Ohio State Buckeyes in the NFL: Keeping Up, Week 13

Week 13 in The League featured a series of close games, starting off strong on Thursday night. Plenty of former Buckeyes were in action on Thanksgiving, starting with A.J. Hawk and the Green Bay Packers.

Hawk once again led the Green Bay defense with 12 tackles in a losing effort on Turkey Day, as the Packers fell on the road to Detroit 40-10. Ryan Pickett added two tackles of his own on the defensive line.

The second game on Thursday pitted Oakland against Dallas in the Palace that Jerry Built, putting QB Terrelle Pryor and CB Chimdi Chekwa in action for the Raiders. Chekwa played, recording one tackle in the contest. Pryor had a great view of the tackle form the sidelines, where he remained all game. Pryor hasn't played since spraining his right knee against the Giants on Nov. 10. Matt McGloin didn't look terrible, and seeing as the Raiders only used him to hand  the ball off, it could be awhile until we see no. 2 back in action.

Eight of the previous nine games between Pittsburgh and Baltimore were decided by three points or fewer, and that trend continued Thursday night in Baltimore. The Ravens held off a late attack by the Steelers, winning 22-20 in a game that could only be described as bizarre.

Cameron Heyward and Will Allen played solid games for former Buckeye Dick LeBeau's Steelers defense, recording seven and six tackles (respectively). OT Mike Adams was struggling all game, and ended up leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with what looked to be a serious ankle injury. Though Ravens rookie LB John Simon didn't see the field, the first year alum was featured in an NFL Play 60 commercial for his community service work!

On Sunday it seemed as if it was hit-or-miss for former Buckeyes. Donte Whitner and James Laurinaitis held it down on the defensive side when the 49ers defeated the Rams 23-13. Whitner and Laurinaitis each recorded nine tackles in the contest and St. Louis Longsnapper Jake McQuaide had another great day at the office with eight errorless snaps.

Eagles Safety Kurt Coleman and Giants Defensive Tackle Johnathan Hankins each had just two tackles on Sunday. Nate Ebner had one tackle in the Patriots nail-biter against the Texans, while Austin Spitler added a tackle of his own in the Dolphins 23-3 win against the Jets.

For the former receivers in The League, you either scored or didn't get a catch. Brian Hartline led the Dolphins passing attack, with nine catches on 15 targets for 127 yards and one touchdown. Ted Ginn Jr. had two catches for 47 yards and a score as well.

10 Atlanta receivers had a catch in the Falcons overtime win against the Bills, and Brian Robiskie wasn't one of them. Devier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher and Santonio Holmes all went target-less as well, continuing the struggle to find a consistent role in their respective offenses.

Mike Nugent had another perfect game Sunday in the Bengals 17-10 victory against the Chargers. Nuge completed both his extra point attempts and connected on a 46-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, makinghim 15-of-19 on the year.

Tune in to Monday Night Football tonight to see Malcolm Jenkins, Will Smith and the Saints take on the Buckeye-less Seahawks.