The 10 Most Impactful Plays of Week 9
2. Drake Goes 0 to 96
Win Probability Added: +45.02
NEP: +6.13
Commentators have submitted that the most exciting play in football is a long rushing play, but I contend that touchdown returns are even more scintillating. Rushing plays do need everything to work right, but there is a better chance to adjust blocks and assignments at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. There is no way for a returner to plan how they’ll attack the kick coverage until the ball is in their hands and the gunners are staring them in the face.
That’s why I’m completely in awe of Miami Dolphins kick returner Kenyan Drake, who -- with his team down late in the fourth quarter -- just needed to get 30 yards or so to put his offense in a good spot to drive down the field for (at least) a game-tying field goal. Instead, Drake took the game into his own hands, racing through the middle of kicking unit and putting Miami right back in the driver’s seat in the most efficient way possible. The kickoff is still a majestic play.
