Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 7
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ravens vs. Jets • And he is back
The situation: Fitzpatrick enters the game with 4:34 left in the second quarter, replacing the injured Geno Smith. The Jets are trailing the Ravens 13-7. His play: In his first series, Fitzpatrick leads the offense on a seven-play, 85-yard touchdown drive -- one of the Jets' best scoring drives in a month. He completes 4 of 4 passes for 42 yards, including a well-executed middle screen to Matt Forte for a 13-yard touchdown.
Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports
Adam Vinatieri
Colts vs. Titans • Record breaking
The situation: Fourth-and-13 from Tennessee's 15-yard line, the Colts leading 17-13 with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. The play:Vinatieri bolsters his case as the greatest kicker in NFL history with another remarkable highlight, connecting on a 33-yarder for his 43rd straight made field goal. That breaks Mike Vanderjagt's record of 42 straight set during the 2002-2004 seasons.
Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Green
Bengals vs. Browns • Hail Mary!
The situation: Third-and-9 on the Bengals' 48-yard line, Bengals lead the Browns 14-10 with 0:07 left in the first half. The play: Turns out all that juggling practice pays off. Former high school juggler Green reminds everyone why he's an All-Pro receiver when he catches a 48-yard Hail Mary pass from Andy Dalton to get the Bengals a touchdown, and a 21-10 lead, at the end of the first half. Green juggles the ball in the air with defenders draped all over him and pulls it into his body with both hands to secure the catch.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Damien Williams
Bills vs. Dolphins • Helpful push
The situation: Second-and-8 from the Buffalo 12-yard line, with the Dolphins trailing 17-14 with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter of a division game. The play: Williams is in the game for a winded Jay Ajayi, who rushed for 214 yards on 29 carries. Williams runs left and is hit early by Bills defenders. But Williams' teammates Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry carry and push Williams into the end zone for the go-ahead score.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Josh Huff
Eagles vs. Vikings • Returning it all the way
The situation: Trailing 3-0 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter, Huff awaits the kick following a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal. The play: Huff fields it at the 2-yard line, finds a seam along the right side and bursts through en route to a 98-yard touchdown, which he caps with a forward flip into the end zone.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
Landon Collins
Giants vs. Rams • Tip drill
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Los Angeles 30-yard line with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter and the Giants trailing 10-3 and still looking to reach the end zone. The play: Rams quarterback Case Keenum fires a pass to an open Tavon Austin over the middle. The ball hits off Austin's shoulder pad and pops into the air, where Collins, Giants safety, catches it running backward. He circles around to the right, back to the left and breaks several tackles on his way to the end zone, where cornerback Janoris Jenkins pushes him in for the touchdown to even the score.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Saints vs. Chiefs • Quick score
The situation: The Chiefs had first-and-10 from the New Orleans 38 with 7:09 left in the second quarter and a 14-7 lead. The play: Quarterback Alex Smith has tried this season to get the ball deep to Hill but had no success until Sunday against the Saints. Hill makes a one-handed catch in the end zone despite good coverage by the Saints. Smith thought maybe the coverage was a little too good and a pass interference penalty was also in order.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Anquan Boldin
Redskins vs. Lions • Tight window
The situation:Third-and-10 from the Washington 18-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Detroit trailing 17-13. The play: The Lions had actually been working on this play for a few weeks in practice, but coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had not called it in a game. Boldin runs a vertical route and Matthew Stafford throws the ball in what he deems a "tight window." Boldin catches the ball short of the end zone, turns and knows he has to push his way in to give the Lions their fourth come-from-behind win of the season. The touchdown with 16 seconds left gives the Lions a 20-17 lead, which they maintain to improve to 4-3.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Marquette King
Raiders vs. Jaguars • Avoiding disaster
The situation: Fourth-and-24 from the Raiders' 38-yard line, Raiders leading 26-16 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: A low snap is near disaster for the Raiders, who are trying to run out the clock on the Jaguars. King, the punter, expertly fields the ball and as he goes into his motion to punt it away, sees an oncoming Jaguar who could block the kick. Instead, King, the most fit punter in the NFL, takes off down the right sideline, picking up 27 yards and a first down. Four plays later the Raiders find the end zone to salt the game away.
David Rosenblum/ Icon Sportswire
Melvin Gordon
Chargers vs. Falcons • Forcing overtime
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The situation: Fitzpatrick enters the game with 4:34 left in the second quarter, replacing the injured Geno Smith. The Jets are trailing the Ravens 13-7. His play: In his first series, Fitzpatrick leads the offense on a seven-play, 85-yard touchdown drive -- one of the Jets' best scoring drives in a month. He completes 4 of 4 passes for 42 yards, including a well-executed middle screen to Matt Forte for a 13-yard touchdown.
Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports
Adam Vinatieri
Colts vs. Titans • Record breaking
The situation: Fourth-and-13 from Tennessee's 15-yard line, the Colts leading 17-13 with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. The play:Vinatieri bolsters his case as the greatest kicker in NFL history with another remarkable highlight, connecting on a 33-yarder for his 43rd straight made field goal. That breaks Mike Vanderjagt's record of 42 straight set during the 2002-2004 seasons.
Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Green
Bengals vs. Browns • Hail Mary!
The situation: Third-and-9 on the Bengals' 48-yard line, Bengals lead the Browns 14-10 with 0:07 left in the first half. The play: Turns out all that juggling practice pays off. Former high school juggler Green reminds everyone why he's an All-Pro receiver when he catches a 48-yard Hail Mary pass from Andy Dalton to get the Bengals a touchdown, and a 21-10 lead, at the end of the first half. Green juggles the ball in the air with defenders draped all over him and pulls it into his body with both hands to secure the catch.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Damien Williams
Bills vs. Dolphins • Helpful push
The situation: Second-and-8 from the Buffalo 12-yard line, with the Dolphins trailing 17-14 with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter of a division game. The play: Williams is in the game for a winded Jay Ajayi, who rushed for 214 yards on 29 carries. Williams runs left and is hit early by Bills defenders. But Williams' teammates Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry carry and push Williams into the end zone for the go-ahead score.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Josh Huff
Eagles vs. Vikings • Returning it all the way
The situation: Trailing 3-0 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter, Huff awaits the kick following a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal. The play: Huff fields it at the 2-yard line, finds a seam along the right side and bursts through en route to a 98-yard touchdown, which he caps with a forward flip into the end zone.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
Landon Collins
Giants vs. Rams • Tip drill
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Los Angeles 30-yard line with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter and the Giants trailing 10-3 and still looking to reach the end zone. The play: Rams quarterback Case Keenum fires a pass to an open Tavon Austin over the middle. The ball hits off Austin's shoulder pad and pops into the air, where Collins, Giants safety, catches it running backward. He circles around to the right, back to the left and breaks several tackles on his way to the end zone, where cornerback Janoris Jenkins pushes him in for the touchdown to even the score.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Saints vs. Chiefs • Quick score
The situation: The Chiefs had first-and-10 from the New Orleans 38 with 7:09 left in the second quarter and a 14-7 lead. The play: Quarterback Alex Smith has tried this season to get the ball deep to Hill but had no success until Sunday against the Saints. Hill makes a one-handed catch in the end zone despite good coverage by the Saints. Smith thought maybe the coverage was a little too good and a pass interference penalty was also in order.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Anquan Boldin
Redskins vs. Lions • Tight window
The situation:Third-and-10 from the Washington 18-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Detroit trailing 17-13. The play: The Lions had actually been working on this play for a few weeks in practice, but coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had not called it in a game. Boldin runs a vertical route and Matthew Stafford throws the ball in what he deems a "tight window." Boldin catches the ball short of the end zone, turns and knows he has to push his way in to give the Lions their fourth come-from-behind win of the season. The touchdown with 16 seconds left gives the Lions a 20-17 lead, which they maintain to improve to 4-3.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Marquette King
Raiders vs. Jaguars • Avoiding disaster
The situation: Fourth-and-24 from the Raiders' 38-yard line, Raiders leading 26-16 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: A low snap is near disaster for the Raiders, who are trying to run out the clock on the Jaguars. King, the punter, expertly fields the ball and as he goes into his motion to punt it away, sees an oncoming Jaguar who could block the kick. Instead, King, the most fit punter in the NFL, takes off down the right sideline, picking up 27 yards and a first down. Four plays later the Raiders find the end zone to salt the game away.
David Rosenblum/ Icon Sportswire
Melvin Gordon
Chargers vs. Falcons • Forcing overtime
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Green
Bengals vs. Browns • Hail Mary!
The situation: Third-and-9 on the Bengals' 48-yard line, Bengals lead the Browns 14-10 with 0:07 left in the first half. The play: Turns out all that juggling practice pays off. Former high school juggler Green reminds everyone why he's an All-Pro receiver when he catches a 48-yard Hail Mary pass from Andy Dalton to get the Bengals a touchdown, and a 21-10 lead, at the end of the first half. Green juggles the ball in the air with defenders draped all over him and pulls it into his body with both hands to secure the catch.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Damien Williams
Bills vs. Dolphins • Helpful push
The situation: Second-and-8 from the Buffalo 12-yard line, with the Dolphins trailing 17-14 with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter of a division game. The play: Williams is in the game for a winded Jay Ajayi, who rushed for 214 yards on 29 carries. Williams runs left and is hit early by Bills defenders. But Williams' teammates Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry carry and push Williams into the end zone for the go-ahead score.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Josh Huff
Eagles vs. Vikings • Returning it all the way
The situation: Trailing 3-0 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter, Huff awaits the kick following a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal. The play: Huff fields it at the 2-yard line, finds a seam along the right side and bursts through en route to a 98-yard touchdown, which he caps with a forward flip into the end zone.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
Landon Collins
Giants vs. Rams • Tip drill
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Los Angeles 30-yard line with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter and the Giants trailing 10-3 and still looking to reach the end zone. The play: Rams quarterback Case Keenum fires a pass to an open Tavon Austin over the middle. The ball hits off Austin's shoulder pad and pops into the air, where Collins, Giants safety, catches it running backward. He circles around to the right, back to the left and breaks several tackles on his way to the end zone, where cornerback Janoris Jenkins pushes him in for the touchdown to even the score.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Saints vs. Chiefs • Quick score
The situation: The Chiefs had first-and-10 from the New Orleans 38 with 7:09 left in the second quarter and a 14-7 lead. The play: Quarterback Alex Smith has tried this season to get the ball deep to Hill but had no success until Sunday against the Saints. Hill makes a one-handed catch in the end zone despite good coverage by the Saints. Smith thought maybe the coverage was a little too good and a pass interference penalty was also in order.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Anquan Boldin
Redskins vs. Lions • Tight window
The situation:Third-and-10 from the Washington 18-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Detroit trailing 17-13. The play: The Lions had actually been working on this play for a few weeks in practice, but coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had not called it in a game. Boldin runs a vertical route and Matthew Stafford throws the ball in what he deems a "tight window." Boldin catches the ball short of the end zone, turns and knows he has to push his way in to give the Lions their fourth come-from-behind win of the season. The touchdown with 16 seconds left gives the Lions a 20-17 lead, which they maintain to improve to 4-3.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Marquette King
Raiders vs. Jaguars • Avoiding disaster
The situation: Fourth-and-24 from the Raiders' 38-yard line, Raiders leading 26-16 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: A low snap is near disaster for the Raiders, who are trying to run out the clock on the Jaguars. King, the punter, expertly fields the ball and as he goes into his motion to punt it away, sees an oncoming Jaguar who could block the kick. Instead, King, the most fit punter in the NFL, takes off down the right sideline, picking up 27 yards and a first down. Four plays later the Raiders find the end zone to salt the game away.
David Rosenblum/ Icon Sportswire
Melvin Gordon
Chargers vs. Falcons • Forcing overtime
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Josh Huff
Eagles vs. Vikings • Returning it all the way
The situation: Trailing 3-0 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter, Huff awaits the kick following a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal. The play: Huff fields it at the 2-yard line, finds a seam along the right side and bursts through en route to a 98-yard touchdown, which he caps with a forward flip into the end zone.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
Landon Collins
Giants vs. Rams • Tip drill
The situation: Second-and-5 from the Los Angeles 30-yard line with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter and the Giants trailing 10-3 and still looking to reach the end zone. The play: Rams quarterback Case Keenum fires a pass to an open Tavon Austin over the middle. The ball hits off Austin's shoulder pad and pops into the air, where Collins, Giants safety, catches it running backward. He circles around to the right, back to the left and breaks several tackles on his way to the end zone, where cornerback Janoris Jenkins pushes him in for the touchdown to even the score.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Tyreek Hill
Saints vs. Chiefs • Quick score
The situation: The Chiefs had first-and-10 from the New Orleans 38 with 7:09 left in the second quarter and a 14-7 lead. The play: Quarterback Alex Smith has tried this season to get the ball deep to Hill but had no success until Sunday against the Saints. Hill makes a one-handed catch in the end zone despite good coverage by the Saints. Smith thought maybe the coverage was a little too good and a pass interference penalty was also in order.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Anquan Boldin
Redskins vs. Lions • Tight window
The situation:Third-and-10 from the Washington 18-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Detroit trailing 17-13. The play: The Lions had actually been working on this play for a few weeks in practice, but coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had not called it in a game. Boldin runs a vertical route and Matthew Stafford throws the ball in what he deems a "tight window." Boldin catches the ball short of the end zone, turns and knows he has to push his way in to give the Lions their fourth come-from-behind win of the season. The touchdown with 16 seconds left gives the Lions a 20-17 lead, which they maintain to improve to 4-3.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Marquette King
Raiders vs. Jaguars • Avoiding disaster
The situation: Fourth-and-24 from the Raiders' 38-yard line, Raiders leading 26-16 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: A low snap is near disaster for the Raiders, who are trying to run out the clock on the Jaguars. King, the punter, expertly fields the ball and as he goes into his motion to punt it away, sees an oncoming Jaguar who could block the kick. Instead, King, the most fit punter in the NFL, takes off down the right sideline, picking up 27 yards and a first down. Four plays later the Raiders find the end zone to salt the game away.
David Rosenblum/ Icon Sportswire
Melvin Gordon
Chargers vs. Falcons • Forcing overtime
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
Tyreek Hill
Saints vs. Chiefs • Quick score
The situation: The Chiefs had first-and-10 from the New Orleans 38 with 7:09 left in the second quarter and a 14-7 lead. The play: Quarterback Alex Smith has tried this season to get the ball deep to Hill but had no success until Sunday against the Saints. Hill makes a one-handed catch in the end zone despite good coverage by the Saints. Smith thought maybe the coverage was a little too good and a pass interference penalty was also in order.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Anquan Boldin
Redskins vs. Lions • Tight window
The situation:Third-and-10 from the Washington 18-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Detroit trailing 17-13. The play: The Lions had actually been working on this play for a few weeks in practice, but coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had not called it in a game. Boldin runs a vertical route and Matthew Stafford throws the ball in what he deems a "tight window." Boldin catches the ball short of the end zone, turns and knows he has to push his way in to give the Lions their fourth come-from-behind win of the season. The touchdown with 16 seconds left gives the Lions a 20-17 lead, which they maintain to improve to 4-3.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Marquette King
Raiders vs. Jaguars • Avoiding disaster
The situation: Fourth-and-24 from the Raiders' 38-yard line, Raiders leading 26-16 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: A low snap is near disaster for the Raiders, who are trying to run out the clock on the Jaguars. King, the punter, expertly fields the ball and as he goes into his motion to punt it away, sees an oncoming Jaguar who could block the kick. Instead, King, the most fit punter in the NFL, takes off down the right sideline, picking up 27 yards and a first down. Four plays later the Raiders find the end zone to salt the game away.
David Rosenblum/ Icon Sportswire
Melvin Gordon
Chargers vs. Falcons • Forcing overtime
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The situation: Third-and-1 from the Falcons' 28-yard line, with 46 seconds left and San Diego trailing 30-27. The play: Lined up as a single back, Gordon is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, but bounces outside to his left and skirts the sideline 15 yards to Atlanta's 13-yard line, picking up a key first down that allows San Diego's Josh Lambo to kick a 33-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Chargers would stop Atlanta in the extra period, moving into position for Lambo to kick the game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports