It was a huge Week 4 in the National Football League for former Hawkeyes. Guys were finding the end zone. One guy nearly did but sat down at the 1 to kneel the clock out. We have multiple interceptions. Let’s dive in!
George Kittle and Riley Moss
We have to start here again. What Kittle’s doing post-Achilles is not normal. In a back-and-forth game, it was Kittle who provided the back-breaking touchdown in San Francisco’s 24-14 win over Denver. Look at this.
Nearly 20 mph on this long touchdown. 10 months after tearing his Achilles. That’s touchdown number four on the season for Kittle. He also owns the 49er record for receptions, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. What an incredible career that will surely end with him in the Hall of Fame.
On the Denver sideline, Moss was one of many players injured in this game. He played enough to record 2 tackles but left with a rib injury and did not return. The substation story might be real in Santa Clara.
Sam LaPorta and Jack Campbell
We’re not done with tight ends. It was in a losing effort – Detroit just cannot get stops on defense – but LaPorta found the end zone this weekend as well, finishing with 8 receptions for 84 yards and a late 8-yard touchdown. It’s LaPorta’s second time in the end zone this season.
On the side that can’t get stop, Jack Campbell ended the game with 14 tackles. Another year with enormous tackle numbers for Campbell.
T.J. Hockenson
Look at the Vikings! They join Kansas City and San Francisco as the three remaining unbeaten teams. Not sure how, but the Vikes are there. This week, it was five field goals in a 15-10 win over Miami. Ok then.
Hockenson was central to that win this week, pulling in 13 passes for 119 yards. He would have had a couple more yards and a touchdown, but he wisely slid down inside the 2 which iced the game, as Miami could not stop the clock.
Cooper DeJean and A.J. Epenesa
We can’t let the tight ends have all the fun. The Eagles led the Rams by 10 but couldn’t shut the door and eventually lost, 24-20. Epenesa added a tackle and DeJean had 5 plus his first pick of the year.
Xavier Nwankpa
How about the X Man! Undrafted, Nwankpa made the Chiefs roster out of camp. He collected 3 tackles in KC’s 30-27 win over Las Vegas, including his first career pick that sealed the win and a 4-0 start.
Potpourri
Dane Belton also logged 14 tackles this weekend in a 23-12 loss to the Bears. Tory Taylor had no punts in this game. Chicago had more first downs (34) than the Jets had plays from scrimmage (32). Kaleb Johnson continues to get touches in Green Bay, finishing with 8 carries for 42 yards in their 17-14 win over Tampa Bay (1 tackles for Anthony Nelson, 4 for Lukas Van Ness.) Tyler Goodson also found himself in the box score for Dallas, registering 3 carries for 12 yards.
The weekend was so good the Iowa football Twitter account got in on the action.
To the comments!
