Prior to leaving Sunday's game with a leg injury, Jets center Nick Mangold paid tribute to two NYPD officers.
Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot and killed while sitting in their squad car, Saturday afternoon. Mangold wore an NYPD hat during Sunday's team introductions and national anthem.
"For that to happen, for those two guys, for their families, that's a raw deal," Mangold told ESPN.com. "If wearing that hat gives a little bit of comfort or shows support for those folks, I'm happy to do it."
Boone Delivers Message to Team
In a disappointing season, shrouded in controversy and no playoff appearance looming, the 49ers might have isssues finding motivation in their remaining games.
Following last Sunday's loss to Seattle, he tried to rally his squad for their last two games.
"Come out and just forget everything, just play football. You're playing with some of the greatest guys ever. Frank Gore, Justin Smith. These are guys that probably aren't gonna be here next year," Boone said, via 49ers.com. "You fight for them. You're proud to go out there with them, and fight as hard as they do, and really you're playing for pride now."
Pride was not enough to prevent a blown lead to the Chargers, Saturday. Philip Rivers engineered a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter and led a game-winning drive in overtime.
San Francisco has lost four straight games in what will likely be the final season for Gore, Smith and Jim Harbaugh with the team. Good news, though, Boone found the 49ers next head coach:
Play of the Week
In a matchup of two teams battling for the playoffs, the Chiefs could not contain Cam Heyward. The Steelers defensive end dominated the Chiefs in a playoff-clinching win, recording 1.5 sacks and four tackles.
At the :08 mark of this video, Heyward takes down Kansas City QB Alex Smith for his full sack.
After the game, the Pittsburgh Buckeyes joined Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman for a picture:
@OhioStFootball @WillAllenWAF @k4coleman @CamHeyward @Channel75live at @steelers @KCChiefs Game. #Gobucks #Steelers pic.twitter.com/4zVrzp0Tl2
— Frank Hyatt (@FrankHyatt_com) December 21, 2014
How They Fared in Week 16
| Player | team | position | stats/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Steelers | OT | Marcus Gilbert started at right tackle, so Adams used as a tight end |
| Will Allen | Pittsburgh Steelers | S | 7 tackles, as Steelers (and Andy Reid) shut down Chiefs run game |
| Alex Boone | San Francisco 49ers | OL | Banged up during game, returned to see team blow lead and lose in OT to Chargers |
| Philly Brown | Carolina Panthers | WR/KR/PR | 2 receptions, 22 yards, huge block on long Jonathan Stewart run |
| Chimdi Chekwa | Oakland Raiders | CB | Inactive in win over Bills |
| Kurt Coleman | Kansas City Chiefs | S | 5 tackles in loss to Steelers |
| Nate Ebner | New England Patriots | DB/ST | 2 tackles in win over Jets |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | Arizona Cardinals | WR | Sunday night's loss to Seattle did not come down to him "breaking one" |
| Johnathan Hankins | New York Giants | DT | 1 tackle in win over Rams |
| Brian Hartline | Miami Dolphins | WR | Second straight week with no reception, but Dolphins win |
| A.J. Hawk | Green Bay Packers | LB | 2 tackles in win over Bucs, play Lions for NFC North title next week |
| Boom Herron | Indianapolis Colts | RB | 7 carries, 3 yards, 3 receptions, 37 yards in blowout loss to Cowboys |
| Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | DE | 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, will try to win division against Bengals next week |
| Carlos Hyde | San Francisco 49ers | RB | Inactive in loss to Chargers due to ankle injury |
| Malcolm Jenkins | Philadelphia Eagles | S | 6 tackles in loss to Redskins |
| James Laurinaitis | St. Louis Rams | LB | 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 action figure giveaway in loss to Giants |
| Corey Linsley | Green Bay Packers | C | Replaced on special teams in Packers win over Bucs |
| Nick Mangold | New York Jets | C | Carted off in loss to Patriots, x-rays on leg were negative |
| Jake McQuaide | St. Louis Rams | LS | Modeled a dope throwback Rams hoodie during week |
| Jack Mewhort | Indianapolis Colts | OL | Blown out by Cowboys but still part of unheralded Colts draft class |
| Andrew Norwell | Carolina Panthers | OL | Panthers beat Browns, what the hell is this? |
| Mike Nugent | Cincinnati Bengals | K | Bengals play tonight vs Broncos |
| Ryan Pickett | Houston Texans | DT | 0 tackles but Texans harm Ravens' playoff chances in win |
| DeVier Posey | Houston Texans | WR | Played 66 snaps last week, inactive for this week's win over Baltimore |
| Bradley Roby | Denver Broncos | CB | Returns to Ohio for tonight's game against Cincinnati |
| Dane Sanzenbacher | Cincinnati Bengals | WR | Had a huge game for random dude in Madden, but Bengals play tonight in real life |
| Ryan Shazier | Pittsburgh Steelers | LB | 2 tackles, played more significant role in win over Chiefs |
| John Simon | Houston Texans | LB | 1 tackle in win over his former team |
| Rob Sims | Detroit Lions | OG | Lions win, but o-line still struggling |
| Donte Whitner | Cleveland Browns | S | 8 tackles in another Browns loss |
