Former Syracuse football stud Riley Dixon could be headed to his first Pro Bowl in 2019. Here are all the details and what it means.
After Week 13 of the NFL, we take a look at former Syracuse football stars in the pros. Justin Pugh and Chandler Jones are on the Arizona Cardinals who are on a five-game losing streak. On Sunday, the Cards lost to the Los Angeles Rams 34-7.
On the defensive side of the ball, Chandler Jones got in on the action with four total tackles and half a sack. Now Jones is third in the league on the sack list with 13 sacks just behind Shaq Barrett and Cameron Jordan. With four games left, Chandler Jones is four sacks away from tying his career-high of 17 in a year.
On the other side, Justin Pugh suited up for the Birds. This start continues his consecutive streak of starts in every game this season.
Arizona’s offense had a lackluster performance against L.A. with only 163 yards passing and 74 yards on the ground.
In New York, a snowy matchup played host to former Syracuse punter, Riley Dixon. During the contest, Dixon only punted the ball one time, and it went for 47 yards.
While the Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention, there is at least one story to root for this season: Riley Dixon making his first Pro Bowl bid.
Special teams captain Michael Thomas is willing to give Dixon the nod based on what he’s seen per Ed Valentine of SB Nation’s Big Blue View:
"“I’ve been around some pretty good punters, been on some pretty good punt coverage teams. To see him do it day in and day out at practice and then the way he’s executing this year on the field, hitting bombs and landing ‘em right out of bounds and stuff like that inside the 20. I think he’s playing at a Pro Bowl, All-Pro level. It makes our job easier to go cover those punts, man. We’re one of the top units in the league and it’s because of play from guys like Riley.”"
The New York Giants will face the Philadelphia Eagles next week on Monday Night.
In Indy, the Colts fell to the Tennesee Titans 31-17. Zaire Franklin did not record a tackle in the game.
In Pittsburgh, the Cleveland Browns faced the Steelers, and starting quarterback Baker Mayfield got injured in the matchup.
After injuring his hand, Mayfield exited the game but eventually returned. At this time, it is unknown Mayfield’s status for the next game. But if Mayfield cannot start or if even if he can, there is a chance Eric Dungey could be promoted from the practice squad.
Since midseason, the former Orange QB has been on the practice squad for the Browns and is third on the quarterback list. We will have the details if the story progresses.