Buckeyes in the NFL – Week 16

Unguarded and Unmatched

For almost 20 years, Marvin Harrison’s record 143 receptions in a single season went untouched. Then, a freakish football-catcher by the name of Michael Thomas came along, and it’s clear no record is safe. The Saints WR solidified his all-time great season by passing Harrison in a Sunday W over the Titans. After his 12-catch, 136-yard, one-touchdown afternoon, Thomas became the single-season leader in passes caught, now up to 144 this year. “Can’t Guard Mike” is looking at his second-straight season as a First-Team All-Pro WR, and Buckeye Nation should be shocked if he doesn’t receive at least a couple MVP votes. (Image courtesy: neworleanssaints.com)

144 @CantGuardMike‘s record-breaking catch #Saints pic.twitter.com/lZpKfNxmhr

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019

“Every rep he takes is a Super Bowl-rep. He’s a model for perfection and how to be a pro.”@drewbrees with the absolute highest praise for @cantguardmike after he secured the record for most receptions in a single season pic.twitter.com/9YnvKogoXV

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) December 22, 2019

I blame @drewbrees he taught me this #WhoDat https://t.co/muQeHhgTym

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) December 23, 2019

Houston DBs Cause Problems

The Texans and Buccaneers played Saturday in the first game of the NFL weekend. As a result, Houston CB Bradley Roby made the first big play of the NFL weekend by taking his second pick of the year to the house. It came on the first pass play of the game, jolting Houston and helping it to a 23-20 win. Not to mention Roby batted away another pass and tacked on four solo tackles. On the other side of the Texans’ D, fellow CB Gareon Conley also logged a ton of snaps. He ended the afternoon with one pass breakup and two solo tackles, and the Texans are now AFC South champions. (Image courtesy: houstontexans.com)

Jameis’ 6th pick-6 of the season.

Most in a season since ‘06#HOUvsTB

(Via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/JaXhglIA8b

— PFF (@PFF) December 21, 2019

Texans’ defensive snaps: Just Bradley Roby and Tashaun Gipson played every snap, Zach Cunningham was 99 percent participation and Justin Reid was 96 percent. Gareon Conley was 92 percent, and Whitey Mercilus was 90 percent.

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 22, 2019

Dre’Mont’s Day

Three weeks ago, the same week Roby earned his first pick of the season, Broncos DL Dre’Mont Jones snagged the first INT of his career. Jones outdid himself in his team’s 10-point win over Detroit, the rookie’s best performance yet. He did it while less than 100 percent healthy. Playing through a sprained ankle, Jones registered four total tackles (three of which he made solo) on top of two sacks and two tackles for loss. He’s now up to three sacks, tying him for the fifth-highest mark on the team, as well as three TFL this season. (Image courtesy: denverbroncos.com)

#Broncos Briefs: Less-than-full-strength Dre’Mont Jones shines with two sacks

by @ryanohalloran #DETvsDEN #BroncosCountry https://t.co/OsoC1CLaur

— Denver Post Broncos (@PostBroncos) December 23, 2019

You really think I was going to forget about Dre? Talked one on one with #Broncos Dre’Mont Jones after his career day in win over #Lions #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/KmHMtRApkb

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 23, 2019

Buckeye Connection, Continued

Speaking of feeling less than 100 percent healthy, Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins was forced to leave Sunday’s tilt with the Giants after injuring his ankle. Even so, the rookie’s play before he went down proved he’s definitely growing as an NFL QB. Haskins completed 12 of his 15 passes for 133 yards and a pair of TDs in the OT loss. His main man, WR Terry McLaurin, finished his afternoon with seven catches for 86 yards. Through 15 games, McLaurin’s now led his team in receiving 10 times. With 81 yards next week, he’ll become the only Redskins rookie to ever reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. (Image courtesy: redskins.com)

With one game left to play in Week 16, #Redskins Dwayne Haskins is the current leader in Above Expected Completion Percentage at +21.2%! Granted he only threw 15 passes, but he was looking pretty good before he got injured.

Check out his TD pass to Steven Sims. Great play! pic.twitter.com/YUflCruexV

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) December 23, 2019

Good read from @DavidAldridgeDC on the growth of Dwayne Haskins. The rookie has turned in two straight strong weeks to help the #Redskins‘ offense get going. https://t.co/tyQdulo29C

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 23, 2019

Game in Green

SAF Malcolm Jenkins knows the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry well. He’s now played in 100 games as an Eagle, and Sunday evening, during the latest rendition, Jenkins rose to the occasion. The veteran recovered a fumble, batted away a third-down pass, and recorded six total tackles in Philly’s win. Jenkins’ team is now in the division’s driver’s seat, and he left the field as excited as anyone about it. (Image courtesy: philadelphiaeagles.com)

Fletcher Cox is now tied for the team lead with a career-high-tying 3 FFs this season (also 2015). Malcolm Jenkins, who recovered the fumble, has registered 1+ FR in each of the last six seasons. #FlyEaglesFly

— Eagles Communications (@EaglesComms) December 22, 2019

Third and three, Malcolm Jenkins tips the ball away to force a three and out. pic.twitter.com/ZZEH1kqQLA

— DIE-HARD Fans (@Eaglesfans9) December 22, 2019

5 Playoff games… 95 regular-season games, and he was just as brilliant in his 100th game as he’s been since he’s been here… (via @GQ_4_Eva) #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/q1ZT2o2Nf1

— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) December 23, 2019

The secret behind the @Eagles win! @MalcolmJenkins @brandongraham55 pic.twitter.com/oGu2J5CnEP

— Amy Trappler (@AmyTrappler) December 23, 2019

¯\_(?)_/¯

The elder Bosa and his signature shrug wrap up this week’s list. He put that celebration to good use Sunday after a four-solo-tackle, two-tackles-for-loss, one-sack outing against the Raiders. Now up to 18 TFL this year, he’s set a career-high clip for a single season in his career. With a similar performance in the season finale next week, he could also set career highs in sacks and total tackles. As of now, he sits one sack shy of his record (12.5) and six tackles from his best single-season mark (70), both of which he established during the 2017 season. (Image courtesy: chargers.com)

¯\_(?)_/¯@jbbigbear | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/3YqDJUTVJk

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 22, 2019

#Chargers DE Joey Bosa is playing in his 50th career game and he just had his 40th career sack. He is a game-changer. Eighth player to do it in Bolts history. #OAKvsLAC

— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) December 22, 2019

But Wait … There’s More!

The NFL announced its Pro Bowl rosters earlier last week. Thomas, both Bosa brothers, and Steelers DL Heyward all led their respective position in the fan vote. This season, Heyward’s logged 80 total tackles, 10 TFL, eight sacks, five passes deflected, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery to earn his third-straight Pro Bowl nod. Even though Saints SAF Vonn Bell also led the fan vote at his position, he ultimately got left off the final Pro Bowl roster. But that’s okay. His team has Super Bowl aspirations anyways.

6 Buckeyes selected to #ProBowl2020
5 named starters (the of any school)

That’s what it means to be #DevelopedHere.@nbsmallerbear @jbbigbear @EzekielElliott @CamHeyward @shonrp2 @Cantguardmike #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/UpQeGw4I8K

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 18, 2019