Dave & Adam’s “Leaders of The Pack” – Week 12

If there is one sure thing in the NFL this season, it’s that there are no sure things in the NFL this season. Who would’ve guessed the Texans and Chiefs would be two of the hottest teams in the league at the end of November or the Packers would lose four out of five games, including back-to-back games at Lambeau? Let’s see who rose above the craziness and earned the distinction of being a Dave & Adam’s “Leader of The Pack” for this week.

Quarterback: Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – 21 for 30, 345 yards, 5 touchdowns

Wilson had a career day in the Seahawks’ shootout win over the Steelers as he threw for five touchdowns for the first time as an NFL quarterback. The last two of those touchdowns came in the final 8:12 of regulation as Wilson hooked up with Doug Baldwin twice to secure Seattle’s victory.

The win was the Seahawks’ fourth in their last five games after they stumbled out of the gates with a 2-4 start. They have played their way back into a NFC Wild Card spot with five games to go.

Running Back: C.J. Anderson – Denver Broncos – 15 carries, 113 yards, 2 touchdowns

Anderson emerged from what seemed like a season-long hibernation to deliver the knockout punch to the Patriots’ quest for an undefeated season. His first touchdown came early in the fourth quarter to spark Denver’s rally. Anderson then took a hand off from Brock Osweiler on a third and one play in overtime and scampered 48 yards for the game winning touchdown.

Not only did it give the Pats their first loss of the season, it also moved the Broncos to a game out of first place in the AFC. It also may have cemented the hopes of Denver fans in that their team can win with Brock Osweiler filling in for the injured Peyton Manning.

Anderson looked poised to take over the Denver backfield in 2015 after his performances at the end of last season. That failed to develop, however, as Ronnie Hillman has been the running back of choice up to this point this season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of California in 2013. Look for his rookie cards in select 2013 football products.

Wide Receiver: Doug Baldwin – Seattle Seahawks – 6 catches, 145 yards, 3 touchdowns

Baldwin was on the receiving end of three of Russell Wilson’s five touchdowns in Seattle’s win over Pittsburgh. The last of three was an 80-yard score that clinched the Seahawks’ win as it put the game out of reach for the Steelers. The performance doubled Baldwin’s touchdown total for the 2015 season and established a new career high for the Stanford product.

Just like C.J. Anderson, Baldwin was also an undrafted free agent. He played his way to a starting role in the Seattle offense last season, and has caught touchdown passes in each of the last two Super Bowls. Look for his rookie cards in select 2011 football products.