Week Fourteen has come and gone in the National Football League, with two more teams joining in the playoff chase. For the seventh year in a row, and the 13th time in the last 15 years, the New England Patriots have won the AFC East. Also joining the playoff rush are the Arizona Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot (haven't won the division yet but they are in the post season). Both teams joined the Carolina Panthers as locks for postseason play. Wee fourteen had a lot going on in the league, besides teams clinching playoff spots. Indy gets blown out by Jacksonville, New England snaps a two game losing streak by beating up on Houston who is still in the hunt in a weak AFC South. The Bengals may now be in jeopardy with the Andy Dalton season ending injury. Washington is holding onto first place in a terrible NFC East, the AFC South is just as weak and pathetic this season, both divisions could have a team .500 or worse make the playoffs, which wouldn't be good for the NFL.
So with that being said, here's a look back at some of the best and worst of the NFL from week fourteen.
Best:
Russel Wilson, Quarterback Seattle Seahawks
Don't look now but I think Russel might be putting in a quiet claim for MVP of the entire league. Flat out the man is playing on a different level right now, its not even funny. In Seattle's 35-6 win over Baltimore on Sunday, he finished the day going 23 of 32 for 292 yards and oh year five touchdowns. This marks the 2nd time in the last three weeks that Russel has thrown five touchdowns in a game. He has now thrown 13 touchdowns in the past three weeks. That's not a typo he's done that in the last three weeks. Oh and to make that look even more impressive is that, during that time, he hasn't been picked off at all. In fact he hasn't thrown a pick since losing to Carolina back in week ten. Seattle is riding a four game winning streak and are right back in the thick of things in the NFC playoff race. That's a level that's out of this world right now.
Worst:
Indianapolis Colts Quarterbacks
This team can't catch a break at the QB position. Indy finished up Sunday’s loss with third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst under center when Hurricane Jacksonville Jaguars stormed through and beat them 51-16. Whitehurst took the field when Matt Hasselbeck went down in the fourth quarter for what could be further damage to his ribs. After being shoved out of bounds by Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith, Hasselbeck couldn’t help but melting down. With him banged up and with Andrew Luck still on the mend, its a miracle that the Colts are still sitting atop the AFC South
Best:
Ted Ginn, Wide Receiver Carolina Panthers
He had himself a decent day on Sunday against Atlanta. Ginn caught two passes against Atlanta, both happened to be for scores. Gin finished the day with two grabs, again both for scores, and 120 yards receiving. His over the top performance gave Carolina a 21-0 lead in the first quarter as the Panthers wrapped up a first round bye with the win. The two touchdown grabs went for 74 and 46 yards, leading to the 120 total yards he had. Yeah I'd say that's a pretty good week.
Worst:
LeSean McCoy, Running Back Buffalo Bills
Friendly word of advice for you Shady, next time you gonna run your mouth, play a game that can back it up! As a way to welcome himself back to Philly, he kissed the logo at midfield at Lincoln Financial Field. He thought this was going to be the way to get back at his former team for trading him away. Well yeah that didn't happen. McCoy had himself a bit of a rough day, totaling 74 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards but failed to score. To make matters worse, McCoy bolted off the field and down the tunnel after the stinging loss. When he was asked about the game by reporters after the game, McCoy had nothing to say and stormed off. Next time you talk, back it up pal.
Best:
Todd Gurley, Running Back St. Louis Rams
Welcome back to the running game Todd Gurley! Hell welcome back St. Louis Rams! After five straight losses, the Rams finally got back on a winning track, beating the Lions 21-14. During that five game losing streak the Rams had, Running Back Todd Gurley had failed to break the 100 yard mark in rushing. Well against Detroit, he found the century mark again, rushing for 140 yards on 16 carries, including scoring twice. In fact, Gurley has had five games this season, and the Rams are 4-1 in those games. Gurley had a chance to shine this week, and he took full advantage of it.
Worst:
AJ McCarron, Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals backup quarterback AJ McCarron compared himself to Tom Brady. Are you really that stupid dude? COME ON MAN! I wish this youngster the best, but he might want to tone down expectations. Here's why he was crazy enough to make those comparisons. Andy Dalton, the true number on QB with the Bengals, has a fractured thumb and is likely done for the season. That's where McCarron comes into play. Same thing happend with the Patriots too, if you remember. Drew Bledsoe got hurt against the Jets, Brady stepped in and the rest is history./ But McCarron is nowhere near the level of Tom Brady. Like I said I give the kid credit for having the guts to say that. McCarron did throw two touchdown passes against Pittsburgh, so maybe he deserves more benefit of the doubt. But then again, he followed that up with two INTs also, so maybe not.
Best:
Dwight Freeney, Defensive End Arizona Cardinals
Oh are these guys good, Beat up on the Minnesota Vikings 23-20 on Sunday. Locked up a playoff spot and sit on top of the NFC West at 11-2. Dwight Freeney is a big reason to thank for that mark. Unstoppable, Freeney came from behind at the Arizona 31-yard line and strip-sacked quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, resulting in a fumble recovered by defensive end Calais Campbell. At the time of the game-ending sack, the score was 23-20 and the Vikings were at third and 10. Should Minnesota have decided to go for a field goal attempt on that play, the game would have gone into overtime with a successful kick. HE could not have come up with a bigger hit at a better time (at least to this point in the season).
Worst:
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were supposed to get whipped by Carolina. Not a shocker. Not scoring even a field goal was simply shameful, though. A six game losing streak after starting the year off 6-1 means heads are going to roll in Atlanta before the start of next season that's a guarantee!
Best:
Khalil Mack, Defensive End Oakland Raiders
Here's another defensive player making an impact last week in the NFL. Oakland SHOCKED Denver with 15-12 win by the Raiders! Mack had a big BIG hand in that. Coming into Sunday’s game, he had nine sacks. Mack then went out and abused the Denver Broncos for five sacks in a surprising 15-12 upset win in Denver. If it’s possible he was even better than the five sacks indicate, because he seemed to be getting pressure every single play. Not that there were many holdouts on Mack already being an NFL star, but Sunday definitely announced his arrival in the elite. Mack is clearly a defensive star, and it’s obviously now that he should have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. He had an unbelievable day on Sunday, and it won’t be his last.
Worst:
Thomas Rawls, Running Back Seattle Seahawks
I really feel bad for this kid I do. Thomas Rawls went down for the year with an ankle injury, which puts the Seahawks in a bit of a pinch in the running game. The kid had been sensational in relief of Marshawn Lynch. I had become a big fan of him because he's one of those guys who came out of nowhere and can step right in and perform. It was just one of those freak things that happen.
There you have it the Best and Worst of the NFL from week fourteen!
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