Top 10 Touchdown Catches of the 2011 NFL Season Through Five Weeks–With Video
The first five weeks of the 2011 NFL season have been filled with plenty of excitement–especially when it comes to impressive touchdown catches. Here’s a look at the top 10 touchdown catches through the first five weeks of the season–all with video.
*Honorable Mention–Domenik Hixon: Rams vs. Giants Week 2
Not only does Hixon do an amazing job with his concentration to keep the ball alive, but he unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury while making the play as well. There aren’t too many players in the NFL that can say they pulled off a spectacular juggling catch while suffering a severe injury at the same time–but Hixon did it.
10. Victor Cruz: Giants vs. Eagles Week 3
After all of the key offseason additions, teams were supposed to struggle in the passing game against the Eagles considering how stacked they were at the cornerback position. Through five weeks, that has been far from the case and Cruz’s touchdown is the perfect example for what this season has been like for the “Dream Team” so far. An incredible touchdown grab by Cruz in double coverage–showing off his strength to fight his way into the end zone.
9. Wes Welker: Patriots vs. Dolphins Week 1
It must be an impressive touchdown when Bill Belichick–a coach who rarely shows emotion–is fired up on the sidelines. Not only did Welker tie an NFL record with this 99-yard touchdown, but he was responsible for Benny Sapp–who blew the coverage–being cut by the Dolphins on the next day. Anyone with Welker on their fantasy lineup in Week 1 truly benefited from this play.
8. Josh Cribbs: Dolphins vs. Browns Week 3
Cribbs is the type of wide receiver that puts up big games every once in a while considering he’s more of a threat on special teams–so it’s always impressive when he pulls off a catch like this. A great fake by Colt McCoy–but an even better jump and catch by No. 16 as he was determined to bring that ball down for the touchdown.
7. Vincent Jackson: Chargers vs. Patriots Week 2
The first of two impressive catches by Jackson. Look at all of the Patriots around Jackson when he snags this one-handed grab and it’s easy to see why this catch made the list. Kyle Arrington seemed like he was about to record an interception that would have prevented the Chargers from scoring–but Jackson somehow managed to beat him to the ball with a phenomenal grab.
6. Vincent Jackson: Dolphins vs. Chargers Week 4
Even though he found himself wide open, Jackson still had to make an impressive diving catch after it was slightly overthrown by Philip Rivers. To make things even more impressive–Jackson managed to get up quickly before a defender could touch him and even broke a tackle before running into the end zone. What could have easily been an easy wide-open touchdown turned out be quite the spectacular play by Jackson.
5. Tony Gonzalez: Falcons vs. Eagles Week 2
There’s no question Tony Gonzalez is a future Hall of Famer and this amazing one-handed catch he pulled off against the Eagles is the perfect examples as to why. The funny thing is–this miraculous play was close to never happening considering the Falcons found themselves lucky right before halftime after the Eagles fumbled right as they were about to score.
4. Victor Cruz: Seahawks vs. Giants Week 5
It’s hard not to agree with Troy Aikman when he said this pass thrown by Eli Manning should have been intercepted by the Seahawks considering he threw into double coverage–but luckily Cruz still managed to pull off the one-handed catch. There was no way any defender was catching Cruz after he broke free down the right sideline and what better way to top off a sweet touchdown catch other than a celebration dance in the end zone.
3. Denarius Moore: Raiders vs. Bills Week 2
With Darrius Heyward-Bay and Jacoby Ford out, Moore made his first career start against the Bills and didn’t disappoint. Moore finished the game with five receptions for 146 yards–but it was his amazing 50-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter that made the Raiders realize how talented this rookie really was. To see Moore record a catch like that in double coverage is nothing short of amazing.
2. Kevin Walter: Saints vs. Texans Week 3
Walter happened to be in the right place at the right time against the Saints when he pulled off an incredible catch that should have been intercepted. Jonathan Casillas appeared to intercept Matt Schaub’s pass–only to have it bobbled around before Walter snagged it and ran it for a 20-yard touchdown.
1. Dwayne Bowe–Chiefs vs. Colts Week 5
What’s not to love about this catch by Bowe? This will easily go down as one of the best catches of the year as Bowe manages to pull off the circus-type catch–all while Jacob Lacey was flagged for pass interference in the process. Bowe is arguably one of the top wide receivers in the NFL and this catch is just one of many examples as to why.
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for RantSports.com.
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Email Dan: Dan.Parzych@RantSports.com
