Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL - Week 16
12.29.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The holiday weekend was kind to former Owls, as 17 of them ended up seeing game time in the penultimate week of the NFL regular season.
The action started on Friday, when Minnesota and rookie cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) faced off against New Orleans. Hand saw action on defense and special teams and recorded three tackles and two pass breakups, a career high, in a 52-33 loss. However, the highlight of his Christmas Day performance was intercepting Drew Brees in the red zone in the second quarter, the first interception of Hand's career.
Also on Saturday, Tampa Bay and head coach Bruce Arians clinched a playoff spot in the NFC with a 47-7 rout of Detroit. Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19) saw substantial time on special teams in the victory.
Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule traveled to D.C. on Sunday to take on Washington and were able to earn a 20-13 victory. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11) made a huge play in the second quarter, intercepting Dwayne Haskins to preserve Carolina's 13-0 lead. It was Whitehead's first interception since 2018.
Elsewhere around the league, Atlanta rookie center Matt Hennessy (2016-19) made the first start of his career and played every offensive snap against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Hennessy blocked for an offense that totaled over 360 yards, as the Falcons were a missed field goal away from going to overtime in a 17-14 loss.
Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) made three of four field goals attempts, from 30, 50, and 52 yards, and converted an extra point in a 19-16 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. McManus' teammate, cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16) saw action on special teams for Denver in the loss.
New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) saw significant time on special teams in the team's 23-16 victory over Cleveland. Finch, who made his first appearance for the Jets last week, has now been a part of the team's only two wins of the season.
Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) earned the first start of his career and set a season-high with four tackles, including a tackle for loss, in a 37-31 loss to Cincinnati. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) recorded four tackles in a 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia rookie linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19) saw action on defense and special teams and totaled two tackles in 37-17 loss against Dallas.
On Monday night, Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against New England and came away with a resounding 38-9 victory, improving to 12-3 on the year. Dawkins blocked for an offense that gained over 470 total yards, and Matakevich recorded a tackle while seeing time on defense and special teams in the win.
The action started on Friday, when Minnesota and rookie cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) faced off against New Orleans. Hand saw action on defense and special teams and recorded three tackles and two pass breakups, a career high, in a 52-33 loss. However, the highlight of his Christmas Day performance was intercepting Drew Brees in the red zone in the second quarter, the first interception of Hand's career.
Arizona and linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) were in action on Saturday, playing host to San Francisco. Reddick continued to pressure opposing quarterbacks, recording three tackles and 1.5 sacks on the day, his third consecutive game with a sack..@__harry22 will never forget this Christmas.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 25, 2020
📺: https://t.co/V4zEuw3hfQ pic.twitter.com/pdNC1Dr8j7
It was also Reddick's third consecutive game with a forced fumble, forcing one at the end of the second quarter.Haason Reddick continues his sack streak. #RedSea
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2020
📺 + 📱: #SFvsAZ on @SportsOnPrimehttps://t.co/maHpnF6lzS pic.twitter.com/e7mWWhBodK
Over the past three weeks, Reddick has 7.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. Reddick's six forced fumbles on the year is the second-most in the NFL, and his 12.5 sacks is tied for the third-most.Another strip sack for @Haason7Reddick 💪 #RedSea
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2020
📺 + 📱: #SFvsAZ on @SportsOnPrimehttps://t.co/maHpnF6lzS pic.twitter.com/zodoAEPTDO
Also on Saturday, Tampa Bay and head coach Bruce Arians clinched a playoff spot in the NFC with a 47-7 rout of Detroit. Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19) saw substantial time on special teams in the victory.
Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule traveled to D.C. on Sunday to take on Washington and were able to earn a 20-13 victory. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11) made a huge play in the second quarter, intercepting Dwayne Haskins to preserve Carolina's 13-0 lead. It was Whitehead's first interception since 2018.
Carolina wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) had a team-high seven receptions for 39 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, his third of the year. Anderson's 92 receptions this year is tied for the eight-most in the league. Tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16) helped block on offense, including on a Mike Davis rushing touchdown, and rookie safety Sam Franklin (2016-19) saw action on special teams. Washington rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) saw snaps on offense and special teams in the loss..@Big_Tah47 with the INT pic.twitter.com/pQ5QC0AyKQ
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 27, 2020
Elsewhere around the league, Atlanta rookie center Matt Hennessy (2016-19) made the first start of his career and played every offensive snap against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Hennessy blocked for an offense that totaled over 360 yards, as the Falcons were a missed field goal away from going to overtime in a 17-14 loss.
Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) made three of four field goals attempts, from 30, 50, and 52 yards, and converted an extra point in a 19-16 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. McManus' teammate, cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16) saw action on special teams for Denver in the loss.
New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) saw significant time on special teams in the team's 23-16 victory over Cleveland. Finch, who made his first appearance for the Jets last week, has now been a part of the team's only two wins of the season.
Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) earned the first start of his career and set a season-high with four tackles, including a tackle for loss, in a 37-31 loss to Cincinnati. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) recorded four tackles in a 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia rookie linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19) saw action on defense and special teams and totaled two tackles in 37-17 loss against Dallas.
On Monday night, Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against New England and came away with a resounding 38-9 victory, improving to 12-3 on the year. Dawkins blocked for an offense that gained over 470 total yards, and Matakevich recorded a tackle while seeing time on defense and special teams in the win.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football.jpg&width=100&height=100&type=webp)
DL
/ Football
BUBO
/ Football
DB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
PK/P
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ FootballEp. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Adam Fisher)
Sunday, December 14
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Derrian Ford & Gavin Griffiths)
Sunday, December 14
Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
Friday, December 12
