In an offbeat season, handing out unusual awards
Ahead of real honors, the AP gives its nods for season’s unofficial prizes
The Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on Feb. 10 at NFL Honors in Los Angeles. Until then, here are some off-the-beaten track honors to consider.
BEST GAME
Week 8, Packers 24, Cardinals 21. Overcoming injuries, COVID-19 issues and the absence of top receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, Green Bay held on. Rasul Douglas, who has had a terrific comeback season, closed it out by picking off Kyler Murray in the end zone with 12 seconds remaining after the Cardinals had a goal-line stand and began a final drive from their 1. Arizona receiver A.J. Green never turned around to see the pass.
Runner-up: Week 11, Chargers 41, Steelers 37. Mike Williams’ 3-yard TD reception won it after Los Angeles blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead.
WORST GAME
Week 9, Jaguars 9, Bills 6. You knew the Jaguars would be involved, but this was in a very rare victory. Who loses to Jacksonville? The Bills did by turning over the ball three times and settling for two field goals, becoming the first team to lose to the Jaguars in a game played in North America this season.
Runner-up: Week 8, Patriots 54, Jets 13. The Patriots ran up the score in a non-competitive game from the first snap. Bad message. New York lost firstround QB Zach Wilson to injury.
BEST CELEBRATION
Week 12, Bengals 41, Steelers 10. Motown, Baby, thanks to Joe Mixon. Mixon ran for 165 yards and two TDs.
Runner-up: Week 15, Dolphins 31, Jets 24. Miami’s Christian Wilkins. The 310pound defensive lineman caught a TD pass, jumped into the stands and then did “The Worm” to celebrate.
WORST CELEBRATION
Week 14, Chiefs 48, Raiders 9. The Raiders danced on the Chiefs logo before the game, fumbled on the first play from scrimmage for a Kansas City touchdown, and disappeared.
Runner-up: Week 5, Packers 25, Bengals 22. Hey Evan McPherson, don’t celebrate when you miss the big kick.
BEST PLAY OF THE YEAR
Week 3, Ravens 19, Lions 17. Special teams get the nod. Not only did Justin Tucker set an NFL record with his 66-yard field goal — so appropriate for perhaps the greatest kicker the game has seen — but it won the game.
Runner-up: Ever see someone actually slap down a punt like blocking a
shot in basketball? Try Corey Clements in Dallas’ 56-14 romp past Washington in Week 16.
WORST PLAY OF THE YEAR
Week 3, Cardinals 31, Jaguars 19. Surprised it’s the Jags? No you aren’t. The Jags led 19-17 late in the third quarter when they tried a flea-flicker that included a “whirlybird” move by left guard Andrew Norwell. J.J. Watt blew up the too-cute play and forced an errant throw that Byron Murphy intercepted and returned for the go-ahead touchdown. Pretty much sums up Jacksonville’s dysfunctional season.
Runner-up: Week 16, Colts 22, Cardinals 16. Kyler Murray couldn’t handle a low snap from the Arizona 11, picked it up in the end zone and hurled it. Unfortunately for Arizona, grounding was called, resulting in a safety.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (OFFENSE)
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The team’s turnaround has been built on the running game, but Hurts’ running and passing in his second season also have been key.
Runner-up: Falcons RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, whose previous eight seasons were built on special teams contributions. He’s been a dynamic presence in Atlanta.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (DEFENSE)
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, an interception and coverage specialist in his second pro season.
Runner-up: Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, finally healthy in his third NFL campaign.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER (OFFENSE)
Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who can’t stay healthy for a full season and has been unproductive when in the lineup. Blame the Giants’ offensive line, too, but Barkley was considered a generational player and won the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Runner-up: Cam Newton. He was hailed as a potential savior in Carolina, where he won the 2015 NFL MVP award. Instead, the quarterback’s return was a failure.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER (DEFENSE)
Linebacker Von Miller, Rams. The perennial All-Pro candidate had little impact in 2021 in both Denver and Los Angeles, though his best game came last weekend. Maybe he will continue that and make his mark in the playoffs.
Runner-up: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Eagles. Signed to bolster a defense in need of his skills on the edge, Kerrigan barely contributed in Philly’s turnaround season.
MOST SURPRISING TEAM
Has to be Cincinnati, no matter where it ends up at season’s end. Bungles no more.
Runner-up: Philadelphia, which got things headed in the right direction when it devoted the offense to the ground game.
MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM
A slam dunk for the Seahawks, a perennial playoff team and AFC West winner who never were in contention in 2021.
Runner-up: So many teams underachieved due to injuries and COVID-19. The next-biggest flop probably was Cleveland, which hasn’t built on last season’s rare playoff appearance.