Players describe the best and weirdest plays of Week 8
Rob Gronkowski
Patriots vs. Bills • Franchise-record 69th touchdown
The situation: Leading 14-10 with 4:27 remaining in the second quarter, the Patriots call on All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski to bail them out after the offense had back-to-back three-and-outs. The play: Gronkowski catches a 53-yard touchdown from Tom Brady up the right seam, and then celebrates becoming the all-time franchise leader in touchdowns (69) by taking a bow.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Seth Roberts
Raiders vs. Buccaneers • Winning touchdown in overtime
The situation: Fourth-and-3 from the Buccaneers' 41-yard line with 1:55 left in overtime and the score tied at 24-24. The play: Immediately after throwing an incompletion on third down, Derek Carr looks to the sidelines and there is no hesitation from coach Jack Del Rio. Go for it, is the signal, and Carr, spying the coverage from the shotgun, sees the Buccaneers bringing a blitz from his right. With Seth Roberts in the slot on the left, Carr hits him on an 11-yard semi-slant in the middle of the field. Cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah and safety Bradley McDougald collide trying to tackle Roberts, who breaks through the scrum and runs unimpeded for the walk-off win after a game in which the Raiders committed an NFL-record 23 penalties for a franchise-record 200 yards.
Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire
Jermaine Kearse
Seahawks vs. Saints • Devastating incomplete pass as time runs out
The situation: Trailing 25-20 with 2 seconds remaining, the Seahawks have the ball at the Saints' 10-yard line The play: From the shotgun, Russell Wilson throws to the back corner, where Jermaine Kearse leaps to grab it with Saints cornerback B.W. Webb all over him. Kearse makes the catch but can't get both feet in bounds as time expires on a Saints victory over the NFL's top defense.
AP Photo/Bill Feig
A.J. Green
Redskins vs. Bengals • Flag not necessary
The situation: The Bengals face first-and-10 at the Redskins' 47, trailing 24-20 with 8:04 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Andy Dalton fakes a handoff and drops back, looking for A.J. Green streaking down the left sideline, guarded by Josh Norman. Norman grabs Green's jersey with his left hand, drawing a flag for interference, but the penalty is declined as Green hauls in the 40-yard catch, setting up a first-and-goal at the 7. Jeremy Hill scores three plays later.
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Star Lotulelei
Cardinals vs. Panthers • Strip sack leads to a touchdown
The situation: The Cardinals face third-and-6 from the Carolina 43 on the first drive of the game. The play: Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei strip sacks quarterback Carson Palmer. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis recovers and sprints down the right sideline for a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown that gives Carolina a 7-0 lead and sets the tone for a resurgent game for the underachieving Panthers defense.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
DeAndre Hopkins
Texans vs. Lions • Secures one-handed grab
The situation: Up 7-0 in the second quarter, the Texans have the ball on the Lions' 13-yard line. The play: On first down, Brock Osweiler throws just over DeAndre Hopkins' right shoulder. Hopkins reaches for the ball with his right hand, making a one-handed catch over the middle of the field. His 12-yard reception gives Houston a first down at the 1-yard line to set up a Lamar Miller touchdown run on the next play.
Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Bradley Roby
Chargers vs. Broncos • Pick-6
The situation: With a 7-3 lead, the Chargers face a first-and-20 from the San Diego 46-yard line with 9:22 left in the first half. The play: In the shotgun, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to get the ball to wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams tips it in the air and Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, who started the game for an injured Aqib Talib, has the presence of mind to spin and catch the deflection. Roby then races 49 yards up the Broncos' sideline for Denver's first touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Mohamed Sanu
Packers vs. Falcons • Late-game go-ahead touchdown
The situation: Trailing 32-26, the Falcons are on the Packers' 11-yard line with 31 seconds remaining. The play: Matt Ryan takes a snap out of shotgun and steps into a pass down the middle of the field and into the hands of a leaping Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown. Sanu caught five passes for 50 yards on the final drive to beat Green Bay and avoid a third straight loss for the NFC South leaders.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA
The situation: Leading 14-10 with 4:27 remaining in the second quarter, the Patriots call on All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski to bail them out after the offense had back-to-back three-and-outs. The play: Gronkowski catches a 53-yard touchdown from Tom Brady up the right seam, and then celebrates becoming the all-time franchise leader in touchdowns (69) by taking a bow.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Seth Roberts
Raiders vs. Buccaneers • Winning touchdown in overtime
The situation: Fourth-and-3 from the Buccaneers' 41-yard line with 1:55 left in overtime and the score tied at 24-24. The play: Immediately after throwing an incompletion on third down, Derek Carr looks to the sidelines and there is no hesitation from coach Jack Del Rio. Go for it, is the signal, and Carr, spying the coverage from the shotgun, sees the Buccaneers bringing a blitz from his right. With Seth Roberts in the slot on the left, Carr hits him on an 11-yard semi-slant in the middle of the field. Cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah and safety Bradley McDougald collide trying to tackle Roberts, who breaks through the scrum and runs unimpeded for the walk-off win after a game in which the Raiders committed an NFL-record 23 penalties for a franchise-record 200 yards.
Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire
Jermaine Kearse
Seahawks vs. Saints • Devastating incomplete pass as time runs out
The situation: Trailing 25-20 with 2 seconds remaining, the Seahawks have the ball at the Saints' 10-yard line The play: From the shotgun, Russell Wilson throws to the back corner, where Jermaine Kearse leaps to grab it with Saints cornerback B.W. Webb all over him. Kearse makes the catch but can't get both feet in bounds as time expires on a Saints victory over the NFL's top defense.
AP Photo/Bill Feig
A.J. Green
Redskins vs. Bengals • Flag not necessary
The situation: The Bengals face first-and-10 at the Redskins' 47, trailing 24-20 with 8:04 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Andy Dalton fakes a handoff and drops back, looking for A.J. Green streaking down the left sideline, guarded by Josh Norman. Norman grabs Green's jersey with his left hand, drawing a flag for interference, but the penalty is declined as Green hauls in the 40-yard catch, setting up a first-and-goal at the 7. Jeremy Hill scores three plays later.
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Star Lotulelei
Cardinals vs. Panthers • Strip sack leads to a touchdown
The situation: The Cardinals face third-and-6 from the Carolina 43 on the first drive of the game. The play: Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei strip sacks quarterback Carson Palmer. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis recovers and sprints down the right sideline for a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown that gives Carolina a 7-0 lead and sets the tone for a resurgent game for the underachieving Panthers defense.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
DeAndre Hopkins
Texans vs. Lions • Secures one-handed grab
The situation: Up 7-0 in the second quarter, the Texans have the ball on the Lions' 13-yard line. The play: On first down, Brock Osweiler throws just over DeAndre Hopkins' right shoulder. Hopkins reaches for the ball with his right hand, making a one-handed catch over the middle of the field. His 12-yard reception gives Houston a first down at the 1-yard line to set up a Lamar Miller touchdown run on the next play.
Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Bradley Roby
Chargers vs. Broncos • Pick-6
The situation: With a 7-3 lead, the Chargers face a first-and-20 from the San Diego 46-yard line with 9:22 left in the first half. The play: In the shotgun, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to get the ball to wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams tips it in the air and Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, who started the game for an injured Aqib Talib, has the presence of mind to spin and catch the deflection. Roby then races 49 yards up the Broncos' sideline for Denver's first touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Mohamed Sanu
Packers vs. Falcons • Late-game go-ahead touchdown
The situation: Trailing 32-26, the Falcons are on the Packers' 11-yard line with 31 seconds remaining. The play: Matt Ryan takes a snap out of shotgun and steps into a pass down the middle of the field and into the hands of a leaping Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown. Sanu caught five passes for 50 yards on the final drive to beat Green Bay and avoid a third straight loss for the NFC South leaders.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA
Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire
Jermaine Kearse
Seahawks vs. Saints • Devastating incomplete pass as time runs out
The situation: Trailing 25-20 with 2 seconds remaining, the Seahawks have the ball at the Saints' 10-yard line The play: From the shotgun, Russell Wilson throws to the back corner, where Jermaine Kearse leaps to grab it with Saints cornerback B.W. Webb all over him. Kearse makes the catch but can't get both feet in bounds as time expires on a Saints victory over the NFL's top defense.
AP Photo/Bill Feig
A.J. Green
Redskins vs. Bengals • Flag not necessary
The situation: The Bengals face first-and-10 at the Redskins' 47, trailing 24-20 with 8:04 left in the fourth quarter. The play: Andy Dalton fakes a handoff and drops back, looking for A.J. Green streaking down the left sideline, guarded by Josh Norman. Norman grabs Green's jersey with his left hand, drawing a flag for interference, but the penalty is declined as Green hauls in the 40-yard catch, setting up a first-and-goal at the 7. Jeremy Hill scores three plays later.
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Star Lotulelei
Cardinals vs. Panthers • Strip sack leads to a touchdown
The situation: The Cardinals face third-and-6 from the Carolina 43 on the first drive of the game. The play: Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei strip sacks quarterback Carson Palmer. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis recovers and sprints down the right sideline for a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown that gives Carolina a 7-0 lead and sets the tone for a resurgent game for the underachieving Panthers defense.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
DeAndre Hopkins
Texans vs. Lions • Secures one-handed grab
The situation: Up 7-0 in the second quarter, the Texans have the ball on the Lions' 13-yard line. The play: On first down, Brock Osweiler throws just over DeAndre Hopkins' right shoulder. Hopkins reaches for the ball with his right hand, making a one-handed catch over the middle of the field. His 12-yard reception gives Houston a first down at the 1-yard line to set up a Lamar Miller touchdown run on the next play.
Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Bradley Roby
Chargers vs. Broncos • Pick-6
The situation: With a 7-3 lead, the Chargers face a first-and-20 from the San Diego 46-yard line with 9:22 left in the first half. The play: In the shotgun, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to get the ball to wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams tips it in the air and Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, who started the game for an injured Aqib Talib, has the presence of mind to spin and catch the deflection. Roby then races 49 yards up the Broncos' sideline for Denver's first touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Mohamed Sanu
Packers vs. Falcons • Late-game go-ahead touchdown
The situation: Trailing 32-26, the Falcons are on the Packers' 11-yard line with 31 seconds remaining. The play: Matt Ryan takes a snap out of shotgun and steps into a pass down the middle of the field and into the hands of a leaping Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown. Sanu caught five passes for 50 yards on the final drive to beat Green Bay and avoid a third straight loss for the NFC South leaders.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Star Lotulelei
Cardinals vs. Panthers • Strip sack leads to a touchdown
The situation: The Cardinals face third-and-6 from the Carolina 43 on the first drive of the game. The play: Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei strip sacks quarterback Carson Palmer. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis recovers and sprints down the right sideline for a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown that gives Carolina a 7-0 lead and sets the tone for a resurgent game for the underachieving Panthers defense.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
DeAndre Hopkins
Texans vs. Lions • Secures one-handed grab
The situation: Up 7-0 in the second quarter, the Texans have the ball on the Lions' 13-yard line. The play: On first down, Brock Osweiler throws just over DeAndre Hopkins' right shoulder. Hopkins reaches for the ball with his right hand, making a one-handed catch over the middle of the field. His 12-yard reception gives Houston a first down at the 1-yard line to set up a Lamar Miller touchdown run on the next play.
Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Bradley Roby
Chargers vs. Broncos • Pick-6
The situation: With a 7-3 lead, the Chargers face a first-and-20 from the San Diego 46-yard line with 9:22 left in the first half. The play: In the shotgun, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to get the ball to wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams tips it in the air and Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, who started the game for an injured Aqib Talib, has the presence of mind to spin and catch the deflection. Roby then races 49 yards up the Broncos' sideline for Denver's first touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Mohamed Sanu
Packers vs. Falcons • Late-game go-ahead touchdown
The situation: Trailing 32-26, the Falcons are on the Packers' 11-yard line with 31 seconds remaining. The play: Matt Ryan takes a snap out of shotgun and steps into a pass down the middle of the field and into the hands of a leaping Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown. Sanu caught five passes for 50 yards on the final drive to beat Green Bay and avoid a third straight loss for the NFC South leaders.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA
The situation: With a 7-3 lead, the Chargers face a first-and-20 from the San Diego 46-yard line with 9:22 left in the first half. The play: In the shotgun, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to get the ball to wide receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams tips it in the air and Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, who started the game for an injured Aqib Talib, has the presence of mind to spin and catch the deflection. Roby then races 49 yards up the Broncos' sideline for Denver's first touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Mohamed Sanu
Packers vs. Falcons • Late-game go-ahead touchdown
The situation: Trailing 32-26, the Falcons are on the Packers' 11-yard line with 31 seconds remaining. The play: Matt Ryan takes a snap out of shotgun and steps into a pass down the middle of the field and into the hands of a leaping Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown. Sanu caught five passes for 50 yards on the final drive to beat Green Bay and avoid a third straight loss for the NFC South leaders.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA