#ProTops Week 14 NFL Update
Even though the season may be over (for some fantasy purposes), things are continuing to heat up in the last month of the NFL regular season. Week 14 has been impacted by some spoilers and triumphs. The playoff picture is tightening up for a fair amount of teams, including for a few of our #ProTops representatives. Let’s go back and revisit this past week, shall we?
For the second week in a row, Thursday Night Football featured Joel Iyiegbuniwe and his Bears. The Monsters of the Midway are still fighting to stay alive in NFC wild-card consideration. They looked to continue the momentum of their Thanksgiving Day win as they took on a slumping Cowboys. Iyiegbuniwe played one defensive snap but mostly was in on special teams for twenty-three plays. He has not yet recorded any tackles this season. The Bears won 31–24, adding more pressure and frustration to the Cowboys playoff hopes. Now the Bears are 7–6 and are 3rd in the NFC North.
Moving on to Sunday, there were several inactive players which included a few of our former Hilltoppers.
Deon Yelder was inactive for the Chiefs. They won in a big way against the Patriots 23–16. They’re now divisional champions in the AFC West with a playoff berth. They also move on to a 9–4 record.
Taywan Taylor was also inactive during the Browns 27–19 win over the Bengals. They’re 6–7 with a third-place standing in the AFC North.
Mike White is still on the practice squad for the Jets.
After a season-high performance in last week’s loss to the Titans, Jack Doyle continues to ride high on a productive 2019 season. The Captain has been awarded and signed an extension with the Colts, keeping him in “The Horseshoe” through 2022.
This was first reported by Ian Rapoport on Friday. The deal itself was worth 21 million but in true money, it includes incentives to be raised to 24 million. After the Eric Ebron injury, this solidified Doyle’s place with the team and raises questions about the status of Ebron’s future in Indianapolis.
However, the good fortune could’ve translated into the Colts playoff hopes. They lost to the Buccaneers 38–35 in Tampa. This was their fifth loss in six games, putting them in between a rock and a hard place. Doyle was targeted six times and had 2 receptions for 27 yards. On the season, he has 38 catches, 404 yards, and 4 touchdowns. The Colts are 2nd in the AFC South, facing the back end of a 1st place tie between the Texans and Titans.
We’re proud of you and your success, Jack. Congratulations on your well-deserved contract extension.
Concluding Sunday night, it was the Battle of the Pro Tops as the Rams and Seahawks had a primetime showdown. This provided some implications in the NFC West playoff picture.
Tyler Higbee continues to make some big plays for the Rams offense as he nabbed 7 catches for 116 yards. This performance was his newest season-high total. He has also picked up some key blocks for Todd Gurley, accounting for 455 yards of total offense. Needless to say, he has been one of Jared Goff’s favorite targets over the past couple of weeks.
Higs now has 40 catches, 435 yards, and 2 touchdowns on the 2019 campaign. He also has achieved another feat, this time from the Rams franchise.
On the Seahawks side of the ball, George Fant was in his usual rotation as a blocking tight end and left tackle. His snap count numbers were low as he was in for 13 plays. He also added in 3 special teams appearances. The offense was stifled by the surging Rams defense as Russell Wilson didn't have much production to lead the Hawks offense. The Rams were victorious over the Seahawks 28–12.
As the season winds down, free agency looms and you would have to imagine what George’s chances are of working towards a new deal to stay in Seattle are. He resigned this earlier this year before the season as a restricted free agent. His contract is set to expire. He has come a long way from being an undrafted free agent in 2016.
In the NFC West, the 49ers are still the leaders following their close second thriller over the Saints. The Rams are on the outside looking in on their playoff hunt at 8–5. Seattle remains at 2nd in the division at 10–3.
We will cover the rest of the season as it progresses. Don’t forget to vote Higs, Capt. Jack, and Big George into the Pro Bowl. Also, HUGE shoutout to the Hilltoppers for playing in the First Responders Bowl in Dallas on December 30th. Save the date.
#PROOOOOOTOPS!!
