BYU in NFL Report, Week 16: Keisel and Poppinga strong in defeat, So’oto changes teams again, Fangupo active in Seattle

Two former Brigham Young Cougars in the NFL had their best games of the season. Four others were solid contributors for their teams. Vic So’oto has a new home, but there is a familiar face. Hebron Fangupo was cut from the Houston Texans before the season began, but now has a home with the Seahawks.

  

Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens, Tight End

Pitta followed up his career day with another solid outing. He caught a 36 yard pass on third and 19 to help set up a field goal. On another drive late in the third quarter and early fourth quarter, Pitta had two receptions for first downs. The drive ended in another field goal. Baltimore won 33-14 to clinch the AFC North championship.

Stats

This week: 4 receptions, 56 yards 

Season: 61 receptions, 669 yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 tackle

Baltimore Ravens: 10-5

Next: at Cincinnati, December 30

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive End

Keisel did what BYU football fans have been waiting years to see: harassed Andy Dalton. Keisel sacked Dalton 1.5 times and hit him twice. One sack came on third down, but Keisel was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Bengals still ended up punting a few plays later, so it did not cost the Steelers any points. Despite Keisel’s big day, the Steelers lost 13-10.

Stats

This week: 5 tackles (2 solo), 1.5 sacks

Season: 45 tackles (25 solo), 4.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 pass break up, 1 fumble recovery

Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-8

Next: Cleveland Browns, December 30

John Denney, Miami Dolphins, Long Snapper

Denney helped the Dolphins to a 24-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. Denney long snapped on five punts, three point after touchdown attempts, and two field goal attempts.    

Stats

This week: None.

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

Miami Dolphins: 7-8

Next: at New England, December 30

Dallas Reynolds, Philadelphia Eagles, Center

Reynolds started for the 13th consecutive week. The Eagles lost 27-20 to the Washington Redskins.

Philadelphia Eagles: 4-11

Next: at New York Giants, December 30

Bryan Kehl, Washington Redskins, Linebacker

Kehl had three tackles, to double his season total, against the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Stats
This week: 2 tackles (1 solo)

Season: 3 tackles (1 solo).

Washington Redskins: 9-6

Next: Dallas Cowboys, December 30

Vic So’oto, Green Bay Packers, Linebacker

So’oto has changed teams once again. He joined Bryan Kehl with the Washington Redskins this week. Kehl and So’oto were teammates from 2005-07 at BYU. So’oto did not play in this week’s 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Stats
This week: none
Season: 1 tackle

Washington Redskins: 9-6
Next: Dallas Cowboys, December 30

Brady Poppinga, Dallas Cowboys, Linebacker

Poppinga had a breakout game. He made five tackles (just one on special teams) and registered one pass defensed. The pass breakup came on third down. Unfortunately, Dallas committed an offsides penalty on fourth down to keep the drive alive for New Orleans. Dallas lost in overtime, 34-31.

Stats

This week: 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 pass defensed
Season: 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass defensed

Dallas Cowboys: 8-7

Next: at Washington Redskins, December 30

Hebron Fangupo, Seattle Seahawks, Defensive Tackle

Pete Carroll recruited Fangupo to play at USC a few years ago. After Fangupo was cut from the Houston Texans during the preseason, Carroll brought Fangupo to Seattle to be part of the practice squad. He was moved up from the practice squad to the active roster this week when Jason Jones was placed on the injured reserve. The Seahawks beat the San Friancisco 49ers 42-13. Fangupo played in the game, but did not register any stats.

Stats

This week: none

Season: none

Seattle Seahawks: 10-5

Next: St. Louis Rams, December 30

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