The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t get the help they needed to earn a playoff berth in the final week of the season, but Cameron Heyward did just about everything he could to give them a chance.
Heyward helped lead the Steelers to a 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns with his most productive game of the year as he recorded a season-high eight total tackles with two sacks and four total quarterback hits. And he would have had a third sack if not for a very questionable roughing the passer penalty.
A better look at the call against Heyward .. and the Griddy pic.twitter.com/ob0R4Jy4xv
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 8, 2023
Heyward’s performance against Cleveland capped off a dominant final month of the season in which he recorded 5.5 sacks in the Steelers’ final four games of the year, all of which they won. His strong finish to the year brought him to 10.5 sacks for the season, marking the third time in his career he has recorded double-digit sacks in a season.
The four-game season-ending win streak gave the Steelers a winning record for the 2022-23 season, but the Miami Dolphins earned the seventh playoff seed in the AFC on a tiebreaker after beating the New York Jets on Sunday.
That brings Heyward’s 12th NFL season to an end, but he can take consolation in looking as good as ever in the homestretch of the season – and earning our final Pro Buck of the Week award for the regular season.
| Week | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| WEEK 1 | Saints WR Michael Thomas | 5 catches, 57 yards, 2 TD |
| WEEK 2 | Jets WR Garrett Wilson | 8 catches, 102 yards, 2 TD |
| WEEK 3 | Saints WR Chris Olave | 9 catches, 147 yards |
| WEEK 4 | Bengals S Vonn Bell | 4 tackles, 2 INT |
| WEEK 5 | Broncos LB Baron Browning | 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks (13.5 yards), 2 TFL, 6 QB hits |
| WEEK 6 | Broncos LB Baron Browning | 3 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FR |
| WEEK 7 | Bears QB Justin Fields | 13/21 passing, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 14 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| WEEK 8 | Commanders WR Terry McLaurin | 6 catches, 113 yards |
| WEEK 9 | Bears QB Justin Fields | 17/28 passing, 123 yards, 3 TD; 15 carries, 178 yards, 1 TD |
| WEEK 10 | Bears QB Justin Fields | 12/20 passing, 167 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 13 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD |
| WEEK 11 | Saints WR Chris Olave | 5 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD |
| WEEK 12 | Jets WR Garrett Wilson | 5 catches, 95 yards, 2 TD |
| WEEK 13 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 3 sacks (20 yards), 1 FF, 4 QB hits |
| WEEK 14 | Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins | 15 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| WEEK 15 | Browns CB Denzel Ward | 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU |
| WEEK 16 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 7 tackles, 2 sacks (19 yards), 1 FF, 4 QB hits |
| WEEK 17 | Saints CB Marshon Lattimore | 6 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 TD |
| WEEK 18 | Steelers DE Cameron Heyward | 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 PD |
Olave tops 1,000 with touchdown
Chris Olave scored the fourth touchdown of his NFL rookie season when he turned into a short pass into a 25-yard score in the New Orleans Saints’ season finale against the Carolina Panthers.
Put 12 in space and let 'em work.
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 8, 2023
#CARvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/BwyZb2rqa9
In the process, Olave became one of two rookie receivers to top 1,000 yards in the NFL this season, joining former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, who reached that mark in Week 17. Together, Olave and Wilson became the first pair of rookie receivers from the same college to top 1,000 yards in the same NFL season, and the 28th and 29th overall players to accomplish that feat as rookies.
Olave finished the season with 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns.
Wilson finishes strong
Having already reached the 1,000-yard mark for the season one week earlier, Wilson crossed the 1,100-yard mark for his rookie season in Week 18 as he finished his first year with a season-high nine catches for 89 yards in the Jets’ loss to the Dolphins.
The final game of the former Buckeye’s rookie year included one of his most impressive highlights of the season when he made five defenders miss after the catch on a 36-yard catch-and-run.
OROY? @GarrettWilson_V
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
: #NYJvsMIA on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/8hpm6eXiby pic.twitter.com/bdZ4qnDUQC
Despite having inconsistent quarterback play all year, Wilson caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards – the most by any New York Jets since Brandon Marshall in 2015 – and four touchdowns, putting himself firmly in the conversation to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Garrett being @GarrettWilson_V.#NYJvsMIA on FOX pic.twitter.com/SALAPjPXfu
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 8, 2023
Bosa secures NFL sack title
Speaking of players who are in the running for major NFL awards this season, Nick Bosa polished his résumé for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year award by recording another sack in the San Francisco 49ers’ regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, bringing him to 18.5 sacks for the year – 2.5 more than anyone else in the NFL this season.
Make that 18.5 sacks for the league leader @nbsmallerbear
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
: #AZvsSF on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/nAdEbT6Bnn pic.twitter.com/x2Pa4qtEbm
Bosa came up one sack short of matching the 49ers’ franchise record of 19.5 sacks, which was set by Aldon Smith in 2012. He’ll have the opportunity to make more sacks in the playoffs, though, as the 49ers secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC by winning their 10th straight game to conclude the regular season on Sunday.
Nick Bosa thrilled about NFL sack title with 18.5, OK with being 1 shy of 49ers franchise record
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 9, 2023
"I talked to (Shanahan) early in the week and my main goal waw to lead the league. Weve got a lot more important things to do. Im happy about that. I think were the No. 1 defense."
Nick wasn’t the only Bosa to record a sack in Week 18. Joey Bosa, who will also have the opportunity to play in the postseason after the Los Angeles Chargers earned the No. 5 seed in the AFC, made his first sack since returning from the core muscle injury that cost him most of the 2022 season.
That sack brought Joey Bosa to 2.5 sacks for the season, in which he played in just five games. He left Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos early after appearing to be injured again, however, leaving his status for the Chargers’ first-round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in question.
Michael Jordan scores
Olave wasn’t the only Buckeye to score a touchdown in New Orleans on Sunday. In fact, the only two touchdowns of the Panthers’ 10-7 win over the Saints were both scored by Buckeyes – but the second Buckeye to find the end zone was a far more unlikely candidate.
It’s rare for an offensive lineman to score a touchdown, but former Ohio State offensive lineman Michael Jordan – who didn’t even start Sunday’s game for the Panthers, but substituted in at left guard after starter Brady Christensen left with an injury – got a rare moment of glory when he dove on a Sam Darnold fumble in the end zone for a touchdown recovery.
MJ came through with the TD pic.twitter.com/sYfkEIGu84
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 8, 2023
Jordan told reporters after the game that the touchdown was the first he’s ever scored at any level of football.
"I just saw the ball on the ground, so I jumped on the ball," Jordan said, per the Panthers’ official website. “I do whatever I can for my team, and so I'm glad I could make the play. It's a surreal moment.”
Ruckert makes first NFL catch
Jeremy Ruckert’s rookie season for the Jets has been a far quieter one than Wilson’s, but the former Ohio State tight end finally got the chance to make the first catch of his NFL career as he snagged an 8-yard reception while making his ninth game appearance of the season.
FIRST NFL CATCH: Patience pays off for LI's Jeremy Ruckert as he gets his first NFL reception in the #Jets final game. He's officially on the board! @BeerShot21 @News12LI @Lindybulldogs pic.twitter.com/fm6bE1zZs7
— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) January 8, 2023
Ruckert played mostly on special teams when active this season as he was buried on the Jets’ tight end depth chart behind Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah and Kenny Yeboah. His Week 18 catch, though, will give him something to hang his hat on going into his second year in New York – and it certainly excited his dad, who was already an avid Jets fan even before the team picked his son in the third round of last year’s NFL draft.
My boy caught a ball in the NFL for the NEW YORK JETSTHIS IS INSANE!!!!!!
— Bill Ruckert (@BeerShot21) January 8, 2023
McLaurin shines in Howell’s first start
A rookie quarterback making his first NFL start didn’t stop Terry McLaurin from having a big finish to his fourth NFL season.
McLaurin gave Sam Howell a moment to remember on his very first NFL pass as the former Ohio State wide receiver turned a short pass from the former North Carolina quarterback into a 16-yard touchdown – McLaurin’s fifth touchdown of the year.
Sam Howell's first NFL pass attempt goes for a TD to Terry McLaurin!
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
: #DALvsWAS on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2tZrKMRiWu pic.twitter.com/6a0KfqblwI
Later in the game, McLaurin laid out to catch a 52-yard deep ball, good for his longest catch of the 2022 season.
How about Sam Howell? @Sam7Howell
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
: #DALvsWAS on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2tZrKMRiWu pic.twitter.com/fW3GhwcI83
McLaurin finished the game with three catches for 74 yards, bringing him to 77 catches and a career-high 1,191 yards for the season.
The Commanders had the Dallas Cowboys’ number on Sunday, winning the game 26-6, but Malik Hooker had a highlight in defeat by recording his third interception of the season.
Malik Hooker with the end zone INT!
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
: #DALvsWAS on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2tZrKMRiWu pic.twitter.com/3hK1uqIOSV
Bell, Chrisman make key plays in Bengals win
After a controversial announcement by the NFL this week that home field for a potential playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens would be decided by a coin toss if the Ravens beat the Bengals on Sunday, the Bengals had extra incentive to finish the regular season with a win even though they had already clinched the AFC North title. The Bengals took care of business by defeating the Ravens 27-16, and a couple of Buckeyes played notable roles in making that happen.
The Bengals took a 24-7 lead before halftime when Joseph Ossai recovered a fumble in the end zone with 30 seconds left to play in the first half, and that defensive touchdown was set up by a fabulous punt by Drue Chrisman, who backed the Ravens up to the 5-yard line with a 56-yard coffin-corner kick.
Drue Chrisman hit a 56 yard punt out of bounds to the Ravens' 5, and 3 plays later Trey Hendrickson gets off the Ronnie Stanley block to punish the not-ready 3rd stringer holding the ball too long.
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) January 8, 2023
Football is a team sport!
Chrisman had an excellent performance all the way around on Sunday, averaging 51.7 yards per punt on seven punts, which earned him praise from his one-time former Ohio State teammate Joe Burrow after the game.
"Drue punted the shit outta the ball today, so that was fun to see." - Joe Burrow on Drue Chrisman #Bengals
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) January 8, 2023
With the Ravens attempting to make a comeback late in the fourth quarter, Vonn Bell stepped up to seal the game for the Bengals when he recovered a fumble – good for his fifth takeaway of the year – at the end of a 47-yard catch-and-run for Sammy Watkins.
What would have happened if Sammy Watkins didnt fumble pic.twitter.com/mxaK4GyGaX
— Free Proche (10-7) (@Gamergod29) January 9, 2023
While the Bengals secured home-field advantage for their rematch with the Ravens next week by winning Sunday’s game, they still expressed their displeasure with the NFL’s decision. Joe Mixon celebrated the Bengals’ first touchdown of the game by flipping a coin in the end zone, and former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple celebrated the victory by posing with an oversized coin that depicted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a clown.
Eli Apple wanted our camera to see this after the #Bengals 8th straight win. @fox19 pic.twitter.com/uV2V4T62ea
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) January 8, 2023
18 Buckeyes make playoffs
Eighteen former Ohio State players will be continuing their seasons in this year’s NFL playoffs.
Of the 14 teams that made this year’s postseason, nine of them have at least one Buckeye on their 53-man active rosters. Seventeen of the eighteen Buckeyes who made the postseason – all expect former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles – will be in action next weekend in the wild card round of the playoffs, as the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will be the only teams on byes.
The full schedule for the first round of the playoffs, with the list of Buckeyes on the active rosters of the teams playing in each game:
Saturday
- 4:35 p.m., FOX: No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (Nick Bosa) vs. No. 7 Seattle Seahawks (None)
- 8:15 p.m., NBC: No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (Luke Farrell, DaVon Hamilton) vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (Joey Bosa, Corey Linsley)
Sunday
- 1:05 p.m., CBS: No. 2 Buffalo Bills (None) vs. No. 7 Miami Dolphins (Jerome Baker)
- 4:40 p.m., FOX: No. 3 Minnesota Vikings (None) vs. No. 6 New York Giants (Wyatt Davis, Nick Vannett)
- 8:15 p.m., NBC: No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Drue Chrisman, Sam Hubbard) vs. No. 6 Baltimore Ravens (J.K. Dobbins, Malik Harrison)
Monday
- 8:15 p.m., ABC/ESPN: No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (None) vs. No. 5 Dallas Cowboys (Noah Brown, Ezekiel Elliott, Malik Hooker)
Quick hits
- Parris Campbell celebrated playing a full season for the first time in his NFL career after finishing the season with six catches for 42 yards and a 26-yard run in the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the Houston Texans.
God is so good.. made a promise to myself I would play a full 17 this year and he allowed it to happen. God i give you ALL the glory. Thank you for everything you brought me through and for all the blessings along the way. Excited for what you have in store for me next
— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) January 8, 2023
- The Colts added former Ohio State tight end/defensive end Rashod Berry to their 53-man roster for their final week of the season, signing him off of the Jaguars’ practice squad, but he was inactive against the Texans.
- Michael Thomas agreed to a restructured contract with the Saints on Friday. The new contract restructure lowered his 2023 base salary to $1.165 million while adding a $31.755 million roster bonus for 2024 that becomes fully guaranteed on March 17. The Saints will now have to decide whether to keep Thomas for the next two seasons or release him into free agency after three straight injury-plagued years.
- Taylor Decker was honored with the Detroit Lions’ “Good Guy Award” by the Pro Football Writers of America for his professionalism with the media.
The Detroit local media and @PFWAwriters presented @Lions T @__taylordecker with this years Media Good Guy Award for his cooperation and respect with the press each week. pic.twitter.com/rwj0tlleIq
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) January 6, 2023
- McLaurin received the Commanders’ Good Guy Award for the third year in a row.
The 3-peat is complete!@TheTerry_25 wins his third straight Media Good Guy award from the Washington @Commanders beat.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023
Terry always makes our job so much easier.@john_keim with the presentation in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/4WVldACccR
- Wilson was among many players around the NFL who sent love to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin when he tweeted Saturday for the first time after suffering cardiac arrest in the Bills’ Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 7, 2023
Full stats for every Buckeye who played in at least one game during the regular season can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors data analyst Matt Gutridge.
| PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM | WEEK 18 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | BENGALS | 6 tackles | 49 tackles, 1 TFL, 8 PD |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | DOLPHINS | 3 tackles, 2 QB hits | 100 tackles, 4 sacks (19.5 yards), 6 TFL, 7 QB hits, 4 PD, 1 FF |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | 4 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR | 78 tackles, 1 sack (6.5 yards), 4 TFL, 4 QB hits, 4 INT, 8 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | 1 tackle, 1 sack (10 yards), 2 QB hits | 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks (22.5 yards), 3 TFL, 6 QB hits, 1 FF |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | 2 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 1 QB hit | 50 tackles, 18.5 sacks (133 yards), 19 TFL, 48 QB hits, 1 PD, 2 FF |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COWBOYS | 1 catch, 10 yards | 43 catches, 555 yards, 3 TD |
| BARON BROWNING | OLB | BRONCOS | 3 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit | 24 tackles, 5 sacks (32.5 yards), 8 TFL, 12 QB hits, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FR |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | COLTS | 6 catches, 42 yards; 1 carry, 26 yards | 63 catches, 623 yards, 3 TD; 4 carries, 57 yards |
| DRUE CHRISMAN | P | BENGALS | 7 punts, 51.7 average, 3 inside 20 | 28 punts, 47.8 average, 13 inside 20 |
| JONATHON COOPER | OLB | BRONCOS | 3 tackles | 46 tackles, 2 sacks (13 yards), 3 TFL, 7 QB hits |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | GIANTS | Played at LG | 3 games played |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | Started at LT | 17 starts at LT |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | RAVENS | Inactive | 92 carries, 520 yards, 2 TD; 7 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD |
| PAT ELFLEIN | C | PANTHERS | Injured reserve (hip) | 6 starts at C |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | 8 carries, 10 yards | 231 carries, 876 yards, 12 TD; 17 catches, 92 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | 1 catch, 11 yards | 4 catches, 40 yards |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | BEARS | Inactive | 192/318 passing, 2,242 yards, 15 TD, 11 INT; 145 carries, 1,143 yards, 8 TD |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | RAMS | Injured reserve (hamstring) | 10 tackles, 1 FF |
| DaVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 6 tackles | 55 tackles, 2.5 sacks (7 yards), 5 TFL, 6 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | COWBOYS | Injured reserve (pectoral) | 20 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 PD |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | Played | 31 tackles, 1 TFL |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | 8 tackles, 2 sacks (14.5 yards), 4 QB hits, 1 PD | 76 tackles, 10.5 sacks (72.5 yards), 13 TFL, 19 QB hits, 5 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PD | 61 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 1 PD, 1 FR, 1 TD |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 3 tackles, 1 QB hit | 60 tackles, 6.5 sacks (31.5 yards), 11 TFL, 1 FF, 22 QB hits, 3 PD |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | LIONS | Started at LG | 13 starts at G |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | TEXANS | 4 punts, 42.5 average, 3 inside 20 | 88 punts, 48.1 average, 35 inside 20 |
| DRE’MONT JONES | DE | BRONCOS | Injured reserve (hip) | 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks (44 yards), 9 TFL, 9 QB hits, 1 FF |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PANTHERS | Played at OG, 1 TD | 17 games played, 1 TD |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | SAINTS | 8 tackles | 29 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 TD |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DE | COLTS | Injured reserve (knee) | 14 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 1 TFL, 4 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF |
| COREY LINSLEY | C | CHARGERS | Started at C | 14 starts at C |
| LIAM McCULLOUGH | LS | FALCONS | Played at LS | 17 games played |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | COMMANDERS | 3 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD | 77 catches, 1,191 yards, 5 TD; 7 carries, 29 yards |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | 1 tackle | 32 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), 5 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 FR, 1 TD |
| JAKE McQUAIDE | LS | COWBOYS | Injured reserve (triceps) | 4 games played |
| THAYER MUNFORD | OT | RAIDERS | Played at OT | 4 starts, 16 games played |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | Started at C | 17 starts at C |
| ANDREW NORWELL | OG | COMMANDERS | Inactive | 16 starts at LG |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | LIONS | Inactive | 73 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 1 TD, 7 PD, 1 FF |
| CHRIS OLAVE | WR | SAINTS | 5 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD | 72 catches, 1.042 yards, 4 TD; 2-point conversion |
| NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE | OT | TITANS | Started at RT | 16 starts at RT |
| BILLY PRICE | OL | CARDINALS | Started at C | 11 starts at C |
| BRADLEY ROBY | CB | SAINTS | 1 PD | 35 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 PD, 2 FR |
| JEREMY RUCKERT | TE | JETS | 1 catch, 8 yards | 1 catch, 8 yards |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | COMMANDERS | 1 catch, -2 yards; 1 carry, -4 yards | 64 catches, 656 yards, 4 TD; 36 carries, 187 yards, 1 TD |
| TREY SERMON | RB | EAGLES | Inactive | 2 carries, 19 yards |
| MICHAEL THOMAS | WR | SAINTS | Injured reserve (toe) | 16 catches, 171 yards, 3 TD |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DT | BROWNS | 3 tackles | 13 tackles, 0.5 sack (4.5 yards), 1 FR, 1 PD, 2 QB hits |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | GIANTS | 2 catches, 18 yards | 6 catches, 55 yards |
| BINJIMEN VICTOR | WR | RAVENS | Waived | 1 tackle |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | PATRIOTS | Inactive | 2 tackles |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 1 tackle, 1 PD | 42 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 3 INT, 13 PD, 2 FR, 2 TD |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 2 tackles | 81 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 PD, 2 FF |
| GARRETT WILSON | WR | JETS | 9 catches, 89 yards | 83 catches, 1,103 yards, 4 TD; 3 carries, -3 yards |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | COMMANDERS | 2 tackles | 5 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 PD |
