NFL Week 17 awards: Packers rejoice as Aaron Rodgers runs table
Awards, observations and a quick review of Week 17 in the NFL ...
Stud of the week — Aaron Rodgers: Mission accomplished. The Green Bay Packers quarterback surely did his part to back up his claim from six weeks ago that his team was capable of rebounding from a 4-6 funk and running the table. Rodgers was brilliant in the win at Detroit that clinched the NFC North title and became the first passer in franchise history to pass for 300 yards and four TDs in consecutive weeks. There may be no hotter player in the NFL. Since his psychic statement, Rodgers has passed for 15 TDs without a single interception. In fact, Rodgers, who finished the regular season with an NFL-high 40 TD passes, has a streak of seven games without an INT. Now, as the playoffs commence, there’s another table to try to run.
Defensive player of the week — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: The New York Giants cornerback intercepted Kirk Cousins twice, including a game-sealing job late in the fourth quarter, to help end Washington’s season. DRC was representative of a larger picture as New York came to play rather than go through the motions, which meant all sorts of trouble inflicted on Cousins and Co. by the Giants’ vastly improved defense.
Special teamer of the week — Tyreek Hill: The phenomenal Kansas City Chiefs rookie added to his sparkling resume with a 95-yard punt return touchdown at San Diego. It may seem redundant to cite another long TD by the fifth-round pick, but his exploits can’t be taken for granted. He’s scored four different ways — rushing, receiving, on punt returns, on a kickoff return — as the master of the long strike. Now he joins Dante Hall as the only players since the 1970 merger with TDs of at least 60 yards in four consecutive games.
Rookie of the week — Geronimo Allison: There’s no better way for a young receiver to earn the trust of Rodgers than to know the assignments — which includes being in the right place when the Packers quarterback improvises to make a play. Allison, stepping up with Randall Cobb sidelined, caught four passes for 91 yards in the win at Detroit and embodied the benefit of being a quick study as he executed the scramble drill to perfection to create a window in the end zone for a 10-yard scoring strike. The undrafted free agent from Illinois also had two huge catches for big chunks of 31 and 39 yards.
Comeback player of the week — Tony Romo: The Dallas Cowboys quarterback played only one series during the loss at Philadelphia, but that was enough. Romo’s sharp cameo (3-for-4, 29 yards) ended with a touchdown pass and proved meaningful in his first live action in a regular-season game since November 2015. After so much drama in recent months, with Romo not getting his job back from rookie Dak Prescott, it was quite the feel-good moment for the veteran and the team. That Romo emerged unscathed physically was even more significant. If needed for an emergency in the playoffs, he demonstrated that he’s ready as an A-plus option.
This week’s genius — Ben McAdoo: While it was widely envisioned that New York, with no incentive to improve its playoff seeding, would play it safe in the regular-season finale at Washington, the Giants coach had other ideas ... like playing to win. McAdoo played the majority of his starters for the bulk of the game, though he wisely removed Odell Beckham Jr. in the second half as Washington nemesis Josh Norman tried to bait the star receiver into risky business. In any event, by going all-out — reminiscent of the Giants' effort against the 16-0 Patriots in the 2007 finale — McAdoo’s team proved that there was indeed something to play for after a Week 16 stinker of a loss at Philadelphia, namely momentum. Now New York will head to Lambeau Field for its playoff opener with a decidedly better vibe that includes slamming the door shut on Washington’s playoff hopes.
Boneheaded blunder — Mike Gillislee: The Buffalo Bills running back has been in the NFL for three years — definitely long enough to know better than to allow a short kickoff to bounce around unclaimed, especially as the coverage team bears down. Yet Gillislee watched the football roll around into the end zone before trying to make a play on it — way too late. He reacted as if he might have on a punt. The New York Jets' Doug Middleton recovered the type of gift-wrapped touchdown you might not even see on the high school level … compliments of Gillislee.
How ya like me now? Michael Floyd, claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots after being dumped by the Arizona Cardinals following a DUI arrest in mid-December, looks like the latest veteran to revive his career under Bill Belichick. Floyd scored his first touchdown as a Pat in the win at Miami on a powerful 14-yard reception as he bulled his way into the end zone. Then he made an even bigger highlight, crushing a Dolphins defender on an open-field block that sprung Julian Edelman for a 77-yard touchdown jaunt.
Did you notice? Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz ended his season with an NFL rookie record for completions (379), topping Sam Bradford’s 2010 mark of 354. Wentz also might have a mark for winning over officials to draw the types of flags that Cam Newton never seems to get. In the defeat of Dallas, Wentz whined and drew a penalty that was technically a blow to the head, yet in reality was merely a case when Cowboys pass rusher Randy Gregory grazed Wentz’s helmet. The flag came late after Wentz ran out of bounds and pleaded his case by gesturing to his facemask. In Week 16, he drew a flag with a flop after he was barely touched by a defender after sliding to the turf — selling the "infraction" by flailing backwards. If you’re Newton, who gets clobbered too often without calls, these are the double-standard examples that must burn.
Stat’s the fact: The Houston Texans (9-7) won the AFC South despite being outscored 328-279. According to ESPN, that represents the third-worst point differential (minus-49) by a division champion since the 1970 merger.
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Follow NFL columnist Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell
PHOTOS: Week 17 NFL action