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2021 NFL Owls – Week 16
12/30/2021 2:14:00 PM | 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 16th week of the 2021 NFL season (All gametimes listed below are Eastern):
Active Owls (7)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair recorded a half-sack – his third straight game at least sharing a quarterback takedown – among six tackles in the 49ers' 20-17 loss to Tennessee last Thursday night. Of his six stops, five were assists, and three went for two yards or less, and he played 81% of the team's snaps at linebacker. He was, however, injured late in the contest, and could potentially miss the 49ers' last two regular season games.
Season Stats: In 13 games/13 starts, career-best 102 tackles (58 solo/44 assists), nine TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception for 24 yards, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries for 12 yards
49ers' Record: 8-7 (Third in the NFC West, remained sixth in the NFC playoff seeding if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Houston – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant had a touchdown for the second straight game, a one-yard reception that was his only catch of the day. He finished sixth among Cleveland offensive players with a 70.5 grade, playing 19 snaps at tight end. The Browns fell just short against Green Bay, 24-22.
Season Stats: In 14 games/3 starts, 19 receptions for 223 yards (11.7 per catch with a long of 41), 13 first downs and two touchdowns
Browns' Record: 7-8 (Still in the hunt in the AFC playoff standings, a game behind the group tied for seventh through 10th)
Next Game: at Pittsburgh (and Pierre) – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | Cincinnati Bengals
- After his 14th sack of this season – marking a career high and the new modern-day Cincinnati team record (since the statistic became official in 1982) – Hendrickson is one game away from tying another high-water mark, the NFL record of 12 consecutive games with at least a half-sack. In the Bengals' 41-21 rout of Baltimore, he had two solo tackles – both for loss – three quarterback hits, and a 67.7 grade, fourth-best on the Cincy defense.
Season Stats: In 15 games/13 starts, career-high 14.0 sacks (fifth-most in the NFL), 34 tackles (21 solo/13 assists), 12.0 TFL, 25 quarterback hits, 42 quarterback pressures (sixth in NFL), 71 total pressures (tied for fourth in the NFL) and three forced fumbles
Bengals' Record: 8-6 (First in the AFC North, fourth in the AFC playoff seeding if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Baltimore – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
#38 Buddy Howell | RB/ST | Los Angeles Rams
- Howell returned to action Sunday by playing 61% of the Rams' special teams snaps in their 30-23 win over the Vikings.
Season Stats: In 8 games, has five carries for 11 yards. Also has two special teams tackles and two kick returns for 34 yards, while collectively playing 61% of the team's ST snaps
Rams' Record: 11-4 (First in the NFC West, has clinched a playoff berth. Is currently third in the NFC playoff standings if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Baltimore – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#1 Greg Joseph | K | Minnesota Vikings
- Joseph made all five of his attempts Sunday, 3-for-3 on field goals (23, 24, 44) and both extra points. His first five kickoffs were touchbacks, with his sixth being an onside attempt that unfortunately was recovered by the Rams. Minnesota fell, 30-23.
Season Stats: Playing all 15 games, has set career highs in every category: 31-for-36 on field goals with a long of 55 (and 6-of-8 from 50 yards or longer), 31-of-35 on extra points, 81.6% touchbacks and an average of 64.1 yards, 124 points (third most in the NFL). His 31 FG is also third most among NFL kickers
Vikings' Record: 7-8 (Second in the NFC North, is a game behind two 8-7 teams that make up the final two seeds in the NFC if the season ended today)
Next Game: at Green Bay – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
#42 James Pierre | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre did not record a stat while playing seven special teams snaps in the Steelers' 36-10 loss to Kansas City.
Season Stats: In 15 games/4 starts, 46 tackles (37 solo/nine assists), his first career interception, has a 61.5 completion % against, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles (ninth most in the NFL)
Steelers' Record: 7-7-1 (Still in the hunt in the AFC playoff standings, a half-game behind the group tied for seventh through 10th)
Next Game: vs. Cleveland (and Bryant) – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- Posted twin yardage totals of 39 rushing and receiving in a big win, 33-21, over New England. His 39 on the ground came on 12 carries, including a two-yard touchdown and recording three first downs; through the air, he had five catches, with a long of 12 and three more first downs. Among his yardage was this ridiculous play, which can also be seen below.
Season Stats: In 15 games/14 starts, 146 carries for 672 yards (4.6 per attempt, 14th-highest in the NFL), four rushing touchdowns, 38 catches for 204 yards and 42 total first downs (33 rushing/nine receiving)
Bills' Record: 9-6 (Moved to first in the AFC East and fourth in the AFC playoff standings if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Atlanta – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Injured/Reserve (2)
#97 Trevon Coley | DT | Tennessee Titans
#35 Sharrod Neasman | S | New York Jets
Season Stats: In 11 games/1 start, 14 tackles (12 solo/two assists), two TFL, his first career interception for a 13-yard return, has a 25.0 completion % against and three pass deflections
Practice Squad (6)
#90 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: Two solo tackles and one QB hit in two games played
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | DB | Houston Texans
- LeBlanc came off the Texans' reserve-COVID-19 list and was put back on the team's practice squad on Wednesday
#29 Herb Miller | CB | Cleveland Browns
- Miller was elevated once again to the active roster and had two tackles, one solo and one assist (and one on a kickoff and one on a punt), in 16 special teams snaps
Season Stats: In 8 games/4 starts, has recorded five tackles (four solo/one assist). When he's active, he plays 65% of the team's ST snaps
#-- Rashad Smith | LB | Atlanta Falcons
#73 Brandon Walton | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#34 Kerrith Whyte| RB/ST | Green Bay Packers
- On Wednesday, Whyte joined the Packers' practice squad for the second time this season
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.
Active Owls (7)
#51 Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | San Francisco 49ers
- Al-Shaair recorded a half-sack – his third straight game at least sharing a quarterback takedown – among six tackles in the 49ers' 20-17 loss to Tennessee last Thursday night. Of his six stops, five were assists, and three went for two yards or less, and he played 81% of the team's snaps at linebacker. He was, however, injured late in the contest, and could potentially miss the 49ers' last two regular season games.
Season Stats: In 13 games/13 starts, career-best 102 tackles (58 solo/44 assists), nine TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception for 24 yards, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries for 12 yards
49ers' Record: 8-7 (Third in the NFC West, remained sixth in the NFC playoff seeding if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Houston – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
#88 Harrison Bryant | TE | Cleveland Browns
- Bryant had a touchdown for the second straight game, a one-yard reception that was his only catch of the day. He finished sixth among Cleveland offensive players with a 70.5 grade, playing 19 snaps at tight end. The Browns fell just short against Green Bay, 24-22.
Season Stats: In 14 games/3 starts, 19 receptions for 223 yards (11.7 per catch with a long of 41), 13 first downs and two touchdowns
Browns' Record: 7-8 (Still in the hunt in the AFC playoff standings, a game behind the group tied for seventh through 10th)
Next Game: at Pittsburgh (and Pierre) – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Back-to-back games with TDs for Harrison Bryant 🎁 pic.twitter.com/ttmtNjnHAj
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) December 25, 2021
Touchdowns in back-to-back games for @hbryant17 pic.twitter.com/NGN7mwkC1y
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 25, 2021
#91 Trey Hendrickson | DE | Cincinnati Bengals
- After his 14th sack of this season – marking a career high and the new modern-day Cincinnati team record (since the statistic became official in 1982) – Hendrickson is one game away from tying another high-water mark, the NFL record of 12 consecutive games with at least a half-sack. In the Bengals' 41-21 rout of Baltimore, he had two solo tackles – both for loss – three quarterback hits, and a 67.7 grade, fourth-best on the Cincy defense.
Season Stats: In 15 games/13 starts, career-high 14.0 sacks (fifth-most in the NFL), 34 tackles (21 solo/13 assists), 12.0 TFL, 25 quarterback hits, 42 quarterback pressures (sixth in NFL), 71 total pressures (tied for fourth in the NFL) and three forced fumbles
Bengals' Record: 8-6 (First in the AFC North, fourth in the AFC playoff seeding if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Baltimore – Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
- 14 sacks
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2021
- 11 straight games with at least .5 sacks
- A Pro Bowl selection
Trey Hendrickson has made his presence known in Cincinnati. 😤 pic.twitter.com/nORsMPCwpB
#38 Buddy Howell | RB/ST | Los Angeles Rams
- Howell returned to action Sunday by playing 61% of the Rams' special teams snaps in their 30-23 win over the Vikings.
Season Stats: In 8 games, has five carries for 11 yards. Also has two special teams tackles and two kick returns for 34 yards, while collectively playing 61% of the team's ST snaps
Rams' Record: 11-4 (First in the NFC West, has clinched a playoff berth. Is currently third in the NFC playoff standings if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Baltimore – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
#1 Greg Joseph | K | Minnesota Vikings
- Joseph made all five of his attempts Sunday, 3-for-3 on field goals (23, 24, 44) and both extra points. His first five kickoffs were touchbacks, with his sixth being an onside attempt that unfortunately was recovered by the Rams. Minnesota fell, 30-23.
Season Stats: Playing all 15 games, has set career highs in every category: 31-for-36 on field goals with a long of 55 (and 6-of-8 from 50 yards or longer), 31-of-35 on extra points, 81.6% touchbacks and an average of 64.1 yards, 124 points (third most in the NFL). His 31 FG is also third most among NFL kickers
Vikings' Record: 7-8 (Second in the NFC North, is a game behind two 8-7 teams that make up the final two seeds in the NFC if the season ended today)
Next Game: at Green Bay – Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
#42 James Pierre | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pierre did not record a stat while playing seven special teams snaps in the Steelers' 36-10 loss to Kansas City.
Season Stats: In 15 games/4 starts, 46 tackles (37 solo/nine assists), his first career interception, has a 61.5 completion % against, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles (ninth most in the NFL)
Steelers' Record: 7-7-1 (Still in the hunt in the AFC playoff standings, a half-game behind the group tied for seventh through 10th)
Next Game: vs. Cleveland (and Bryant) – Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#26 Devin Singletary | RB | Buffalo Bills
- Posted twin yardage totals of 39 rushing and receiving in a big win, 33-21, over New England. His 39 on the ground came on 12 carries, including a two-yard touchdown and recording three first downs; through the air, he had five catches, with a long of 12 and three more first downs. Among his yardage was this ridiculous play, which can also be seen below.
Season Stats: In 15 games/14 starts, 146 carries for 672 yards (4.6 per attempt, 14th-highest in the NFL), four rushing touchdowns, 38 catches for 204 yards and 42 total first downs (33 rushing/nine receiving)
Bills' Record: 9-6 (Moved to first in the AFC East and fourth in the AFC playoff standings if the season ended today)
Next Game: vs. Atlanta – Sunday, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Singletary slippin' in for six.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 26, 2021
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/tUrdFsOWQN
McDermott said this play from the Pats game by Singletary was one of the favorite plays of the year for him. Called it a signature play & said it was leadership by example for Motor. pic.twitter.com/QkfzpQCe87
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) December 29, 2021
Injured/Reserve (2)
#97 Trevon Coley | DT | Tennessee Titans
#35 Sharrod Neasman | S | New York Jets
Season Stats: In 11 games/1 start, 14 tackles (12 solo/two assists), two TFL, his first career interception for a 13-yard return, has a 25.0 completion % against and three pass deflections
Practice Squad (6)
#90 Brandin Bryant | DT | Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: Two solo tackles and one QB hit in two games played
#34 Cre'von LeBlanc | DB | Houston Texans
- LeBlanc came off the Texans' reserve-COVID-19 list and was put back on the team's practice squad on Wednesday
#29 Herb Miller | CB | Cleveland Browns
- Miller was elevated once again to the active roster and had two tackles, one solo and one assist (and one on a kickoff and one on a punt), in 16 special teams snaps
Season Stats: In 8 games/4 starts, has recorded five tackles (four solo/one assist). When he's active, he plays 65% of the team's ST snaps
#-- Rashad Smith | LB | Atlanta Falcons
#73 Brandon Walton | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#34 Kerrith Whyte| RB/ST | Green Bay Packers
- On Wednesday, Whyte joined the Packers' practice squad for the second time this season
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.
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