Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 16 Top Performers
We are back for another week of Hawkeyes in the NFL, as week 16 of the season has wrapped up. Just two weeks remain in the regular season and as of now, 19 former Hawkeyes are either on the active roster or practice squad for a projected playoff team. An additional six players are on teams that are still in the hunt, so expect to see a lot of Iowa players in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the top performances from former Hawkeyes during Week 16 of the NFL season.
Honorable Mention Performances
LB Jack Campbell – 7 tkls, 1 PD vs Chicago
DB Amani Hooker – 5 tkls, 1 INT vs Indianapolis
DB Geno Stone – 2 PD, 1 INT vs Cleveland
TE Noah Fant – 3 rec, 50 yds vs Minnesota
LB Ben Niemann – 4 tkls, 1 FR vs Chicago
1. San Francisco TE George Kittle
It’s really quite shocking that George Kittle is threatening to post a career-best season, while the 49ers are eliminated from playoff contention with two weeks left to play. In Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, Kittle caught a season-high eight passes for 106 yards. He caught two passes for 36 yards, including a 24-yard reception on San Francisco’s field goal drive late in the first half to cut the deficit to just three points.
On the season, Kittle has caught 68 passes for 967 yards, 44 first downs and eight touchdowns. Missing a couple of games due to injury will keep him short of putting up a career-best season, but he is very likely to eclipse 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his career, while he needs 12 receptions to reach 80 for the third time in his career.
2. Los Angeles OT Alaric Jackson
After starting the season 1-4, the Rams have rebounded, winning eight of their last ten games to close in on a playoff berth. Offensive tackle Alaric Jackson missed the first two games of the season, but has been a solid blocker all season. In Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, Jackson helped open holes for running back Kyren Williams who finished with 122 rushing yards. Per Pro Football Focus, Jackson’s 90.6 run blocking grade ranked second-best amongst all offensive lineman for week 16, while his 86.3 overall grade ranked 5th-best.
On the season, Alaric ranks a very respectable 27th, amongst all NFL offensive lineman in overall grade (79.0), and is the 24th-best pass blocker (79.2) in the league. He has allowed just three sacks over 433 pass blocking snaps.
3. Dallas DE Chauncey Golston
The Cowboys are out of playoff contention, but did their best to spoil the Buccaneers season by taking them down on Sunday Night Football. Defensive end Chauncey Golston got in on the action, totaling six tackles, one sack and one pass defended. His second quarter sack stalled a Tampa Bay drive that was on the edge of field goal range and forced a punt.
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Golston, in his fourth NFL season, is having, by far and away his best year, with 49 tackles, five sacks and 32 quarterback pressures. He’s third on the team in pressures, behind Osa Odighizuwa and Micah Parsons.
4. Detroit TE Sam LaPorta
The Detroit Lions made quick work of the Chicago Bears on Sunday, moving one step closer to an NFC North showdown in week 18 against the Vikings. Tight end Sam LaPorta caught four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown. In two games against the Bears this season, LaPorta totaled three touchdown receptions.
On the season, Sam has caught 47 passes for 599 yards and five touchdowns. In the win over Chicago, LaPorta passed Rob Gronkowski for second-most receptions by a tight end through the first two season of their NFL career (133), while also passing Jimmy Graham for third-most touchdown receptions during the same time frame (16).
Play of the Week: Tennessee DB Amani Hooker
The Titans aren’t having a real successful season, and they fell to Indianapolis on Sunday, despite a furious comeback attempt, but defensive back Amani Hooker recorded his 5th interception of the season in the first quarter. On the season, Hooker has totaled 71 tackles and four tackles for loss to go along with his five interceptions, which ranks fifth-most in the league.
