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NFL Owls – Week 14
12/17/2020 9:36:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – FAUSports.com is proud to update our fans on the exploits of all of the former Owls who are lacing their cleats up each week in the NFL. Here's a rundown of how each performed during the 14th week of the 2020 NFL season:
(All gametimes listed below are Eastern)
Active Owls (12)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair matched his 2020 high of five tackles, four of which were solo, and also set a new season standard of 36 snaps on defense (along with 13 on special teams). The 49ers were topped by Washington, 23-15.
49ers' Record: 5-8
Next game: at Dallas – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant started at tight end and was targeted six times, catching three passes for 18 yards, in Monday night's barnburner against Baltimore. The Ravens prevailed, 47-42. He played 66% of the team's offensive snaps (55 of 83), plus eight more on special teams.
Browns' record: 9-4 (Second place in AFC North. Would be No. 5 seed in AFC if season ended today)
Next game: at New York Giants (and Morris) – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Trevon Coley | DL | New York Jets
- Coley was waived by the Cardinals on Saturday before their game the following day against the Giants, but was claimed two days later by the winless Jets.
Next game (and first game for Jets): at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | New Orleans Saints
- Held to one tackle – and without a sack – on 33 defensive snaps Sunday. Was in on five special teams snaps as well. The Saints saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of the Eagles, 24-21.
Saints' record: 10-3 (First place in NFC South, tied for the league's top record but would be No. 2 seed behind Green Bay today, based on tiebreakers)
Next game: vs. Kansas City – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
#38 Buddy Howell | RB | Houston Texans
- Howell had the most prominent offensive game of his young NFL career Sunday. He came into the matchup with five career carries, but against the Bears, toted it 11 times for 42 yards (both team highs), and added a three-yard catch as well. He recorded two first downs, every touch was for positive yardage, and he still provided his customary special teams work, 19 of 26, or 73%. Chicago won the game, 36-7.
Texans' record: 4-9
Next game: at Indianapolis – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#36 Herb Miller | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- For the second time this year, Miller was activated, and was in for five special teams snaps in the Bucs' 26-14 win over Minnesota.
Buccaneers' record: 8-5 (Would be NFC's No. 6 seed if season ended today)
Next game: at Atlanta (and Neasman) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#41 Alfred Morris | RB | New York Giants
- Saw the field for six offensive snaps, totaling three carries for seven yards, as the Giants' four-game winning streak was ended by Arizona, 26-7. The G-Men dropped to second place in the NFC East after their first loss since Nov. 2.
Giants' record: 5-8 (A game behind those vying for the final spot in the NFC playoffs)
Next game: vs. Cleveland (and Bryant) – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
#41 Sharrod Neasman | S | Atlanta Falcons
- Neasman started at safety, played 100% of the Falcons' 73 possible defensive snaps (and seven more on special teams), and posted a season high three tackles on Sunday. The Chargers targeted him twice and he allowed just a four-yard catch in his first start of the year, and most snaps he's played in a game in his career. Atlanta fell, 20-17.
Falcons' record: 4-9
Next game: vs. Tampa Bay (and Miller) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#42 James Pierre | DB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre played 57% of Pittsburgh's special teams snaps, 16 of 28, but the Steelers lost for the second straight week, 26-15 to Buffalo.
Steelers' record: 11-2 (Despite the loss, the team clinched a postseason berth. They did drop from the top seed to No. 2 in the AFC standings)
Next game: at Cincinnati – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- Singletary carried the ball seven times for 32 yards, with a two-yard catch, in Buffalo's 26-15 win over then-No. 1 seed Pittsburgh Sunday night. His long was 14, and he averaged 4.0 yards after contact.
Bills' record: 10-3 (First place in AFC East, would be No. 3 seed if season ended today)
Next game: at Denver – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
#53 Rashad Smith | LB | Philadelphia Eagles
- Smith made his NFL debut by accumulating seven special teams snaps in the Eagles' 24-21 over New Orleans. As of now, he is currently back on the team's practice squad.
Eagles' record: 4-8-1
Next game: at Arizona – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
#57 Adarius Taylor | LB | Carolina Panthers
- Taylor was activated off reserve/IR Saturday after missing three games due to injury. He played 22 total snaps – three at linebacker and 19 on special teams (or 63%) – in a 32-27 loss to Denver.
Panthers' record: 4-9
Next game: at Green Bay – Saturday night, 8:15 p.m. (NFL Network)
Owls on Reserve/IR (3)
#5 John Franklin III | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | CB | Philadelphia Eagles
#14 Kerrith Whyte Jr. | WR/RB | Detroit Lions
Owls on Practice Squads (5, 3 protected ... Miller and Smith are back on their respective PS, and each are protected)
#74 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
#1 Greg Joseph | PK | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (*)
#62 Brandon Walton | OT | Pittsburgh Steelers
Note: Practice squads have been expanded to 16 per team this season, and each week, up to four are chosen as "protected" members, barred from being signed by other teams to their active roster before that week's games are played. Those protected are designated above with an asterisk.
Each Thursday, check back here on FAUSports.com to see how each Owl did each week, along with a preview of their respective team's next game.
(All gametimes listed below are Eastern)
Active Owls (12)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair matched his 2020 high of five tackles, four of which were solo, and also set a new season standard of 36 snaps on defense (along with 13 on special teams). The 49ers were topped by Washington, 23-15.
49ers' Record: 5-8
Next game: at Dallas – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant started at tight end and was targeted six times, catching three passes for 18 yards, in Monday night's barnburner against Baltimore. The Ravens prevailed, 47-42. He played 66% of the team's offensive snaps (55 of 83), plus eight more on special teams.
Browns' record: 9-4 (Second place in AFC North. Would be No. 5 seed in AFC if season ended today)
Next game: at New York Giants (and Morris) – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Trevon Coley | DL | New York Jets
- Coley was waived by the Cardinals on Saturday before their game the following day against the Giants, but was claimed two days later by the winless Jets.
Next game (and first game for Jets): at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | New Orleans Saints
- Held to one tackle – and without a sack – on 33 defensive snaps Sunday. Was in on five special teams snaps as well. The Saints saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of the Eagles, 24-21.
Saints' record: 10-3 (First place in NFC South, tied for the league's top record but would be No. 2 seed behind Green Bay today, based on tiebreakers)
Next game: vs. Kansas City – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
#38 Buddy Howell | RB | Houston Texans
- Howell had the most prominent offensive game of his young NFL career Sunday. He came into the matchup with five career carries, but against the Bears, toted it 11 times for 42 yards (both team highs), and added a three-yard catch as well. He recorded two first downs, every touch was for positive yardage, and he still provided his customary special teams work, 19 of 26, or 73%. Chicago won the game, 36-7.
Texans' record: 4-9
Next game: at Indianapolis – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Texans radio's Andre Ware on Buddy Howell's performance: "I've always thought Buddy Howell deserved a chance just based on his preseason film ... I think the kid can play, he held up in pass protection ... Buddy Howell might wind up being the best back on this team." pic.twitter.com/chMqAxweof
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) December 14, 2020
#36 Herb Miller | CB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- For the second time this year, Miller was activated, and was in for five special teams snaps in the Bucs' 26-14 win over Minnesota.
Buccaneers' record: 8-5 (Would be NFC's No. 6 seed if season ended today)
Next game: at Atlanta (and Neasman) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#41 Alfred Morris | RB | New York Giants
- Saw the field for six offensive snaps, totaling three carries for seven yards, as the Giants' four-game winning streak was ended by Arizona, 26-7. The G-Men dropped to second place in the NFC East after their first loss since Nov. 2.
Giants' record: 5-8 (A game behind those vying for the final spot in the NFC playoffs)
Next game: vs. Cleveland (and Bryant) – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
#41 Sharrod Neasman | S | Atlanta Falcons
- Neasman started at safety, played 100% of the Falcons' 73 possible defensive snaps (and seven more on special teams), and posted a season high three tackles on Sunday. The Chargers targeted him twice and he allowed just a four-yard catch in his first start of the year, and most snaps he's played in a game in his career. Atlanta fell, 20-17.
Falcons' record: 4-9
Next game: vs. Tampa Bay (and Miller) – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#42 James Pierre | DB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre played 57% of Pittsburgh's special teams snaps, 16 of 28, but the Steelers lost for the second straight week, 26-15 to Buffalo.
Steelers' record: 11-2 (Despite the loss, the team clinched a postseason berth. They did drop from the top seed to No. 2 in the AFC standings)
Next game: at Cincinnati – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- Singletary carried the ball seven times for 32 yards, with a two-yard catch, in Buffalo's 26-15 win over then-No. 1 seed Pittsburgh Sunday night. His long was 14, and he averaged 4.0 yards after contact.
Bills' record: 10-3 (First place in AFC East, would be No. 3 seed if season ended today)
Next game: at Denver – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
#53 Rashad Smith | LB | Philadelphia Eagles
- Smith made his NFL debut by accumulating seven special teams snaps in the Eagles' 24-21 over New Orleans. As of now, he is currently back on the team's practice squad.
Eagles' record: 4-8-1
Next game: at Arizona – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
#57 Adarius Taylor | LB | Carolina Panthers
- Taylor was activated off reserve/IR Saturday after missing three games due to injury. He played 22 total snaps – three at linebacker and 19 on special teams (or 63%) – in a 32-27 loss to Denver.
Panthers' record: 4-9
Next game: at Green Bay – Saturday night, 8:15 p.m. (NFL Network)
Owls on Reserve/IR (3)
#5 John Franklin III | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | CB | Philadelphia Eagles
#14 Kerrith Whyte Jr. | WR/RB | Detroit Lions
Owls on Practice Squads (5, 3 protected ... Miller and Smith are back on their respective PS, and each are protected)
#74 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
#1 Greg Joseph | PK | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (*)
#62 Brandon Walton | OT | Pittsburgh Steelers
Note: Practice squads have been expanded to 16 per team this season, and each week, up to four are chosen as "protected" members, barred from being signed by other teams to their active roster before that week's games are played. Those protected are designated above with an asterisk.
Each Thursday, check back here on FAUSports.com to see how each Owl did each week, along with a preview of their respective team's next game.
Players Mentioned
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