Huskers in the NFL Week 15

Another week of the NFL season is in the books as teams are finishing out the season and making playoff pushes. That included several of our former Huskers that played both on Sunday and Monday night games. With several strong performances here is a look at how each former Husker did in their Week 15 games.

Top Husker Performer

Nick Gates, New York Giants

As a blocker Gates was on point showing the ability to open up running lanes for Wayne Gallman and Alfred Morris but had probably his best pass blocking game of the season. Gates was able to not only hold the point of attack but he sought out work and was able to pick up Myles Garrett looping inside allowing Colt McCoy to make a throw down the field. But what stood out the most was Gates was targeted on a gimmick play where he nearly went up and had an Odell Beckham type catch.

Had a Good Day

Andy Janovich, Cleveland

Only playing 12 snaps on offense didn’t stop Janovich from making an impact as he was great in every single one of those snaps. Whether it was picking up the blitzing linebacker at the goal line to help get Chubb in the end zone or a late block to help spring a long run to help seal the game, Janovich was great Sunday night.

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

David had another solid game, especially in coverage where his man rarely got a target. Finishing with five tackles it wasn’t a huge productive day but he did have a couple of tackles for loss including a monster hit on the tight end. While his teammate Devin White may be getting more of the attention, David has been a steady presence for the Bucs.

Cethan Carter, Cincinnati

When the Bengals got up early on the Steelers it allowed them to run the ball more, which meant a lot of Cethan Carter. As both an inline tight end and their fullback, Carter had another strong day as a blocker. Carter was also prominent in Gio Bernard’s touchdown run that ended up sealing the game for the Bengals.

Will Compton, Tennessee

Compton may have only gotten in for one snap on defense, but he made it count recovering a fumble along the goal line. Outside of that one play Compton was involved on special teams but did register any tackles.

Up and Down Game

Randy Gregory, Dallas

It was a pretty quiet game for Gregory against the 49ers as he was held in check. Sure he had a nice quarterback pressure early and a tackle for loss in the fourth quarter that stalled the 49ers drive, but overly he was just nonexistent for a better part of the game.

Had a Rough Day

Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay

It was a quiet day for Suh as he only was able to get two tackles and a pass battled down. Suh struggled to get penetration as Matt Ryan was able to sit in the pocket and carve up the Bucs defense for 356 yards passing. Not to mention that both of Suh’s tackles came after a ten yard catch and a two yard run.

Brent Qvale, Houston

With his second straight start Qvale had his hands full trying to contain a talented Colts interior defensive line. Qvale had some strong snaps as a run blocker, but really struggled to anchor in pass protection as he was routinely driven back. He had some moments, but too often Qvale was beat in one on one situations that allowed pressure.

Chris Jones, Minnesota

It was a tough game for Jones who had to go up against Allen Robinson and speedster Darnell Mooney. And while Jones didn’t get beat for any long touchdowns he did give up seven long catches and was especially beat on longer crossing routes where he just couldn’t stay with the receivers.

No Impact

Lamar Jackson, New York Jets

For a second straight week Jackson only played on special teams in the Jets upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams. With only five total snaps Jackson didn’t make any tackles but did recover a blocked punt.

Joshua Kalu, Tennessee

As a reserve, Kalu was able to get in on a handful of plays on defense registering two tackles to go along with two more tackles on special teams. And while he got in and had some production it was all on plays in front of him.

Devine Ozigbo, Jacksonville

Sunday’s game against the Ravens was another blowout loss but that also meant we got to see some from Ozigbo as he finished with his third straight game with a catch. Sure it only went for four yards, but it’s still three games in a row that he’s gotten a ball thrown to him.

Stanley Morgan, Cincinnati

Since being activated from the practice squad Morgan has become one of the Bengals gunners on punt coverage and done well, adding a tackle early in the first quarter. Outside of that Morgan did get three snaps on offense but wasn’t targeted once.

Ameer Abdullah, Minnesota

While Abduallah did get a single snap on offense he wasn’t like Ozigbo who got a touch. On special teams Abduallah was also unproductive not finishing with a tackle and only got a chance to return one kick for 30 yards.

Carlos Davis, Pittsburgh

Davis was active for the Monday Night game against the Bengals but he only saw the field for two plays and wasn’t able to make an impact on either of those plays.

Sam Koch, Baltimore

In an interesting turn of events the Jacksonville Jaguars were without their punter who was hurt and had to use their kicker in that role. While Sam Koch on the other side didn’t have to punt a single time because the Ravens offense had their way with the Jaguars pooress defense. Maybe Baltimore could have lent them Koch for the day.

Inactive

Khalil Davis, Tampa Bay

Luke Gifford, Dallas

Practice Squad or Injured Reserve

Alex Lewis, New York Jets - NFI

Richie Incognito, Las Vegas - IR

Rex Burkhead, New England - IR

Maliek Collins, Las Vegas - IR

Nathan Gerry, Philadelphia - IR

Darrion Daniels, San Francisco

Prince Amukamara, Arizona

Freedom Akinmoladun, Cincinnati