WITH THE PLAYOFF picture starting to take shape, contributions from Stanford alums become magnified as their teams vie for positions down the stretch of the NFL season.
The following is a summary of how former Cardinal fared in Week 12 of the NFL season:
Arizona starting receiver Michael Wilson caught two passes for 54 yards in the Cardinals’ 16-6 loss at Seattle on Sunday that dropped the two teams into a tie for first in the NFC West at 6-5. Wilson’s over-the-head Willie Mays-like 30-yard catch in traffic led to a fourth-quarter field goal that cut the deficit to 13-6. His two catches – for 30 and 24 yards – were Arizona’s longest gains of the game. Wilson played 48 offensive snaps. Cardinals’ tight end Elijah Higgins caught one pass for five yards and had a tackle on special teams. Higgins played 18 offensive snaps and 13 special teams downs.
Kansas City starting strong safety Justin Reid had six tackles in the Chiefs’ 30-27 victory at Carolina. The Chiefs stand atop the AFC West at 10-1 and are tied for the league’s best record with Detroit. Reid played all 62 defensive snaps, plus five on special teams.over the shoulder @mikewilllyy!?! pic.twitter.com/vqodyRNTWp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 24, 2024
Minnesota starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips had one tackle while playing 47 defensive snaps in the Vikings’ 30-27 victory at Chicago. The Vikings (9-2) remain in second in the NFC Central and hold the No. 5 spot in the NFC playoff picture.
Miami’s Jake Bailey averaged 48.0 yards on five punts to help the Dolphins to a 34-15 victory against visiting New England. Bailey had a 51-yard punt fair caught at the 13, and another that rolled out of bounds at the 14. In all, Bailey’s kicks had a net of 40.4. Bailey also was the holder on placekicks. For the Patriots, tight end Austin Hooper caught a 34-yard pass from Drake Maye in the fourth quarter for his second touchdown of the season. The play was the longest of the day for either team. Overall, Hooper caught four passes for 59 yards while in on 26 offensive snaps and two on special teams.
New York Giants starting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke forced a fumble and had five solo tackles in a 30-7 loss to visiting Tampa Bay. Okereke had eight tackles overall and is tied for 26th in the NFL with 83. In the second quarter on third-and-goal from the 1, Okereke hit Buccaneer quarterback Baker Mayfield behind the line of scrimmage, knocking the ball free. Though Mayfield dived on the ball, Tampa Bay had to settle for a field goal. Okereke played 60 defensive snaps (92 percent) and two on special teams.Screw it, @AustinHooper18 down there somewhere 🤷♂️
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 24, 2024
📺: #NEvsMIA on @CBS #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/YZoxWf0cJ1
Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels with 3:02 left in the game to help cut the Commanders’ deficit to 20-17, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 27-20 loss to visiting Dallas. Ertz caught six passes for 38 yards and was in on 53 offensive plays. At 7-5, the Commanders hold the seventh and final NFC playoff spot.
San Francisco starting running back Christian McCaffrey had 68 yards from scrimmage in the 49ers’ 38-10 loss at Green Bay. McCaffrey rushed for 31 yards on 11 carries and caught three passes for 37 yards. McCaffrey played 40 offensive snaps.Not a bad day for Tight End U. 🤓#StanfordNFL https://t.co/UOsSCOAs99
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 24, 2024
Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz caught two passes for 20 yards, including a 16-yarder, in the Texans’ 32-27 loss to visiting Tennessee. Schultz played 46 (82 percent) offensive snaps for the Texans, who continue to lead the AFC South, at 7-5.
Los Angeles Chargers starting tight end Tucker Fisk caught one pass for seven yards in a 30-23 loss to visiting Baltimore on Monday night. His catch opened a drive that led to a field goal and a 17-16 deficit in the third quarter. Fisk played 18 offensive snaps and 10 on special teams. Offensive tackle Foster Sarell played five special teams snaps for the Chargers.
Las Vegas offensive guard Andrus Peat played seven offensive plays and five on special teams in the Raiders’ 29-19 loss against visiting Denver.
Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker played 11 defensive snaps in the Eagles’ 37-20 victory at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. Joshua Karty kicked two extra points for the Rams. Tight end Colby Parkinson caught one pass for 10 yards on a third-quarter touchdown drive that drew the Rams within 20-14. Parkinson played 19 offensive snaps and eight on special teams.
Teams with byes included Atlanta (center Drew Dalman), Cincinnati (receiver Trenton Irwin), Jacksonville (offensive tackle Walker Little), New York Jets (defensive tackle Solomon Thomas), New Orleans (cornerback Paulson Adebo), and Buffalo (defensive end Casey Toohill).
Houston quarterback Davis Mills did not play.
Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner and Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee were inactive.
Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne and Los Angeles Chargers safety Kendall Williamson were on practice squads.
Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko, Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig, and San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson were on injured reserve.