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Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week Eight Top Performers

On3 imageby: Kyle Huesmann9 hours agoHuesmannKyle
AJ Epenesa had an interception in the Bills win over Carolina. (Photo by Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
AJ Epenesa had an interception in the Bills win over Carolina. (Photo by Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)

Week eight of the NFL season is complete, with the Chiefs picking up a win over the Commanders on Monday Night. This week, 30 former Hawkeyes were on active rosters, while 15 players are listed atop the depth chart at their position. We take a look at the top four performances from the weekend.

1. Tampa Bay DE Anthony Nelson

What a day if was for the 7th-year NFL vet Anthony Nelson. The Buccaneers defense was stout, holding the Saints to just 275 yards in their 23-3 win. Nelson was all over, finishing with four tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown. On the opening drive of the game, New Orleans was set up at the Tampa Bay 41 with 1st and 10, but Nelson tracked down Spencer Rattler on a scramble and knocked the ball out, forcing a turnover. In the second quarter, with the score still 0-0, Anthony picked off Rattler and returned it for a touchdown. On the season, Nelson has 21 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.

2. Buffalo DE AJ Epenesa

The Iowa defense forcing turnovers is so infectious that even the former Hawkeyes caught it and started making plays. In the Bills 40-9 blowout win over Carolina, AJ Epenesa tallied four tackles, one sack and an interception that he returned down to the one-yard line. A bit of a slow start for Buffalo, they led 12-3 in the second quarter, but Epenesa set them up on the doorstep, leaping up to intercept Andy Dalton, before returning it 24 yards. On the season, Epenesa has totaled 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception.

3. Denver CB Riley Moss

Every single week it seems like Riley Moss gets picked on like he’s the worst corner in the league. Of course, the Broncos have Patrick Surtain at the opposite corner spot, so it’s no surprise that Moss sees a lot of passes come his way. In Denver’s 44-24 win over the Cowboys on Sunday, Riley was targeted 11 times (!), allowing six catches for 79 yards (7.2 ypt) and one touchdown, but he finished with six tackles and four passes broken up.

On the season, Moss has tallied 38 tackles and nine passes broken up. He has been targeted 55 times, which is more than any other defensive back in the NFL, but has given up just 24 completions. His 45.3% completion percentage given up is better than any defensive back that has faced at least 23 targets. Those 24 completions allowed have gone for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s allowing just 6.35 yards per target and just 1.88 yards after the catch.

4. San Francisco TE George Kittle

You’ll never guess who found the end zone on National Tight End’s Day. It was in a losing effort, as the 49ers fell to the Texans, but George Kittle finished with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown catch was an excellent one, hauling it in with one hand in traffic for a score to cut into the 16-0 deficit. He also had a 17-yard reception on the 49ers third quarter touchdown drive that made it 23-15 going into the fourth quarter. Injured in the season opener against Seattle, Kittle has played in just three games, totaling eight catches on 11 targets for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

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