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Stanford in the NFL: Week 17 Recap

One week remaining in the NFL's regular season

STANFORD, Calif. — With one week remaining in the NFL’s regular season, former Stanford football greats continue to make an impact. From playoff contenders to rising stars, Week 17 featured a bit of everything as 2025 comes to a close.

Below is a breakdown of each performance by a former Cardinal in Week 17:

Dallas Cowboys 30, Washington Commanders 23

  • Solomon Thomas (DAL): Appeared on 11 defensive snaps, recording one tackle-for-loss, his first since Week 5.

Houston Texans 20, Los Angeles Chargers 16

  • Dalton Schultz (HOU): Caught three of four targets for 19 yards as the Texans clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs.
  • Kendall Williamson (LAC): Played 21 special teams snaps, recording a pair of tackles…finished with the team’s highest individual PFF grade on special teams in Week 17 (81.2).

Cincinnati Bengals 37, Arizona Cardinals 14

  • Michael Wilson (ARI): Finished as Arizona’s leading receiver, hauling in five of 10 targets for 89 yards…caught a 38-yard touchdown in the first quarter to tie the game, staying inbounds along the sideline as he tip-toed his way in for the score…has scored a touchdown in four consecutive games, the longest streak of his career…last former Stanford wide receiver with at least touchdown in four consecutive games was Doug Baldwin in 2015 (five games).
  • Elijah Higgins (ARI): Started at tight end and played 34 snaps but failed to bring in his lone target.

New Orleans Saints 34, Tennessee Titans 26

    • Justin Reid (NO): Started and played all 74 defensive snaps for the Saints, helping them win their fourth game in a row for the first time since 2020…recorded two tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and broke up one pass.
    • Elic Ayomanor (TEN): Caught four passes on seven targets for 37 yards…scored from seven yards out to cap off the scoring in the first half, giving the Titans a 20-10 lead…has four touchdowns as a rookie, the most receiving touchdowns by a former Cardinal in his rookie season since Christian McCaffrey in 2017 and the most by a former Stanford wide receiver as a rookie since Doug Baldwin in 2011.

Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Indianapolis Colts 17

      • Walker Little (JAX): Made his first start of the season at right guard, playing all 69 snaps…first start since Week 13.

Miami Dolphins 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

      • Jake Bailey (MIA): Punted five times for an average of 47.2 yards…longest punt of the game was a 58-yard boot…held on two successful extra point attempts and two made field goals…recorded a tackle.
      • Ethan Bonner (MIA): Played on 20 special teams snaps, one shy of a team high.

New England Patriots 42, New York Jets 10

      • Austin Hooper (NE): Opened the game’s scoring with a two-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season…has scored multiple touchdowns in nine of his 10 NFL seasons…caught two passes for 11 yards.
      • Harrison Phillips (NYJ): Started at defensive tackle and recorded five tackles with one two solo tackles…added a quarterback hit.

Seattle Seahawks 27, Carolina Panthers 10

        • Brycen Tremayne (CAR): Played 22 total snaps, including eight at wide receiver, and failed to catch his only target.

New York Giants 34, Las Vegas Raiders 10

        • Bobby Okereke (NYG): Paced the Giants in tackles with seven, including five solo tackles and one tackle-for-loss…intercepted Geno Smith in the first quarter when the Raiders were in the redzone, running it 47 yards on the return…his first interception since 2023 and the second-longest interception return of his career…has six career interceptions.
        • Paulson Adebo (NYG): Started at corner and played all 58 snaps, recording three tackles and one pass defended.
        • Thomas Booker (LV): Played 36 snaps on the defensive line for Las Vegas, posting three tackles and one hit on quarterback Jaxson Dart.

San Francisco 49ers 42, Chicago Bears 38

          • Christian McCaffrey (SF): Ran the ball 23 times for 140 yards with a touchdown and caught four passes for 41 yards…121 of his rushing yards came in the first half, the most he’s ever recorded in a first half in his NFL career…joins Hall of Fame running back LaDanian Tomlinson as the only players in NFL history to have three seasons with 2,000+ scrimmage yards and 15+ touchdowns…first quarter rushing touchdown was his tenth of the season, his third NFL season with at least 10 rushing touchdowns…tied for the NFC lead in overall touchdowns with 17.
          • Drew Dalman (CHI): Played all 66 snaps at center for the Bears, helping Caleb Williams throw for 330 yards, the first time this season he has eclipsed 300 passing yards in a game.

Atlanta Falcons 27, Los Angeles Rams 24

            • Colby Parkinson (LAR): Hauled in six of seven targets for 53 receiving yards…set a season high in receptions while recording the second most receiving yards he’s had in a game this year.

Did Not Play: Zach Ertz (WAS), Simi Fehoko (ARI), Tucker Fisk (LAC), Kyu Blu Kelly (LV), Tanner McKee (PHI), Davis Mills (HOU), Andrus Peat (PIT), Curtis Robinson (SF), Foster Sarell (LAC)