Buckeyes in the NFL, Week 16: Mangold Honors Slain NYPD Officers

By Mike Young on December 22, 2014 at 10:10 am
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Prior to leaving Sunday's game with a leg injury, Jets center Nick Mangold paid tribute to two NYPD officers.

Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot and killed while sitting in their squad car, Saturday afternoon. Mangold wore an NYPD hat during Sunday's team introductions and national anthem. 

"For that to happen, for those two guys, for their families, that's a raw deal," Mangold told ESPN.com. "If wearing that hat gives a little bit of comfort or shows support for those folks, I'm happy to do it."

Boone Delivers Message to Team

In a disappointing season, shrouded in controversy and no playoff appearance looming, the 49ers might have isssues finding motivation in their remaining games.

Following last Sunday's loss to Seattle, he tried to rally his squad for their last two games.

"Come out and just forget everything, just play football. You're playing with some of the greatest guys ever. Frank Gore, Justin Smith. These are guys that probably aren't gonna be here next year," Boone said, via 49ers.com. "You fight for them. You're proud to go out there with them, and fight as hard as they do, and really you're playing for pride now."

Pride was not enough to prevent a blown lead to the Chargers, Saturday. Philip Rivers engineered a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter and led a game-winning drive in overtime. 

San Francisco has lost four straight games in what will likely be the final season for Gore, Smith and Jim Harbaugh with the team. Good news, though, Boone found the 49ers next head coach:

 

#49ers RG Alex Boone with Jim Tressel, his former coach at Ohio State, before tonight's game.

A photo posted by Matt Maiocco (@maioccocsn) on

 

Play of the Week

In a matchup of two teams battling for the playoffs, the Chiefs could not contain Cam Heyward. The Steelers defensive end dominated the Chiefs in a playoff-clinching win, recording 1.5 sacks and four tackles. 

At the :08 mark of this video, Heyward takes down Kansas City QB Alex Smith for his full sack.

After the game, the Pittsburgh Buckeyes joined Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman for a picture:

How They Fared in Week 16

Player team position stats/Notes
Mike Adams Pittsburgh Steelers OT Marcus Gilbert started at right tackle, so Adams used as a tight end
Will Allen Pittsburgh Steelers S 7 tackles, as Steelers (and Andy Reid) shut down Chiefs run game
Alex Boone San Francisco 49ers OL Banged up during game, returned to see team blow lead and lose in OT to Chargers
Philly Brown Carolina Panthers WR/KR/PR 2 receptions, 22 yards, huge block on long Jonathan Stewart run
Chimdi Chekwa Oakland Raiders CB Inactive in win over Bills
Kurt Coleman Kansas City Chiefs S 5 tackles in loss to Steelers
Nate Ebner New England Patriots DB/ST 2 tackles in win over Jets
Ted Ginn Jr. Arizona Cardinals WR Sunday night's loss to Seattle did not come down to him "breaking one"
Johnathan Hankins New York Giants DT 1 tackle in win over Rams
Brian Hartline Miami Dolphins WR Second straight week with no reception, but Dolphins win
A.J. Hawk Green Bay Packers LB 2 tackles in win over Bucs, play Lions for NFC North title next week
Boom Herron  Indianapolis Colts RB 7 carries, 3 yards, 3 receptions, 37 yards in blowout loss to Cowboys
Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers DE 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, will try to win division against Bengals next week
Carlos Hyde San Francisco 49ers RB Inactive in loss to Chargers due to ankle injury
Malcolm Jenkins Philadelphia Eagles S 6 tackles in loss to Redskins
James Laurinaitis St. Louis Rams LB 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 action figure giveaway in loss to Giants
Corey Linsley Green Bay Packers C Replaced on special teams in Packers win over Bucs
Nick Mangold New York Jets C Carted off in loss to Patriots, x-rays on leg were negative
Jake McQuaide St. Louis Rams LS Modeled a dope throwback Rams hoodie during week
Jack Mewhort Indianapolis Colts OL Blown out by Cowboys but still part of unheralded Colts draft class
Andrew Norwell Carolina Panthers OL Panthers beat Browns, what the hell is this?
Mike Nugent Cincinnati Bengals K Bengals play tonight vs Broncos
Ryan Pickett Houston Texans DT 0 tackles but Texans harm Ravens' playoff chances in win
DeVier Posey Houston Texans WR Played 66 snaps last week, inactive for this week's win over Baltimore
Bradley Roby Denver Broncos CB Returns to Ohio for tonight's game against Cincinnati
Dane Sanzenbacher Cincinnati Bengals WR Had a huge game for random dude in Madden, but Bengals play tonight in real life
Ryan Shazier Pittsburgh Steelers LB 2 tackles, played more significant role in win over Chiefs
John Simon Houston Texans LB 1 tackle in win over his former team
Rob Sims Detroit Lions OG Lions win, but o-line still struggling 
Donte Whitner Cleveland Browns S 8 tackles in another Browns loss
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