Photo by: Donald Page
#NFLKnights: Week 17
Dec 30 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – With the regular season finished, eight former Rutgers football players secured spots in the 2019 NFL Playoffs. In the AFC, Gus Edwards and Baltimore earned a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason as the No. 1 seed. Duron Harmon, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Mohamed Sanu and the New England Patriots clinched the AFC East Division and the No. 3 seed, while Tyler Kroft and Buffalo and Logan Ryan and Tennessee are the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively. In the NFC, Saquan Hampton and New Orleans secured the No. 3 seed.
Scarlet Knight Touchdown Tracker
After Tyler Kroft's game-winning touchdown during Week 15 against Pittsburgh, RU has accounted for five touchdowns in 2019, as Gus Edwards and Mohamed Sanu have each produced two touchdowns this season. Sanu has hauled in touchdown receptions for both Atlanta and New England, while Edwards has muscled two rushing scores in 2019. The longest touchdown belongs to Edwards, who ran 63 yards into the end zone during Baltimore's Week 11 victory over Houston.
Defensive Back Production
Former Rutgers defensive backs had an impressive impact in NFL secondaries, with four Scarlet Knights accounting for 12 interceptions in 2019. Devin McCourty led the way with five interceptions, Logan Ryan had four, Duron Harmon had two and Jason McCourty had one. Along with rookies Blessuan Austin (New York Jets) and Saquan Hampton (New Orleans), former RU defensive backs accounted for 254 tackles, 51 passes defended and 12 interceptions this season.
Playoff #NFLKnights
Gus Edwards (2017)
RB | Baltimore Ravens
Next Game: First Round Bye
Week 17: Edwards earned the start in Baltimore's regular-season finale and totaled 21 carries for a career-high 130 yards in their 28-10 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The performance was Edwards' fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career.
2019 Regular Season: Edwards finished with 133 carries for 711 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, averaging 5.3 yards-per-carry. Edwards contributed to Baltimore setting the NFL single 16-game-season team rushing record with 3,296 yards, breaking a mark that had stood for 41 years.
Saquan Hampton (2014-18)
DB | New Orleans (IR)
Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 5 vs. Minnesota (1:05 p.m., FOX)
2019 Regular Season: After appearing in five games at safety and on special teams during his rookie campaign, Hampton was placed on season-ending IR on Dec. 17.
Duron Harmon (2009-12)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Harmon started at safety and recorded three tackles for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Harmon played in all 16 games with eight starts for New England, totaling 23 tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions.
Tyler Kroft (2011-14)
TE | Buffalo Bills
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 at Houston (4:35 p.m., ABC/ESPN)
Week 17: Kroft recorded a four-yard reception for Buffalo against the New York Jets on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After missing the first five games of the season, Kroft finished 2019 with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. His lone score was an important one, as his fourth-quarter touchdown against Pittsburgh in Week 15 helped Buffalo clinch a playoff spot.
Devin McCourty (2005-09)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: McCourty produced four tackles for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: McCourty started all 16 games for New England at safety and finished 2019 with 58 tackles, seven passes defended, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. McCourty's five interceptions were his most in a season since 2012.
Jason McCourty (2005-08)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: McCourty was inactive on Sunday against Miami.
2019 Regular Season: McCourty played in 12 games with eight starts and finished 2019 with 39 tackles, six passes defended and an interception.
Logan Ryan (2009-12)
DB | Tennessee Titans
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 at New England (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Ryan produced four tackles and a sack for Tennessee in their 35-14 victory over Houston on Sunday to clinch the No. 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
2019 Regular Season: A 2020 Pro Bowl alternate, Ryan finished 2019 as the team leader in tackles (113), passes defended (22) and forced fumbles (4), was second in interceptions (4) and fourth in sacks (4.5). Ryan has logged eight or more tackles in eight games this season, including his season-high 13 stops against Kansas City in Week 11.
Mohamed Sanu (2009-11)
WR | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Sanu hauled in three receptions for 35 yards, including a 22-yard catch, for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Appearing with both Atlanta and New England in 2019, Sanu finished with 15 games played and totaled 59 catches for 520 yards and two touchdowns.
Blessuan Austin (2015-18)
DB | New York Jets
Week 17: Austin was inactive for the New York Jets in their 13-6 victory over Buffalo on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After starting the year on IR, Austin played in seven games during his rookie season, including six starts at cornerback. Austin finished with 25 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble.
Michael Burton (2010-14)
FB | Washington Redskins
Week 17: Burton produced a tackle on special teams against Dallas on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Burton was signed by Washington as a free agent during the 2019 regular season and finished with 10 games played. Burton appeared at fullback and on special teams and finished with six tackles.
Clark Harris (2002-06)
LS | Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17: Harris started at long snapper for Cincinnati in their 33-23 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: The longest-tenured Scarlet Knight in the NFL, Harris finished his 12th season and played in all 16 games for Cincinnati in 2019.
Jonathan Hilliman (2018)
RB | New York Giants (Practice Squad)
2019 Regular Season: Hilliman appeared in three games for the New York Giants before returning to the team's practice squad. Hilliman rushed for 91 yards on 30 carries during his time on the Giants' active roster.
Sebastian Joseph-Day (2014-17)
DL | Los Angeles Rams
Week 17: Joseph-Day started at nose tackle and produced three tackles for the Los Angeles Rams in their 31-24 victory over Arizona on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Joseph-Day was the Rams' full-time starter at nose tackle in 2019, as he appeared in all 16 games and logged 44 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks and a pass defended.
Steve Longa (2012-15)
LB | Detroit Lions
Week 17: Longa produced three tackles for Detroit against Green Bay on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Longa played in 10 games for Detroit and logged 10 tackles.
Andre Patton (2012-16)
WR | Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: Patton started and was targeted on three passes against Kansas City on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After he was signed off the practice squad earlier in the season, Patton finished 2019 with 13 games played and five starts, hauling in six catches for 56 yards.
Kemoko Turay (2014-17)
DL/LB | Indianapolis Colts
2019 Regular Season: Turay suffered a leg injury during the second half of Indianapolis' 19-13 victory over Kansas City during Week 5 and will miss the remainder of the season. Turay finished the season with five tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Kevin Wilkins (20145-18)
DL | New York Giants (Practice Squad)
2019 Regular Season: The New York Giants signed Wilkins to its practice squad on Dec. 18. Wilkins, who signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent this season, appeared in all four preseason games for the Eagles, producing nine tackles and three tackles-for-loss.
Gus Edwards is reminding everyone not only how capable he is as a back but also just how deep this #Ravens RB room is. The team is now 4 rushing yards shy of the NFL's all-time single-season record. pic.twitter.com/WqATavBWYg
— Bobby Trosset (@BobbyWBAL) December 29, 2019
Scarlet Knight Touchdown Tracker
After Tyler Kroft's game-winning touchdown during Week 15 against Pittsburgh, RU has accounted for five touchdowns in 2019, as Gus Edwards and Mohamed Sanu have each produced two touchdowns this season. Sanu has hauled in touchdown receptions for both Atlanta and New England, while Edwards has muscled two rushing scores in 2019. The longest touchdown belongs to Edwards, who ran 63 yards into the end zone during Baltimore's Week 11 victory over Houston.
Defensive Back Production
Former Rutgers defensive backs had an impressive impact in NFL secondaries, with four Scarlet Knights accounting for 12 interceptions in 2019. Devin McCourty led the way with five interceptions, Logan Ryan had four, Duron Harmon had two and Jason McCourty had one. Along with rookies Blessuan Austin (New York Jets) and Saquan Hampton (New Orleans), former RU defensive backs accounted for 254 tackles, 51 passes defended and 12 interceptions this season.
Playoff #NFLKnights
Gus Edwards (2017)
RB | Baltimore Ravens
Next Game: First Round Bye
Week 17: Edwards earned the start in Baltimore's regular-season finale and totaled 21 carries for a career-high 130 yards in their 28-10 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The performance was Edwards' fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career.
2019 Regular Season: Edwards finished with 133 carries for 711 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, averaging 5.3 yards-per-carry. Edwards contributed to Baltimore setting the NFL single 16-game-season team rushing record with 3,296 yards, breaking a mark that had stood for 41 years.
Highest % of carries gaining yards this season (min. 100 carries):
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 26, 2019
1. Gus Edwards: 88.4%
2. Ezekiel Elliott: 88.3%
3: Raheem Mostert 88.2%
4. Royce Freeman: 86.9%
5. Mark Ingram: 86.6%
6. Latavius Murray: 85.3%
Saquan Hampton (2014-18)
DB | New Orleans (IR)
Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 5 vs. Minnesota (1:05 p.m., FOX)
2019 Regular Season: After appearing in five games at safety and on special teams during his rookie campaign, Hampton was placed on season-ending IR on Dec. 17.
Duron Harmon (2009-12)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Harmon started at safety and recorded three tackles for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Harmon played in all 16 games with eight starts for New England, totaling 23 tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions.
Tyler Kroft (2011-14)
TE | Buffalo Bills
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 at Houston (4:35 p.m., ABC/ESPN)
Week 17: Kroft recorded a four-yard reception for Buffalo against the New York Jets on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After missing the first five games of the season, Kroft finished 2019 with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. His lone score was an important one, as his fourth-quarter touchdown against Pittsburgh in Week 15 helped Buffalo clinch a playoff spot.
"We've got a game next week, we gotta get ready to go."
— NESN (@NESN) December 29, 2019
Patriots safety Devin McCourty on the team's mindset moving forward. https://t.co/PsDIkSSy3F pic.twitter.com/6EvtmmmBnp
Devin McCourty (2005-09)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: McCourty produced four tackles for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: McCourty started all 16 games for New England at safety and finished 2019 with 58 tackles, seven passes defended, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. McCourty's five interceptions were his most in a season since 2012.
Jason McCourty (2005-08)
DB | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: McCourty was inactive on Sunday against Miami.
2019 Regular Season: McCourty played in 12 games with eight starts and finished 2019 with 39 tackles, six passes defended and an interception.
#Titans DB Logan Ryan is always one of the first players on the field soon after they arrived at the stadium. Here's a look at part of his routine. pic.twitter.com/D5cK3DIcR6
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 29, 2019
Logan Ryan (2009-12)
DB | Tennessee Titans
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 at New England (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Ryan produced four tackles and a sack for Tennessee in their 35-14 victory over Houston on Sunday to clinch the No. 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
2019 Regular Season: A 2020 Pro Bowl alternate, Ryan finished 2019 as the team leader in tackles (113), passes defended (22) and forced fumbles (4), was second in interceptions (4) and fourth in sacks (4.5). Ryan has logged eight or more tackles in eight games this season, including his season-high 13 stops against Kansas City in Week 11.
Mohamed Sanu (2009-11)
WR | New England Patriots
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Tennessee (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Sanu hauled in three receptions for 35 yards, including a 22-yard catch, for New England against Miami on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Appearing with both Atlanta and New England in 2019, Sanu finished with 15 games played and totaled 59 catches for 520 yards and two touchdowns.
Blessuan Austin (2015-18)
DB | New York Jets
Week 17: Austin was inactive for the New York Jets in their 13-6 victory over Buffalo on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After starting the year on IR, Austin played in seven games during his rookie season, including six starts at cornerback. Austin finished with 25 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble.
Michael Burton (2010-14)
FB | Washington Redskins
Week 17: Burton produced a tackle on special teams against Dallas on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Burton was signed by Washington as a free agent during the 2019 regular season and finished with 10 games played. Burton appeared at fullback and on special teams and finished with six tackles.
Clark Harris (2002-06)
LS | Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17: Harris started at long snapper for Cincinnati in their 33-23 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: The longest-tenured Scarlet Knight in the NFL, Harris finished his 12th season and played in all 16 games for Cincinnati in 2019.
Jonathan Hilliman (2018)
RB | New York Giants (Practice Squad)
2019 Regular Season: Hilliman appeared in three games for the New York Giants before returning to the team's practice squad. Hilliman rushed for 91 yards on 30 carries during his time on the Giants' active roster.
Sebastian Joseph-Day (2014-17)
DL | Los Angeles Rams
Week 17: Joseph-Day started at nose tackle and produced three tackles for the Los Angeles Rams in their 31-24 victory over Arizona on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Joseph-Day was the Rams' full-time starter at nose tackle in 2019, as he appeared in all 16 games and logged 44 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks and a pass defended.
Steve Longa (2012-15)
LB | Detroit Lions
Week 17: Longa produced three tackles for Detroit against Green Bay on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: Longa played in 10 games for Detroit and logged 10 tackles.
Andre Patton (2012-16)
WR | Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: Patton started and was targeted on three passes against Kansas City on Sunday.
2019 Regular Season: After he was signed off the practice squad earlier in the season, Patton finished 2019 with 13 games played and five starts, hauling in six catches for 56 yards.
Kemoko Turay (2014-17)
DL/LB | Indianapolis Colts
2019 Regular Season: Turay suffered a leg injury during the second half of Indianapolis' 19-13 victory over Kansas City during Week 5 and will miss the remainder of the season. Turay finished the season with five tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Kevin Wilkins (20145-18)
DL | New York Giants (Practice Squad)
2019 Regular Season: The New York Giants signed Wilkins to its practice squad on Dec. 18. Wilkins, who signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent this season, appeared in all four preseason games for the Eagles, producing nine tackles and three tackles-for-loss.
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