These two TDs by Antonio Brown highlight why he’s the best in the NFL

The NFL has many great receivers and players. But on Sunday, in a game where his team desperately needed something, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown showed that he’s clearly the game’s best receiver and quite possibly, it’s best player.

The first touchdown Brown caught was spectacular. With Pittsburgh down 21-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown hauled in a one-handed touchdown pass despite being absolutely blanketed by Jacksonville’s A.J. Bouye.

The second came in the fourth quarter. With Pittsburgh trailing 35-21 and facing a fourth down, Ben Roethlisberger appeared to have a clear route to running for the first down. Only, he opted to go deep for Brown, who vindicated his quarterback’s decision.

Again, blanket coverage from Bouye — one of the NFL’s best corners — couldn’t keep Brown from a touchdown.

As spectacular as those plays were, they don’t do Brown justice. Brown was clearly not 100 percent. He was sick in the days leading into the game and hadn’t played since injuring his calf in Week 15. And clearly, he wasn’t gaining the type of separation we normally see, which was evident on both touchdowns with defenders draped over his body.

You just can’t ask for more from a player than what Brown gave the Steelers on Sunday. Other players will make great plays. But in addition to his brilliant stats, nobody makes great plays look as routine as Brown does on such a consistent basis.