On Football: Some 2017 NFL memories, good and bad
ing game. More than 2 inches of snow crusting the field. And a fan base that celebrated by making snowmen in the stands.
Give us more of that!
BEST PLAY OF THE YEAR: Tyreek Hill vs. Cowboys. The Kansas City receiver, as dangerous as anyone in the league when he has the ball, took a short pass from Alex Smith at the end of the first half and weaved through pretty much the entire Dallas defence to somehow beat the prevent D for a touchdown.
Runners-up: Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s interception vs. the Falcons in Week 16. If you recall Julian Edelman’s sensational grab in the Super Bowl in February, also victimizing Atlanta, this one was similarly magical.
And don’t forget - how could you if you saw it? - Deandre Hopkins tapping the ball with his right hand to himself over a Pittsburgh defender in the end zone, then grabbing the ball with the left hand as he barely came down inbounds.
WORST PLAY OF THE YEAR: Seattle opted against a 35-yard field goal attempt by Blair Walsh at the end of the first half against Atlanta, even though the kick would have pulled the Seahawks within 24-20. Instead, holder Jon Ryan completed a shovel pass to tight end Luke Willson, but Grady Jarrett read the play and tackled Willson for a 4-yard loss.
The Seahawks lost the game, giving the Falcons a key tiebreaker edge for a playoff berth.
Runners- up: Marcus Cooper’s showboating at the end of a blocked kick that should have been a touchdown, turned into a touchback. Leon Lett II.
BEST COACHING MOVE: In a victory that set them up for a superb season, the Eagles positioned unheralded kicker Jake Elliott, new to the team, for a potential winning field goal. Doug Pederson showed faith in the rookie, who nailed a 61-yarder for the first of nine consecutive wins.
Runners- up: Mike Zimmer sticking with Case Keenum as his quarterback; coaches who entrusted their running game to rookies.
WORST COACHING MOVE: Has to be a tie here, though one move cost a coach his job.
Ben Mcadoo benched Giants icon, Eli Manning, and somehow management was on board. The backlash was loud and nasty, and a week later, it was Mcadoo who was out as coach. Manning was back behind centre, too.
At the Chargers in November, Bills coach Sean Mcdermott benched starting QB Tyrod Taylor in favour of rookie Nate Peterman. The kid was in way too deep: Peterman threw five interceptions in the first half. IN THE FIRST HALF!
Runner- up: Denver’s Vance Joseph insisting on sticking with Isaiah Mckenzie as his punt returner. Results included fumbling six times, including a punt for a safety against Miami.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (Defence): Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys. Dallas has pegged him as its next great pass rusher, and he came through in style this season with 14 1/2 sacks. He’s the kind of player to build a defensive line around.
Runners- up: Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue, who somehow didn’t get voted to the Pro Bowl; teammate CB Jalen Ramsey; Titans safety Kevin Byard, also a non-pro Bowler.