Football

#ProBigRed: Huskers in the NFL – Week 17

by
Huskers Today
January 4, 2021

Minnesota Vikings

Football
1/4/2021 9:26:00 AM

NU Athletic Communications

The Husker pipeline was well represented on offense in Week 17, with Nick Gates (Giants) playing the entire game. Gates started at center and helped the Giants account for 354 total yards. Ameer Abdullah (Vikings) also caught a touchdown pass in a win over the Detroit Lions.

Defensively, teammates Lavonte David and Ndamukong Suh (Bucs) were standouts. David started at inside linebacker, playing the entire game and notching eight total tackles and a forced fumble. Suh started on the defensive line and helped out with three total tackles, including one sack. Additionally, Lamar Jackson (Jets) played the entire game at cornerback and recorded five solo tackles.

A complete list of statistics by former Huskers in the NFL is below. Eight former Huskers will compete in the NFL Playoffs which begin this weekend, including: Carlos Davis (Steelers), Will Compton and Joshua Kalu (Titans), Sam Koch (Ravens), Andy Janovich (Browns) and David, Suh and Khalil Davis (Bucs).

HUSKERS IN THE AFC

AFC EAST
		New England Patriots (W, 28-14 vs. New York Jets) RB Rex Burkhead: Did Not Play (Injured Reserve)
		New York Jets (L, 28-14 at New England) OL Alex Lewis: Did Not Play (Injured Reserve). CB Lamar Jackson: Started at cornerback and played the entire game. Helped lead the way with five solo tackles.

AFC WEST
		Las Vegas Raiders (W, 32-31 at Denver) DL Maliek Collins: Started at tackle this week, playing 48 snaps and notching three tackles. OL Richie Incognito: Did Not Play (Injured Reserve).

AFC NORTH
		Baltimore Ravens (W, 38-3 at Cincinnati) P Sam Koch: Did Not Play (COVID-19). Koch had played 239 consecutive games since 2006, the third-longest streak in the NFL.
		Cincinnati Bengals (L, 38-3 vs. Baltimore) TE Cethan Carter: Caught one pass for 21 yards, playing 12 offensive and 18 special teams snaps. WR Stanley Morgan Jr.: Saw action on 20 total snaps, including 18 on special teams. DL Freedom Akinmoladun: Did Not Play (Practice Squad)
		Cleveland Browns (W, 24-22 vs. Pittsburgh) FB Andy Janovich: Saw action on 17 special teams snaps, and returned one kickoff for 13 yards.
		Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 24-22 at Cleveland) DL Carlos Davis: Made one tackle on defense, playing seven snaps.

AFC SOUTH
		Houston Texans (L, 48-38 vs. Tennessee) OL Brent Qvale: Did Not Play (Injured Reserve)
		Jacksonville Jaguars (L, 28-14 at Indianapolis) RB Devine Ozigbo: Saw action on five total snaps.
		Tennessee Titans (W, 41-38 at Houston) CB Joshua Kalu: Saw action on 16 special teams snaps. LB Will Compton: Saw action on 24 special teams snaps.

HUSKERS IN THE NFC

NFC EAST
		Dallas Cowboys (L, 23-19 at New York Giants) LB Luke Gifford: In his second week back, Gifford recorded a special teams tackle and appeared on 21 snaps. DE Randy Gregory: Contributed on the defensive line, playing 20 snaps and recording one tackle.
		Philadelphia Eagles (L, 20-14 vs. Washington) LB Nathan Gerry: Did Not Play (Injured Reserve)
		New York Giants (W, 23-19 vs. Dallas) OL Nick Gates: Started at center and played the entire game. Helped the Giants rush for 125 yards and earn an additional 229 yards through the air.

NFC WEST
		San Francisco 49ers (L, 26-23 vs. Seattle) DL Darrion Daniels: After being activated from the practice squad last week, made one tackle on defense and saw action on 23 snaps.

NFC NORTH
		Minnesota Vikings (W, 37-35 at Detroit) RB Ameer Abdullah: Caught all three targets on the day, including one for a touchdown. Also returned four kicks for an average of 27 yards per return.

NFC SOUTH
		Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 44-27 vs. Atlanta) LB Lavonte David: Started at inside linebacker and played the entire game. David was second in total tackles with eight, including a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. DL Khalil Davis: Saw action on 18 snaps, including 14 on defense. Recorded one tackle and a QB hurry. DT Ndamukong Suh: Started on the defensive line and played 56 snaps. Totaled three tackles, including a sack for seven yards, and two QB hurries.