Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL - Week 15
12.22.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The third to last week in the NFL regular season saw 16 former Owls in action throughout the weekend as the playoff race heats up in both conferences.
Six Owls were in action on Saturday, the first being a matchup of three former teammates, as Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against Denver cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16). The three were all teammates at Temple in 2014 and 2015. Dawkins was on the field blocking for all but one snap in the game, as Buffalo's offense gained over 530 yards of total offense in a 48-19 win, clinching the AFC East and a playoff spot. Matakevich saw his most extensive action on defense of the year and totaled seven tackles, the second most of his career. Hairston, who was making his first appearance for the Broncos, saw snaps on defense and special teams in the loss.
The other game on Saturday featured Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule as they traveled to Green Bay, losing a close game 24-16. Carolina wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) had two catches for 21 yards in the game, tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16) saw snaps blocking on offense and special teams, and rookie safety Sam Franklin (2016-19) saw action on special teams in the loss.
On Sunday, we had three separate matchups of former Owls throughout the day.
Arizona and linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) hosted Philadelphia and rookie linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19), as Arizona improved to 8-6 with a 33-26 victory, holding on to the last playoff spot in the NFC. Reddick backed up his outstanding showing last week with another stellar performance, as he recorded four tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles.
Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) and Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) faced off in an AFC South divisional matchup. Ya-Sin saw action in the secondary and on special teams as Indianapolis won 27-20, moving to a 10-4 record on the season. Martin saw snaps on defense in the defeat.
Another matchup was between Atlanta offensive linemen Matt Hennessy (2016-19) and Tampa Bay linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19), who were teammates on last year's Temple team. Both players saw action on special teams in the NFC South clash, with Russell and Tampa Bay prevailing 31-27, as they improve to 9-5 on the year.
Elsewhere around the league, Washington rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) had two catches for 15 yards and recorded a special teams tackle in a 20-15 loss to Seattle. New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) was elevated to the active roster this week, making his season debut by seeing action on special teams in the team's 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the team's first win of the season.
Miami tight end Chris Myarick (2016-18) saw snaps blocking on offense in a 22-12 win over New England, improving the Dolphins record to 9-5 as they hang on to the final playoff spot in the AFC, and Minnesota cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) saw action on special teams and recorded a tackle in a 33-27 defeat against Chicago.
Six Owls were in action on Saturday, the first being a matchup of three former teammates, as Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against Denver cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16). The three were all teammates at Temple in 2014 and 2015. Dawkins was on the field blocking for all but one snap in the game, as Buffalo's offense gained over 530 yards of total offense in a 48-19 win, clinching the AFC East and a playoff spot. Matakevich saw his most extensive action on defense of the year and totaled seven tackles, the second most of his career. Hairston, who was making his first appearance for the Broncos, saw snaps on defense and special teams in the loss.
The other game on Saturday featured Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule as they traveled to Green Bay, losing a close game 24-16. Carolina wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) had two catches for 21 yards in the game, tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16) saw snaps blocking on offense and special teams, and rookie safety Sam Franklin (2016-19) saw action on special teams in the loss.
On Sunday, we had three separate matchups of former Owls throughout the day.
Arizona and linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) hosted Philadelphia and rookie linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19), as Arizona improved to 8-6 with a 33-26 victory, holding on to the last playoff spot in the NFC. Reddick backed up his outstanding showing last week with another stellar performance, as he recorded four tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles.
He also brought pressure early in the game and forced Philadelphia into an intentional grounding penalty in the endzone, resulting in a safety and the opening two points of the game..@Haason7Reddick is at it again. #RedSea
— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2020
📺: #PHIvsAZ on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/4dWJuGxOxQ pic.twitter.com/ac0W3AxkAp
Reddick now has 11 sacks on the season, tied for the 5th most in the NFL, and has also forced five fumbles this year, which is the 2nd most in the league. Reddick is also the first player to have 5+ forced fumbles in a two-game span since James Harrison did it for Pittsburgh back in 2007. For Philadelphia, Bradley saw extensive action on special teams and added a tackle in the loss.First points of the ballgame go to the defense.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 20, 2020
📺 #PHIvsAZ on FOX
📱 https://t.co/QGajPnexpn pic.twitter.com/1Orjz4DqH2
Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) and Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) faced off in an AFC South divisional matchup. Ya-Sin saw action in the secondary and on special teams as Indianapolis won 27-20, moving to a 10-4 record on the season. Martin saw snaps on defense in the defeat.
Another matchup was between Atlanta offensive linemen Matt Hennessy (2016-19) and Tampa Bay linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19), who were teammates on last year's Temple team. Both players saw action on special teams in the NFC South clash, with Russell and Tampa Bay prevailing 31-27, as they improve to 9-5 on the year.
Elsewhere around the league, Washington rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) had two catches for 15 yards and recorded a special teams tackle in a 20-15 loss to Seattle. New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) was elevated to the active roster this week, making his season debut by seeing action on special teams in the team's 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the team's first win of the season.
Miami tight end Chris Myarick (2016-18) saw snaps blocking on offense in a 22-12 win over New England, improving the Dolphins record to 9-5 as they hang on to the final playoff spot in the AFC, and Minnesota cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) saw action on special teams and recorded a tackle in a 33-27 defeat against Chicago.
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