The 10 Most Impactful Plays of Week 13
4. Not Chasing Waterfalls, Just Philip Rivers
Win Probability Added: +25.79
NEP: +6.70
I’m sure a lot of ideas seem like good ones before they’re tried out, but just like the previous play was a mistake that went right for the offense, this one went horribly wrong. San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was helping his team nurse a slim lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late in the third quarter of the game, but they took possession of the ball on their own 8-yard line. Deep in their own territory, the Chargers needed to put some points on the board -- and some yards behind them -- to get some breathing room.
That wouldn’t happen, though. Rivers surveyed the field quickly and decided he could fit the pass into a small window to wide receiver Tyrell Williams who was blanketed by a Tampa Bay cornerback. The pass clanged off of Williams’ hands and launched into the air, right above weak-side linebacker Lavonte David. David snagged the ball and hugged the right sideline as he strolled in for an 8-yard return score to put the Buccos a field goal up.