NFL Gamechangers, the column that brings you the biggest plays that you won’t see on the highlights. These are the plays and players that changed the outcome of the games this weekend, but really don’t get the fanfare or hype that they deserve given their key role in the outcome of the game. Of course touchdowns are important, but these are plays that help to set up those touchdowns and give a team momentum throughout the course of the day.
credit: Johnathan Mastrella, Flickr CCMiami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (Jarius Byrd): The Buffalo Bills defense has been atrocious this season, there really is no other way to describe it. The acquisition of Mario Williams for big money this offseason has really not worked out as planned. That said there has been one member of that defense who has been outstanding all season long, and playing at a pro bowl level. That is Free Safety Jarius Byrd. On Thursday, the Bills had their best defensive performance of the season, and once again Byrd was heavily involved. On the Dolphins third possession of the game, with the Bills leading 7-0 Brian Hartline caught the ball over the middle and had a first down at midfield, suddenly Byrd was there, stripping him of the ball and setting up the Bills with great field position, from which they would take a 10-0 lead. He followed that up in the fourth quarter, with the Bills clinging to a 5 point lead and the Dolphins driving, he made a tremendous diving interception on a Ryan Tannehill pass, to snuff out the drive and kill any chance of a Miami comeback. Those two plays are enough that I can give Byrd a well deserved shout out as a game changer who is not getting enough love this season due to the poor play of some of his defensive teammates.
Cleveland Browns @ Dallas Cowboys (Dwayne Harris): This game was 20-20 in overtime and both teams had stalled drives when our game changer showed up. With Cleveland pinned in their own territory, Reggie Hodges came out to punt. Dwayne Harris took the punt and made a couple of nice moves eventually getting out to the right sideline and taking the return for 20 yards to the Cleveland 48 yard line. This isn’t a return that will make the highlights, he didn’t take the ball the length of the field for the Touchdown, but it was a solid 20 yard return that set up the Cowboys in Cleveland territory needing only a field goal to win the game. A few minutes later it was Dan Bailey kicking that Field Goal and the ‘Boys winning. Anytime you get start on the opponents side of mid-field, needing only a Field Goal to win, you’ve got yourself a game changer.
credit: Jeff Wilson, Flickr CCArizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons (Tony Gonzalez): Another week, another win for the Falcons and another game changing play by legendary Tight End Tony Gonzalez. Matt Ryan had a rough day yesterday throwing 5 interceptions in the game. In the fourth quarter the Falcons were down by 3, and had a 3rd and 5 at the Arizona 10 yard line. If they didn’t convert this play, they would kick a Field Goal and tie the game. Instead Ryan found his safety blanket, the old reliable tight end, Tony Gonzalez, getting a nine yard gain and first and goal at the 1 yard line. 1 play later, Michael Turner would run in what would turn out to be the game winning touchdown.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans: (Mike Mularkey’s Gamble) With 2:30 to play in Overtime and the game tied, the Jaguars decided that it was better to take a gamble and try to win the game, even if it was risky, than to play the conservative game and end up tied. It was a 4th and 10 at the Houston 47. Now most teams would punt the ball away, hope for a 3 and out, and try to get the ball back one more time and get the win. However chances are a punt means a tie in this situation as we saw in the 49ers/Rams game last week. The Jags decided to go for it, and Chad Henne’s pass was incomplete. The Texans capitalized as two plays later Matt Schaub found Andre Johnson for the Touchdown. While this was a game changer, I must say I actually liked Mike Mularkey’s call here. You are a 1-8 team playing an 8-1 team and giving them all they can handle. A victory over a division rival in their building is probably the biggest game you’ll win all year. A tie is nothing but a disappointment. The Jags had nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I applaud Mularkey here, even if his ballsy move didn’t pay off, and ends up as a gamechanger.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Brett Keisel): With Baltimore clinging to a 3 point lead and just over 2 minutes left in the game, they faced a 3rd and 7 at their own 38 yard line. A key play as the Steelers had no timeouts left and one first down would certainly seal the game for the Ravens. It appeared that Lamar Woodley had come up with a big sack of Joe Flacco forcing the Ravens to punt right at the 2 minute warning. Instead, Brett Keisel had gone offside. (Side Note: LWOS is checking into rumors that Keisel’s beard was lined up in the neutral zone). This penalty gave the Ravens a 3rd and 2, but more importantly moved the clock to the 2 minute warning, burning this stoppage before the Ravens would take their 3rd down snap. On the next play James Harrison would get another sack, but due to the timing, and the Steelers lack of timeouts, this penalty cost the Steelers almost 50 seconds on the game clock as they were trying to tie the game, something they ultimately could not do.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to tune in to our show, NFL Sunday Blitz Package every Sunday night at 7:30 pm, on the blogtalkradio.com/lastwordradio. Also tune in to Beyond the Field on Mondays from 8-10pm as I’ll be joining their hosts Priest and St. Peter in running down NFL Game Changers.
Check out our new Football Forum right here at LastWordOnSports!
