NFL Week 14 2022 Awards from PFT – ProFootballTalk

Fourteen weeks in the books. Five more prizes are to be awarded.

Here are the five awards for the NFL’s final week of action, with several finalists who did enough to deserve at least a mention.

If you disagree with any of our decisions, hit it off in the comments. It won’t change anything, but it might make you feel a little better.

Offensive Player of the Week: Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Monday was the tiger. Ram on Tuesday. Play on Thursday. After passing the eyeball test, he finally woke up (and feeling menacing) a team that scored just three points in over 56 minutes before scoring twice, the second coming on a 98-yard start with 90 seconds remaining, and no timeouts.

It provided one of the most authentic and authentic moments of true joy during the 2022 season, especially since the Rams have no realistic chance of exploiting this win for a play-off berth.

And that immediately gives Mayfield a chance to become a regular starter in 2023. Perhaps with the same team that beat him.

If you think that sounds crazy, remember these facts: (1) The Raiders can rip up Derek Carr’s contract right after the Super Bowl and walk away from any other financial commitment; and (2) just before the 2018 draft, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (then with the Patriots) secretly worked on Mayfield.

McDaniels certainly does not forget that. And he will certainly never forget what happened before him last Thursday night. Few of those who witnessed it will either.

Other Finalists: Jaguars Evan Ingram, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Eagles running back Miles Sanders, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Defensive Player of the Week: Bell defensive end Greg Russo.

Days after the Bills learned Von Miller would not be returning at all this year, other defensive players had to step up. And they did so, leading a sophomore, first-round pick.

Russo had two sacks and a forced fumble during a game that saw Buffalo’s normally strong offense score just 20 points. It was part of a broader all-out effort to harass both New York City quarterbacks Mike White and Joe Flacco throughout the day.

After the 20-12 win, Russo explained on the phone to PFT the mentality that drove the defense, once they knew they would have to do the rest of the day without Miller.

And while it won’t return in 2022, expect it to return in 2023.

“I was actually talking to him that day,” Russo said. “He’s in good spirits, man. He’s really working on his rehabilitation.”

And the Bills are still working on their first Super Bowl win. With Christmas approaching, they are in a very good position to get it.

Other Finalists: Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, Ravens linebacker Ruquan Smith, 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, Panthers linebacker Jesse Horn, Patriots passing rusher Josh Uche.

Rookie of the Week: Jaguar’s Daredevil Travon Walker.

The first overall pick in the 2022 draft came with a big performance at the perfect time, helping the Jaguars up and down the surprising heart of the AFC South titans.

Walker had a sack that forced a fumble in a key early moment in the game. He was otherwise effective all day as a fast passer. And John Shipley of SI.com points out what might be the big difference for Walker — starting the play from a three-point position, versus standing.

Bear Shipley, Walker played just 14 snaps in a three-point situation over his first 12 games. On Sunday, he put his hand on the ground eight times.

Other Finalists: Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy, Patriots linebacker Marcus Jones, Patriots running back Pierre Strong.

Coach of the Week: Panthers Coach Steve Wilkes.

Panthers owner David Tepper said on Oct. 10 that Wilkes could win the perennial game if he does an amazing job. On Sunday in Seattle, he sure did.

In picking up Carolina’s first road win in over a year, Wilkes called for a grueling running approach that racked up 223 yards and upset Seattle in one of the toughest places to play.

Now 5-8, the Panthers can win the NFC South by winning their last four games. Even if they don’t, Wilkes should get a chance to keep the job for 2023 and beyond. Even if it is unfair (and it is) to ask Him to meet such a high and subjective limit of His earning, it is.

Other Finalists: 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Play of the Week: Patrick Mahomes Football touch pass Running back Jerrick McKinnon.

When another quarterback makes a silly throw, many now say the internet will break if Mahomes does it. Mahomes pulled off a silly look on Sunday, and the internet certainly chimed in.

For good reason. Rolling to his right and by all appearances poised to start one of those guys among the boys, slashing and slashing with a dull knife through and around the Denver defense, Mahomes did look the ball toward running back Jerrick McKinnon, who found himself alone after his man decided to join what was going to be the chase. Of no use to Mahomes.

McKinnon caught the ball and exploded into the end zone, kicking a 56-yard touchdown.

The more I watch this play, the more I think that if McKinnon had been a little farther on the inside, Mahomes would have turned the ball over behind the back. One day, he will.

Other Finalists: Panthers future Terrace Marshall He catches a pass between his legs; Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill recovered and returned for a touchdown; Game-winning touchdown pass from Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield to receiver Van Jefferson; Chiefs linebacker Willie Jay Pick six; Lions deal with Penei Sewell’s Catch the third and seventh With two minutes left in the game; Eagles quarterback Galance Hurts Touchdown pass to receiver DeVonta Smith on the fourth and seventh day; Lions quarterback Jared Goff 48-yard touchdown pass to receive DJ Chark; Tight-end Dawson-Knox bills Somersault landing.