Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL - Week 17
1.5.21 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The final week of the regular season came and went in the NFL with 16 former Owls seeing action, some of them fighting for the final playoff spots in both leagues.
Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against Miami and won resoundingly, 56-26, improving their record to 13-3 and earning the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Dawkins helped block for an offense that totaled over 450 yards. Matakevich had six tackles and two pass breakups in the game and earned PFF's Team of the Week honors for his performance.
Although he was injured and did not play in Week 17, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) and the Indianapolis Colts clinched a playoff spot with their 28-14 win over Jacksonville. This will be the first playoff appearance of Ya-Sin's career.
Arizona linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) had five tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the team's 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Reddick finished the 2020 season with career-highs in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (15), QB hits (16), and forced fumbles (6). His six forced fumbles were the second most by a player in the NFL this year, his 12.5 sacks were tied for the fourth most in the league, and his 15 tackles for loss were tied for the third most in the league. Reddick was the only player in the NFL this year to rank in the top five in sacks, forced fumbles, and tackles for loss.
Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule finished the regular season with a 33-7 loss to New Orleans, closing with a record of 5-11. Wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) had three receptions for 40 yards in the game. Anderson ended his year with 95 receptions for 1,096 yards, both career-highs, and three touchdowns. His 95 receptions ended up being the 10th most by a receiver this year.
Safety Sam Franklin (2016-19) saw action on defense and special teams and recorded two tackles in the loss. Franklin ended his rookie season with 23 tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup. Tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16) again saw time on offense and special teams, and blocked on Carolina's only score of the game, a rushing touchdown by Rodney Smith. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11), who saw action on defense, finished his season with 51 tackles, an interception, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. Quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16) saw action in the second half, completing five passes for 95 yards, including a 31-yard pass to Anderson. Walker finished the year with 32 completions for 368 yards and a touchdown in four appearances.
Elsewhere around the league, Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) made three field goals, from 22, 26, and 37 yards, and converted two extra point attempts in a 32-31 loss to Las Vegas. McManus finished the year with 28 successful field goals, including 10 from 50+ yards, a new career high and the most by any kicker this year. Denver cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16) saw action on special teams in the loss.
Minnesota rookie cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) earned the first start of his career and saw his most extensive action of the season, playing on all but one defensive snap and recording two tackles in a 37-35 win over Detroit. Hand finished his rookie year with 17 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.
Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) saw action on defense in a 41-38 loss to Tennessee. Martin finished the season with 20 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) saw action on special teams and recorded a special teams tackle, his first tackle of the year, in a 28-14 loss to New England.
Buffalo offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) faced off against Miami and won resoundingly, 56-26, improving their record to 13-3 and earning the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Dawkins helped block for an offense that totaled over 450 yards. Matakevich had six tackles and two pass breakups in the game and earned PFF's Team of the Week honors for his performance.
Tampa Bay and head coach Bruce Arians locked up the #5 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 44-27 win over Atlanta. Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19) saw the first defensive snaps of his career and played on special teams in the win.Tyler Matakevich balls out and records a career high in PFF grade (89.4) and makes @PFF's TOTW #BillsMafia #Bills https://t.co/0tJSrTeicr pic.twitter.com/LpGJHeTudi
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) January 4, 2021
Russell's former Temple teammate, Atlanta rookie center Matt Hennessy (2016-19), closed out his first year by starting and playing every offensive snap for the second consecutive week. Hennessy blocked on an offensive line that only allowed one sack and helped the Falcons total over 380 yards of offense in the loss to Tampa Bay.5⃣th seed 🙌 pic.twitter.com/93dAJmx05b
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2021
Although he was injured and did not play in Week 17, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) and the Indianapolis Colts clinched a playoff spot with their 28-14 win over Jacksonville. This will be the first playoff appearance of Ya-Sin's career.
The final game of the NFL regular season was on Sunday night, as Washington and wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) looked to lock up the NFC East crown against Philadelphia. Wright saw action on offense and special teams in the team's 20-14 win, clinching a playoff spot.The climb continues. #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/cJdR5XQGA8
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 4, 2021
In total, five Owls will be participating in the NFL playoffs, with all of them in action next week in the Wild Card round. Dawkins, Matakevich, and the Buffalo Bills will play host to Ya-Sin and the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday night, Wright and Washington will host Russell and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.WE DID IT #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/pekXrg2vmb
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) January 4, 2021
Arizona linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) had five tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the team's 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Reddick finished the 2020 season with career-highs in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (15), QB hits (16), and forced fumbles (6). His six forced fumbles were the second most by a player in the NFL this year, his 12.5 sacks were tied for the fourth most in the league, and his 15 tackles for loss were tied for the third most in the league. Reddick was the only player in the NFL this year to rank in the top five in sacks, forced fumbles, and tackles for loss.
Carolina and head coach Matt Rhule finished the regular season with a 33-7 loss to New Orleans, closing with a record of 5-11. Wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) had three receptions for 40 yards in the game. Anderson ended his year with 95 receptions for 1,096 yards, both career-highs, and three touchdowns. His 95 receptions ended up being the 10th most by a receiver this year.
Safety Sam Franklin (2016-19) saw action on defense and special teams and recorded two tackles in the loss. Franklin ended his rookie season with 23 tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup. Tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16) again saw time on offense and special teams, and blocked on Carolina's only score of the game, a rushing touchdown by Rodney Smith. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11), who saw action on defense, finished his season with 51 tackles, an interception, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. Quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16) saw action in the second half, completing five passes for 95 yards, including a 31-yard pass to Anderson. Walker finished the year with 32 completions for 368 yards and a touchdown in four appearances.
Elsewhere around the league, Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) made three field goals, from 22, 26, and 37 yards, and converted two extra point attempts in a 32-31 loss to Las Vegas. McManus finished the year with 28 successful field goals, including 10 from 50+ yards, a new career high and the most by any kicker this year. Denver cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16) saw action on special teams in the loss.
Minnesota rookie cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) earned the first start of his career and saw his most extensive action of the season, playing on all but one defensive snap and recording two tackles in a 37-35 win over Detroit. Hand finished his rookie year with 17 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.
Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) saw action on defense in a 41-38 loss to Tennessee. Martin finished the season with 20 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. New York Jets linebacker Sharif Finch (2013-17) saw action on special teams and recorded a special teams tackle, his first tackle of the year, in a 28-14 loss to New England.
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