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Two weeks remain in the NFL regular season and the playoff picture is starting to unfold; for better, or for worse for some teams.
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Offense
Top Offensive Performers
Royce Freeman - Denver Broncos
The entire Denver Broncos offense struggled against a much better football team in the Kansas City Chiefs. Freeman did however provide a security blanket for rookie quarterback Drew Lock, bringing in all four of his receptions for a mere 19 yards in one of the snowier games this season. Denver abandoned the run game early resulting in only five carries for Freeman. Unfortunately totaling only 12 yards. With his four receptions against the Chiefs, the second-year back marks his 40th reception of the season. He’s been much more involved in the pass-game in year two, with only 14 receptions as a rookie.
Move those chains, @nrfant! pic.twitter.com/MM3XjHY0d8
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2019
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Defense
Top Defensive Performers
Arik Armstead - San Francisco 49ers
Got to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan three times, but was unable to record a sack. Armstead also recorded a pass deflection and three tackles in the heartbreaking last-second loss to the Falcons on a questionable game-ending Julio Jones touchdown. Armstead and the 49ers still clinched a playoff spot with the loss to Atlanta in a bitter-sweet ending to week 15.
Arik Armstead strikes his blocker with violent hands & sets the edge. Helps make the tackle #49ers pic.twitter.com/rLFbqTnRME
— Fourth and Nine (@fourth_nine) December 15, 2019
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Special Teams
Top Special-Teamer
Kenjon Barner - Atlanta Falcons
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Returned three kicks against the 49ers for 70 yards and a long of 29. He had a busy day on special teams returning four punts as well for 19 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per return. Barner helped Atlanta to a 29-22 victory over the now 11-3 San Francisco 49ers.
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Honorable Mention
Joe Walker - Arizona Cardinals
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Making his eighth straight-start of the season, linebacker, Joe Walker’s continuing to make plays on defense totaling seven tackles in the 38-24 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The seven tackles tied Walker for second-best on Arizona’s defense. He also contributed a forced fumble on tight end, Ricky Seals-Jones that was finally downed at Cleveland’s 30 in the fourth quarter,