Looking back: See the ‘Top 10 Runs after the Catch’ of the 2022 NFL season
(Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins, Image credit: Instagram (top photo) / T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings – Image credit: NFL (bottom)
Now that the regular NFL season has come to a dramatic close, and as we look forward to the Super Bowl LVII matchup between the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs and NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles – it’s time to take a look back and see some of the coolest plays leading up the end of the season. The Sport’s Daily compiled a list of the top 10 best runs after the catch of the 2022 NFL season, according to Next Gens new stat Expected Yards After Catch (xYAC) which explains the difference between a receiver’s actual yards gained after the catch and their expectations at the moment of the catch.
And with no further adieu . . .
#10. Ja’Marr Chase 60-Yard Receiving TD (47 YAC)
With the ball on their own 40-yard line, Ja’Marr Chase caught a 10-yard pass, broke a tackle, and ran passed another defender to score a 60-yard TD.
That TD would give the Cincinnati Bengals a 30-26 lead and eventually the victory.
This catch ranked 10th in YAC above expected. Chase had 47 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#9. Deebo Samuel 57-Yard Receiving TD (51 YAC)
Deebo Samuel caught a five-yard pass, immediately broke a tackle, made a defender miss, and then broke another tackle on his way to scoring a TD.
This TD gave the San Francisco 49ers a 14-6 lead late in the second quarter and San Francisco would go on to win the game 24-9 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Samuel’s long TD ranked ninth in YAC above expected. Samuel had 51 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#8. Trent Sherfield 75-Yard Receiving TD (53 YAC)
Trent Sherfield caught a 10-yard pass and was able to run away from four defenders to score a huge 75-yard TD.
Miami would go on to lose the game 28-17.
Sherfield’s long TD ranked eighth in YAC above expected. Sherfield had 53 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#7. Gabe Davis 98-Yard Receiving TD (55 YAC)
Gabe Davis caught the deep ball at the Buffalo 40-yard line, running by two defenders to make the catch, and outran everyone for a ridiculous 98-yard receiving TD.
Buffalo won the game 38-3 and Davis finished with three catches, 171 receiving yards, and two receiving TDs in the game.
Davis’ long TD ranked seventh in YAC above expected. Davis had 55 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
6. Dalvin Cook 64-Yard Receiving TD (55 YAC)
The ball was on the Minnesota 35-yard line, and the pass to Dalvin Cook was a screen pass, he would take the pass and find his way through the Colts’ defenders to run by numerous players, he broke a tackle at the Indianapolis 17-yard line and would break two more tackles inside the Indy five-yard line before finding the endzone for the long score.
Cook finished with 95 rushing and receiving yards and one receiving TD, in what was a memorable play and game.
Cook’s long TD ranked sixth in YAC above expected. Cook had 55 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#5. Derrick Henry 69-Yard Receiving TD (58 YAC)
Henry caught a screen pass and ran by numerous defenders, but Henry was caught at the two-yard line by a defender and was stripped. Henry fumbled the ball into the endzone, which was recovered by a Titans player for a TD.
Tennessee ended up losing the game 20-16.
Henry’s long play ranked fifth in YAC above expected. Henry had 58 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#4. Laviska Shenault 67-Yard Receiving TD (60 YAC)
Laviska Shenault caught the pass at the line of scrimmage, immediately made a defender miss, made another defender miss at midfield, and ran by everyone for a 67-yard receiving TD to give the Panthers a 19-7 lead.
The Panthers would go on to win the game 22-14.
Shenault’s long TD ranked fourth in YAC above expected. Shenault had 60 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#3. Cooper Kupp 75-Yard Receiving TD (64 YAC)
The Los Angeles Rams had the ball at their own 25-yard line. Cooper Kupp caught a five-yard pass and ran by every defender untouched for a 75-yard TD.
Los Angeles would go on to lose the game 22-10.
Kupp’s long TD ranked third in YAC above expected. Kupp had 64 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#2. T.J. Hockenson 81-Yard Receiving Play (68 YAC)
T.J. Hockenson caught a seven-yard pass, broke a tackle at the Detroit 25-yard line, broke another tackle just passed the Detroit 35-yard line, and carried two Seattle defenders at the Seattle 15-yard line all the way to the Seattle four-yard line before being tackled.
The Lions would go on to lose the game 48-45.
Hockenson’s long play ranked second in YAC above expected. Hockenson had 68 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
#1. Jaylen Waddle 84-Yard Receiving TD (69 YAC)
Jaylen Waddle caught a 10-yard pass, broke free, made a defender miss at the Green Bay 40-yard line, broke away from another defender at the Green Bay 35-yard line, and found the endzone for an 84-yard long TD reception.
Waddle’s long TD ranked first in YAC above expected. Waddle had 69 yards after the catch above expected.
Watch the run below.
C’mon Super Bowl LVII!
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
