Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE GRIDIRON — After 16 weeks of the NFL season, only a handful of playoff spots remain, and teams are beginning to wrap up bids to the postseason.
Let's get to the important part, though: the off-the-field shoves, punks and celebrations after a wild week in the National Football League.
Here's some of the best from the weekend in sports.
Clay Mathews punks Carson Palmer in Arizona win
The 36-year-old Palmer threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns, but Mathews apparently wasn't impressed with the Cardinals quarterback against the Green Bay Packers.
After a particularly vicious hit, the veteran Packers pass rusher stood over Palmer and appeared ready to help the self-described "old man" to his feet.
Psyche.
Watch complete video of the move here, courtesy of the NFL's YouTube channel.
Palmer and the Cardinals got the last laugh, though; Arizona won, 38-8, to improve to 12-2 on the season and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Win streak over, but Dab has just begun
It's no secret that Carolina quarterback Cam Newton likes to Dab. The former Auburn signal caller has turned the popular dance move into his signature flair with each touchdown, irking some NFL rivals as the Panthers sought an undefeated season.
The bad thing about owning a signature move? It can also be used against you.
After the Atlanta Falcons ruined the Panthers' quest for an undefeated season with a 20-13 win, Falcons owner Arthur Blank found himself in the press room simulating Newton's Dab.
#Falcons owner Arthur Blank in the press room dabbing. pic.twitter.com/Q4yAighJev
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) December 27, 2015Again, be careful how you celebrate; the Panthers are 14-1 and still lead the NFC with one game left, and the Falcons are 8-7 and in second place in the NFC South.
Rams punters are people, too
St. Louis punter Johnny Hekker had to take the opportunity to put in a big hit while facing Seattle on Sunday. There was only one problem: His smackdown of the Seahawks' Cliff Avril was flagged as an illegal hit and drew a penalty.
It also drew the ire of future Seattle rushers, who made sure he knew whenever they were around.
< p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is too real: < a href="https://t.co/arblA3WdNo">https://t.co/arblA3WdNopic.twitter.com/Q13nQL9T5H— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 28, 2015
After the game, the Seahawks had a few words for Hekker.
#Seahawks locker rm video: Michael Bennett: Rams P Johnny Hekker "like a little girl" cowering after hitting Avril pic.twitter.com/gXdEHIGvUW
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 28, 2015Lesson learned.
