Week 13 is in the books, concluding with a wonderful game between Minnesota and Seattle. Plenty of plaudits to go around and not all of them are for expected players.
Arizona Cardinals: Andy Lee
In an all-around awful effort by Arizona, punter Andy Lee did his part, at least. Lee kicked seven times for a 44.4-yard average and left the Rams inside their 20 four times.
Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Tucker
The best kicker in the NFL was money as he delivered a 49-yard field goal in rainy conditions to lift Baltimore over San Francisco in a matchup of two of the best teams. Justin Tuckey was 2-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on PATs, proving again how much of a weapon he is.
Buffalo Bills: Cole Beasley
The former Dallas Cowboy, Cole Beasley, came back to haunt as he had a huge game on Thanksgiving in Buffalo’s road victory. The WR made six catches for 110 yards and a TD as the Bills scored a key victory.
Carolina Panthers: Eric Reid
While Washington was rumbling through the front of Carolina’s defense, Eric Reid was doing his job in the secondary … and more. The DB was in on nine tackles, seven that were solo, and had a sack in the deflating defeat.
Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton
The veteran quarterback returned to his starting role and led Zac Taylor and Cincinnati to its first victory of the season. Andy Dalton was 22-of-37 for 243 yards and a TD pass as the Bengals derailed the Jets.
Cleveland Browns: Jarvis Landry
Not much to choose from as the Browns went down to the Steelers. Will give a tepid nod to Jarvis Landry, who has been playing well of late, and had six catches for 76 yards.
Dallas Cowboys: Jourdan Lewis
A down day for Dallas on Thanksgiving and there were not many plaudits to go around in the loss to the Bills. However, Jourdan Lewis did make six tackles and had two sacks of Josh Allen.
Denver Broncos: Brandon McManus
The kicker was not happy when denied the chance to kick a 65-yard field goal to end the first half. He got his chance in the final seconds from 53 yards and was true to give Denver the victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Detroit Lions: David Blough
The Lions threw David Blough, an undrafted free agent, to the Bears on Thanksgiving and the former Purdue QB almost led Detroit to victory. A spectacular TD pass on his first NFL completion, another TD toss and 280 yards passing in the loss to Chicago.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Ho-hum, the great No. 12 in Green Bay had another splendid Sunday. Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes as he school Daniel Jones and the Giants in the snow in New Jersey.
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
What can’t the Houston Texans’ quarterback do? Deshaun Watson threw touchdown passes and caught one, too, as Houston upended New England on SNF.
Indianapolis Colts: Zach Pascal
Zach Pascal was the beneficiary of the Colts playing from behind and Jacoby Brissett having to take to the air. The WR made seven catches and had 109 receiving yards in the loss to Tennessee.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Donald Payne
Donald Payne had a big defensive day as the Jags tumbled to Tampa Bay. The LB was in on 13 tackles, six solo, and had a sack as he tried to help contain Jameis Winston and the Bucs’ attack.
Kansas City Chiefs: Juan Thornhill
On a day when Patrick Mahomes was not dazzling, the Chiefs played an all-around strong game. Juan Thornhill doused any hope Oakland had in the second quarter when he picked off a pass and took it to the house to give KC a 21-0 lead.
Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams
The former No. 1 draft pick from Clemson, Mike Williams helped give the Chargers what looked like a chance to force overtime with a spectacular fourth-down catch. Philip Rivers found Williams deep on the sideline and he went up and got the ball to give LA a first down and a game-tying field goal opportunity. Williams caught five passes for 117 yards on the day.
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff
In a season that has seen the Los Angeles Rams’ QB get his share of grief, Jared Goff finally delivered a huge game. Against Arizona, the former No. 1 overall pick was 32-of-43 for 424 yards and 2 TDs.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick
The veteran quarterback had a great game as Miami stunned Philadelphia. Ryan Fitzpatrick was 27-of-39 for 365 yards and a TD as Miami outscored 23-3 after trailing 28-14.
Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph
Four catches for 50 yards and a TD is not spectacular, however, there were a couple great ones. The sideline catch and the one-hander for the TD in the back of the end zone. More than solid effort from the veteran TE.
New England Patriots: Jake Bailey
The Pats’ offense struggled for much of SNF. It was up to Jake Bailey to try and push back the Houston offense. He had four kicks for 176 yards and two of them left the Texans inside the 20.
New Orleans Saints: Cam Jordan/Defense
The Saints’ defense spent more time in Atlanta’s backfield than Devonta Freeman it seemed on Thankgsiving. Cam Jordan led the way with four sacks as New Orleans picked up nine en route to its 10th victory of 2019.
New York Giants: Kaden Smith
Not much to praise as Big Blue fell for the eighth straight game to drop to 2-10. Kaden Smith, a sixth-round pick of the Niners in 2019 who found his way to New York did have six catches for 70 yards.
New York Jets: Robby Anderson
The wide receiver from Temple, Robby Anderson, had seven catches for 101 yards as the Jets threw in a stinker against the Bengals on the road.
Oakland Raiders: None
Hard to figure how Oakland has collapsed in the last two games after a strong run. The Chiefs clobbered the Raiders, 40-9, in a game that was miserable for the Silver & Black.
Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery
The wide receiver who has battled injuries had a big game in the stunning loss to Miami. Alshon Jeffery made nine catches for 137 yards and a score as the Eagles dropped to 5-7.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin
We shall stray from players here. The Steelers’ coach went with Delvin Hodges against Cleveland instead of Mason Rudolph and was rewarded with a victory in the grudge match. Takes a lot of conviction to play a third-string QB but Mike Tomlin did it and continues to show why he is one of the top coaches in the league.
San Francisco 49ers: Raheem Mostert
The Niners keep finding ways to get running backs untracked, and it can be a different one from week to week. With Matt Breida sidelined, Raheem Mostert had a monster game against the Ravens’ rugged defense. Mostert carried the ball 19 times for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Seattle Seahawks: Special teams
Weapons abound for the Seahawks. And the special teams are one of them. A marvelous fake punt that turned into a 29-yard run for a first down by Travis Homer, who also recovered a fumble on a kickoff return by Minnesota, Michael Dickson punting three times and pinning Minnesota inside the 20 on each boot and Jason Myers nailing three field goals and all four PATs, which is not a given for anyone anymore.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White
Tampa Bay has a future great one in its top draft pick, Devin White. The LB returned a fumble for a TD, had seven tackles and a sack in the victory over Jacksonville.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry
The Heisman winner from Alabama had another great performance as Tennessee toppled Indianapolis. Derrick Henry was a workhorse, carrying the ball 26 times for 149 yards and a score. You can add in three catches for 17 yards on a busy day. Also give high praise to Dane Cruikshank and Tye Smith for a blocked field goal that turned into a touchdown.
Washington Redskins: Derrius Guice
Washington shredded Carolina for 248 yards rushing. Derrius Guice delivered a huge game with 129 yards on 10 carries. Add in the great Adrian Peterson’s 99-yard game and you have the reason Washington has two consecutive wins.
