#StanfordNFL Week 17: Montgomery in Backfield#StanfordNFL Week 17: Montgomery in Backfield
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Football

#StanfordNFL Week 17: Montgomery in Backfield



Highlights

JJAWS

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside appeared for the first time since Week 8 (Nov. 1). The second-year wide receiver made two receptions for 40 yards, including a contested 30-yard reception. The 40 receiving yards is a season high for Arcega-Whiteside.

Bailey Finishes Strong

Jake Bailey pinned the Jets inside the 20 three times and did not allow any punt returns in New England's 28-14 victory. Bailey punted six times for 272 yards for a 45.3-yard average. He ends the season with 31 of his 55 punts being inside the 20. 

Card Shine on O-Line

Cameron Fleming powered the Giants' offensive line to a strong outing in New York's 23-19 win over the Cowboys. Fleming did not allow a quarterback pressure on 31 pass-blocking snaps in a start at tackle.

Sixth-year offensive lineman Andrus Peat recorded his best outing of the season and helped pave the way for the Saints to record 347 yards on offense in a 33-7 win at the Panthers. Peat recorded a season-high 87.2 pass-blocking grade by PFF and didn't allow any pressures on 35 pass-blocking snaps.
 

Nate Herbig started in the trenches for the Eagles and recorded career-highs in offensive grade (89.3), pass-blocking grade (88.9) and run-blocking grade (84.0), according to PFF. His pass-blocking grade was the highest of all NFL guards in Week 17, as he allowed zero pressures on 44 pass-blocking snaps. 

Hooper Stays Hot

Austin Hooper scored a third-quarter touchdown to lead Cleveland to a 24-22 win against the Steelers, and the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2002. Hooper made four receptions for 37 yards on the day. Hooper has scored three touchdowns in his last five games.

The Tackling Machine

Blake Martinez was all over the field for the Giants in Sunday's 23-19 win over Dallas. Martinez tied the team lead with 11 tackles — his eighth double-digit game this season. He added his third sack of the season in the start at linebacker. The fifth-year professional ends the season with 151 tackles to finish fourth in the NFL in tackles — his fourth-straight season finishing in the top four in the league in tackles.

Montgomery in the Backfield

With New Orleans missing starting running back Alvin Kamara, Ty Montgomery made the move from wide receiver to the backfield in a must-win game for the Saints to hold onto the NFC's No. 2 seed. Montgomery delivered his best outing in four years, as he eclipsed the century mark on the ground for the first time since 2016. He rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries in the Saints' 33-7 win at Carolina. 

Phillips on the Fumble

Harrison Phillips recovered a fumble and made a quarterback hit in Buffalo's 56-26 win over Miami. He added two tackles and a quarterback hurry off the bench as the Bills clinched the AFC's second seed. 

Schultz Closes Career Year

Dalton Schultz concluded his career year with the Cowboys by hauling in seven receptions for 70 yards in a 23-19 loss at New York. The seven receptions were his second most on the season. Schultz' career-high 63 receptions rank fifth among NFL tight ends in 2020, and he recorded a streak of 61-consecutive catches without a drop in a span of 15 games.
 

Quick Hitters

  • Henry Anderson made a season-high six tackles, four solo, in New York's loss to the Patriots. Anderson added a tackle for a loss while playing 54 snaps, 49 on defense — both season highs.
  • David DeCastro played all 61 snaps on the offensive line in a start at guard for the Steelers. 
  • Eighth-year tight end Zach Ertz made three receptions for 16 yards, playing 61 snaps in the Eagles loss to Washington.
  • Alijah Holder made a career-high three tackles, two solo, in Denver's 32-31 loss against the Raiders. He also played a career-high of 37 snaps.
  • Peter Kalambayi played 20 snaps on the day, 19 on defense, in a three-point loss to the Titans.
  • Quenton Meeks played 17 snaps on special teams in a loss to Indianapolis, his most since being signed by the Jaguars in Week 14.
  • Trent Murphy had a season-high four pressures — three quarterback hurries and a quarterback hit — in a start at defensive end in Buffalo's 56-26 win over the Dolphins. He made two assisted tackles and played 47 total snaps, with 44 coming on defense.
  • Bobby Okereke made three tackles, two solo, in a start at linebacker, during the Colts 28-14 win over the Jaguars, to clinch the final wild card spot.
  • Colby Parkinson played eight snaps on offense and five on special teams in Seattle's 26-23 win at San Francisco.
  • Jordan Richards played 25 snaps, 19 on special teams, as the Ravens defeated the Bengals, 38-3 to clinch a playoff spot.
  • Brennan Scarlett made two tackles, both solo, in a three-point loss to the Titans, playing 32 snaps.
  • Kaden Smith made one reception on his lone target for 16 yards. He played 33 snaps on offense and 10 on special teams.
  • Levine Toilolo played 33 snaps on offense and special teams, making a 10-yard reception on his lone target.
  • Rookie defensive lineman Casey Toohill played 20 snaps in Washington's 20-14 win over the Eagles on Sunday night.
  • James Vaughters played 14 snaps, 11 on special teams, in Chicago's loss to the Packers.