A quick abbreviated Holiday week look back
With the holiday schedule playing havoc on both the NFL schedule and the blog posting schedule, here is a quick abbreviated look back at how the Gophers did in Week 16 of the NFL schedule. Several players including star safeties Antoine Winfield Jr and Tyler Nubin remained out with injuries, limiting the amount of players who could make an impact in Week 16, but a quartet of ex-Gophers stood out:
Baltimore Ravens
Week 16 vs Pittsburgh Steelers—Sat
Rashod Bateman-WR
Bateman was targeted three times, but had only one catch in the Ravens win over the Steelers, but it was a big one as it went for a 14-yard touchdown that put the Ravens up 14-7 and a lead they would never relinquish. For Bateman it was his career high 8th touchdown of the season, good for second on the team behind Mark Andrews.
Bateman would face off against former Gopher Eric Murray on Christmas Day—but more about that next week.
Houston Texans
Week 16 @ Kansas City Chiefs—Sat
Eric Murray-S
Murray has been on a role for the Texans since reclaiming the starting strong safety spot a few weeks ago. He again led the Ravens in tackles in their loss to Kansas City last Saturday picking up a total of 10 tackles, 8 of them solo. He would have another big game on Christmas but again, more on that next week.
Minnesota Vikings
Week 16 @ Seattle Seahawks
Blake Cashman-LB
Cashman has arguably been the Vikings most important defensive free agent acquisition. He again led the Vikings in tackles in their win in Seattle finishing with 12, nine of them solo and one for a loss. He also added a pass defense as the Vikings moved to 13-2 on the season.
Seattle Seahawks
Week 16 vs Minnesota Vikings
Boye Mafe- Rush
Mafe only has one tackle in the game against the Vikings, but it was a huge sack of Sam Darnold that almost turned the game in Seattle’s direction if not for some last minute heroics by the Vikings. He now has six sacks on the season just three off of his career high pace of nine from last year.
Hopefully we will have several of the injuries sorted out and players will be back on the field this weekend as the season hits its penultimate week.