AS NFL TEAMS claw to toward playoff contention, Stanford alums are among the difference-makers in late-season runs.
Here is a summary of how the former Cardinal fared in Week 13:
New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas had a sack for a nine-yard loss, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry and two tackles overall in a 30-6 victory over visiting Houston. Thomas' second-quarter sack of C.J. Stroud on first down led to a Houston punt. Thomas, who played 22 defensive snaps and one on special teams, has a career-high four sacks this season, and six tackles for loss. Earlier in the week, Thomas was named the Jets' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. For Houston, quarterback Davis Mills completed one of five passes for four yards. Mills played eight snaps as a late-game replacement for the injured Stroud.
Davis Mills. Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota starting defensive tackle Harrison Phillips had a sack among his four tackles in the Vikings' 3-0 victory at Las Vegas. Phillips had three solo tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry in the Vikings' shutout. His fourth-quarter third-down sack of Aidan O'Connell led to a Raiders' punt. Phillips played 36 (67 percent) of the Vikings' defensive snaps. Earlier in the week, Phillips was named the Vikings' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. For the Raiders, starting tight end Austin Hooper caught one pass for five yards among his 20 offensive snaps.
Harrison Phillips. Photo by Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports.
San Francisco starting running back Christian McCaffrey had 16 carries for 145 yards and caught a pass for eight in the 49ers' 28-16 victory over visiting Seattle. This was McCaffrey's sixth-highest rushing game in the NFL and second-highest this season. He continues to lead the league in rushing, with 1,177 yards, among his five league-leading categories. The others are yards rushing per game (90.5), yards from scrimmage (1,614), all-purpose yards (1,614), and touches (278). McCaffrey's 72-yard run off left tackle on the game's first play set the tone for the 49ers' victory, which places them as the current No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 9-3 record.
Christian McCaffrey. Photo by Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports.
Seattle tight end Colby Parkinson scored on a 25-yard pass from Drew Lock to bring the Seahawks within 21-16 in the third quarter. Parkinson caught two passes for 28 yards while playing 27 offensive snaps and five on special teams.
Colby Parkinson. Photo by Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports.
New Orleans starting cornerback Paulson Adebo had five solo tackles in the Saints' 28-6 victory over visiting Carolina. Adebo played all 80 defensive snaps. Saints' starting left tackle Andrus Peat played 49 (94 percent) of the offensive snaps and five on special teams.
New York Giants starting middle linebacker Bobby Okereke had six tackles, including five solo, in a 24-22 victory over visiting Green Bay on Monday night. Okereke played all 68 defensive snaps for the Giants.
Kansas City starting strong safety Justin Reid had six tackles and broke up a pass in the Chiefs' 20-17 loss to visiting Buffalo. Reid played 70 (91 percent) defensive snaps and four on special teams.
Miami starting punter Jake Bailey averaged 47.0 yards on five punts in the Dolphins' 28-27 loss to visiting Tennessee on Monday night. Bailey, also the holder on placekicks, had punts to the Titans' 9- and 10-yard lines.
New England receiver Ty Montgomery caught one pass for 17 yards and returned a kickoff for 24 yards in the Patriots' 21-18 victory at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Montgomery played six offensive snaps and 17 on special teams. Steelers' offensive guard Nate Herbig played two special teams snaps.
Cincinnati receiver Trenton Irwin played 12 offensive snaps in the Bengals' 34-14 victory over visiting Indianapolis.
Denver offensive tackle Cameron Fleming played three offensive snaps and two on special teams in the Broncos' 24-7 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers. Offensive tackle Foster Sarell played one special teams snap for the Chargers.
Arizona (tight end Elijah Higgins, receiver Michael Wilson) and Washington (defensive end Casey Toohill, receiver Brycen Tremayne) had byes.
Atlanta center Drew Dalman, Green Bay cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little, Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee, and Houston tight end Dalton Schultz were inactive.
Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner, Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker, Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko, Atlanta tight end Tucker Fisk, San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson, Cincinnati safety Michael Thomas, Chicago defensive back Kendall Williamson were on practice squads. Fehoko was waived by the Chargers on Tuesday, but signed to the Chargers' practice squad on Thursday.
Carolina defensive end Henry Anderson was on injured reserve.