Penn State in the NFL: Week 15
Week 14 of the 2020 NFL season showcased a handful of Penn State alumni. Thirteen games, to be exact, had one or more Penn State alum involved. Among the 13 games, a few Penn State products had stellar performances for their respective teams.
Against the New Orleans Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders provided an exceptional performance in the Eagles 24-21 win. Sanders exploited the Saints defense for a season-best 136 yards on the ground for two touchdowns on 18 carries. Sanders’ 82-yard rushing touchdown made himself the first running back in the NFL to generate three rushes of at least 70 yards in one season since 2012.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a few Penn State alumni met in a clash between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. KJ Hamler and DaeSean Hamilton represented the Broncos, as they faced off against Yetur Gross-Matos’ Panthers. Hamilton produced only a 13-yard reception, while Gross-Matos tallied four tackles (one solo and three assisted). Hamler had the best performance among the Penn State alumni, exhibiting the game-changing ability that made him a fan favorite on campus. He turned two deep passes into a total of 86 yards and two touchdowns en route to the Broncos 32-27 win. Since catching a game-winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers back in Week 8, Hamler has shed his rookie shell and appears to be taking a bigger role in the Broncos' offense.
In the Kansas City Chiefs versus Miami Dolphins game, third-year tight end Mike Gesicki had a great performance before leaving the game early with injury. Early on, Gesicki appeared to be locked in, catching six passes for a total of 65 yards and two touchdowns. However, in the fourth quarter, Gesicki was thrown down near the Chiefs sideline by Daniel Sorensen in an awkward fashion, immediately grabbing his right shoulder in anguish. Nevertheless, the Dolphins would put up a fight against the Chiefs but came up just short 33-27. Losing Gesicki for an extended period of time would be detrimental to the Dolphins’ playoff push and the progression of rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
In the windy city, Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson had his best game of the year against the Houston Texans, racking up nine receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown in a dominant 36-7 win. Sunday, Robinson became the fifth player in Bears history to record consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. In fact, Sunday marked Robinson’s third game in the 2020 season to record a 100-yard performance. As a crucial member of the Bears offense and a free agent upcoming in the offseason, Robinson is sure to cash in on a new lucrative contract with the Bears or another team in 2021.
Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hessionjordan@gmail.com.
