NFL Blitz: Bill Murray steals show, Maclin’s Gatorade tumble, Watkins red-faced, JJ Watt schools rookie

COMEDIAN Bill Murray was a surprise inclusion in NFL coverage this week. And it was awesome. Check out our wrap of the fun that happened in the league.

IT was a stunning week of football, with shootouts left right and centre in high-scoring thrillers. But check out what else you might have missed in the weird and wacky world of the NFL.

BILL MURRAY CAMEO

Comedian Bill Murray was a surprise inclusion in NFL coverage this week, featuring in a promo pre-game. And it. Was. Awesome.

The legendary entertainer is known to be a huge sports fan, especially of Chicago teams, hence the amazing bear hat. Hopefully we see more of Murray throughout in the season — it’s a winner.

AUSSIES IN ACTION

Brad Wing was a part of an impressive win for Pittsburgh over Indianapolis. He was called on to punt just twice, but had one inside 20, and a long punt of 54 yards for a 36.5 yard average. It was also the first time he had the chance to take his young son, Bentley, to the game.

Had an amazing weekend with my little man. I think he enjoyed his first Steelers game! pic.twitter.com/D0OfrgFtBZ

— Brad Wing (@bwing38) October 28, 2014

Meanwhile injured Seattle Seahawks big man Jesse Williams has been spending his off-time well, getting new tatts and giving iPhone purchasing advice to fellow Aussie abroad, NBA recruit Joe Ingles.

@Joeingles7 got mine on Craigslist! And wasn't a crackhead.

— Jesse Williams (@ThaMonstar) October 28, 2014

SACK CELEBRATION GONE WRONG

Chicago’s Lamarr Houston ended his season in the most embarrassing way possible this week. The defensive end was pretty happy with himself about sacking New England’s back up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but his enthusiastic gallivanting backfired, suffering a season-ending ACL injury while celebrating the play. The Bears were trailing by 25 points deep in the fourth quarter at the time, and would go on to lose in a blowout.

Detroit linebacker Stephen Tulloch suffered exactly the same injury with a similar celebration earlier this season - a celebration made famous by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while Real Madrid football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has his own leaping goal salute.

JJ WATT SCHOOLS ROOKIE

Like most twenty-somethings today, Tennessee’s Zach Mettenberger loves a selfie. But the rookie learned that taking gratuitous selfies all week ahead of his first NFL start isn’t the most professional practice. Texans enforcer JJ Watt took it upon himself to call him out on it too, sacking the quarterback during the Titans matchup against Houston, then mocking his selfie-taking in a celebration. Owned.

#sundayselfie @wyman pic.twitter.com/uYJMPKjMry

— Zach Mettenberger (@mettshow) October 26, 2014

“It was kind of a reminder that this is the NFL, not high school,” Watt told media after the game.

“This is the National Football League. Welcome to the show.”

But Mettenberger was quick to hit back and defend his commitment.

“I know how hard I work, and I know what I am doing here each and every day,” he told the Tennessean.

“If guys in this locker room feel it’s [social media] a distraction on my part, I’ll tone it back. But I don’t think that’s a problem.”

SWEET ROMO HAIRCUT

The Cowboys came crashing back to earth against their bogey team this week. Quarterback Tony Romo didn’t have a great day out, roughed up all night by the tough Washington defence.

But at least he looked good in the stands. On this guy’s head. In a haircut.

The hair art done by Rob Ferrell has long been doing up elaborate designs of sports stars on people’s heads from his barbershop in San Antonio. Pretty cool.

That's dedication. He said it is original #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/a7eE0GPOtc

— Chris Hanks (@Chris_Hanks5) October 28, 2014

MACLIN’S EPIC TUMBLE

Philadelphia’s Jeremy Maclin stacked it, hard. While returning a punt the speedy receiver was forced out of bounds and went flying into a Gatorade stand on the sidelines. He fell really awkwardly, smashing into the tub of drink and sliding across the table before going headfirst into another table. Ouch.

Though it looked bad, Maclin wasn’t hurt in the accident.

GISELE AND TOM ARE STOKED

As if throwing five touchdown passes wasn’t enough for Tom Brady, the New England quarterback set about posing with his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen, gloating about the incredible 51-23 scoreline in the Pats win over Chicago.

Post by Tom Brady.

FANTASY WATCH

LaFell catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears.

Brandon LaFell — If you weren’t smart enough to notice LaFell emerged as a legitimate attacking threat around the same time New England’s offense started firing again, then you better wise up. This guy can catch, he’s quick, and week by week he and Brady are building an excellent partnership.

Mark Ingram — The running back played a key part in the Saints’ win over Green Bay, kick-starting their stagnant offense with 172 yards. Those numbers don’t lie. Put him in the game, coach. Solid RB2 option going forward.

Larry Fitzgerald — The Cardinals are firing on offense this season, able to go toe-to-toe with the best teams, and that added grit has seen them have a strong start. Fitzgerald has burned owners in the past, but 160 yards and a touchdown against Philly in week 8 suggest he’s got some serious value.

Roethlisberger has shown vintage form lately.

Ben Roethlisberger — Big Ben is back. He threw six touchdowns for 522 yards in week 8, and looked good every step of the way. Pittsburgh struggled to get their offense going early in the season but seem to have gotten things back on track. Worth putting Roethlisberger in the starting line-up if he’s been lingering on your bench, or if your league has him on the waivers, you’d be wise to snap him up ASAP.

Chris Ivory — While the Jets quarterbacks are a shambles, Ivory is the main scoring option on the ground at the moment for New York. In the last few weeks he’s notched up big points and will continue to do so until Geno and Vick get it together. Even against Kansas’ strong defence, expect him to have a big workload this week.

San Francisco 49ers D — Coming off the bye the 49ers will be pumped up to get back into winning form, and they have a favourable matchup against the St Louis Rams who were humbled by Kansas City this week.

VINCE LOMBARDI QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.

This week’s quote goes out to New York Jets’ Saalim Hakim who put an excellent tackle on Bills receiver Sammy Watkins as the rookie was celebrating a touchdown before crossing into the endzone. Check out the video in the player above!

“If a man is running down the street with everything you own, you won’t let him get away. That’s tackling.”

Originally published as NFL Blitz: Bill Murray steals show, Maclin’s Gatorade tumble, Watkins red-faced, JJ Watt schools rookie