Iowa Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 15 Roundup

George Kittle cooled down from his massive 210-yard performance a week earlier, but was still effective in the 49ers’ 26-23 victory over Seattle. Kittle caught three passes for 51 yards, including a long reception of 21 yards. San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens also notably overshot Kittle on what would have almost certainly been a long touchdown, but Kittle still earned a place on Pro Football Focus’s Team of the Week.

Kittle had his priorities in order on Sunday, as he looked to wrap the post-game media scrum quickly enough to make it to WWE’s TLC event in San Jose.

Kittle also got some face time during the WWE broadcast, and spoke with WWE’s Charly Caruso about the Connor’s Cure program.

Anthony Hitchens once again led the Chiefs with 11 tackles, including one for a loss, in their 29-28 loss to the Chargers on Thursday. Hitchens has 114 tackles on the years, tying him with Seattle’s Bobby Wagner for seventh-most in the NFL.

Desmond King had five tackles and one for a loss in the same contest for Los Angeles, and Pro Football Focus dubbed him as the league’s best slot cornerback while naming him to their Pro Bowl team.

Austin Blythe, who plays for the other team from LA, also earned praise from PFF, who rank him as the 23rd best offensive lineman in the NFL this season.

The Buffalo News sat down last week with Micah Hyde, who had five tackles in the Bills’ 14-13 win over Detroit on Sunday, but won’t be playing in the playoffs for the first time in his six NFL seasons.

“It’s difficult,” Hyde said. “I can go back to the last five years I’ve been in the league, and a few of the years we just barely got in. Obviously, last year was the craziest just because we needed somebody else (the Cincinnati Bengals) to win and in years past (with the Packers), we had to win the last game to get in. Guys go their whole careers without making the playoffs. Luckily, (13th-year defensive tackle) Kyle (Williams) last year was a guy that was able to get in. It’s just a different feeling (not to make it). But once you get in, you feel like you have a shot at winning the championship. You just need to get in. Last year we did that, and we’re trying to get back to that point.”

Josey Jewell recorded five tackles in Denver’s 17-16 loss to Cleveland. More importantly, the Broncos’ official website told the story of Jewell’s friendship with a young fan with muscular dystrophy, inspiring his Jewell’s footwear for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.

James Daniels was finally penalized for a false start for the first time in the NFL, but helped the Bears clinch the NFC North with their win over Green Bay.

Josh Jackson made his six consecutive start and ninth of the season for the Packers, totaling five tackles, including three solo.

Bryan Bulaga missed his second straight game due to a knee injury. With Green Bay being eliminated from playoff contention, there’s a chance Bulaga has played his final game as a Packer. Though he’s under contract in 2019, the Packers can save nearly $7 million against the salary cap by letting him go in the offseason.