 left in the game. The play: Playing in his final NFL game, Robert Mathis, who is on the edge, comes up the middle and swipes the ball out of the hands of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and then pounces on the loose ball to complete the strip sack. It's a fitting end to the 14-year career of Mathis, who is the NFL's all-time leader in strip sacks.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Devonta Freeman
Chiefs vs. Chargers • 75-yard score
The situation: The Falcons lead the Saints 7-3 with first-and 10 from the Atlanta 25-yard line. The play: Freeman takes a handoff up the middle and finds a big hole before cutting outside and outracing two Saints defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run. That puts Freeman over 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season, the first Falcon to do that since Michael Turner (2010-11).
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants vs. Redskins • Intercepting Kirk Cousins
The situation: Washington is facing first-and-10 from the New York 43-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, trailing by three points. The Redskins need to win the game to reach the postseason. The play: Cousins drops back to pass, but cannot find anyone open. He starts to climb the pocket - he could run for positive yards - but stops and throws back to the middle for receiver Pierre Garcon. But the ball is too far inside Garcon and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepts his second pass of the day.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Robert Griffin III
Browns vs. Steelers • Last game, first TD
The situation: Robert Griffin started his fifth game of the season, but had not thrown a touchdown pass in the first four. The play: On second-and-7 from the Steelers' 12 early in the first quarter, Griffin fakes a handoff left and rolls right. He is in the clear as he runs, but chooses to throw a short pass to tight end Seth DeValve, who is able to navigate the final yards and dance into the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead -- and Griffin's first TD pass of his Browns career.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Corey Grant
Jaguars vs. Colts • Running 57 yards to the house
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Jaguars' 43-yard line, Jaguars leading 10-0 with 5:57 remaining until halftime. The play: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles changes the play to a run to the right side of the formation, and Corey Grant takes the handoff and starts that way before cutting back to his left through a huge hole. He breaks a tackle at the Jaguars' 47, cuts outside the numbers and outraces safety T.J. Green, who trips him up at the goal line, but not before he scores for a 57-yard touchdown. It's the longest run by any Jaguar since 2014.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Robert Mathis
Jaguars vs. Colts • Shining in final game
The situation: The Jaguars have the ball at the Colts' 24-yard line on third-and-8 trying to break a 17-17 tie with 11:58 left in the game. The play: Playing in his final NFL game, Robert Mathis, who is on the edge, comes up the middle and swipes the ball out of the hands of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and then pounces on the loose ball to complete the strip sack. It's a fitting end to the 14-year career of Mathis, who is the NFL's all-time leader in strip sacks.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Devonta Freeman
Chiefs vs. Chargers • 75-yard score
The situation: The Falcons lead the Saints 7-3 with first-and 10 from the Atlanta 25-yard line. The play: Freeman takes a handoff up the middle and finds a big hole before cutting outside and outracing two Saints defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run. That puts Freeman over 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season, the first Falcon to do that since Michael Turner (2010-11).
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants vs. Redskins • Intercepting Kirk Cousins
The situation: Washington is facing first-and-10 from the New York 43-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, trailing by three points. The Redskins need to win the game to reach the postseason. The play: Cousins drops back to pass, but cannot find anyone open. He starts to climb the pocket - he could run for positive yards - but stops and throws back to the middle for receiver Pierre Garcon. But the ball is too far inside Garcon and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepts his second pass of the day.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The situation: The Jaguars have the ball at the Colts' 24-yard line on third-and-8 trying to break a 17-17 tie with 11:58 left in the game. The play: Playing in his final NFL game, Robert Mathis, who is on the edge, comes up the middle and swipes the ball out of the hands of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and then pounces on the loose ball to complete the strip sack. It's a fitting end to the 14-year career of Mathis, who is the NFL's all-time leader in strip sacks.
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Devonta Freeman
Chiefs vs. Chargers • 75-yard score
The situation: The Falcons lead the Saints 7-3 with first-and 10 from the Atlanta 25-yard line. The play: Freeman takes a handoff up the middle and finds a big hole before cutting outside and outracing two Saints defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run. That puts Freeman over 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season, the first Falcon to do that since Michael Turner (2010-11).
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants vs. Redskins • Intercepting Kirk Cousins
The situation: Washington is facing first-and-10 from the New York 43-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, trailing by three points. The Redskins need to win the game to reach the postseason. The play: Cousins drops back to pass, but cannot find anyone open. He starts to climb the pocket - he could run for positive yards - but stops and throws back to the middle for receiver Pierre Garcon. But the ball is too far inside Garcon and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepts his second pass of the day.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images