Week 16 saw some wonderful performances as players delivered with lots on the line for many teams.
Arizona Cardinals: Kenyan Drake
The Cardinals surprised the injury-riddled Seahawks with running back Kenyan Drake rushing for 166 yards on 24 carries, including an 80-yard touchdown run.
Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones
The wonderful wide receiver Julio Jones did not find the end zone in the win over Jacksonville. All he did, however, was make 10 catches on 15 targets for 166 yards. This guy is destined for Canton one day.
Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews
Take your pick: Lamar Jackson ran for 103 yards and threw for 238 and a trio of TDs, Mark Ingram went over the 1,000-yard mark rushing and had a receiving TD. To break up the Ravens’ dynamic duo, we will go with TE Mark Andrews, who had six catches for 93 yards and two TDs.
Buffalo Bills: Cole Beasley
The former Dallas Cowboys wideout Cole Beasley had a nice game in the loss to New England, catching seven passes for 108 yards, many of them keys to keeping drives alive.
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey
Who else? The team has folded but Christian McCaffrey continues to excel. The great running back from Stanford has gone over the 100-reception mark for the second straight season. McCaffrey had 15 catches for 119 yards and added 54 yards rushing on 13 carries in the loss to Indy. He deserves a far better supporting cast.
Chicago Bears: None
Despite Cris Collinsworth trying to make a national audience believe Mitchell Trubisky’s arm and game compare with Patrick Homes, we will pass on honoring the Bears’ quarterback. And the team after its inept effort.
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton led a miracle comeback as the Bengals scored 23 points in the final 6:11 to tie the Dolphins. Dalton had a huge game with four TD passes, and 396 yards through the air. Oh, and he added a two-point conversion by himself via the ground and one through the air.
Cleveland Browns: Damarious Randall
The Browns did not have much luck stopping Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. So, it only goes to follow safety Damarious Randall was busy. Randall made 10 tackles in the loss to Baltimore.
Dallas Cowboys: Sean Lee
Sean Lee leads the Dallas defense, always has. The veteran linebacker was huge against the Eagles. He was in on 17 tackles, 9 that were solo. Not quite sure anyone in Dallas wants to hear 17-9….the score it lost to Philly.
Denver Broncos: Phillip Lindsay
Denver RB Phillip Lindsay had 19 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown as the Broncos improved to 6-9.
Detroit Lions: Jamal Agnew
On another weak game by the Lions, punt returner Jamal Agnew provided a rare highlight with a 64-yard touchdown. One other Detroit player worth mentioning is Sam Martin, who averaged a booming 52.2 yards on five punts in the Mile High City.
Green Bay Packers: Za’Darius Smith
Green Bay’s defense ruined Kirk Cousins. Smith was a huge part of it as he had 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. A complete domination. Also worth attention was Aaron Jones, who accounted for more than 150 yards total offense and a pair of touchdowns.
Houston Texans: The secondary
Rather than singling out one Texans DB, let’s go with the entire group as they came up with a quartet of interceptions in the favorable matchup against Jameis Winston, who has an uncanny knack for finding defensive players with his passes.
Indianapolis Colts: Nyheim Hines
Nyheim Hines had every right to pose for photos after the game he had against the Panthers. The punt-return specialist brought a pair back for touchdowns and had another 40-yarder. How about 195 yards on a trio of punt returns?
Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke
Another awful game by the Jaguars resulted in another loss. At least punter Logan Cooke has a big leg. Cooke was called on five times and he averaged 50.8 yards, placing one inside the 20.
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
It wasn’t an enormous game for the Chiefs’ All-World TE but Travis Kelce managed eight grabs for 74 yards and a touchdown. Kelce has four straight 1,000-yard seasons and needs six catches for a second straight 100-yard season.
Los Angeles Chargers: Melvin Ingram
The Chargers are going to disappoint everyone through the finish line. Melvin Ingram did add 1.5 sacks to his total for 2019. Ingram has seven sacks for his second straight season.
Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Higbee
The Rams’ tight end continues his stellar play, catching nine balls for 104 yards in the loss to the Niners. Higbee has more yards in his last four games — 438 — than he had in each of his first three seasons in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick
The veteran quarterback threw four TD passes against the Bengals, making it the fifth team he has accomplished the feat for in his journeyman career. Fitzpatrick threw for 419 yards. Had to be disappointed, though, he had only nine yards on five rushes. Fitzpatrick is in good shape, though, to finish the season as Miami’s leading rusher.
Minnesota Vikings: Eric Kendricks
Eric Kendricks left early with an injury but before his exit he did recover a pair of fumbles. The best on a sad night for Minnesota.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
Nothing fancy or exceptional about 26-of-33 for 271 yards and a touchdown. However, if you watched Tom Brady and the Patriots topple the Bills, you saw a familiar fire from the quarterback and the team. It is foolish to think this team will be an easy out in the postseason.
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones torched Washington for five TDs. Let’s appreciate the overall performance by Saquon Barkley. In what has been an off-year for the former Penn State star, Barkley went off. He had 26 touches and 279 yards total offense and a TD rushing and receiving.
New York Jets: Le’Veon Bell
The former Pittsburgh Steeler had a nice game with 72 yards rushing and 21 receiving as the Jets knocked off Pittsburgh. Not a fancy game but it accomplished the purpose.
Oakland Raiders: Hunter Renfrow
It is that time of year for Hunter Renfrow to come up big. The wideout did it over and over for Clemson deep in the season and had a strong game with seven catches for 107 yards and a score against the Chargers.
Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz was 31-of-40 for 319 yards and a TD and rushed for 22 more yards on six carries without most of his offensive weapons in a crucial victory for Philly over Dallas.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Diontae Johnson
Playing with a pair of quarterbacks who probably don’t equal anywhere near a No. 1, Diontae Johnson managed eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
San Francisco 49ers: George Kittle
Few players bring more fun and joy to the game than the Niners’ TE George Kittle. Against the Rams, Kittle had five catches for 79 yards and a TD.
Seattle Seahawks: Wagner/Wright
Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright were each in on 13 tackles during the loss to the Cardinals. A trap game or too many injuries, the Seahawks have much to worry about in Week 17 and following.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jason Pierre-Paul
There was nothing the Bucs’ defense could do about the never-ending picks thrown by Jameis Winston. However, the defense was solid and Jason Pierre-Paul led the way with a trio of sacks.
Tennessee Titans: Jonnu Smith
Delanie Walker is approaching the end of his career. The Titans appear in good shape with Jonnu Smith going forward. The tight end had three catches for 63 yards in the loss to New Orleans. He also scored a TD on a pass from Ryan Tannehill.
Washington Redskins: Steven Sims Jr.
The wide receiver made six catches for 64 yards. Steven Smith Jr. caught a TD pass from Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum.
