As the NFL prepares to head into the playoffs, it’s a good chance to reflect. Whether it’s an impossible reception, a blistering sack or a dazzling run-after-catch, there were some incredible plays this NFL season. So, using Next Gen Stats, we’ve compiled the most jaw-dropping plays of the 2022 NFL season, as told by the data itself.
Relive each one below.
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Amazing YAC: Jaylen Waddle – Week 16
84-Yard TD Reception
1st & 10 from MIA 16
Waddle picked up 70 Yards After Catch over expectation here against Green Bay – the most remarkable run-after-catch of any reception in the NFL this year. He also clocked a top speed of 21.68 MPH, good for the 6th-fastest speed clocked all season.
WADDLE WADDLE π§
πΊ: #GBvsMIA on FOX
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AwrcEGB7Ry pic.twitter.com/da57tQp9GM— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022
Fastest Sack: Anthony Nelson – Week 16
Time: 2.04 seconds
3rd & 6 in the Tampa red zone
A huge red zone turnover for Tampa here, who went on to win the game 19-16 in overtime. Anthony Nelson’s strip sack was the fastest recorded in the NFL this season.
The @buccaneers defense forces a turnover in the red zone #GoBucs
πΊ: #TBvsAZ on NBC
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/3PGayaJdLH pic.twitter.com/lznV5cUlEh— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2022
Impossible Completion: Mac Jones to DeVante Parker – Week 3
25-Yard Reception
2nd & 10 from BAL 27
Completion chance: 7.4%
It was a stuttering year for New England quarterbacks, but Mac Jones’ connection with DeVante Parker was note of optimism. Parker’s 25-yard catch here was tied for the lowest completion chance of any reception in the NFL this year.
.@DeVanteParker11 toe-tappin ππ
πΊ: #BALvsNE on FOX
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/jbtc7PI59Y pic.twitter.com/0daEziqXvE— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
Impossible Completion: Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb – Week 11
27-Yard Reception
2nd & 3 from DAL 31
Completion chance: 7.4%
Also the most improbable catch of the year was this from CeeDee Lamb. He’s been their most important weapon in the air all year long and was targeted over 150 times this season. In fact, both this and the DeVante Parker catch were more improbable than any catch made last season too.
πΏπ = π±π±
πΊ: #DALvsMIN on CBS
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/nraAG7FZ6b pic.twitter.com/G8lbRnJApP— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2022
Longest Plays: Nyheim Hines – Week 18
96-Yard Kickoff Return
Total yards: 115.6
We’ve all seen this one. The most remarkable play in the most emotional circumstances, Nyheim Hines sent Buffalo into raptures after bringing this one home. It was the very first play since the Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest less than a week earlier. Goosebumps.
The @BuffaloBills return the opening kick. You couldn't write this script.
πΊ: #NEvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Zuxd3911Wt pic.twitter.com/8SexEVXpTN— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
Remarkable Rushes: Lamar Jackson – Week 2
79-Yard Rushing TD
3rd & 2 from BAL 22
Yards Over Expected: 77
Lamar doing Lamar things. His early season form was MVP-worthy, exemplified here by an incredible rushing touchdown against Miami. His 77 yards over expected was the highest distance of any rushing play this season.
LAMAR JACKSON GOES 79 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. @lj_era8
πΊ: #MIAvsBAL on CBS
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LqzAxQaA7Q pic.twitter.com/bXEPQzLtCK— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
Amazing YAC: T.J. Hockenson – Week 4
81-Yard TD Reception
1st & 20 from DET 15
One of T.J. Hockenson’s parting gifts before leaving the Lions on a midseason trade to the Minnesota Vikings was this incredible catch-and-run. He picked up a staggering 75 yards after catch, 68 more than expected. The TE was a shrewd acquisition by the playoff-bound Vikings.
Run, Hock, run. 81 yards on the catch and run! @TheeHOCK8
πΊ: #SEAvsDET on FOX
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/CvE1Ql7jkg pic.twitter.com/ofDw41tiaP— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022
Fastest Sack: Brandon Jones – Week 1
Time: 2.13 seconds
2nd & 10 at NE 15
A strip sack for Brandon Jones and a touchdown for Melvin Ingram. The 2.13 seconds it took to get to Mac Jones was the second-fastest sack of the entire NFL season. As blistering as the Miami offense was early in the season, their defense was just as solid.
Let's gooo @BlessedJones33 and @MelvinIngramβΌοΈ
πΊ: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/HMPWFSFpeW
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2022
Impossible Completion: Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith – Week 3
45-Yard Reception
1st & 10 from PHI 39
Completion chance: 8.1%
What else can we say about the Philadelphia Eagles? According to Next Gen Stats, this completion had an air distance of 58.7 yards, and remains the longest completion of Jalen Hurts’ career. Their regular season will live long in the memory.
HURTS TO DEVONTA. What a catch! #FlyEaglesFly
πΊ: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/OC8Yw9hask pic.twitter.com/VTjnXMeuQV— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
Fastest Speed: Kenneth Walker III – Week 7
74-Yard TD Rush
1st & 10 from SEA 26
Top Speed: 22.09 MPH
What a rookie season from Kenneth Walker, who has to be one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He clocked a top speed of 22.09 MPH on this TD run, the second-highest speed recorded in the NFL in 2022.
KENNETH. WALKER. TO. THE. HOUSE. π
πΊ: #SEAvsLAC on FOX
π±: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/HyjkGpXIek pic.twitter.com/znsicu868r— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2022