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Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 17 Top Performers

On3 imageby:Kyle Huesmann•12/31/24•

HuesmannKyle

New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette gestures while warming up for a game against the Indianapolis Colts. (Photo by The Record)
New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette gestures while warming up for a game against the Indianapolis Colts. (Photo by The Record)

The NFL regular season is nearly complete, with next week marking the final week before the playoffs begin. That means that the weekly ‘Hawkeyes in the NFL’ piece is almost done for the year, but former Hawkeyes really showed up during week 17, with several high-level performances and highlight plays. With one week remaining, 21 former Hawkeyes are either on the active roster or practice squad for projected playoff teams, while Geno Stone and the Bengals are still in the hunt going into week 18.

Honorable Mention Top Performers

LB Jack Campbell – 9 tkls vs San Francisco

DE AJ Epenesa – 4 tkls, 2 tfls, 1 sk vs New York Jets

DB Cooper DeJean – 6 tkls, 1 FR vs Dallas

TE Noah Fant – 4 rec, 43 yds vs Chicago

DE Anthony Nelson – 2 tkls, 1 sk vs Carolina

1. San Francisco TE George Kittle

Even during a highlight filled week, George Kittle managed to climb his way to the top of the list. It’s been a frustrating season for the 49ers, and they lost on Monday night against the Lions, but Kittle finished with a season-high eight catches for 112 yards. It’s the fourth time this season that Kittle has passed 100 yards receiving, while his 20-yard reception in the second quarter pushed him past 1,000 receiving yards.

On the year, Kittle has caught 76 passes for 1,079 yards, 49 first downs and eight touchdowns. He ranks 2nd in touchdowns amongst all tight ends, as well as third in receiving yards and 5th in receptions. With one game remaining, George needs just four receptions to reach 80 catches in a season for just the third time in his career.

2. New York Giants DB Dane Belton

The Giants have been out of the playoff race for quite some time, but they played spoiler on Sunday, defeating Indianapolis 45-33 and eliminating them from the playoffs. One of the standout performers in the win was defensive back Dane Belton. He finished with eight tackles and recorded the fifth interception of his career. Per Pro Football Focus, Belton’s 90.4 game grade ranked fifth best amongst all defensive players for week 17, while his 91.7 coverage grade was third best amongst all defensive backs. On the season, Belton has totaled a career-best 52 tackles, one sack and one interception.

3. Detroit TE Sam LaPorta

Although George Kittle had the better day, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta got the win and had a solid performance, as the Lions moved to 14-2 on the season. LaPorta totaled six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, while his touchdown grab tied him with former NFL star Mike Ditka for the second-most touchdown receptions (17) by a tight end through their first two NFL seasons. On the season, LaPorta has caught 53 passes for 663 yards, 36 first downs and seven touchdowns. After getting off to a bit slower start than last year, Sam has caught four touchdown passes over the last five games.

4. Minnesota TE TJ Hockenson

Despite missing the first half of the season due to injury, TJ Hockenson has still managed to put together a solid year for a Vikings team that has shocked everyone with their 14-2 record. In Minnesota’s win over Green Bay on Sunday, Hockenson caught five passes for 68 yards, including a 28-yard reception on the Vikings field goal drive to end the first half. In nine games since returning from injury, TJ has caught 39 passes for 446 yards and 29 first downs, but has not yet gotten into the end zone.

5. Chicago P Tory Taylor

There was not much excitement in the Seattle/Chicago Thursday Night Football game, especially for Bears fans, but Tory Taylor, for what it’s worth, had another phenomenal day punting the football. Taylor punted seven times for 327 yards (46.7 avg), including a 50-yard punt and had five punts down inside the 20-yard line. On the season, Tory has punted 76 times for 3,657 yards (48.1 avg), including 32 punts inside the 20-yard line and just three touchbacks.

Play of the Week: New York Giants WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Another highlight reel play in Giants/Colts game was made by former Hawkeye wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Although he hasn’t seen any snaps as a pass catcher, he has gotten opportunities in the return game and made a game-changing play to begin the second half. With New York already leading 21-13, Smith-Marsette took the second half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. It’s his second career special teams touchdown and his first career kickoff return touchdown.

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