NFL Hokies: Week 15 recap

BLACKSBURG – Week 15 of the NFL season concluded this past Monday, finishing a weekend lineup that saw close wins, premier shootouts and every team in action for the first time since Week 13 in November. Former Hokies continued to shine on the gridiron, rising to the occasion in big moments both on offense and defense. In this week’s edition of NFL Hokies, sponsored by Coca-Cola, we look back on some of the most memorable showings from Tech alumni in Week 15 and forecast some exciting matchups to come in Week 16.  

LB Divine Deablo 
Las Vegas linebacker Divine Deablo was an asset against the Falcons in the second of two Monday night games during Week 15. The former Hokie tallied six total tackles in the contest, half of which were solo efforts, alongside a tackle for loss in 43 snaps. Additionally, Deablo was one of four Raiders to deflect a pass from Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, who had a season-low 112 passing yards against the Las Vegas defense. While the Falcons did go on to win 15-9 behind Bijan Robinson’s impressive performance on the ground (22 carries, 125 yards), Deablo earned a 74.4 defensive grade and a 75.5 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF).  

LB Tremaine Edmunds 
Deablo wasn’t the only linebacker to post impressive stats during Week 15. In the other Monday night game, Chicago linebacker Tremaine Edmunds posted a team-second highest seven tackles, six of which were solo tries, alongside a tackle for loss on Vikings back Aaron Jones in the second quarter. Edmunds was only one of three defensive players to play 100% of the snaps on Monday (77), a feat he has now achieved in eight straight matchups. For his efforts in the 30-12 loss to the NFC North conference foe, the former Hokie posted a 79.8 tackling grade and a season second-highest 77.8 run defense grade from PFF.  

DT Tim Settle 
Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle has put together an impressive season in 2024. In 40 snaps against the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon, the former Hokie recorded two total tackles, both of which were solo efforts, and a tackle for loss in the first half. Perhaps his most memorable gameday moment was his fumble recovery with 9:33 left in the second quarter. The fumble, which would serve as the catalyst for a Texans touchdown less than three minutes later, gave Houston the momentum it needed to take the lead and eventually win 20-12. Settle would achieve season highs in multiple PFF-graded categories for his work on Sunday, posting a 90.2 defensive grade and a 90.1 pass rushing grade in the win.  

S Chuck Clark 
Jets safety Chuck Clark posted impressive numbers against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The former Hokie was one of three Jets to register seven tackles, six of which were solo tries, in what was a 32-25 win on the road at EverBank Stadium. Clark was also only one of two players to play 100% of defensive snaps, joining cornerback and teammate Sauce Gardner in 84 snaps. The game, which serves as a “what-could-have-been" for the 4-10 New York team, ended a four-game skid that saw three of the four losses end in one-possession games. Clark and the Jets will look to finish strong when they welcome the Los Angeles Rams to MetLife Stadium on Dec. 22.  

CB Kendall Fuller 
Despite the 20-12 loss to Houston, Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller notched a strong performance on the defensive end in Sunday’s contest. The former Hokie registered five total tackles on the weekend, including four solo tries and a tackle for loss on Texans back Joe Mixon in a goal line situation. Fuller’s five tackles were third highest on the team, raising his season total tackle count to 46 over ten played games. For his work on Sunday, Fuller earned 78.0 tackling and 78.1 pass rushing grades from PFF.  

C Brock Hoffman 
Cowboys center Brock Hoffman has done an excellent job stepping up on a depleted Dallas offensive line. Against the Panthers on Sunday afternoon, Hoffman was one of three players to register 100% of offensive snaps (72), playing every snap at the center position. Dallas’s second-half surge would be the key in propelling the team to a 30-14 win against Carolina, and the team will now prepare for a Sunday night primetime contest against the Baker Mayfield-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 22.  

Notable Week 16 Matchups 

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC 
The Texans will embark on a road journey to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to face the 13-1 Chiefs in an exciting Saturday game during Week 16. The two squads last met in 2022, where Patrick Mahomes threw for 336 yards and scored three total touchdowns in a 30-24 overtime win. In that game, however, the Texans were without current quarterback C.J. Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans, which promises to make this year’s matchup slightly more enticing. Both teams have former Hokies on their units, as Tim Settle will suit up for the Texans and safety Chamarri Conner will dress for the Chiefs. 

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals: Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS 
After a disappointing 21-7 home loss to the Chiefs in Week 15, the Browns will travel to their in-state neighbor for a contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game will pit Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow against a Browns defense that has allowed 341 total yards to opposing offenses this season. The Browns and the Bengals both have former Hokies on their squads, as Cleveland guard Wyatt Teller and Bengals running back Khalil Herbert will both suit up on Sunday afternoon.