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          NFL Nation

          Who was that?!? Unheralded ballers who made difference in Week 17

          Blake Jarwin scored the first three touchdowns of his NFL career on Sunday against the Giants. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
          • Cameron Wolfe, ESPN Staff WriterJan 1, 2019, 01:00 PM
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            • Covered the Broncos for two seasons with the Denver Post
            • Graduate of the University of Houston
            • A native of Jackson, Miss.
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          We all know the NFL stars who generate SportsCenter highlights on a regular basis. Every week, though, some performances make us say, "Who was that?"

          It could be the undrafted rookie receiver who catches a long touchdown pass, the backup quarterback who piles up stats or the journeyman linebacker who seals a victory with a big play.

          This story is for them.

          Take a look at Week 17's unheralded ballers, starting with the Cowboys' best tight-end performance since Jason Witten's retirement and the Panthers' third-string QB showing he deserves a place in the league:

          Blake Jarwin, TE, Dallas Cowboys

          7 catches, 119 yards, 3 TDs in 36-35 win over Giants

          Why it matters: Jarwin was a monster in a game that ultimately didn't matter for the Cowboys' playoff seeding, but they showed they wanted to win. As Dallas heads into the playoffs, Jarwin broke out at the right time and his emergence could add a new dynamic to the Cowboys' offense.

          Kyle Allen, QB, Carolina Panthers

          228 passing yards, 3 total TDs in 33-14 win over Saints

          Why it matters: The Panthers had a disappointing season, capped by Cam Newton being shut down after a lingering shoulder injury. But this Week 17 game wasn't meaningless for Allen, a undrafted rookie who stuck as a third-string quarterback. He looked poised and effective in his first start, and he looks like a viable backup candidate for the future.

          Jayon Brown, LB, Tennessee Titans

          Pick-six, fumble recovery and two pass deflections in 33-17 loss to Colts

          Why it matters: The Titans quietly had a top-eight defense, with plenty of young core players. One of those players is Brown, a 2017 fifth-round pick who started the season as a rotational inside linebacker. On Sunday night, Brown had maybe his best game of the season, making plays all over the field.

          Cody Latimer, WR, New York Giants

          Two amazing, one-handed grabs, including a TD, in 36-35 loss to Cowboys

          Why it matters: After being hampered by a hamstring injury for much of the season, Latimer had his most productive game, with two highlight-worthy deep catches. He also had a final-minute kickoff return that brought the Giants closer to field-goal range. He's headed into free agency on a good note.

          Brandon Powell, WR; Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions

          Set career highs in receiving (103, Powell) and rushing (93, Zenner) in 31-0 win over Packers

          Why it matters: Powell, a diminutive undrafted receiver, had been inactive for most of the Lions' season. He showed elusiveness and playmaking ability in the season finale. LeGarrette Blount will not likely return in 2019, opening up a role for Zenner to potentially claim as the backup to Kerryon Johnson. As Detroit searches for talent going into 2019, Powell and Zenner helped their long-term standing, even as backups.

          ESPN NFL Nation reporters Jordan Raanan and Michael Rothstein contributed to this story.