Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 12 Top Performers
We are back for another week of “Hawkeyes in the NFL” and believe it or not, we are about to enter the home stretch of the regular season. Just a couple of weeks from now and playoff talk will really start to ramp up, with plenty of Hawkeyes in good position to make it with their respective squads. As for week 12, it should not come as a shock that a pair of tight ends rose to the top of the list. We take a look at those tight end performances and three other players that stood out.
Honorable Mention Performers
DB Cooper DeJean – 6 tkls, 2 passes defended vs Los Angeles Rams
TE Sam LaPorta – 3 rec, 19 yds vs Indianapolis
P Tory Taylor – 6 punts, 292 yds, 48.7 AVG, LNG 54 vs Minnesota
1. Minnesota TE TJ Hockenson
He’s only been back from injury for four games, but TJ Hockenson has already turned in a couple of solid games for the Vikings, including a triple-digit receiving day against the Bears. Hockenson caught seven passes for 114 yards and four first downs. He caught two passes for 19 yards on Minnesota’s game-winning field goal drive in overtime. On the season, Hockenson has totaled 20 receptions for 226 yards and 13 first downs, but is still looking for his first touchdown grab.
2. San Francisco TE George Kittle
The fantastic season for George Kittle continues. Although the 49ers lost to Green Bay 38-10 on Sunday, Kittle caught six passes for 82 yards, four first downs and one touchdown. It’s the seventh time that George has caught at least five passes and the fourth time that he has totaled at least 75 receiving yards.
On the season, Kittle has 49 receptions for 642 yards (13.1 ypr), 31 first downs and eight touchdowns. He ranks third in the league in receiving touchdowns, fifth amongst all tight ends in catches and third in receiving yards. George needs three touchdowns over his final six games and playoffs to tie his career-high for a season.
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3. Tampa Bay DE Anthony Nelson
The Buccaneers didn’t have much trouble against the Giants on Sunday and defensive end Anthony Nelson was in the backfield on several occasions. He totaled four tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and four quarterback pressures. Nelson’s second quarter sack helped force a three and out with the Bucs already leading 10-0. On the season, Nelson has 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. He is fourth on the team in quarterback pressures (18) and tied for second sacks, plus quarterback hits (8).
4. Carolina LB Josey Jewell and Detroit LB Jack Campbell
The Panthers took Kansas City to the wire on Sunday, and Josey Jewell had a nice day against the dangerous Chiefs offense. He recorded a sack in the fourth quarter to force a punt, trailing 27-19, which allowed the Panthers to go down and tie the game on the ensuing possession. KC pulled the game out with a game-winning field goal, but Jewell had a team-high nine tackles to go with his timely sack. On the season, Josey has 61 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception.
Detroit continued their winning streak, with a 24-6 win over Indianapolis on Sunday and Jack Campbell did what he does best. Tackle the ball carrier. He finished with a team-high nine tackles and two pass breakups. On the season, Campbell leads the Lions defense with 87 tackles, five tackles for loss and one forced fumble.
