Buckeyes in the NFL, Week 15: Mike Nugent Does His Job – and then Some

No one would have blamed Mike Nugent if he sat out Sunday's game. 

Instead, after losing a family member last week, Nugent hit all three of his field goals and the Bengals shut out the Browns. His father, Daniel Nugent, passed away, Monday, at 66 years old due to a sudden heart attack. 

"Today, he would say 'Those two 44s, you hit great,'" Mike said, via FoxSports.com. "He'd ask 'What did you think in warmups,' because sometimes I'll get out there and miss a long one and have to re-do it and he'll be like 'Really? You could have hit that 53 a little better.'" 

Earlier this season, Cincinnati cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones criticized Nugent for missing the game-winning field goal in a tie with Carolina. Referring to it after the game, Jones said "Perform and do your job." Since then, Nugent has hit all 11 of his attempts. 

After Sunday's game, his teammates and head coach Marvin Lewis rallied around Nugent and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson – who also lost his father:

Marvin Lewis and the Bengals gave Mike Nugent a game ball today... pic.twitter.com/wpLvNGgkxM

— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) December 14, 2014

Simon Earns First Career Start

In what could've been a season-long demotion, the Ravens waived John Simon before training camp and placed him on their practice squad.

Then, in October, the Texans gave him a chance to reunite with former Ohio State assistant Mike Vrabel. Houston claimed him off Baltimore's practice squad and threw him into the linebacker rotation immediately.

He played in his first week with the Texans, recording three tackles against the Colts. In their second meeting of the season, Simon earned his first career NFL start, replacing former Illinois linebacker Whitney Mercilus. 

"I just think I’m a guy who’s going to do whatever it takes to help," Simon said, via ESPN.com. "I’m going to know my role week in and week out to the best of my abilities. Every hour we’re here is spent trying to perfect that role."

Prior to being named a starter at outside linebacker, Simon won his bet against former Wisconsin Badger J.J. Watt:

A deals a deal...@JJWatt found out the hard way. GO BUCKS! pic.twitter.com/10nNzXQa5u

— John Simon (@johnesimon54) December 10, 2014

Play of the Week

Simon's teammate and fellow Buckeye DeVier Posey finally made his return to the field, Sunday.

With Andre Johnson out due to a concussion, the Texans finally activated Posey for the first time this season. 

"The most special part was just being back with my teammates in uniform,” Posey tod the Houston Chronicle. "Nothing personal or anything like that. I was just happy to be a part of the group."

There weren't many highlights – after all, Tom Savage was his quarterback. Still, Posey hauled in this 30-yard catch along the sidelines.

How They Fared in Week 15