Breaking down the best and worst from Week 16 of the NFL: 5. Best second half: Patriots » After trailing the Dolphins 17-0 in the first half, the Patriots scored on their first five possessions of the second half to escape with a 27-24 victory. New England’s seventh win in a row helped it clinch a playoff bye.
4. Worst injury: Adrian Peterson » The Vikings running back tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in Minnesota’s 33-26 victory over Washington. Peterson will undergo surgery in the next week or so and will need eight to 10 months to recover, which would make it difficult for him to return for the start of next season.
3. Best touchdown: Jerome Simpson » The Bengals receiver did a forward somersault over a Cardinals defender and landed on two feet to score on a 19-yard touchdown. “I stuck the landing like a gymnast,” he told reporters. Cincinnati beat Arizona 23-16 and can clinch an AFC wild-card spot with a win next week.
2. Worst trash talk: Brandon Jacobs » The Giants running back reportedly yelled, “Time to shut up, fat boy,” to the Jets’ Rex Ryan in the wake of a 29-14 win after the coach claimed the Jets were the better New York team all week. Jacobs then said to reporters, “And I told him I’ll punch him in the face.” Luckily, the Giants did most of the talking on the field.
1. Best rookie moment: Cam Newton » The No. 1 overall draft pick broke Peyton Manning’s rookie record for passing yards. He also set a franchise mark with a 91-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell in the Panthers’ 48-16 win over the Buccaneers.
– Scott Gleeson
