BYU in NFL Report, Week 14: Poppinga plays first game, Keisel gets lots of pressure, Pitta scores TD in tough loss

Three former Brigham Young Cougars played well, but their teams lost important games. NFL teams with former BYU players who rarely see the field, or don’t touch the ball did win.

  

Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens, Tight End

Pitta caught five of the six passes thrown his way against the Washington Redskins. His big play was a 14-yard touchdown reception with 8:39 in the second quarter to give the Ravens their first lead of the game, 21-14. Pitta didn’t make any first down receptions. Of his four other receptions, two came on third downs when the Ravens needed 12 yards or more. The Ravens blew an 8-point fourth quarter lead with less than five minutes in the fourth quarter to lose in overtime, 31-28.

Stats

This week: 5 receptions, 46 yards, 1 touchdown 

Season: 50 receptions, 488 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 tackle

Baltimore Ravens: 9-4

Next: Denver Broncos, December 16

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive End

Keisel put a ton of pressure on San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers on Sunday. He was credited with pressuring Rivers four different times in the game. Three of these times Keisel forced incomplete passes on third down, one of which was called intentional grounding. In the end, it wasn’t enough as the Steelers fell, 34-24.

Stats

This week: 2 tackles (1 solo)

Season: 40 tackles (23 solo), 3 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 pass break up

Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6

Next: at Dallas Cowboys, December 16

John Denney, Miami Dolphins, Long Snapper

Denney returned to being a long snapper quietly doing his job out of the spotlight. He got in on two field goals, one extra point, and three punts. All of his snaps were good.  

Stats

This week: None.

Season: 1 tackle (1 solo), 1 forced fumble

Miami Dolphins: 5-8

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars, December 16

Dallas Reynolds, Philadelphia Eagles, Center

The Philadelphia Eagles got back on the winning side with a 23-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Reynolds started again at center for the Eagles.  

Philadelphia Eagles: 4-9

Next: Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, December 13

Bryan Kehl, Washington Redskins, Linebacker

Kehl made a tackle last Monday night against the New York Giants, his first team in the NFL. That tackle came on special teams on the opening kickoff of the second half. He played against Baltimore yesterday, but did not record any stats.

Stats
This week: none

Season: 1 tackle.

Washington Redskins: 5-6

Next: at Cleveland Browns, December 16

Vic So’oto, Green Bay Packers, Linebacker

So’oto did not play in the Packers’ 27-20 win over the Detroit Lions.

Stats
This week: none
Season: 1 tackle

Green Bay Packers: 9-4
Next: at Chicago Bears, December 16

Brady Poppinga, Dallas Cowboys, Linebacker

Poppinga played for the first time in the 2012 season. It was just his second game under contract. His two tackles came on special teams. He made a tackle following a second half kickoff, and on the kickoff to start the second half. Dallas rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-19.

Stats

This week: 2 tackles (1 solo)

Season: 2 tackles (1 solo)

Dallas Cowboys: 7-6

Next: Pittsburgh, December 16

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