Bleacher Report's NFL Awards Week 16: Handing Out Hardware

It's that time again—time to hand out the Bleacher Report awards of the week!

In this week's edition, I'll be much like Santa Claus, as I will be awarding teams and players with some positive ones (the gifts) as well as handing out some negative ones (the coal). 

First and foremost, I hope all of you had a great holiday—but enough of the chit-chat, let's hop right into the Bleacher Report Awards for NFL Week 16. 

Biggest Winner of the Week

For the first time since 1999, the Detroit Lions are heading to the playoffs—can you believe it?

The Lions clinched a playoff spot with their impressive 38-10 win over the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve. 

For all the Lions' players, coaches, ownership and fans—Santa Claus came a little bit early Saturday afternoon. 

Biggest Loser of the Week

At least the Denver Broncos still control their own destiny, but they looked absolutely pathetic this weekend against the Buffalo Bills, as they were blown out 40-14. 

The Broncos have fallen to 8-7 and are now tied with the Oakland Raiders for first place in the AFC West. 

Denver will conclude their 2011 season with game that they should win against the Kansas City Chiefs as the Raiders will play host for the San Diego Chargers. 

Epic Fail of the Week

In a game that Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets very much needed to win, Sanchez simply stunk up the place.

This was a game where Sanchez could come out and silence his critics for the most part if he were able to lead his Jets to a huge victory over the New York Giants. 

That obviously did not happen as the Jets were embarrassed 29-14.

Sanchez looked lost out there as he completed only 50.8 percent of his passes while being sacked five times, throwing two interceptions and fumbling. All in all, Sanchez looked like he should be sent back to college as he still has a tremendous amount of work to do. 

Shock of the Week

The Indianapolis Colts are on fire—and I mean, they're white hot. Indy has now won two games in a row as they knocked off the Houston Texans in dramatic fashion, 19-16.

The Colts were trailing 16-12 with 1:56 left in the game but Dan Orlovsky was able to lead the offense down field and ultimately throw a 1-yard strike to Reggie Wayne to give Indy their second win of the season. 

Best Performance of the Week

Matthew Stafford played at an elite level for the Detroit Lions this past Saturday as he helped lead his team to a playoff berth.

Stafford shredded San Diego's secondary as he completed 29 of his 36 passes while accumulating 373 yards and tossing three touchdowns and posting a stellar 137.6 quarterback rating. 

If Stafford plays like this in the playoffs, the Detroit Lions will be a very difficult team to beat. 

Tebow Time Award

It's kind of funny how the "Tebow Time Award" will not be going to Tim Tebow but to a quarterback who just beat him a week ago, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.

Brady entered half time completing eight of his 20 passes against the Miami Dolphins as they were trailing 17-0. 

However, once the second half began, Brady turned on the switch and simply was unstoppable as he led New England's offense to 27 unanswered points. 

Brady finished Saturday's game with 304 yards, one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns on his way to leading the team to a 27-24 win over the Dolphins. 

Mary Lou Retton Award

Wow—that's all I have to say.

This was the most amazing thing that I have ever seen in my life. I am being so serious. 

Worst Performance but Still Able to Win Award

How in hell did Eli Manning and the New York Giants manage to pull off a 29-14 win over the New York Jets? I mean, Manning was putrid.

Manning finished Saturday's game completing nine of his 27 passes while tallying up 225 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

Oh wait, I know how they won—the other New York quarterback, Mark Sanchez, gave the game away with his pitiful performance. 

Knee Injury of the Week Award

Adrian Peterson suffered a major blow to his knee Saturday afternoon against the Washington Redskins and will likely be out for a very, very long time.

According to sources, Peterson had an MRI done on his knee and it revealed that he does have a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. 

Coach Now on the Hot Seat Award

Following their 29-14 loss against the New York Giants, the New York Jets now no longer control their own destiny—if they want to make the playoffs, they're going to have to get a lot of help.

The Jets are now 8-7 with one game remaining in the 2011 season. With that being said, Rex Ryan is now the next coach to be placed on the hot seat. If the Jets do not make the playoffs, 2011 will be a major disappointment for the New York Jets as they're such a talented team but are dramatically underachieving.