Week 14 of NFL Football produced high energy from some of the younger talents of the league. A few players would even have career firsts! Not only did this week invite solid performances, but also potentially offered hope to franchises at large.
Mecole Hardman
In a matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City wide receiver Mecole Hardman showed off his explosive running talent for a 67-yard punt return touchdown, tacking on the Chiefs’ 2nd touchdown in only 62 seconds! This season marks Hardman’s second in the league. In 2019, Hardman climbed the top 10 list of fastest ball carriers in the NFL. In a regular-season game against the Tennessee Titans, Hardman ran for a 63-yard touchdown reception, reaching a speed of 21.87 mph! As a goal to improve his speed, Hardman spent the summer training with former Chiefs RB Derrick Blaylock. Blaylock released a video on Twitter showcasing Hardman reaching 23mph on his first day of training! Additionally, Hardman would go 3 for 3 for 40 yards in receiving in the Chiefs 5th AFC West division win.
Scotty Miller
On a 3rd down play, Tampa Bay wide receiver Scotty Miller received a 48-yard bullet from QB Tom Brady, his season long, for the Bucs first touchdown of the game vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Miller would run downfield in a foot race against Vikings defensive tackle Chris Jones before making the outstanding catch at the end zone, and the cannons roared! The Buccaneers would go on to seal a 26-14 victory. Miller is beginning to settle in more in his second season under the leadership of 6x Super Bowl Champ Tom Brady, even putting on a 109-yard performance with the Bucs in Week 7.
AJ Brown
Despite defensive pressure from Jacksonville cornerback Sidney Jones, Tennessee wide receiver A.J. Brown would make an exceptional one-handed grab in the end zone for the first score of the game! Brown was drafted by the Titans in 2019 and quickly rose to one of the league’s most elite receivers and one of Tannehill’s favorite targets. In his rookie season last year, Brown led the Titans in every core receiving category, totaling 52 catches for 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns. Brown has only improved in scoring this season with nine touchdowns and three games left to play of the 2020 regular season. As the pace had been set early in the matchup, the Titans would only continue to a 31-10 win.
Derrick Henry
King Henry or King James? Up four just before the half in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Tennessee Titan running back found a window and jumped slap through it for a 36-yard touchdown run! After landing for the TD, Henry celebrated with the classic Lebron James move, taking sharp high-knee steps while thrusting both arms downward with flat palms, followed by three chest pounds, and a final clench of his fists. Lebron James posted a clip of the play on his Instagram, writing, “YESSIR!!!!!…” HIT EM WITH THE ‘SILENCER’” as he narrated Henry’s “Silencer” rendition. Henry topped Sunday’s win in Jacksonville with 215 rushing yards, pushing him to 1,532 yards for the season. To put that into perspective, Henry finished 1st in NFL rushing in the 2019 season with 1,540 yards. Titans still have three games ahead for the 2020 season.
Kenny Moore
Indianapolis cornerback Kenny Moore completely silenced a prospective Derek Carr touchdown drive in an end-zone interception. The Raiders had only been down three with a little over 3 minutes left to play before the half. Carr used a five minute, 62-yard drive to get his team into the red zone. Moore not only denied Carr’s pass to Las Vegas tight end Darren Waller but backpedaled into the end zone before rotating his body to make the miraculous one-handed side catch for the interception! The Colts would have a 44-27 victory over the Raiders.
Chase Young
As a rookie, Chase Young has been a name that has gone a bit more unheard throughout the league. Nevertheless, the rookie has been having a profoundly positive impact on the Washington football franchise. After Washington defensive tackle Daron Payne forced a QB fumble, rookie defensive end Chase Young quickly cut across to scoop up the loose ball before making a break for it for a 47-yard touchdown run! This would mark Young’s first NFL touchdown. The previous No.2 2020 draft pick would finish the game with six tackles, a sack, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and his stunning 47-yard fumble return. The win against the San Francisco 49ers would put Washington 1stin the NFC East and issue an added appreciation to one Chase Young.
Jalen Hurts
Last but certainly not least, former Sooner Jalen Hurts made a special name for himself in Philly in his NFL start. Hurts would finish the game throwing 17 for 30 for 167 yards with a touchdown. The QB would additionally put his feet to work, with 18 carries for 106 yards. He would become the first quarterback over the past 70 years to throw a touchdown pass, and rush for 100 yards in his first career start! Hurts would also be the first Eagles QB to have a 100-yard rushing performance since Michael Vick in 2010.
Hurts has had one of the more unique stories in the NFL in his road to the league. Despite two phenomenal first years as head coach Nick Saban’s youngest starter, Hurts was benched his junior year at Alabama, leaving only one year of eligibility at which he finished with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Hurts was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 53rd pick in the 2ndround. Many were shocked by this Eagles decision, but Sunday night’s game proved that it was arguably one of the best calls the Eagles could have made. Considering current quarterback Carson Wentz’ performance with the Eagles so far this season, the franchise might have found a saving grace in Jalen Hurts.
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