Utah Locals In The NFL Tom Kirkland

Locals in the NFL: Week 9

Utah Locals In The NFL Tom Kirkland

This week’s locals check has to begin in Minnesota, where Vikings RB Matt Asiata continues to shine near the goal line. Even though this delusional reporter had prematurely observed Matt’s demise in the Vikings offense, the former Ute running back (ran for 29 yards and a TD in the Utes famous 2009 Sugar Bowl upset of Alabama) plowed through the Redskins heavy front for a career-high tying 3 touchdowns.

Three’s are wild for number 44. 3rd season with the Vikes, scoring 3 tds in a game for the 3rd time in his career, twice this season accounting for 6 of the 9 TD’s Asiata’s scored for the Vikings. Minnesota held on the beat RG (you guessed it) 3– 29-26

The beard of the day belongs to Pittsburgh’s out-of-retirement defensive tackle Brett Keisel.

This week’s locals check has to begin in Minnesota where Vikings RB Matt Asiata continues to shine near the goal line. Even though this delusional reporter had prematurely observed Matt’s demise in the Vikings offense, the former Ute running back (ran for 29 yards and a TD in the Utes famous 2009 Sugar Bowl upset of Alabama) plowed through the Redskins heavy front for a career-high tying 3 touchdowns.

The former BYU Cougar only had 1 tackle in the Steelers huge home win over the Ravens but his relentless spirit and “pot-stirring” was everywhere, certainly motivating “back from the abyss” linebacker James Harrison whose 7 tackles was 2nd on the Steelers. Former Ute Brice McCain also involved, registering 1 huge fumble recovery and 4 tackles as Pittsburgh punished Baltimore 43-23. The Steelers 3rd straight win keeps them just a half game behind Cincinnati for the AFC North lead. Baltimore’s Hiloti Ngata the former Highland High School star recorded his 2nd sack of the season but his Ravens fall to 5-4 but at the bottom of the vicious AFC North.

Coach of the Year candidate? How about Cleveland’s Mike Pittine? Browns are 5-3, just a half-game behind AFC North leading Cincinnati. With Brian Hoyer keeping the biggest non-story of the season so far, Johnny Manziel, on the sidelines the Browns keep winning. Former Ute Paul Kruger had another sack helping Cleveland’s D hold Tampa Bay to 17 points in their 22-17 win. It’s the 6th sack for @pkruger99 13th in the NFL in 2014.

This just in: it’s November, and Tom Brady and the Patriots are good! Whipped Peyton Manning and the Broncos to take over atop the AFC. Still a long way to go, Patriots also happy cause they’re into their bye week. How in the world is this a local thing? Well, former Ute Co-Captain Sealver Siliga’s been rehabbing the serious foot injury that put him on the new short term Injured Reserve. Look for @s_siliga to return after the bye to help shore up the Patriots run-stuffing aspect of their defense. Maybe as early as the Sunday night NBC game at Indianapolis November 16th.

Speaking of local stars coming off short term IR, former BYU star Kyle Van Noy is healthy again and will now, presumably, make his NFL debut when his Lions host a surprisingly good Miami Dolphins team. The Fish defense led by another former Ute Koa Misi who had 6 tackles in their 37-0 crush of San Diego Sunday in Miami. Misi had help from former Utah State Aggie DB Will Davis, his coverage helped shutout a Chargers team that’s been very good again this season with Phillip Rivers at QB. Miami’s now won 3 in a row and 4 of their last 5, just a game and a half behind AFC East-leading New England.

Those losses by Denver and San Diego puts Kansas City right into the thick of the AFC West sauce. Former Ute star QB Alex Smith keeps winning, 3 straight and 5 wins in 6 games since starting 0-2 puts KC alone in 2nd at 5-3, now just a game behind the Broncos. Smith nibbled away at the woeful Jets going 21-31 for 199 yards, 2 TDs and no picks. Hard to argue with those who say all Alex does is “dink and dunk” KC’s 29th in the NFL in passing yards per game just over 200 yards but he keeps getting the job done. Smith’s QB rating for the season is 95, completion percentage is 67%, he’s thrown 11 TDs to just 4 picks and he’s 16-7 in his 23 starts since coming to Kansas City last year.

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The Super Bowl champion Seahawks keep winning. but they can’t gain on the soaring Cardinals from Arizona. Former Aggie RB Robert Turbin getting the job done, filling in for starter Marshawn Lynch, 5 carries for 35 yards and a catch out of the backfield for 14 yards. His fellow former Utah State Aggie LB Bobby Wagner still out with Turf Toe. Seattle’s 5-3 now but trail 7-1 Arizona by 2 full games.

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