Another NFL regular season has come to a close and many of your favorite former Iowa Hawkeyes were right in the thick of it all year long. For some, Week 17 meant the end of the road. For others, the end of the regular season signifies the beginning of the tournament for the Lombardi Trophy.
Here’s how the Hawkeyes in the NFL made their way onto their respective stat sheets in the final week of the regular season.
Desmond King, Defensive Back, Los Angeles Chargers
King logged nine total tackles in L.A.’s 30-10 win over the Oakland Raiders. He finishes his terrific rookie campaign with 76 tackles, four sacks and a 90-yard pick six on Thanksgiving Day. Not bad for a 5th-rounder who has been told he was too small his entire life.
Mike Daniels, Defensive Tackle, Green Bay Packers
Daniels got in on three tackles and logged a sack in Green Bay’s 35-11 loss to the Detroit Lions. He finishes the year with 49 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble.
Anthony Hitchens, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
Hitchens recorded two tackles in a 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He wraps up his campaign with 84 tackles and a forced fumble.
Karl Klug, Defensive Lineman, Tennessee Titans
Klug logged his usual two tackles and helped Tennessee beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 15-10. That win earned the Titans a berth in the NFL Playoffs, where they’ll play the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend. Anyone up for a road trip?
George Kittle, Tight End, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle had one of the better statistical games of his rookie campaign in a 34-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. He caught four passes for 100 yards and was targeted six times. He finishes the year with 43 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns.
Micah Hyde, Defensive Back, Buffalo Bills
Hyde wrapped up his Pro Bowl season by logging seven tackles and defending one pass in a 22-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. That win helped secure Buffalo a spot in the playoffs, where they’ll visit the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend. Watch Micah and his teammates celebrate making the playoffs here:
From Miami, to Buffalo, to New York City...
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 1, 2018
That playoff moment! #GoBills pic.twitter.com/67p8tn0XEe
Christian Kirksey, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns
Kirksey had seven tackles in Cleveland’s 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was one of the few bright spots during Cleveland’s 0-16 season. He finished with 138 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
LINEMAN LOVE
Riley Reiff will lead the Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs as the NFC’s 2-seed in hopes of making a Super Bowl appearance in their home stadium. Congrats and good luck, Riley!