Across the Shield: Ezekiel Elliott Makes History, Michael Thomas Wins a Jump Ball & Joey Bosa Continues Historic Pace

Zeke's Career Day

This may shock you, but Ezekiel Elliott had another monster performance.

The soon-to-be Rookie of the Year rushed for a career-high 159 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cowboys to a 26-20 win over Tampa Bay.

The touchdown gave Elliott a franchise rookie record 13 on the season and he is now just 258 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's NFL rookie rushing record (1,808).

After Elliott's touchdown run, he celebrated by making a rather large donation to the Salvation Army – himself. After crossing the goal line, he headed straight for the giant red Salvation Army cauldron on the sideline and hopped right in.

It's the perfect celebration," Elliot said after the game. "They're one of our biggest partners, so I had to show them a little bit of love."

Naturally, the officials were less than amused and handed him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for jumping into a large red plastic Salvation Army marketing cauldron (shoutout to Mark Forsyth).

"Well, he shouldn't have done it," said Cowboy's coach Jason Garrett. "I thought it was creative, but he shouldn't have done it."

Elliott said he plans to match whatever fine the NFL slaps on him with a donation to the Salvation Army.

Still Can't Guard Mike

Michael Thomas is quickly turning into one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL as just a rookie.

Despite being limited in practice all week with a foot injury, Thomas lit it up with 7 catches for 52 yards and an impressive jump-ball touchdown. Turns out, he's still good at that.

With the touchdown, Thomas tied the Saints rookie record with eight on the season. With one more, he will pass Marquis Colston and Donte Stallworth and site alone as the franchise's rookie touchdown leader.

That fool a problem @Cantguardmike #buckeyetakeover https://t.co/xUOTU5tfKr

— Eli Apple (@EliApple13) December 19, 2016

Big Bear On Historic Pace

Just week after a scary injury to the neck and head area, Joey Bosa returned to the field, which was bad news for the Oakland offensive line.

Bosa had four tackles, one tackle for a loss and one sack.

Big Bear now has 7.5 sacks on season and 32 quarterback pressures on the season, which is 11 more pressures than anyone's had through their first 10 games in the past decade.

Meanwhile, in Cleveland...

Browns' 2016 draft class:
-- 56 receptions, 709 yards, 4 TDs
-- 7 sacks

Michael Thomas: 76 catches, 883 yards, 8 TDs
Joey Bosa: 7.5 sacks

— Kevin Kleps (@KevinKleps) December 19, 2016

"The Shirtless One"

It was well below freezing in Cincinnati Sunday afternoon. Former Buckeye linebacker Ryan Shazier was rather unfazed. He strolled around the field shirtless during pregame warmups like a god from norse lore.

Steelers LB Ryan Shazier unconcerned about cold in. Cincy. He is the shirtless one pic.twitter.com/UcG17E2IVQ

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) December 18, 2016

Bold move, for sure, but how did it work out for Shazier during the game? For the former Buckeye – great. For the Ohio team, not so great. Shazier finished the game with five total tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack.

Shazier has a history of turning it on against the Steelers. Last season, he took Giovanni Bernard out of the game with this hit.

The hit on Bernard was probably illegal, but I'm not about to be the one to tell that to Mr. Shazier.

Play of the Week

Eli Apple made perhaps the play of his young NFL career Sunday afternoon after he appeared to beaten by Golden Tate for a touchdown.

Except, he didn't get beat. He actually played the double move perfectly and used his speed to get back knock the deep ball away at the last second. Tate wasn't catching the underneath route or the deep route – Apple had both locked down.

What an unbelievable play by Eli Apple. Thought this was a TD for sure, what a recovery. pic.twitter.com/dnHGjnB4zP

— ClampSZN Ethan (@EthanGSN) December 18, 2016

Second look at Eli Apple being a beast. pic.twitter.com/YdRhLjVvZR

— ClampSZN Ethan (@EthanGSN) December 18, 2016

His play even drew the attention of noted cornerback-burner Chad Johnson.

Eli Apple is #24 If so that was text book playing Golden Tates on that double move...

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) December 18, 2016

Apple also got his nose in the run-stopping game, finishing second leading team with two tackles for a loss and finishing second on the team with seven total tackles.

Iron sharpens iron.... They don't know what it took to get here.. #shhhh https://t.co/2dyY34dJXt

— Mike Thomas (@Cantguardmike) December 19, 2016

Ohio Against the World

Good news! Turns out, the playoff matchups are two weeks long.

Bad news! I still don't have a quarterback (I got excited for a bit this week), I don't have a kicker anymore and I didn't start the tight end which scored six points in favor of one that scored nothing.

I lost.

***Player listed as "Injured/Physically Unable to Perform"