TCI has a complete rundown of how Clemson’s NFL alumni performed in Week 12…
Detroit 45, Philadelphia 14 (Thurs.)
PHI: Byron Maxwell—6 tackles, PBU
Maxwell continues to struggle in coverage, giving up six catches on 11 targets and only deflecting one pass. The free agent signee isn’t even lining up across from elite receivers anymore for the Eagles, a sign of a disappointing season for the veteran cornerback.
DET: Crezdon Butler—1 tackle
Butler has landed in Detroit for now but has the profile of a journeyman who may be on and off of rosters for his entire pro career. So far, his time with the Lions has gone well.
Chicago 17, Green Bay 14 (Thurs.)
CHI: Jarvis Jenkins—2 tackles (1 solo)
After a torrid start, Jenkins looks more like the player he was in Washington—a space-eater who occupies blockers so others can get the glory. Still, he remains a disruptive force on an improving Bears defense.
Cincinnati 31, St. Louis 7
CIN: Brandon Thompson—1 assisted tackle
It’s good to see Thompson back on the field. Injuries have been an issue for him since the beginning of the season, but it appears the Bengals still plan to use him on the defensive line when healthy.
Washington 20, NY Giants 14
WAS: Bashaud Breeland—5 tackles (4 solo), 4 PBU
Breeland broke up a ton of passes in this game, as he and his peers frustrated the Giants’ passing attack virtually all game long. The second-year cornerback graded out exceptionally well in this one.
Minnesota 20, Atlanta 10
ATL: Vic Beasley Jr.—PBU
Grady Jarrett—1 assisted tackle
It might not show up on the stat sheet, but Pro Football Focus gave both Beasley and Jarrett top-three grades on the Falcons’ team for their respective performances on Sunday. That might be a sign that more is going right than meets the eye with the Falcons’ two rookies.
NY Jets 38, Miami 20
NYJ: Marcus Gilchrist—7 tackles (4 solo), PBU
Gilchrist tied for the team lead in tackles while swatting away one of a dozen defended passes for the Jets on Sunday. The safety continues to show out on a weekly basis for a growing AFC threat.
Kansas City 30, Buffalo 22
BUF: Sammy Watkins—10 tgts, 6 rec, 158 yds, 2 TD
Watkins was the most frequently targeted Bill by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and the wideout delivered. His pair of first-half touchdown catches spanned 49 yards. When healthy and factored into the plan, Watkins is as dangerous as any speed receiver in the NFL.
Houston 24, New Orleans 6
HOU: DeAndre Hopkins—8 tgts, 5 rec, 36 yds
It’s a mystery why Hopkins wasn’t more productive against a horrible pass defense. He had his first drop in two months and just never seemed to get going. Still, Nuk is in the conversation as possibly the best receiver in all of football.
NO: Stephone Anthony—10 tackles (8 solo)
Tavaris Barnes—2 assisted tackles
C.J. Spiller—1 car, -2 yds; 3 tgts, 2 rec, 8 yds; 2 KR, 40 yds
The Saints were held without a touchdown for the first time in years, but virtually none of the blame can be put on Spiller. He was barely featured over the course of the game. Barnes got significant action in this one and managed a couple of assists, while Anthony continued to impress with gaudy tackle numbers in the middle of a young, struggling defensive unit.
Indianapolis 25, Tampa Bay 12
IND: Dwayne Allen—4 tgts, 2 rec, 19 yds
Allen was part of a balanced passing game that involved a lot of different pass-catchers. In what has been a down year for the tight end, he got good news this week when it was announced he was the Colts’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that goes to the NFL’s top community representative.
TB: Adam Humphries—3 tgts, 2 rec, 20 yds
Humphries wasn’t used a ton by the Buccaneers on Sunday, but he remains one of Jameis Winston’s favorite targets. He should continue to find work exploiting favorable matchups in the slot.
Oakland 24, Tennessee 21
TEN: Coty Sensabaugh—1 tackle
It was a light day for the Titans’ nickel cornerback. Sensabaugh continues to have a solid season in Tennessee.
Arizona 19, San Francisco 13
ARI: Jaron Brown—1 tackle
Chandler Catanzaro—2-2 FG, 1-2 XP
Andre Ellington—5 car, 24 yds; 5 tgts, 3 rec, 22 yds
Playing against his brother, Ellington was the Cardinals’ leading rusher and was a factor in the passing game before dealing with some injury issues that may be a problem moving forward. Catanzaro has only missed two field goals all season, but in a strange twist, he has now missed three extra points. Brown wasn’t targeted at all in the passing game, but he did make a tackle in Sunday’s win.
SFO: Bradley Pinion—4 punts, 41.5 avg
Once again, Pinion did his job. He dropped half of his punts inside the Cardinals’ 20-yard line and continues to justify his late-round selection in last year’s draft.
Seattle 39, Pittsburgh 30
PIT: Martavis Bryant—13 tgts, 5 rec, 69 yds; 1 car, 11 yds, TD
Bryant scored on an end-around and was prominently featured in the passing game by Big Ben. He caught less than half of his targets, but one of the catches went for a 40-yard gain. Bryant’s combination of size and speed should make him a consistent threat in the league.
Other Rostered Players: Andre Branch (JAC), Chris Clemons (ARI), Chris Hairston (SDG), Antoine McClain (ARI), Jonathan Meeks (BUF), Tyler Shatley (JAC), Tony Steward (BUF), Charlie Whitehurst (IND).
Inactives: Kourtnei Brown (TB), Kavell Conner (SDG), Malliciah Goodman (ATL), Isaiah Battle (STL), Brandon Thomas (SFO).