Week 7 in the NFL should have allowed for some big plays from high-powered offenses, but sloppy quarterback play derailed the highlight reel. Thankfully there were still some excellent moments and some unconventional ones to enjoy from the week that was.
NFL plays of the week: Flips and spins rule week 7
Sloppy offensive performances didn’t offer a wealth of great highlights, but there were a few great plays on Sunday.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Calvin spins like a top
Lesson to cornerbacks: Don't lose sight of the ball. Second-year defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick had to feel pretty good about how he was covering Calvin Johnson on this play. He's in the wide receiver's pocket, had help from the safety to over the middle and was getting away with a little down field contact.
Not watching the quarterback is the key mistake here, and Matthew Stafford’s pass is placed where only Johnson can make a play. Moreover, most receivers can’t make this play -- it’s just not possible for them to keep their pace, control their body and make this catch.
Kudos for Johnson’s exclamation point too, that’s a heck of a 360 dunk.
Perfect 10’s, if only he stuck the landing
Four-yard line, five defenders? No problem.
This leaves us in a quandary. Do we talk about how Brandon Gibson "entered the Matrix", do we compare it to John Elway's famous flatspin, or do we get a little snarky and take about what he should have done? We'll take door number three.
WHY DIDN’T YOU STICK THE LANDING MAN?!
Gibson is in a position where he’s riding the defender’s back and has the opportunity to land on his feet after being spun in three different angles at once. This is a good play either way, but with a landing and humble saunter this could become a legendary play.
Oh well. I bet Calvin Johnson would have done it.
The fake of mystery
This play worked, seriously it did. Somehow, some way this Turkey Bowl backyard football play managed to fool one of the NFL’s top defenses and allow Alex Smith to scamper into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run.
Kansas City doesn’t even try to hide it. Smith is holding the ball, arm extended for what feels like an eternity before he runs up a gap caused by multiple defenders having no clue where the ball is.
It’s shocking that it took over a decade for teams to finally figure out Ed Reed’s weakness is -- just let the QB keep the ball and make no effort of trickery. Nothing could be better than this play working, because it means we’re one degree of separation away from Smith hiding the ball in his shirt.
Punters are people BOOM
This isn’t just for a punter, it’s for every punter who’s been called non-athletic, laughed at or otherwise written off as “not a real player”.
Pat McAfee should start talking in the third person following this hit on Trindon Holliday, that's how impressive it was. Sure, let's ignore the fact he should have been flagged for leading with his head (which would have been hilarious) but there's no doubt McAfee did something every punter left in the dust wish they could have.
Pat, what is best in life?
To crush Trinton Holliday, see him driven out of bounds, and to hear the lament of the Broncos.
Good, good.
NOT THE TOP PLAY: You got this buddy, right?
This play is beautiful in its simplicity. Make all your reads like a good quarterback, scan the field from touchdown to check down, then find the open man. It’s a great idea in theory, except when your running back is SITTING ON THE GROUND when you elect to throw the ball to him.
Brandon Weeden is at his most Weeden in this play. A seemingly incomprehensible quarterback that can find players down field in tight windows on one down, then choose to throw to a guy who's completely out of play.
There’s nothing more to say, Willis McGahee’s reaction sums up the event.
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