Week 17 of the NFL regular season came to a close with 17 Maryland football alumni seeing the field.
By the end of a season, every team holds the goal of winning games and being in postseason discussions.
The Giants fell short of both in 2025. However, individual milestones that come across a season-long marathon are noteworthy achievements as well.
Despite a long and forgettable 3-13 season, New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks captured his first career NFL touchdown in a 34-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Banks made three tackles, defended two passes and took a kick return 95 yards for a score on Sunday.
The former Terp has held a role in the Giants’ return game this season, tallying 558 yards on 17 returned kicks. Special teams has helped bolster his talent amid inconsistencies in both health and performance on defense.
Sunday in Las Vegas was a step in the right direction as the 24-year-old looks to end his third season on a high note. He’s at least shown he can play his natural position of defensive back, with the potential to provide a spark on special teams an added bonus.
The Giants’ final game of the 2025 season is set for Sunday, Jan. 4, at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
2025 rookies
- Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips made two tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. made one tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton played 19 special teams snaps against the Detroit Lions.
- Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II was inactive in Week 17.
- Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote remained on the practice squad for Week 17.
- Center Josh Kaltenberger, safety Glen Miller and wide receiver Kaden Prather remain unsigned.
Other players
- New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets.
- Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.
- Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross made 12 tackles against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson rushed for 15 yards on five carries against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the passing game, he caught three passes for 33 yards.
- Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore caught one pass for seven yards against the San Francisco 49ers.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still made six tackles against the Houston Texans.
- San Francisco 49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu made one tackle against the Chicago Bears.
- Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland made two extra points against the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Las Vegas Raiders right tackle D.J. Glaze played 60 snaps against the New York Giants.
- Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson played 54 snaps between offense and special teams against the Cleveland Browns.
- Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Corey Bullock played nine snaps against the Green Bay Packers.
- New York Giants safety Beau Brade played eight snaps on special teams against the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett played seven snaps against the Buffalo Bills.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones remained on the practice squad for Week 17.
- Indianapolis Colts defensive end Durrell Nchami remained on the practice squad for Week 17.
- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods was inactive in Week 17.
- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson was inactive for Week 17.
- Buffalo Bills safety Darnell Savage was inactive in Week 17.
Other news
- New York Jets defensive tackle Byron Cowart remained on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Due to not being designated to return from IR prior to roster cut day in August, his season is over unless he and the Jets reach a settlement.
Week 18 is the final week of the regular season, where both playoff seeding and division titles will be decided. Up first is a Saturday doubleheader on Jan. 3 — the Carolina Panthers kick things off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Seattle Seahawks play the San Francisco 49ers.
