Pitt in the NFL: Week 12

By Evan Burgos

LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles — The rookie tailback started his second consecutive game for the… LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles — The rookie tailback started his second consecutive game for the injured Brian Westbrook, carrying the ball 17 times for 76 yards in addition to 25 yards receiving. McCoy also punched in a game-tying two-point conversion attempt on a shovel pass with less than eight minutes to go. The play led to the Eagles kicking a game-winning field goal in its final two minutes.

LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Cardinals — McCoy’s college backup had a career week doing it all in the third, least heralded, phase of the game — special teams. Stephens-Howling recorded his second career touchdown, returning a kick 99 yards for a score. He also chipped a pair of special teams plays, downing the ball inside the 5-yard line on two punts.

Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers — The wide out reeled in a 42-yard touchdown snag in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. Bryant finished the day with a team-high 91 yards receiving. The score was his third of the year but wasn’t enough to hold off the Falcons, who prevailed 20-17.

Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets — Revis sparked the Jets on Sunday, taking a pick 67 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter against the erratic Carolina Panthers. Revis, who is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top shutdown corners, shut down Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith to one catch for 5 yards. He also recorded two tackles. The Jets won easily, 17-6, to improve to 5-6 on the year.

Tyler Palko, QB, Steelers — The former Pitt quarterback was signed by the Steelers last Wednesday to serve as a backup to rookie Dennis Dixon, who started Sunday’s game because of injuries to both Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch. Palko was signed after he cleared waivers from the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, who won the Greys Cup, the CFL’s Super Bowl equivalent, this past weekend.

Palko was last seen in the NFL in early 2009 on the Cardinals practice squad. Out of college, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by New Orleans, where he spent two seasons.