The Absolutely Worst of the NFL, Week 14 Edition

Week 14 was filled with amazing, heart-stopping finishes. There were many incredible plays, clutch performances and death-defying comebacks. Seasons balanced on edges of cliffs as playoff squads continued their climb to the summit of the NFL.

But every incredible play was made in the face of a team who let one happen. Every clutch performance was also a crucial gaffe. Every death-defying comeback was also a heartbreaking collapse. Every playoff contender clawing up the rocks is a pretender slipping and falling into the abyss.

This column is the sickening splat at the bottom.

Welcome, once again, to "The Absolutely Worst of the NFL."

The Absolutely Worst Player Protection: Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, absorbed a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from notorious Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Despite being knocked nearly out cold, the Browns sent McCoy back out to complete the game. McCoy didn't look right afterwards, and but Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said McCoy "was fine to go back in."

McCoy admitted he can't remember the hit, and Browns staffers asked TV folks to turn off their lights during post-game interviews. The next day, Shurmur sheepishly allowed as how the Browns were proceeding as though McCoy had a concussion.

Pretend for a minute that old players aren't suffering from dementia in droves, and that the NFL isn't working hard to eliminate head shots and concussions. Don't you want to protect your players? Don't you doubly want to protect your young quarterback?

Playing fast and loose with the rules intended to keep the players' brains from turning into mush shows a criminal lack of brains on the Browns' part.

The Absolutely Worst Team on the Rise: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coming off a 10-6 season where they were a tiebreaker away from the playoffs, this season's Bucs squad was supposed to be amongst the NFC's best. With young quarterback Josh Freeman coming into his own, and a young defensive line leading the charge, they were supposed to be able to play with anyone.

Instead, they spent Week 14 getting whooped 41-14 by a 3-9 team who just fired their coach.

Maurice Jones-Drew piled up four touchdowns as the lowly Jaguars handed the Bucs their seventh straight loss. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris had better right his pirate ship quickly if he wants to remain at the helm.

The Absolutely Worst Fumble: Marion Barber, Chicago Bears

Deep in the heart of overtime, the Bears needed a win to keep their season on life support. Having surrendered an unbelievable 59-yard game-tying field goal, they needed to settle down, drive past midfield, and at least get a chance to return the favor.

Instead, tailback Marion Barber put the ball on the ground—and the Denver Broncos covered it up.

A little Tim Tebow magic and a second Matt Prater 50-plus-yard field goal later, the Bears were 7-6. Their third straight loss dropped them to third place in the NFC North.

The Bears, without stars Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, had managed to keep their playoff hopes breathing. But Barber's fumble was a self-inflicted wound too grievous to survive; the official time of death was called with 12:53 left in overtime of Week 15.

The Absolutely Worst Blown Lead: Dallas Cowboys

Going into the fourth quarter with a 10-0 lead and surrendering 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime is pretty bad. How about being up 34-22 with 5:41 left—at home—and losing in regulation?

That's exactly what happened to Tony Romo and the Cowboys. Romo had to be thinking he had his old December demons slayed, when Manning engineered a perfect touchdown drive. Romo missed a wide-open Miles Austin as part of the ensuing three-and-out.

A short punt and two Cowboys penalties helped usher the Giants back to pay dirt. Romo still had one last chance, and he looked great driving the Cowboys back to field goal range. The game-winning kick was up and through, but the Giants pulled the old "call timeout right before the snap" trick, and the Giants blocked the second attempt.

Somehow, Romo completed 7-of-9 fourth-quarter attempts for 130 yards and two touchdowns—and still choked.

The Absolutely Worst Write-In Candidate: Rams v. Seahawks on Monday Night Football

In the brief history of The Absolutely Worst, I've never let you folks write in your own candidate—but this week, I'm willing to make an exception. Somehow, in Week 14, two divisional rivals will square off in a game with absolutely NO playoff implications or entertainment value of any sort.

The only people watching the 5-7 Seahawks host the 2-10 Rams will likely boast the same last name as one of the 92 active players Monday Night. According to AdWeek, ESPN paid 15 BILLION dollars for the right to host snoozers like these. If I'm ESPN, I'm wondering where I can get me some of that "Flex Schedulin'" every other network's got.