Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2020 Notre Dame Football Preview
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IRISH IN THE NFL IRISH IN THE NFL 2. TE Kyle Rudolph, versus Dallas in week 10 In a 28-24 win over the Cowboys Nov. 10, Rudolph averaged a minuscule 3.5 yards per reception, yet he was the best offensive player in the game for the Minnesota Vikings. He kicked off the game with two receiving touchdowns in the first quarter, including a one-handed grab while running along the back of the end zone. Then, late in the third quarter, with the Vikings up five after having just scored a touchdown, they elected to go for the two-point conversion, which resulted in a successful jump ball in the end zone to Rudolph. He finished the game with just four catches for 14 yards — but two touchdowns plus the catch on a successful two-point conversion. 3. LG Quenton Nelson, versus Jacksonville in week 11 In several games throughout the season, the Colts star produced the week's best performance by an offensive guard. This includes a 33-13 win over the Jaguars Nov. 17. According to Pro Football Focus, Nelson did not allow a single quarterback pressure on 31 pass-blocking snaps and posted a very high run-blocking grade of 88.5. 4. WR Golden Tate, versus New York Jets in week 10 After missing the start of the season due to a four-game suspension, the Giants wideout and 10th-year NFL player quickly got back into the swing and by week 10 he put up his best game of the season in a 34-27 loss to the Jets. He posted a season-high 23.75 yards per catch, snagging four passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. 5. S Harrison Smith, versus Kansas City in week nine Smith did all he could to prevent a 26-23 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs Nov. 3, but his heroic performance, where he was all over the field, wasn't enough in the end. He finished the game with eight tackles (six solo), a sack, one quarterback hit, a pass defended and a forced fumble. ON THE MOVE • TE Tyler Eifert, Jacksonville Jaguars Eifert played in all 16 regular-season games for the first time in his NFL career in 2019, but also produced career-lows with 10.1 yards per reception and 6.9 yards per target. After seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Eifert be- came a free agent and signed a two-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth a maximum of $15.5 million. • DT Sheldon Day, Indianapolis Colts After spending most of 2019 as a second-string defensive tackle, Day moved into a starting role at the end of the season and through the playoffs, which included the San Francisco 49ers' 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. After the season, the 49ers elected to move on from the four-year NFL veteran, and Day signed a one-year, $1.75-million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, his hometown team. FIVE BEST SINGLE-GAME PERFORMANCES 144 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Will Fuller produced the best NFL performance by a former Fighting Irish wide receiver when he hauled in 14 receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns against the Falcons. PHOTO COURTESY HOUSTON TEXANS 1. WR WILL FULLER, VERSUS ATLANTA IN WEEK FIVE On Oct. 6, the Houston Texans star had one of the best performances of the season. In a 53-32 vic- tory, Fuller hauled in 14 receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns. His production against the Falcons may be the greatest statistical game by a former Notre Dame wide receiver ever. Fighting Irish legends Jack Snow and Tim Brown each had one three-touchdown game during their NFL careers, but not also with 217 yards or 14 receptions.