#StanfordNFL: Week 12#StanfordNFL: Week 12
Football

#StanfordNFL: Week 12

 

 #StanfordNFL: Week 12 

Johnson Bademosi • DB • Cleveland Browns • 4th season • @j_bademosi24

Bademosi led Cleveland in special teams snaps, appearing on 79 percent of such plays. He had four of Cleveland’s seven special teams tackles, including three solo, but the Browns fell to 2-9 after a last-second blocked field goal by the Ravens. 

Next Game: vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 6)

Doug Baldwin • WR • Seattle Seahawks • 5th season • @DougBaldwinJr

On the day Seattle lost All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham for the season, Baldwin stepped up in spectacular fashion with six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-30 win over Pittsburgh. His three touchdown catches were the most in a game for a Seahawk since 1997, with one of them being the longest Seattle play from scrimmage this season (80 yards).

Baldwin is putting together a fantastic season, leading the Seahawks in receptions (50), receiving yards (684) and receiving touchdowns (six). He has caught at least six balls for the third consecutive game, and with Marshawn Lynch and Graham both likely done for the regular season, Baldwin could play a huge role in Seattle’s playoff push. 

Next Game: at Minnesota (Dec. 6)

David DeCastro • G • Pittsburgh Steelers • 4th season 

DeCastro, a native of Bellevue, Washington, started and played all 80 of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in a 39-30 loss at Seattle. The Steelers rank second in the league in yards per carry (4.8) this season, even with All-Pro tailback Le’Veon Bell only appearing in six contests. 

Next Game: vs. Indianapolis (Dec. 6)

Jim Dray • TE • Cleveland Browns • 6th season 

Dray was in on 38 percent of special teams snaps and 41 percent of offensive snaps in Cleveland’s 33-27 loss against Baltimore on Monday night. He was targeted once in the passing game but did not make any catches. 

Next Game: vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 6)

Zach Ertz • TE • Philadelphia Eagles • 3rd season • @ZERTZ_86

The All-America selection at Stanford sustained a concussion on a scary play against Tampa Bay in Week 11, making him unavailable for Philadelphia’s 45-14 loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. He is expected to make his return at New England in Week 13. 

Next Game: at New England (Dec. 6)

Coby Fleener • TE • Indianapolis Colts • 4th season • @Coby

Fleener caught all three of his balls for 27 yards in Indianapolis’ 25-12 win against Tampa Bay, also drawing a 16-yard pass interference penalty in the first quarter. Fleener was in on 58 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps, adding two more snaps on defense after making his first career interception last weekend on a Hail Mary play. 

Next Game: at Pittsburgh (Dec. 6)

Cameron Fleming • OG • New England Patriots • 2nd season • @cammyjfresh

New England’s makeshift offensive line continues to rotate, with Fleming taking a backseat to recently-fit tackle Sebastian Vollmer. He was still used as a pass-eligible sub on 15 percent of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, who lost their first game of the season, 30-24, to John Elway’s Denver Broncos. 

Next Game: vs. New England (Dec. 6)

Toby Gerhart • RB • Jacksonville Jaguars • 6th season • @Toby_Gerhart

The 2009 Heisman Trophy runner-up was used on 64 percent of Jacksonville’s special teams snaps in a 31-25 loss against San Diego. 

Next Game: at Tennessee (Dec. 6)


Ryan Hewitt • H-B • Cincinnati Bengals • 2nd season • @Huey_85

Hewitt started and played 66 percent of offensive snaps in Cincinnati’s 31-7 win against St. Louis. In addition to helping the Bengals rush for 140 yards on 31 carries, Hewitt pitched in a season-high two catches for 29 yards. Even without a rushing touchdown on Sunday, the Bengals are tied for second in the NFL with 12 scores on the ground in large thanks to the powerful downhill blocking by Hewitt. 

Next Game: at Cincinnati (Dec. 6)

Andrew Luck • QB • Indianapolis Colts • 4th season 

Luck remains sidelined with a lacerated kidney suffered at the hands of Denver’s Danny Trevethan in Week 10. It is unclear if and when Luck will return to play in the 2015 regular season. 

Next Game: at Pittsburgh (Dec. 6)

Josh Mauro • DE • Arizona Cardinals • 2nd season • @JustJoshin90

In Arizona’s 19-13 win at San Francisco on Sunday, Mauro was used on 25 percent of defensive snaps and 52 percent of special teams snaps. The Cardinals (9-2) are atop the NFC West, three games ahead of Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin and Seattle (6-5). 

Next Game: at St. Louis (Dec. 6)

Ty Montgomery • WR • Green Bay Packers • 1st season • @TyMontgomery2

Montgomery was primed for his return on Thanksgiving against Chicago, but a minor setback kept him out of Green Bay’s 17-13 loss. After missing practice on Sunday once again, he is doubtful to return on Thursday’s matchup at Detroit. 

Next Game: at Detroit (Dec. 6)

Trent Murphy • LB • Washington Redskins • 2nd season • @TMurphy_93

The All-America selection at Stanford was featured on 59 percent of Washington’s defensive snaps in a 20-10 win against the New York Giants. The Redskins (5-6) are the surprising leaders of the NFC East, with Murphy contributing to their third-ranked pass defense. 

Next Game: vs. Dallas (Dec. 7)

David Parry • DT • Indianapolis Colts • 1st season • @DavidParry58

Parry has started every game of his NFL career, helping Indianapolis defeat Tampa Bay 25-12 with Andrew Luck still sidelined. Since losing Henry Anderson for the season in Week 10, the Colts have survived with two consecutive wins, allowing 16.5 points per game in those contests. 

Next Game: at Pittsburgh (Dec. 6)

Andrus Peat • OT • New Orleans Saints • 1st season • @AndrusPeat

Peat was in uncharted waters in Sunday’s 24-6 loss at Houston, starting and playing 100 percent of offensive snaps at left guard in place of Tim Lelito. While it is common for offensive linemen to change positions in the NFL, it remains unclear what Peat’s role will be moving forward. 

Next Game: vs. Carolina (Dec. 6)

Ed Reynolds • S • Philadelphia Eagles • 1st season 

Reynolds became the final member of Philadelphia’s 2014 draft class to make his NFL debut on Thursday. Detroit defeated the Eagles 45-14, with the former Cardinal’s debut yielding action on 18 percent of defensive snaps and 39 percent of special teams snaps. Reynolds added a tackle for a loss late in the fourth quarter.

Chip Kelly, who has come under fire after a 4-7 start, could use some help from Reynolds and company while finishing the regular season. In 2012, Reynolds was part of a Stanford team which derailed Oregon’s national championship hopes in Kelly’s final season in Eugene. 

Next Game: at New England (Dec. 6)

Jordan Richards • DB • New England Patriots • 1st season 

Richards, who describes his rookie season with New England as “The hardest thing I have ever done,” was inactive for New England’s 30-24 loss at Denver on Sunday night. The Patriots are 10-0 in games in which Richards has appeared. 

Next Game: vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 6)

Richard Sherman • CB • Seattle Seahawks • 5th season • @RSherman_25

Sherman can add another feather to his cap after Sunday’s encounter with All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. Pittsburgh’s Brown entered Sunday having accounted for 423 receiving yards in his past two games, but was limited to just 51 yards against Seattle, which defeated the Steelers 39-30 on Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger (456 passing yards) challenged Sherman, throwing Brown nine balls with the former Cardinal defending him. Brown only caught three of those passes for 24 yards, with Sherman earning a +2.4 Pro Football Focus rating on the day. Sherman and the Seattle secondary held Brown 57 yards under his average yards per game and 5.5 yards under his seasonal yards per catch, helping the Seahawks improve to 6-5. Sherman finished the day with five tackles, an interception and two passes defended, while also intercepting a Steeler two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. 

@antoniobrown84 vs. @rsherman25. #PITvsSEA 📷: John Froschauer/AP

A photo posted by @nfl on Nov 29, 2015 at 2:29pm PST

Next Game: at Minnesota (Dec. 6)

Shayne Skov • LB • San Francisco 49ers • 1st season • @ShayneSkov

Skov has consistently been San Francisco’s most-used special teamer for several weeks, playing 87 percent of special teams snaps in a 19-13 loss against Arizona. 

Next Game: at Chicago (Dec. 6)

A.J. Tarpley • LB • Buffalo Bills • 1st season • @AJTarpley

Tarpley saw his most extended field stint of the season on Sunday after Nigel Bradham’s injury, appearing on 42 percent of defensive snaps and 72 percent of special teams snaps in a 30-22 loss against Kansas City. He was credited with a sack in the fourth quarter. 

Next Game: vs. Houston (Dec. 6)

Stepfan Taylor • RB • Arizona Cardinals • 3rd season • @KULABAFI

Stanford’s career leader in rushing attempts and yards was used on nine percent of offensive snaps and 65 percent of special teams snaps in Arizona’s 19-13 win at San Francisco. His rush for two yards was his ninth carry of the season, while the Cardinals sit atop the NFC West at 9-2. His role on offense could increase with injuries to running backs Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. 

Next Game: at St. Louis (Dec. 6)

Michael Thomas • S • Miami Dolphins • 3rd season • @Michael31Thomas

Thomas started in Miami’s 38-20 loss at the New York Jets on Sunday. The former Cardinal captain played 87 percent of defensive snaps and 73 percent of special teams snaps and was Miami’s most-used player (89 total snaps) in Week 12. He was also Miami’s second leading tackler (8), also adding a special teams stop. 

Next Game: vs. Baltimore (Dec. 6)

Levine Toilolo • TE • Atlanta Falcons • 3rd season • @LevineToilolo

Toilolo started in Atlanta’s 20-10 loss against Minnesota on Sunday. He was in on 42 percent of offensive snaps and 32 percent of special teams snaps. As a run blocker he helped Atlanta rush 116 yards on 24 carries. Atlanta fell to 6-5, having lost five of its last six contests and four in a row. 

Next Game: at Tampa Bay (Dec. 6)

Griff Whalen • WR • Indianapolis Colts • 4th season • @GriffWhalen

Since making 12 catches for 141 in Weeks 9-11, Whalen had a quiet day in Indianapolis’ 25-12 win against Tampa Bay. The Colts’ utility man appeared on 34 percent of offensive snaps and 54 percent of defensive snaps and was held without a catch. 

Next Game: at Pittsburgh (Dec. 6)

Players on Injured Reserve

Henry Anderson • DE • Indianapolis Colts • 1st season • @HenryAnderson91

A knee injury in the Oct. 9 win against Denver spelled the end of an impressive rookie campaign for Anderson. Entering Week 9, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league’s second-best rookie behind Buffalo’s Ronald Darby. Pro Football Focus also ranked him tops among the league’s 34 rookie interior defenders with a +10.2 clip, well ahead of Leonard Williams (+6.1) who ranked second. 

“It’s a big blow. He’s a hard worker, he grinds and he plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. You really hate to see someone get hurt, especially when he’s balling,” said the Colts’ future Hall of Fame defensive end Robert Mathis.

Alex Carter • CB • Detroit Lions • 1st season • @AlexCarter

The third-round pick sustained an ankle injury in training camp and rejoined Detroit practice three weeks ago. However, the Lions are shutting Carter down for the 2015 season, as announced by the team on Monday. 

Tyler Gaffney • RB • New England Patriots • 2nd season 

A former sixth-round pick, Gaffney was injured in the first week of Patriots training camp. After clearing waivers, the Patriots placed him on their short-term injury reserve list. 

Players on NFL Practice Squads

Ben Gardner • LB • San Diego Chargers • 2nd season • @BennyG49

Gardner was signed to the San Diego practice squad on Nov. 4 after being cut by Dallas in September.

David Yankey • OG • Minnesota Vikings • 2nd season • @papa_yank

The former All-American at Stanford was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft by Minnesota.