Bleacher Report's Week 13 NFL Awards

As NFL weekends go, Week 13 was about as good as it gets.

The week started with a bang, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks sending emphatic messages with big wins on Thanksgiving Day. The Green Bay Packers followed suit on Sunday, downing the New England Patriots in a potential Super Bowl preview at Lambeau Field.

It was a week filled with big individual performances as well, whether it was Tre Mason's big day in the St. Louis Rams' immolation of the Oakland Raiders or J.J. Watt's third touchdown catch of the year against the Tennessee Titans.

Three touchdown grabs feels like a lot—for a defensive end.

As has been the case every week in 2014, the National Lead and Division Lead Writers here at Bleacher Report gathered to give their takes on the best (and worst) of the week that was.

Here's what they had to say.

Team of the Week

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Winner: Green Bay Packers (13 votes)

The Packers didn't have the biggest win of Week 13 on the scoreboard. That honor went to the Rams, who whitewashed the Oakland Raiders 52-0.

However, there's little arguing that the Packers were the week's biggest winners.

Green Bay won a thriller against the New England Patriots Sunday, halting the Patriots' seven-game winning streak and moving into a virtual tie for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Of course, much of the credit for the win has gone to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who continues to play at an otherworldly level this year, especially at home.

With that said though, linebacker Clay Matthews told ESPN's Rob Demovsky that the defense's play has been a big part of the team's recent hot streak:

"

We finally seem to be carrying our own weight, in light of how well the offense has been playing. It's great to see that we can string these together, and we're not riding the roller coaster that we've done maybe in the first half of the season. We're feeling good. We've got playmakers on defense. There's still room for improvement, but it's just about putting it together because we feel we can be just as good as anyone else out there.

"

Defensive end Mike Daniels concurred:

"

You had the No. 1 [scoring] offense in the NFL coming into our house, under the lights, with a very, very dangerous lineup of men, with a coach who's going to make sure they get after it every single play. So to get a victory against a team that is so well disciplined, so well coached, with as many weapons as they have, that's huge. That's huge. You've got to look at yourself and say, 'Man, we did a heck of a job. Let's make sure it's more definitive next time.'

"

That next time just might be coming in February—in Glendale—at Super Bowl XLIX.

Others receiving votes: Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote), Seattle Seahawks (1 vote)

Coach of the Week

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Winner: Pete Carroll, HC, Seattle Seahawks (5 votes)

It wasn't that long ago that fans and pundits alike were bemoaning the demise of the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Seattle Seahawks were 6-4, three games back of the division-leading Arizona Cardinals and fresh off a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, after the Seahawks' second straight impressive win over an NFC West foe (this one a Thanksgiving night victory in San Francisco), the Seahawks are suddenly only one game back of the Redbirds and closing fast.

Head coach Pete Carroll told Clare Farnsworth of the team's website that Seattle's recent resurgence was just a matter of getting the players to believe in the system and intensify their focus:

"

If you trust what’s going on around you and you trust what you’re asked to do, then you’re not concerned and distracted by what may be otherwise. So that’s a real basic fundamental of being able to focus really well. When you have confidence and you believe in what you’re doing then you don’t second-guess and discursive thoughts don’t come your way and you’re more apt to play like you’re capable. And that’s a really basic premise of our program. So we had to get to that and that comes through hard work and the understanding of what you’re capable of doing and then preparing yourself so that when the time comes for the opportunity to show it you can come through.

"

It would certainly appear that Carroll has accomplished those goals, and it's looking far more likely now than a few weeks ago that the Seahawks will at least have a shot to defend their title.

Others receiving votes: Mike McCoy, HC, San Diego Chargers (4 votes), Mike McCarthy, HC, Green Bay Packers (3 votes), Chip Kelly, HC, Philadelphia Eagles (2 votes), Marty Mornhinweg, OC, New York Jets (1 vote)

Goat of the Week

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

"Winner:" Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (7 votes)

This may be a first.

I don't think we've ever had a player from a winning team "win" Goat of the Week honors, but Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals brought home the "award" in Week 13 after tossing three interceptions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, according to Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer, it turns out there was a reason why Dalton's performance was so sickly:

"

The Bengals waited to take the field inside their locker room minutes before kickoff with a seemingly standard routine. Players tightened up their pads. Some secured the final pieces of tape on their shoes. Others made last-second adjustments to their uniform.

Andy Dalton stood over a garbage can and puked his guts out.

'I tried to get everything out as much as I could,' he said.

So, he let it out, as Dalton had been since after the team meeting Saturday night when this flu bug turned quality sleep into a nightmare. All the standard symptoms were there, most of them graphic, and each running his body down into submission.

He took IVs in the morning to replenish fluids, but this 24-hour bug picked poor timing as kickoff drew nearer and symptoms refused to relent.

'He threw up at least 20 times I saw,' receiver Mohamed Sanu said. 'He threw up so many times.'

Teammates suggested after the adventurous 14-13 victory many players would have tapped out. Nobody would have blamed Dalton for understanding the reality that playing a football game isn't possible under such physical duress. Those thoughts never entered the quarterback's mind.

'I was going to play through it regardless,' he said.

"

The Bengals got the win, but given how Dalton played, maybe he should have taken the day off after all.

Others receiving votes: Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (3 votes), Brian Hoyer, QB, Cleveland Browns (3 votes), Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (1 vote), Jim Harbaugh, HC, San Francisco 49ers (1 vote)

Rookie of the Week

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Winner: Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers (7 votes)

The rookie class at wide receiver in 2014 is just ridiculous.

Whether it's Sammy Watkins of the Buffalo Bills, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Jarvis Landry of the Miami Dolphins, the list of first-year wideouts making a big dent this season just goes on and on and on.

Well, you can add Davante Adams to the list.

The youngster from Fresno State was a big part of the Packers' huge win over the New England Patriots in Week 13, reeling in six passes for 121 yards.

It was a performance that drew the praise of offensive coordinator Tom Clements, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

"

He's a bigger guy. He has good quickness for a big guy. He's becoming a better route runner and he has good hands. You have a big guy who has good quickness and can get open and catch the ball, those are all good qualities.

"

It was also a showing that earned Adams a Rookie of the Week nod from our panel.

Others receiving votes: Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts (4 votes), Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams (3 votes), Aaron Colvin, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars (1 vote)

Best QB Performance

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Winner: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (11 votes)

OK, so I think it's safe to say that Aaron Rodgers is pretty good.

In fact, in the opinion of NFL National Lead Writer Mike Freeman, we may be witnessing the best play ever at the quarterback position:

"

The throws the legend-in-the-making made, despite a hurt hand, were uncanny. So was the movement of his feet. It is not an exaggeration to say the way Rodgers is playing the position is the best we've ever seen. Better than Montana. Better than Marino. Better than Tom Brady, the man he was playing Sunday at Lambeau Field. Rodgers' offense generated 347 total yards in the first half alone.

The current legend did not get his hand stepped on. But if there is one thing Brady can still do and has always done, it is step on the gas pedal. He tried to match Rodgers and came close, but what we are learning from watching Rodgers is that not many—sometimes not even the greats, not even the best—can play on his level.

This was a masterclass in quarterbacking. The only thing missing was a blackboard, Johnny Unitas, a film projector and Bill Walsh barking out play concepts from the back of the room. On a cold day in Green Bay, we saw, in some ways, Rodgers take control of the projector from Walsh and teach the position himself as he and the Packers beat the New England Patriots 26-21.

"

I'd like to argue with him (if only for the sake of arguing), but the way Rodgers is playing right now, making any sort of argument against him is a fool's errand.

Others receiving votes: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (2 votes), Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (2 votes)

Best RB Performance

Michael Zito/Associated Press

Winner: Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams (8 votes)

Youth is being served across the National Football League, and while they aren't making the impact of their brethren at wide receiver, there are a number of rookie running backs playing prominent roles this season.

Among them is Tre Mason of the St. Louis Rams, who exploded in the team's 52-0 destruction of the Oakland Raiders.

Mason ravaged Oakland for 164 total yards and a pair of touchdowns, including an 89-yard run, and after the game Mason told The Associated Press (via ESPN) that he's only getting started.

"I told myself to achieve greatness," Mason said. "I want to be the best player to ever touch a football."

In Week 13 at least, Mason was named the league's best running back by our voters.

As to the rest—well, we'll see.

Others receiving votes: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (7 votes)

Best WR Performance

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Winner: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (14 votes)

Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career game in demolishing his former team in Week 13, and it stands to reason that someone would benefit from Fitzpatrick's huge game.

And oh boy did DeAndre Hopkins benefit.

In fact, the second-year pro had already set a new career high in receiving yards by the end of the third quarter.

By game's end, Hopkins had torched the Tennessee Titans for 238 yards on nine catches, scoring twice. His Week 13 explosion was the biggest game by a wide receiver this season in ESPN fantasy scoring.

It was an eye-opening performance for some, but head coach Bill O'Brien told Deepi Sidhu of the team's website he wasn't surprised.

"He is one of the top receivers in the league," O'Brien said after the game. "He is a really good player; he is a dynamic player. He gets better and better every time we go out there."

This week, it's awfully hard to argue with him.

Others receiving votes: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (1 vote)

Best TE Performance

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Winner: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (11 votes)

There hasn't been much that's gone right for the Washington Redskins in 2014.

In fact, there wasn't a whole lot that went right for the Redskins in their Week 13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. But the play of tight end Jordan Reed has been a bright spot.

Reed reeled in nine catches for a team-leading 123 yards in the loss, in his first week back from a hamstring injury.

Of course, in a way, that's the problem with Reed. He displays tantalizing talent while on the field, but just can't seem to stay there for any length of time.

In Week 13 though, all was well with the second-year pro.

Well, except for the losing part.

Others receiving votes: Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (2 votes), Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (2 votes)

Best Defensive Performance

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Winner: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (11 votes)

We've reached the point where it becomes difficult to think of something new to say about Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. The superlatives have been used up already during Watt's MVP-caliber 2014 campaign.

Watt was at it again in Week 13, racking up three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Teammate D.J. Swearinger told Tania Ganguli of ESPN there's no question who the league's most valuable player is:

"

You wouldn't find another defensive lineman with five touchdowns; you don't find some tight ends, some offensive players don't have five touchdowns. Five touchdowns speak for itself. Not even speaking about what he does on defense. ... If you watch the games, you see 99.

"

However, in the opinion of NFL National Lead Writer Mike Tanier, Watt wasn't the top dog on defense in Week 13:

"

I was going to give the award to Robert Quinn, because somebody on defense deserves an award for a 52-0 shutout, and Quinn had three sacks. Then I saw that Quinn sacked Matt Schaub several times late in the fourth quarter. Nothing done to Schaub really counts. When Schaub is on the field, it's like The Purge, and society's laws are suspended for the rest of the day. Richard Sherman gets plenty of "not really a shutdown cornerback" knocks, but then he takes over games against tough divisional opponents, reminding us why he is so special. He also did some nasty things to Matt Schaub last year, but those don't really count.

"

Tanier has a point (both Quinn and Sherman were dominant in Week 13), but it was Watt who earned this week's award from our writers.

At the rate things are going, he'll be picking up another award at the end of the season.

Defensive Player of the Year.

Others receiving votes: Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks (3 votes), Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams (1 vote)

Best Decision

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Winner: Marvin Lewis' late challenge flag (12 votes)

The votes for the best decision in a week are usually numerous and varied. More often than not there are at least half a dozen nominees.

When you see a runaway vote such as this week's, it's a pretty good indication that somebody done good.

And when Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis gamed the system in Sunday's one-point win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lewis most certainly did.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert had a breakdown of the play(s) in question:

"

With 26 seconds remaining in a one-point game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completed a 21-yard pass play to put themselves in position for a game-winning field goal. The Bucs had no timeouts remaining, so they hurried to the line to stop the clock. At the 19-second mark, Lewis dropped his red flag on the field after realizing the Bucs had 12 men on the field for the play.

NFL rules mandate that only the press box replay official can initiate a challenge with less than two minutes remaining in either half. Two years ago, the penalty associated with a similar mistake by Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz had eliminated the possibility of a replay review on a play that would have been reversed. The league modified the wording before the 2013 season and now, an illegal challenge results only in the loss of a timeout. (If the team is out of timeouts, a 15-yard penalty ensues.)

Many coaches dispose their red flag at the two-minute mark to prevent the possibility of an inadvertent challenge. But Lewis' action introduced the strategy of taking a mild penalty to ensure that the replay official has ample time to recognize an abnormality and initiate a review himself.

Lewis undoubtedly challenged before there was any sign of a booth review. About seven seconds passed between the time he dropped the flag and when whistles from Leavy's crew stopped the clock. The question is whether the Bucs would have gotten off their next play, and thus eliminated the possibility of an official review, if Lewis hadn't committed an illegal act. Did a penalty actually work in favor of the team it was charged to?

"

NFL VP of officiating Dean Blandino was quick to downplay Lewis' chicanery, tweeting that the "replay official was stopping game for review when Lewis threw challenge flag. It would have been looked at regardless."

Of course, the NFL isn't about to just out and admit there's a loophole in their rules.

Even if Lewis just snagged a win by strolling right through it.

Others receiving votes: Green Bay Packers' offensive game plan (2 votes), Benching Brian Hoyer (1 vote)

Worst Decision

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

"Winner:" Whatever the Oakland Raiders did (7 votes)

The Oakland Raiders had 10 full days to prepare for the St. Louis Rams after shocking the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.

That was either way too much time, or not nearly enough.

The Raiders were absolutely destroyed in every facet of the game, a 52-0 whitewashing that was as embarrassing as it was demoralizing.

Quarterback Derek Carr didn't mince words while speaking with The Associated Press (via ESPN).

"It just wasn't us," Carr said. "That didn't look like us. I don't know if flat is the word, but it just wasn't us."

The problem, of course, is that if the rest of the season is any indication, that's more or less exactly who the Raiders are.

A bad football team.

Others receiving votes: Chicago Bears abandoning the run (2 votes), San Francisco 49ers throwing at Richard Sherman (2 votes), Pittsburgh Steelers leaving Ben Roethlisberger on the field with an injured hand (2 votes), New York Jets starting Geno Smith (1 vote), Jason Garrett leaving Tony Romo on the field in a blowout (1 vote)

Player of the Week

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Winner: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers (14 votes)

I stated earlier in this article that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing at an otherworldly level right now.

Frankly, even that descriptor falls short when it comes to Rodgers within the friendly confines of Lambeau Field.

The NFL Network's Michael Silver had a breakdown of Rodgers' rampage at home this season:

"

As Rodgers closes in on a second MVP award, it's starting to look as though the road to Super Bowl XLIX may go through Titletown, a chilling prospect for the NFC's other playoff contenders. With NFC North-leading Green Bay, winners of four consecutive games and eight of its last nine, now tied with the Cardinals and Eagles atop the conference standings, it's quite possible the Pack's potential postseason foes will have frozen tundra in their future.

Since late September, when Rodgers made his now-iconic relax comment in the wake of the Pack's 19-7 defeat to the Lions, he and his teammates have been in a ridiculously potent zone. This has been especially true at Lambeau, where they've plastered foes such as the Vikings (42-10), Panthers (38-17), Bears (55-14) and Eagles (53-20).

In six home victories, Rodgers has thrown 20 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has not thrown a pick in Green Bay since 2012.

"

After passing for 368 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's big win over the New England Patriots, teammate Tramon Williams put things more simply.

"We feel we have the best quarterback in the league," Williams said.

That about covers it.

Others receiving votes: Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers (1 vote)