Rebels in the Pros: Week 14 was a huge recruiting tool

It is crunch time in the NFL and as the playoff picture begins to take shape, Ole Miss alumni continue to be a big factor into some crucial late-season pushes across the league. Another great week by the NWOs saw a trio of Rebels find the end zone and a certain defensive dynamo had himself another day. From a recruiting standpoint, the early signing period begins today and it’s fun to be able to point to the NFL Rebs.

Here is how they fared:

Offense

• There’s no reason to bury the lede, so let’s start in Atlanta. The best story out of Oxford this weekend came on Laquon Treadwell’s first snap with the Falcons. His team ended up losing, but Ole Miss’ all-time receptions leader did all he could. Queezy lined up on the far side in a bunch formation, ran a button hook, made the catch and powered through across the goal line. It was a really great moment for someone who had so much promise out of college and never found a groove. So long as Julio Jones is out, it looks like he will continue to be called up from the practice squad.

• Up north on the west coast, it was business as usual for D.K. Metcalf. The NFL’s leading receiver celebrated his birthday (he turned 23 on Monday) with six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, his tenth of the season. It was a blowout win over the Jets and Metcalf got creative with his touchdown celebration.

After finding the end zone, he ran over to the sideline, hopped the fence and commandeered the TV camera, paying homage to Tyreek Hill and Chad Ochocinco.

As part of the celebration, Metcalf also pulled out a laminated sheet of paper that gifted himself an early present from his fellow Seahawk wide receivers.

23 years old. Ha.

• Not only is he the mayor of Starkville, but A.J. Brown officially rules over Jacksonville. He finished Tennessee’s blowout win with seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, marking his third 100-yard effort of the season. His touchdown grab came in the first quarter and it came in spectacular fashion. First of all, it was a flea flicker. That’s fun. Second of all, Ryan Tannehill dropped a dime. Third of all, ARTHUR JAMES BROWN PULLED IT DOWN WITH ONE HAND OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!

• As for the tight ends, it was nothing spectacular but all good. Evan Engram had two catches in a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad loss to the Cardinals (the Giants are awful, if you didn’t already know). Over in Buffalo, Dawson Knox found himself covered by Mike Hilton for most of the evening and pulled down four grabs for 34 yards in a win. He had a fumble, but we’ll get there.

• Other than that, it was pretty quiet. After a big special teams day last week, Donte Moncrief came back down to earth, but still found a role and played 17 snaps. Greg Little was inactive, Jordan Wilkins had one catch and one carry, and Laremy Tunsil had two penalties but didn’t allow a sack in 66 offensive snaps. The Texans are also not good.

Defense

• NOBODY CAN STOP MIKE HILTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pittsburgh’s most dynamic defender played a little bit of everywhere, as is per usual, and kept (a much bigger) Knox from finding the end zone or exploding over the middle. No. 28 finished with five total tackles, one for loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and an interception. He is a fireplug that is up in everyone’s business from the second the coin is flipped. The pick fell in his lap, but he had to make a great adjustment to contort his body back to the ball and pull it down.

The fumble was both good and bad. He forced the fumble on Knox.

And he got jiggy with it.

• Sticking with defensive backs, also at corner, Myles Hartsfield continues to be impressive. He found space on eight plays at free safety and tallied 19 on special teams. Carolina lost to Denver but it seems like one of the more unexpected ballers is balling out.
• Another pretty awesome storyline that is beginning — and / or — continuing to roll out is the Moore twins. C.J. is dealing with injuries and has played in limited games so far this year. A.J. had the same issue last year but is healthy and carving out a small role on a struggling Houston team. He played 25 special teams snaps and played a pest to Mitchell Trubisky in 17 plays at free safety.

• A pair of nose tackles in D.J. Jones and Benito Jones were both inactive for the Dolphins and the 49ers, respectively. How cool would it be if they were ALSO twins?! Marquis Haynes was also inactive, but has had a decent year to this point.