Here’s the Week 15 summary of former BYU Cougars in the NFL. Power Rankings reflect this season's overall performance.
No. 1 - Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 7 receptions, 97 yards; 2 rushes, 11 yards
In a sloppy, wet 12-6 Rams win on Thursday Night Football, Puka was far and away the best offensive player on either team. He has seven of the Rams 16 receptions and accounted for 97 of the team’s 160 passing yards. Nacua is flat out dominant.
No. 2 - Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 15 tackles (tied career high), 1 pass defended
After being slowed by a broken bone in his heel, Fred Warner reclaimed the crown for the NFL’s best linebacker. His 15 tackles in a losing effort against the Rams on Thursday Night Football tied Warner’s career high. It was a joy overhearing Warner chat with Puka about BYU’s upcoming Alamo Bowl game when they exchanged jerseys after the game.
Game respects game 🫶@RamsNFL | @49ers pic.twitter.com/itTrROr75a
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 13, 2024
No. 3 - Kyle Van Noy, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Stats: 3 tackles, 1 sacks, 1 QB hit, 1 tackle for loss
KVN is aging like fine wine…errr….sparkling Marintelli’s. With yet another sack the 11-year veteran tied his career high with nine. He set his career high last year, giving him now 18 sacks over the last two seasons. With three games left to go, here’s to hoping Van Noy gets to double-digit sacks this year and makes his first Pro Bowl.
No. 4 - Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 1 punt, 36 yards, 1 inside the 20
The Bengals offense racked up touchdowns and a lot of long drives, so Rehkow spent most of his day as the holder on extra points. His only punt on the day was a 36-yarder that pinned the Titans at the 13 yard line.
No. 5 - Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 12 carries, 43 yards
The Falcons won an ugly Monday Night Football game against the Raiders employing a conservative game plan. While Allgeier got 12 carries, many came against stacked boxes and late in the game in obvious running situations, hence his 3.6 YPC average. But runs like this show how even a one-yard gain can be impressive.
Tyler Allgeier making a 1-yard gain look spectacular for the #Falcons.
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) December 17, 2024
Beast since his days with #BYUfootball. pic.twitter.com/JEAawORlFE
No. 6 - Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers
Stats: 1 carry, 6 yards; 1 reception, 9 yards; 16 offensive snaps, 14 special teams snaps
The second year running back continues to be a trusted part of the Packers backfield. His one rushing attempt gained a first down. His 9-yard reception turned second-and-14 in a manageable third down which the Packers converted. He has also turned into a trusted blocker. On the season he has 22 rushes for 101 yards with 10 receptions for 67 yards.
No. 7 - Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers
Stats: 2 special teams snaps
I’ve written enough about how Brady Christensen should be starting at center for the lowly Panthers and won’t spill any more digital ink on that frustrating subject. We’re all just counting down the days until he hits free agency after this season.
No. 8 - Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots
Stats: 4 tackles; Started, 36 defensive snaps, 17 special teams snaps
Takitaki’s first season with the Pats got off to a really slow start due to injury, but he has now battled his way into the starting lineup. After recording just six tackles in seven games leading up to Week 15, Takitaki recorded a season-high four tackles while playing 51% of the team’s defensive snaps.
No. 9 - Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints
Stats: 2 kick returns, 57 yards (28.5 YPR)
Jamaal didn’t get any carries as a running back, but he contributed as a kick returner. On his two returns he set the Saints up at the 30 and at the 27, so both times getting them a few yards beyond the 25 yard line had the kickoff been downed.
No. 10 - Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers
Stats: No stats; 3 defensive snaps, 22 special teams snaps
While Zayne didn’t record any stats in this one, he continues to be a special teams mainstay and even got three defensive snaps in the Packers victory over the Seahawks. He has a career-high 12 tackles on the season.
No. 11 - Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals
Stats: Did not play (inactive)
Tonga’s once promising season has been derailed over the last couple of weeks. In the 10 games in which he played earlier this year he averaged just over 18 defensive snaps per game, making him a key rotational player. However, Tonga has fallen out of the rotation and hasn’t played in any of the Cardinals last three games.
No. 12 - Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders
Stats: Did not play (inactive)
The veteran was designated as inactive before the game. While the Commanders are having a good season, Davis’s impact has largely been limited to special teams this year.
No. 13 - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: 4 special teams snaps
The second round rookie made another cameo appearance on special teams last week.
No. 14 - Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 3 special teams snaps
The second year lineman continues to see limited action on special teams.
Has Not Played:
Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (Inactive)
Injured Reserve
Taysom Hill, TE/HB, New Orleans Saints
Finished the season with 39 rushes for 278 yards (7.1 YPC!) with six touchdowns. Taysom also had 23 receptions for 187 yards, completed two passes for 21 yards, returned one kick for 42 yards, and tackled a punter in the end zone for a forced fumble with a safety.
On Practice Squads:
Jaren Hall, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Kedon Slovis, QB, Houston Texans
Max Tooley, LB, Minnesota Vikings
Released from Practice Squads This Week:
Dax Milne, WR, Carolina Panthers