Top Clutch Performances of the Week
The National Football League is back. That means the weekly peek at clutch performances is about to get a jolt of energy.
We scoured the sports world for clutch and boy, did we find it. From comeback attempts to two-point conversions and a pair of brand-new U.S. Open champions, there was more clutch over the past seven days than we knew what to do with.
In any event, the top clutch performances are back. So kick back and enjoy the very best sports has to offer.
Derek Carr Hits Michael Crabtree for a Game-Winner
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Who: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr
When: September 11 vs. New Orleans Saints
Don't look now, but the Oakland Raiders aren't playing around. After years of subpar records, a revolving door at quarterback and countless coaching changes—seven since 2006—Jack Del Rio seems to have finally righted the ship.
Oakland and its youthful core built on their 2015 season by stunning the New Orleans Saints in a Week 1 shootout. The game was filled with explosive plays, like Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks hauling in a 98-yard touchdown catch or Raiders tailback Jalen Richard ripping off a 75-yard touchdown run.
In the end, the Raiders and their quarterback, Derek Carr, marched down the field and overcame a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to secure a win.
Down 34-33, Coach Del Rio made the call to go for two points in the closing seconds of the contest. Under immense pressure, Carr stepped back and tossed the game-winning conversion to wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Carr was poised and clutch all day long, completing 24 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown. His continued growth has already helped shape the Raiders' future.
Stan Wawrinka Leaves the U.S. Open as Champion
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Who: Stan Wawrinka
When: September 11, U.S. Open 2016 vs. Novak Djokovic
The 2016 U.S. Open concluded on September 11 when the men's final took place. Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic battled on the hard courts of Queens, in a showdown that leaned more toward the 6'0" Wawrinka.
After dropping the initial set, 6-7 (1) to the powerful Djokovic, Wawrinka changed the complexion of the match. He pounded the world's No. 1 player, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 on his way to capturing the 2016 crown.
The U.S. Open was full of clutch moments. Wawrinka's championship-winning performance, filled with thunderous forehands and line-grabbing backhand winners, surpassed them all.
Spencer Ware Makes Andy Reid Proud
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Who: Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware
When: September 11 vs. San Diego Chargers
The NFL is full of emotion, and games are never really over until the final whistle blows. On September 11, the San Diego Chargers saw this firsthand when the Kansas City Chiefs stormed back and closed them out late.
After falling behind 21-3 at the half, the Chiefs quickly got back to business and went on an offensive tear. Behind backup running back Spencer Ware—who was filling in for an injured Jamaal Charles—the Chiefs offense scored 24 points in the second half to force overtime.
For his part, Ware rattled off an impressive stat line. His 11 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown were big. But in the receiving game, Ware also hauled in seven receptions for 129 yards—finishing as the team's No. 1 option.
His performance helped fuel the Chiefs to a 33-27 overtime victory. Now 1-0, head coach Andy Reid shouldn't feel like he has to rush Charles back from his knee injury. Ware is more than capable of shouldering the load.
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Rougned Odor Keeps Slugging Away
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Who: Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor
When: September 12 vs. Houston Astros
Our weekly review of clutch performances has favored the Texas Rangers in recent times. The reason why? Because these Rangers have been knocking the cover off every baseball that comes their collective way.
The surge continued on September 12 when Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor blasted a go-ahead, game-winning solo home run in the top of the 12th inning against the Houston Astros.
With no fear and no remorse, Odor stepped to the plate and swung away. His 31st home run helped the Rangers win their 85th game of the year and allowed this team to continue looking like a World Series front-runner.
Utah Football Makes a Defensive Stand
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Who: Utah Utes
When: September 10 vs. BYU Cougars
Week 2 of the college football season provided plenty of fireworks and fun for some of the nation's brightest programs.
The Utah Utes and BYU Cougars gave fans one of the best games of the weekend. Channeling all sorts of clutch, the Utes carried a 20-13 lead into the closing seconds of the game. Behind quarterback Taysom Hill, the Cougars answered, drawing the contest to within one point.
Rather than take the extra point and play for overtime, BYU went all in—sort of like the Oakland Raiders did, as we touched on earlier. This time around, things didn't work out.
The Utes defense stood tall against a quarterback draw by bull-rushing Hill and forcing the BYU signal-caller to the ground.
A 20-19 win for the Utes puts this program 2-0 for the year. They've looked good, and beating BYU—a longtime rival—has to be deemed clutch.
A.J. Green Stages a Coup on Revis Island
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Who: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green
When: September 11 vs. New York Jets
The matchup we all wanted to see, A.J. Green vs. Darrelle Revis, went down in Week 1 of the NFL season. Instead of it being a back-and-forth between an elite wide receiver and a shutdown cornerback, Green decided to stage a coup on Revis Island.
With Andy Dalton under center, the former Georgia Bulldog was targeted 12 times—leading to a 43.3 percent target share, per NFL.com's Matt Harmon—catching 10 balls for 152 yards and a touchdown.
He was superhuman in a sense. Green took Revis to the woodshed, running a route tree reminiscent of Marvin Harrison.
In a world of clutch wide receiver play, Green was king for a week. His performance helped the Bengals conquer the New York Jets, 23-22, in what turned out to be a fantastic AFC clash.
Heath Slater Earns Himself a WWE Contract
7 of 10Who: WWE superstar Heath Slater
When: September 11, WWE Backlash
This past week wasn't only about football, baseball and championship-level tennis. WWE SmackDown's inaugural pay-per-view, Backlash, saw veteran Heath Slater earn himself a contract.
The build to this Tag Team Championship match was compelling. Slater, partnered with longtime ECW worker Rhyno, was faced with a daunting task: If Slater and Rhyno won the belts, Slater would then earn himself a contract on SmackDown Live. If not, he would be left out for pasture.
Defeating The Usos saw Slater reach the pinnacle of his career. Not only has his popularity surged—as seen in the video above—but he's become a household name on the SmackDown roster thanks to a string of clutch performances.
Kyle Hendricks Comes Close to Throwing a No-Hitter
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Who: Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks
When: September 12 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
When you're on, you're on. Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks took to the hill against the St. Louis Cardinals and threw his very own version of a masterpiece.
Barely missing out on a no-hitter, Hendricks pitched into the ninth inning, struck out seven and gave up one hit—a solo home run to Cardinals outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker.
His performance was the reason Chicago walked away with a 4-1 victory, and his 15 wins on the year are one reason why this team is in prime position to conquer the National League come playoff time.
Angelique Kerber Takes Control at the U.S. Open
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Who: Angelique Kerber
When: September 10, U.S. Open 2016 vs. Karolina Pliskova
Angelique Kerber wasn't going to let this opportunity pass her by. Going up against a heavy-serving player in Karolina Pliskova, Kerber captured the 2016 U.S. Open title in dramatic fashion.
She jumped out to an early 6-3 lead. The initial set was vintage Kerber. She used pace and a little more sting on her shots to keep the harder-hitting Pliskova on her toes.
But Pliskova wouldn't go down without a fight. She turned things around, taking the second set, 6-4. The split set up what would be a tremendous final to determine who would walk out of Queens as champion.
Kerber's veteran experience and accuracy proved to be the difference. Her clutch, 6-4 victory allowed the German native to hoist the trophy and leave as the world's No. 1 ranked player.
It was quite the tournament for Angelique Kerber.
Carson Wentz Looks the Part
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Who: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz
When: September 11 vs. Cleveland Browns
It might have only been one week. It might have only been against the Cleveland Browns. But the Philadelphia Eagles and their fanbase should go out and exhale a collective sigh of relief after watching rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
Wentz looked the part of a developing, poised, aware QB. He understood head coach Doug Pederson's offensive scheme, completing 22 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a night-and-day difference for the Eagles in the post-Chip Kelly era. The team played with better pace, and Wentz controlled the tempo of the game with timely passes and rhythm.
There are sure to be bumps in the road; however, Wentz proved he has the tools and vision needed to succeed. With a little seasoning, we might just see the Eagles rookie on this list in the coming weeks.
All stats, box scores and information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
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