Buckeyes in the NFL – Week 15

Thomas Still Torching DB’s

Time for our weekly Michael Thomas update. The Saints top WR still tops the list of NFL receiving leaders after a 12-catch, 128-yard, one-touchdown Monday night vs. the Colts. After the 34-7 thumping New Orleans delivered, Thomas is up to 1,552 yards, more than 200 yards ahead of the NFL’s second-best clip, and 133 catches, which is 34 more than the next-highest total. He’s the best receiver in the game, and this season has been the best of his career. When it’s over, it may go down as one of the all-time great seasons a WR has ever had. (Image courtesy: neworleanssaints.com)

Said this a few weeks ago, will say it again: Saints WR Michael Thomas is the rare guy where everyone in the building can know he’s getting the ball, and he gets open and it goes there anyway.

The best receiver in football, no question.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 17, 2019

Michael Thomas is good at football pic.twitter.com/YaQcFQa6Jk

— DailySportsDosage (@OfficalDSD) December 17, 2019

#Saints WR Michael Thomas needs 11 receptions in the final two games to break Marvin Harrison’s record for most receptions in a season. Thomas has 133 on the season. Harrison’s record is 143 set in 2002. pic.twitter.com/jsysW0oHIQ

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 17, 2019

Zeke Too Sleek

Make it two weeks in a row Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott found the end zone two times. In his latest effort, Dallas’ 44-21 drubbing of the Rams, “Zeke” took his 24 carries for 117 yards and reached double-digit touchdowns on the season. Elliott hasn’t scored 10-plus times since his rookie year, and comfortably ranks fifth in the NFL in both rushing touchdowns (11) and rushing yards (1,188). (Image courtesy: dallascowboys.com)

Come for the @EzekielElliott TD but stay for the adorable reaction of the little kid that Zeke gave the ball too…#LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/beQRea4mqB

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2019

Ezekiel Elliott is now the 3rd player in @DallasCowboys history to record at least 25 games with 100 rushing yards.

Elliott joins Emmitt Smith (76) and Tony Dorsett (43). pic.twitter.com/XKKV1ejerb

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 15, 2019

Ezekiel Elliott seemed pretty happy entering the Cowboys locker room. pic.twitter.com/If1K5FKFW3

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 16, 2019

That Buckeye Connection

When the Redskins chose both QB Dwayne Haskins and WR Terry McLaurin in April’s Draft, they foresaw “a good natural fit.” Sunday against the Eagles, Haskins connected with McLaurin five times for 130 yards and a 75-yard catch-and-run TD. Talk about natural. “Simba” threw for 261 yards on the afternoon, meaning “Scary Terry” accounted for half of them. Haskins ran four times for 26 yards, showing his skills as a rusher are growing some. Though Washington dropped Sunday’s showdown 37-27, the package deal put up its best pro performance. (Image courtesy: redskins.com)

Haskins ? McLaurin

A pair of Buckeyes link up for the 75-yard house call (via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/xBfpwaX4Rq

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 15, 2019

Dwayne Haskins finds Terry McLaurin for a 75-yard touchdown pass. It’s the longest play for the Redskins this season

McLaurin now has 7 receiving touchdowns this season. Only Charlie Brown (8 in 1982) had more as a @Redskins rookie. pic.twitter.com/ZQ0yK0bDlp

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 15, 2019

This was fantastic by Dwayne Haskins. https://t.co/TlCpSII4Am

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 15, 2019

The #Redskins highest graded player from yesterday’s loss was once again rookie WR Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin finished with an 86.0 overall grade, the second highest of his career! #HTTR pic.twitter.com/9xyoxr3IjV

— PFF WAS Redskins (@PFF_Redskins) December 16, 2019

Big Day for Baker

Dolphins LB Jerome Baker has been a cornerstone of consistency on his team’s defense, and on Sunday against the Giants he even upped the ante. The mama’s boy totaled 12 tackles in the 36-20 loss, creating his NFL career-high. In fact, it’s his highest total in any game since the 2017 B1G Championship, and it gives him 104 for the year. In the third quarter, he snagged his second pick as a pro to cap the best game of his young career. (Image courtesy: dolphins.com)

Jerome Baker INTERCEPTION #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/SyZF78Kcgt

— Greg Likens (@GregLikens) December 15, 2019

jerome baker shooting the gap pic.twitter.com/mxRF14uyMK

— josh houtz (@houtz) December 15, 2019

Too Many Yards to Hyde

More milestones! Texans RB Carlos Hyde rushed for 104 yards on 26 carries Sunday against the Titans. In doing so, he surpassed 1,000 yards for the season and established a career-high mark. Did we mention there’s still two games to play? “El Guapo” scored once in Houston’s 24-21 W, his fifth rushing TD of the season. Hyde’s found a home in Houston, and he calls the league’s top 20 rushing list home as well. His 1,030 yards ranks 10th. (Image courtesy: houstontexans.com)

On Sunday, @elguapo became the fifth player in #Texans history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 16, 2019

Deshaun Watson on Carlos Hyde: “We’re glad he’s on our team … he deserves all the credit, he deserves more hype, and he deserves more touches. We’re definitely gonna ride behind Carlos and ride behind our offensive line.” pic.twitter.com/6sG4sWLLTr

— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) December 15, 2019

God is good!! #Everything1k

— Carlos Hyde (@elguapo) December 15, 2019

Samuel Sets Career Highs

How many former Buckeyes made this year the best of their career? Not one. Not two. Not three. Up to four on this list alone! Add Panthers do-it-all WR Curtis Samuel to it because with his sixth receiving TD this year, he set a new benchmark in his third NFL season. He also tied his record for total touchdowns in a season with seven. One of Carolina’s various versatile weapons, Samuel pitched in 54 total yards on nine touches in Sunday’s 30-24 loss vs. Seattle. (Image courtesy: panthers.com)

What it do Curtco@CurtisSamuel4__ | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/JwdvOeVNgg

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 15, 2019

Curtis Samuel in the Jetsweep for a 1st down…#Panthers #Seahawks #NFL
pic.twitter.com/bIauJ6tttC

— Christopher Reiss (@NFL_ChrisReiss) December 15, 2019