Other Awards (Performances, Games, Moments, Douches, and Memories)
Best Single Game Performance of the Year
12. Kurt Coleman-SS-Philadelphia (Week 6 at Was, Win, 20-13)
11. Calvin Johnson-WR-Detroit (WC Round at NO, Loss, 28-45)
10. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (WC Round vs. Det, Win, 45-28)
9. Calvin Johnson-WR-Detroit (Week 15 at Oak, Win, 28-27)
8. Wes Welker-WR-New England (Week 3 at Buf, Loss, 31-34)
7. Rob Gronkowski-TE-New England (Div Round vs. Den, Win, 45-10)
6. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (Week 15 at Min, Win, 42-20)
5. Tom Brady-QB-New England (Week 1 at Mia, Win, 38-24)
4. Cam Newton-QB-Carolina (Week 16 vs. TB, Win 48-16)
3. Tom Brady-QB-New England (Div Round vs. Den, Win, 45-10)
2. Jason Pierre-Paul-DE-New York Giants (Week 14 at Dal, Win, 37-34)
1. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (Week 7 vs. Ind, Win, 62-7)
Comments: I based these mainly on the overall individual performance, also taking into account the importance of the game, and of course, whether or not the performance led to a win. There were hundreds of impressive individual efforts to choose from. I could have easily come up with a different 12, or at the very least, come up with a different order. But I think this is a solid list.
Here’s a quick review of each individual performance.
12. Kurt Coleman-SS-Philadelphia (Week 6 at Was, Win, 20-13)
Coleman posted 7-5-2 with 3 picks and 3 PD. He’s interceptions came at the Philly 4-yard line; the Philly 5-yard line; and the Philly 30-yard line.
11. Calvin Johnson-WR-Detroit (WC Round at NO, Loss, 28-45)
Johnson kept the Lions in the game, catching 12 passes for 211 yards and 2 TD’s. He made catches for 21 yards (x 2), 22 yards, and 42 yards.
10. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (WC Round vs. Det, Win, 45-28)
The Lions couldn’t stop Brees, as he completed 33 of 43 passes for 466 yards, 3 TD’s, and no picks. He did lose a fumble but he posted a 134.4 rating.
9. Calvin Johnson-WR-Detroit (Week 15 at Oak, Win, 28-27)
Johnson was unstoppable, helping bring the Lions back for a huge win that kept their playoff hopes from taking a major hit. He hauled in 9 passes for 214 yards and 2 TD’s in the victory. CJ caught passes for 21 yards, 24 yards (x 2), 48 yards, and a 51-yard TD. He also caused big pass interference penalties on Detroit’s last 2 drives. Johnson caught a 6-yard TD pass to put the Lions up by a point with only 39 seconds to go.
8. Wes Welker-WR-New England (Week 3 at Buf, Loss, 31-34)
Although Welker’s huge day came in one of the worst losses of the season, he has to be included in any sort of top individual performance list. And it wasn’t anything Welker did that kept the Patriots from winning. Welker made 16 catches for 217 yards and 2 TD’s. He caught passes for 20 yards, 23 yards, 24 yards, and 33 yards and also had a 19-yard run.
7. Rob Gronkowski-TE-New England (Div Round vs. Den, Win, 45-10)
Gronk had a number of big days this season, but this was a playoff game, and he did most of his damage in 1 half. Gronkowski just couldn’t be stopped. Tom Brady would just fire the ball over the middle and Gronkowski would snag it, regardless of what the Denver defense tried to do. He made 10 catches for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns, catching passes of 20 and 28 yards.
6. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (Week 15 at Min, Win, 42-20)
Brees had a dozen or so big games in 2011 and this was just one random afternoon against the Vikings. However, from a pure numbers standpoint, this one really stands out. He completed 32 of 40 passes for 412 yards and 5 touchdowns against no picks. Brees did lose a fumble but he posted a 149.2 rating.
5. Tom Brady-QB-New England (Week 1 at Mia, Win, 38-24)
Brady had several huge games during the regular season, but nothing topped his performance in the season opener at Miami. He completed 32 of 48 passes for 517 yards and 4 TD’s against 1 pick, posting a 121.6 rating.
4. Cam Newton-QB-Carolina (Week 16 vs. TB, Win 48-16)
Newton had a number of awesome individual games during his regular season, but in terms of efficiency and avoiding mistakes, this was his best. It did come against the Bucs, but still, the numbers are silly. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 171 yards and 3 TD’s against no INT, posting a 142.4 rating. Newton also ran 6 times for 65 yards and another score. He had a 91-yard TD pass and a 49-yard TD run in the same game.
3. Tom Brady-QB-New England (Div Round vs. Den, Win, 45-10)
Brady had a performance for the ages against the Broncos in the playoffs, and he did most of the damage before halftime. Brady did fire one pick but other than that he was close to perfect, completing 26 of 34 passes for 363 yards and 6 touchdowns, posting a 137.6 rating. He ran 3 times for 8 yards and also had a 48-yard punt downed at the 10.
2. Jason Pierre-Paul-DE-New York Giants (Week 14 at Dal, Win, 37-34)
JPP’s performance in this must-win game has already been detailed but it’s worth looking at again. Stats do not begin to explain the impact he had on the game, but for what it’s worth, Pierre-Paul recorded 8 tackles (6 solo and 2 ast), 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 safety, 1 stuff, and 1 blocked kick.
Early in the 1st quarter JPP dropped Tony Romo in the end zone for a sack of -9 yards and a safety to put the Giants up 2-0. They got the ball back after the kick and got a FG to go up 5-0.
With 1:38 left in the half and the Giants down 14-12, the Cowboys took over deep in their own territory. On the first play of the possession, JPP hit Felix Jones at the 9 and forced a fumble which New York recovered at the 14. The turnover led to a FG to put the Giants ahead again, 15-14.
Late in the 3rd quarter with the Giants leading 22-20, Dallas had a 3rd and 9 at their own 46 when JPP sacked Romo for a loss of 3, forcing a punt. In the 4th quarter, JPP recorded a TFL for a loss of yard, but on the next play the Cowboys scored a 50-yard TD to increase their lead to 34-22 with just 4:41 to go.
After the Giants cut the deficit to 34-29, the Cowboys had a 2nd and 5 from their 25 when JPP shutdown a running play for no gain. The Giants called timeout with 2:25, and on the next play Romo and Miles Austin couldn’t hook up, and the Cowboys had to punt it back to the Giants.
Finally, with the Giants leading by 3, the Cowboys lined up for a 47-yard FG with 6 seconds left. JPP blocked the kick, sealing the win for the Giants and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
1. Drew Brees-QB-New Orleans (Week 7 vs. Ind, Win, 62-7)
It may seem weird to go from a performance in one of the biggest games of the year to a performance in a non-competitive game against one of the worst teams in football. But Drew Brees’ performance against the Colts on Sunday night in week 7 was as close to perfect as I’ve seen in the NFL. Brees completed 31 of 35 passes (just 4 incompletions all game) for 325 yards, 5 TD’s, and no picks, posting a 144.9 rating.
Biggest “What the Fuck?” Performance of the Year
12. Demaryius Thomas-WR-Denver (WC Round vs. Pit, Win, 29-23 [OT])
11. Jared Cook-TE-Tennessee (Week 16 vs. Jax, Win, 23-17)
10. Willis McGahee-RB-Denver (Week 9 at Oak, Win, 38-24)
9. Antwan Barnes-OLB-San Diego (Week 15 vs. Bal, Win, 34-14)
8. Kamerion Wimbley-OLB-Oakland (Week 10 at SD, Win, 24-17)
7. Denarius Moore-WR-Oakland (Week 2 at Buf, Loss, 35-38)
6. Donald Brown-RB-Indianapolis (Week 15 vs. Ten, Win, 27-13)
5. DeMarco Murray-RB-Dallas (Week 7 vs. STL, Win, 34-7)
4. Cam Newton-QB-Carolina (Week 1 at Ari, Loss, 21-28)
3. Tim Tebow-QB-Denver (WC Round vs. Pit, Win, 29-23 [OT])
2. Kevin Smith-RB-Detroit (Week 11 vs. Car, Win, 49-35)
1. Matt Flynn-QB-Green Bay (Week 17 vs. Det, Win, 45-41)
Comments: This list is for performances that came out of nowhere. For this list I did take into account the importance of the game and whether or not the performance led to a win, but the most important qualification is that the performance was wholly unexpected.
Here’s a quick review of each performance.
12. Demaryius Thomas-WR-Denver (WC Round vs. Pit, Win, 29-23 [OT])
Thomas had a couple of 100-yard receiving games during the year, including his 4 catch for 144 yards and 2 TD performance against Minnesota, but he had only 551 yards and 4 TD’s all regular season. And his performance in the playoffs came as a part of Denver’s stunning win over Pittsburgh, and against one of the best and most respected defenses in the game.
Thomas caught 4 passes for 204 yards and a TD, making catches of 15 yards, 51 yards, 58 yards, and 80 yards. Thomas’ big day began at a key point in the 2nd quarter, with Denver trailing 6-0. WR Eric Decker caught a 21-yard pass but was rocked by James Harrison and knocked out of the game. The catch was overturned by replay, setting up 3rd and 12 for the Broncos at their own 18. Thomas caught a 51 yard pass to give the Broncos a 1st down at the Pittsburgh 31, and 2 plays later Denver scored to take a 7-6 lead.
After a Pittsburgh 3-and-out, the Broncos faced 2nd and 7 from their own 30 when Thomas caught a pass for 58 yards and a 1st down at the 12. Two plays later the Broncos scored again to go up 14-6.
With just over 8 minutes remaining in the 4th and the Broncos leading 23-16, Thomas caught a pass on 3rd and 8 from the Denver 33 for 15 yards and a big 1st down at the 48. On the next play, however, Willis McGahee fumbled to open the door for the Steelers.
Finally, on the first play of overtime, Thomas caught a deep slant over the middle and went all the way for an 80-yard TD, giving the Broncos a 29-23 win.
11. Jared Cook-TE-Tennessee (Week 16 vs. Jax, Win, 23-17)
This one is slightly questionable because Cook caught 9 passes for 103 yards just the week before. However, averaged just 47.4 yards per game and had 3 total TD’s all season, so this was a huge game for him. He had amassed only 435 yards and 1 TD in 30 games prior to this season.
On this day Cook was targeted 8 times and each time he made the catch, racking up 169 yards and a touchdown to help keep Tennessee’s playoff hopes alive. Cook scored on a 55-yard TD in the 1st quarter to make it 10-0.
Then with the Titans leading 23-17 with 3:24 left and the Jags down to their last timeout, Cook caught a pass on 3rd and 5 from the Tennessee 22 for 29 yards and a 1st down at the Jacksonville 49 to just about wrap it up. He caught passes for 24, 29, and 54 yards in the game.
10. Willis McGahee-RB-Denver (Week 9 at Oak, Win, 38-24)
This was the game that really turned Denver’s season around. McGahee rushed 20 times for 163 yards and 2 TD’s averaging 8.2 yards per carry. He had only 4 TD’s during the regular season and his next best single game rushing total was 125 yards.
Late in the 3rd with the Broncos down 7, McGahee broke free for a 60-yard TD to tie the score 24-24. With the Broncos leading by 7 with just over 2 minutes to go, McGahee scored on a 24-yard TD run to put the game away.
9. Antwan Barnes-OLB-San Diego (Week 15 vs. Bal, Win, 34-14)
Barnes recorded 6 tackles (5 solo and 1 ast) and 4 sacks against the Ravens in San Diego’s big win on Sunday night to keep the Chargers in the playoff hunt. He had only 7 sacks in his other 15 games combined.
8. Kamerion Wimbley-OLB-Oakland (Week 10 at SD, Win, 24-17)
Wimbley recorded 7 solo tackles, 4 sacks, and a PD in Oakland’s win. He had only 3 sacks in his other 15 games combined. Wimbley racked up -27 yards in sacks. His first two sacks came on 3rd downs. His 3rd sack came as the Chargers were trying to mount a scoring drive late in the 1st half.
In the middle of the 3rd quarter, Wimbley broke up a pass on 3rd and 7 from the Oakland 28, and the Chargers wound up missing a FG try. Finally, Wimbley notched his 4th sack with the Chargers at the 50-yard line and only 14 seconds to go to seal the win.
7. Denarius Moore-WR-Oakland (Week 2 at Buf, Loss, 35-38)
Moore was drafted in the 5th round and did not catch a single pass in week 1. In week 2, he caught 5 passes for 146 yards and a TD, and also had a 25-yard run. He caught passes for 20, 24, 42, and 50 yard gains, accounting for 5 of Oakland’s 7 biggest plays in the game.
6. Donald Brown-RB-Indianapolis (Week 15 vs. Ten, Win, 27-13)
Brown ran 16 times for 161 yards and a TD and caught 1 pass for 2 yards to help the Colts get their first win of the season. He ran for only 645 yards in 16 games this season and prior to this game he had only hit the 100-yard mark once in 37 career games. His next best rushing total this season was 80 yards.
He had a 39-yard run to setup a FG early in the 4th, giving the Colts a 20-6 lead. With 3:43 to go and the lead cut to 20-13 after a Tennessee score, Brown took the ball on the first play of the ensuing Indy possession and went 80 yards for a score to put the game away.
5. DeMarco Murray-RB-Dallas (Week 7 vs. STL, Win, 34-7)
Through 5 games, rookie RB DeMarco Murray had carried the ball 25 times for 73 yards and no touchdowns, averaging 2.92 yards per carry. Against the Rams, Murray ran 25 times for 253 yards and a TD, setting the Dallas single game rushing record. His next best total this season was 139 yards. On the day, Murray had a 43-yard run and a 91-yard TD, accounting for 4 of Dallas’ 6 biggest plays.
4. Cam Newton-QB-Carolina (Week 1 at Ari, Loss, 21-28)
Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy in 2010 and he was the #1 overall pick in last year’s draft, so obviously he wasn’t a total secret. But considering this was his first NFL game after an abbreviated training camp and preseason, the numbers he put up were still a bit of a shock. Newton completed 24 of 37 passes for 422 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT, posting a 110.4 rating. He also ran 8 times for 18 yards and a score, and did all he could to lead the Panthers to a win.
3. Tim Tebow-QB-Denver (WC Round vs. Pit, Win, 29-23 [OT])
Tim Tebow did not have many impressive statistical games. His biggest passing day during the regular season was against the Bears, when he threw for 236 yards on 40 attempts in an overtime win. Against the Steelers—one of the best and most respected defenses in the game—Tebow completed 10 of 21 passes for 316 yards, 2 TD’s, and no INT’s, leading the Broncos to a stunning win in his first playoff game. He posted a 125.6 rating and also ran 10 times for 50 yards and another score without taking a sack. His 80-yard TD to Demaryius Thomas won the game in OT.
2. Kevin Smith-RB-Detroit (Week 11 vs. Car, Win, 49-35)
After a standout career at UCF, Smith played in 16 games for the Lions in 2008 and 13 in 2009. He played in just 6 games in 2010, rushing for a total of 133 yards and 0 TD’s on 34 carries. His season ended after week 10 of the 2010 season. When the Lions got thin at RB this season Smith made a comeback, rushing for 19 yards on 4 carries and catching 2 passes for 10 yards against the Bears in week 10.
Going into the game against the Panthers Smith had played in 36 career NFL games and had rushed for 100 yards just 3 times, with a career best of 112 yards, and he hadn’t rushed for over 100 yards since week 3 of the 2009 season. He had just 1 career 2 TD game and only had 1 career receiving TD. He had not scored a TD since week 13 of the 2009 season and that was his only TD in his last 16 games.
Against the Panthers, Smith ran 16 times for 140 yards and 2 TD’s and also caught 4 passes for 61 yards and another score as the Lions came from down 24-7 to win. His day started slowly, as his only production in the 1st quarter was 1 catch for 15 yards. Everything else came in the final 3 quarters. On the 1st play of the 2nd quarter Smith broke off a 43-yard run. On the next play he caught a pass for a 28-yard TD. He accounted for 5 of Detroit’s biggest 7 plays in the game.
1. Matt Flynn-QB-Green Bay (Week 17 vs. Det, Win, 45-41)
Drafted out of LSU in the 7th round, Matt Flynn attempted just 5 passes as a rookie in 2008 and just 12 more in 2009. He got much more action in 2010, completing 40 of 66 passes for 433 yards, 3 TD’s, and 2 INT’s. He played well in place of Aaron Rodgers against the Patriots late in the season, completing 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards and 3 TD’s against 1 pick.
Through 16 games in 2011, Flynn had attempted only 5 passes. The Packers had the #1 seed in the NFC wrapped up going into week 17, so Flynn would make his 2nd career start in the final game of the year against the Lions, who were looking to clinch the #5 seed with a win.
Flynn shredded Detroit’s defense, completing 31 of 44 passes for 6 touchdowns against only 1 INT. He did lose a fumble but he posted a 136.4 rating in helping the Packers stun the Lions. GB fell behind 9-0 early, but Flynn led the Packers back and kept them in the shootout against Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and the rest of the Lions.
Trailing 41-38 with 2:39 to play, Flynn led the Packers on an 8-play, 80-yard drive in just 1:29, completing 5 of 7 passes for 78 yards along the way, including a 4-yard TD to Jermichael Finley that put the Packers on top for good, 45-41, with just 1:10 left on the clock.
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