Week 16 of the NFL regular season came to a close with 17 Maryland football alumni seeing the field.
Veteran wide receivers D.J. Moore and Stefon Diggs both had significant performances to push their respective teams closer to the playoff stage.
Moore made the game-winning catch to seal a marquee win over the Green Bay Packers. In a 22-16 overtime win, Moore caught an over-the-shoulder 46-yard touchdown pass in tight coverage from Caleb Williams to maintain the Bears’ division lead.
The 28-year-old
caught five passes for 97 to go along with his score, netting his highest receiving yard total in a game this season. After six straight weeks without a receiving touchdown, he has five in the last five weeks.
While Chicago’s win in Saturday night Primetime cements their legitimacy as a contender in the NFC, it isn’t in the clear just yet. In what may be the most important game of its season, it will take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football — they are also playing for the No. 1-seed in the NFC, as well as the postseason’s first-round bye.
In the opposing conference, Stefon Diggs made a huge impact to secure a playoff bid for New England. Diggs caught nine passes for 138 yards in the 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native clinched his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Now at 12-3, the Patriots are looking to hold onto the AFC East lead with two games remaining against weaker conference foes in the New York Jets on Sunday, then the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.
If the Bears hold onto the division lead, it will be their first NFC North title since 2018. For the Patriots, an AFC East banner would be their first since Tom Brady’s final season in New England in 2019.
2025 rookies
- Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. made five tackles against the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton caught one pass for six yards against the New York Giants.
- Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips made no tackles against the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II was inactive in Week 16.
- Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote remained on the practice squad for Week 16.
- Center Josh Kaltenberger, safety Glen Miller and wide receiver Kaden Prather remain unsigned.
Other players
- Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo caught six passes for 44 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson he rushed for a touchdown and had 16 yards on three carries against the Cleveland Browns.
- Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross made six tackles against the San Francisco 49ers.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still made two tackles against the Dallas Cowboys.
- Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland was 4-of-6 on field goals with a long of 51 yards against the Houston Texans.
- Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson played 64 snaps between offense and special teams against the Detroit Lions
- Las Vegas Raiders right tackle D.J. Glaze played 54 snaps on offense against the Houston Texans.
- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods played 20 snaps between defense and special teams against the Arizona Cardinals.
- New York Giants safety Beau Brade played nine special teams snaps against the New York Giants.
- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett played six defensive snaps against the Washington Commanders.
- Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Corey Bullock played five snaps on special teams against the New England Patriots.
- New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks made no tackles against the Minnesota Vikings.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones remained on the practice squad for Week 16.
- Indianapolis Colts defensive end Durrell Nchami remained on the practice squad for Week 16.
- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson was inactive for Week 16.
- Buffalo Bills safety Darnell Savage was inactive in Week 16.
Other news
- San Francisco 49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu made three tackles against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. He did not play in Week 15 due to an ankle injury.
- 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 17 of the NFL season kicks off with a Christmas Day slate tripleheader on Thursday. All games will air on streaming services — the first two on Netflix and the night game on Amazon Prime.
