Catch of the day alert

From Lorenzo Reyes' article "40 things we learned in Week 4 of the 2017 NFL season"

October 3, 2017

32. Catch of the day alert: Check out the one-handed snag by Broncos TE A.J. Derby.

Five extra points: Riley Reiff is a strength for Vikings

By Mark Craig

October 2, 2017

3. Reiff played well with little help …

Yes, the Vikings lost. Yes, their quarterback threw almost as many incompletions (14) as completions (16). But for the first time in years, left tackle is a strength, not a weakness. Riley Reiff, the former Lion who joined the Vikings via free agency, was exceptional. Reiff was given only minimal blocking help from teammates, an unofficial tally of only seven assists on Case Keenum’s 30 passes. He faced multiple ends, but mainly Ezekiel Ansah, who didn’t have a pressure in the game. End Anthony Zettel did hit Keenum while lined up against Reiff. But that was Keenum’s fault for holding the ball too long and circling back into pressure just outside the pocket. Reiff did have a false-start penalty, but he also blocked Ansah perfectly on Dalvin Cook’s easy 5-yard touchdown run.

Broncos TE A.J. Derby caught a 1-handed touchdown like it was a tennis ball

A.J. Derby’s first career touchdown reception was a gem.

By Adam Stites

October 1, 2017

One-handed catches can get old with the level of athlete that plays in the NFL, but occasionally you can still find one that makes you say, “Wow.” Denver Broncos tight end A.J. Derby managed to provide one of those early in Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders.

When Trevor Siemian threw a pass to Derby near the right sideline, all the tight end could get on the ball were his fingers. That was enough.

It’s one thing to catch a ball with one hand and pull it into your body, or at least your arm. But to just pinch it with your fingers like it’s a tennis ball is something else.

Even better is the fact that it was the first touchdown of Derby’s career. Originally drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round in 2015, he was traded to Denver for a fifth-round pick last October.

It took a while for Derby to get a touchdown, but his catch Sunday was a hell of a way to finally get in.