Photo by: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
#FromStateToSundays: Week 16 Update
December 27, 2022 | Football
STARKVILLE – Three former Mississippi State players are headed back to the Pro Bowl.
Chris Jones, Jeffery Simmons are Darius Slay were all selected to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season. It was the fourth straight season that Jones has been picked as a Pro Bowler. Slay earned the honor for the fifth time in his career while Simmons has been part of the AFC roster in back-to-back years.
This past weekend, Jones notched a sack on the final play of the game to seal the Kansas City Chiefs' 24-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Jones ranks second in the NFL in sacks this season with a dozen and now has 61.5 for his career.
Denico Autry and Preston Smith also recorded sacks during Week 16. Autry returned to the field for the first time since Nov. 18 and racked up his eighth sack of the year. Autry also finished third on the Titans with seven tackles.
Smith had a strip sack on Christmas Day for Green Bay. Smith has now recorded a sack in back-to-back games and has five over his last five contests. He has 8.5 on the year to lead the Packers and 58 for his career.
Willie Gay Jr. also came up clutch for the Chiefs. The Starkville native finished second on the team with nine tackles, including one for loss.
Although Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot, Dak Prescott kept the Cowboys hopes of a division title alive with a 40-34 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who currently hold a two-game lead in the NFC East.
Prescott completed 27 of 35 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns and also added 41 yards on the ground. It was his 21st career 300-yard passing performance and the fourth time he's thrown three touchdowns in a game this year.
It was also an exciting week for Elgton Jenkins, who signed a four-year extension with Green Bay and also turned 27 on Monday. Jenkins' contract has a base salary of $68 million and maxes out at $74 million, making him the second-highest paid guard in the NFL.
Jenkins rewarded the Packers by playing every offensive snap in their win over the Miami Dolphins and not allowing a single pressure. Rookie Charles Cross also logged every rep at left tackle for the Seattle Seahawks.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 13 G, 6 GS, 35 TKL, 13 AST, 48 TT, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 1 PD at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
DENICO AUTRY | TENNESSEE TITANS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 11 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 10 AST, 27 TT, 8.0 SK, 8.0 TFL, 18 QBH, 4 PD, 2 FF, 1 ST BL
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 2 AST, 7 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF vs. Houston Texans (L, 14-19)
Season: 15 G, 49 Punts, 2,441 YDS, 49.8 AVG, LONG 70, 6 TB, 16 In-20, 43.6 NET AVG
Last Week: 2 Punts, 64 YDS, 32.0 AVG, LONG 38, 0 TB, 2 In-20, 32.0 NET AVG at New York Jets (W, 19-3)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 21 TKL, 18 AST, 39 TT, 6.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT at Dallas Cowboys (L, 34-40)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 42 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
Season: 9 G, 9 GS, 43 TKL, 5 AST, 48 TT, 3.0 TFL, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (W, 27-24)
GREG EILAND (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 15 G, 6 GS, 44 TKL, 11 AST, 55 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 11 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 1 AST, 1 TT vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-17)
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 43 TKL, 33 AST, 76 TT, 2.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 IN, 7 PD, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 7 AST, 9 TT, 1.0 TFL, 2 PD vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 24-10)
Season: 12 G, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.5 SK, 1 QBH, 10 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G at Cleveland Browns (W, 17-10)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | CHICAGO BEARS – DE | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Buffalo Bills (L, 13-35)
KYLIN HILL | FREE AGENT – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 7 YARDS
Last Week: N/A
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 27 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressure Allowed at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 16 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at Miami Dolphins (W, 26-20)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 24 TKL, 12 AST, 36 TT, 12.0 SK, 14.0 TFL, 22 QBH, 4 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 24-10)
Season: 2 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Detroit Lions (W, 37-23)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 5 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (L, 24-27)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | NEW YORK GIANTS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Minnesota Vikings (L, 24-27)
WILL REDMOND (PS) | HOUSTON TEXANS – CB | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: DNP at Tennessee Titans (W, 19-14)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-15
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 218-316, 2450 YDS, 20 TD, 97.2 QBR, 36 RUSH, 155 YDS, LONG 25
Last Week: 1 GS, 27-35, 347 YDS, 3 TD, 124.3 QBR, 6 RUSH, 41 YDS, LONG 16 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 40-34)
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 24 TKL, 29 AST, 53 TT, 7.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 7 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 3 AST, 4 TT, 2 QBH vs. Houston Texans (L, 14-19)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 34 TKL, 15 AST, 49 TT, 3 IN, 13 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT at Dallas Cowboys (L, 34-40)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 36 TKL, 19 AST, 55 TT, 8.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 19 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 5 TT, 1.0 SK, 2 QBH, 1 FF at Miami Dolphins (W, 26-20)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 23 TKL, 16 AST, 39 TT, 7.0 SK, 12.0 TFL, 26 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS at San Francisco 49ers (L, 20-37)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at New York Jets (W, 19-3)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 10-13)
Chris Jones, Jeffery Simmons are Darius Slay were all selected to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season. It was the fourth straight season that Jones has been picked as a Pro Bowler. Slay earned the honor for the fifth time in his career while Simmons has been part of the AFC roster in back-to-back years.
Come for the TD. Stay for the end zone stroll! 😎@dak + #WPMOYChallenge ➡️ @_CeeDeeThree
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 24, 2022
📺: @NFLonFOX | #PHIvsDAL pic.twitter.com/u3ignVCRs2
This past weekend, Jones notched a sack on the final play of the game to seal the Kansas City Chiefs' 24-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Jones ranks second in the NFL in sacks this season with a dozen and now has 61.5 for his career.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones ends the game with a sack on Seahawks QB Geno Smith. #Chiefs - 24#Seahawks - 10
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) December 24, 2022
KC improves its record to 12-3, Seattle drops to 7-8.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/I593kHddf2
Denico Autry and Preston Smith also recorded sacks during Week 16. Autry returned to the field for the first time since Nov. 18 and racked up his eighth sack of the year. Autry also finished third on the Titans with seven tackles.
Throw was excellent, catch was excellent ‼️@dak | @michael13gallup
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/7tG2iK3vdg
Smith had a strip sack on Christmas Day for Green Bay. Smith has now recorded a sack in back-to-back games and has five over his last five contests. He has 8.5 on the year to lead the Packers and 58 for his career.
Preston Smith doesn't win with the swipe, but uses the counter spin to beat his blocker & get to the QB for the strip sack. Always be rushing! #passrush #packers #gopackgo pic.twitter.com/k5JagARBoA
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) December 25, 2022
Willie Gay Jr. also came up clutch for the Chiefs. The Starkville native finished second on the team with nine tackles, including one for loss.
DAK TO CEEDEE AGAIN 😱
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/xjGOYuBnBV
Although Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot, Dak Prescott kept the Cowboys hopes of a division title alive with a 40-34 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who currently hold a two-game lead in the NFC East.
Prescott completed 27 of 35 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns and also added 41 yards on the ground. It was his 21st career 300-yard passing performance and the fourth time he's thrown three touchdowns in a game this year.
3rd and 30... FIRST DOWN @dallascowboys
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/7alkEGa8qM
It was also an exciting week for Elgton Jenkins, who signed a four-year extension with Green Bay and also turned 27 on Monday. Jenkins' contract has a base salary of $68 million and maxes out at $74 million, making him the second-highest paid guard in the NFL.
BIG THE BOOM, BIG JEFF! @GrindSimmons94
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ykCEcIZTAu
Jenkins rewarded the Packers by playing every offensive snap in their win over the Miami Dolphins and not allowing a single pressure. Rookie Charles Cross also logged every rep at left tackle for the Seattle Seahawks.
"This was a huge game, not only beating a team that's one of the best in the league right now... but the way we did it."@ErinAndrews catches up with Dak Prescott after the @dallascowboys 40-34 win! pic.twitter.com/HpCHMH2nVJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 25, 2022
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 13 G, 6 GS, 35 TKL, 13 AST, 48 TT, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 1 PD at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
DENICO AUTRY | TENNESSEE TITANS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 11 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 10 AST, 27 TT, 8.0 SK, 8.0 TFL, 18 QBH, 4 PD, 2 FF, 1 ST BL
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 2 AST, 7 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF vs. Houston Texans (L, 14-19)
- Recorded his second forced fumble on the season, which is tied for ninth in the NFL and is the fifth of his career
- Registered a three-yard sack, bringing his career total to 47.5 sacks
- Part of a Titans defense that allowed just 70 rushing yards, marking the 12th time in a 13-game stretch that a Tennessee opponent has not rushed for 100 yards
- Held the opposition to fewer than 20 points for the 10th time this season, which is tied for the third-most such games since the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1999
Season: 15 G, 49 Punts, 2,441 YDS, 49.8 AVG, LONG 70, 6 TB, 16 In-20, 43.6 NET AVG
Last Week: 2 Punts, 64 YDS, 32.0 AVG, LONG 38, 0 TB, 2 In-20, 32.0 NET AVG at New York Jets (W, 19-3)
- Landed both of his punts inside the 20-yard line
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 21 TKL, 18 AST, 39 TT, 6.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT at Dallas Cowboys (L, 34-40)
- Part of an Eagles team with the NFL's best record at 13-2, which has already tied the franchise's record for regular-season wins (2004; 2017)
- Now has sole possession for third for most games played by a defensive player in franchise history (171)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 42 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
- Played every snap at left tackle
Season: 9 G, 9 GS, 43 TKL, 5 AST, 48 TT, 3.0 TFL, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (W, 27-24)
GREG EILAND (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 15 G, 6 GS, 44 TKL, 11 AST, 55 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 11 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 1 AST, 1 TT vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-17)
- Third among NFL rookies with 11 pass defenses this season, which is tied for the third most by a Browns rookie since 1999
- Ranks second among rookies with 14 forced incompletions per PFF
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 43 TKL, 33 AST, 76 TT, 2.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 IN, 7 PD, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 7 AST, 9 TT, 1.0 TFL, 2 PD vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 24-10)
- Second on the team in total tackles in Week 16 with nine, which is tied for the third-highest total in his career
- Broke up a career-high-tying two passes
- Posted Kansas City's second-highest overall grade (offense or defense) per PFF at 91.1, which tailed only fellow former Bulldog Chris Jones
- Part of Chiefs team that recorded their fifth-consecutive season with at least 12 wins, which is the third-longest streak of 12-win seasons in NFL history
- Kansas City has now won 16 consecutive matchups against NFC teams dating back to 2019
Season: 12 G, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.5 SK, 1 QBH, 10 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G at Cleveland Browns (W, 17-10)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | CHICAGO BEARS – DE | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Buffalo Bills (L, 13-35)
KYLIN HILL | FREE AGENT – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 7 YARDS
Last Week: N/A
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 27 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressure Allowed at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 10-24)
- Turned in Seattle's second-highest pass blocking grade in Week 16
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 16 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at Miami Dolphins (W, 26-20)
- Played every snap at left guard without allowing a pressure per PFF
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 24 TKL, 12 AST, 36 TT, 12.0 SK, 14.0 TFL, 22 QBH, 4 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 24-10)
- Part of Chiefs team that recorded their fifth-consecutive season with at least 12 wins, which is the third-longest streak of 12-win seasons in NFL history
- Kansas City has now won 16 consecutive matchups against NFC teams dating back to 2019
- Posted Kansas City's highest overall grade (offense or defense) per PFF at 92.5 and added a 92.3 pass rush grade
- Recorded a four-yard sack on final play of the game, bringing his career total to 61.5 sacks
- Now has 12.0 sacks on the season, which is tied for seventh in the NFL and marks the second-best single-season sack performance of his career
- Was selected for the Pro Bowl for the fourth-consecutive season (2019-2022)
- Holds the No. 4 overall defensive grade (91.9) in the NFL and No. 3 pass rush grade (92.1)
- Tied for eighth in the NFL in total pressures (64) after recording a season-high nine in Week 16, which trailed only his career high (10) set in Week 14 of the 2021 season against Las Vegas
Season: 2 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Detroit Lions (W, 37-23)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 5 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (L, 24-27)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | NEW YORK GIANTS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Minnesota Vikings (L, 24-27)
WILL REDMOND (PS) | HOUSTON TEXANS – CB | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: DNP at Tennessee Titans (W, 19-14)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-15
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 218-316, 2450 YDS, 20 TD, 97.2 QBR, 36 RUSH, 155 YDS, LONG 25
Last Week: 1 GS, 27-35, 347 YDS, 3 TD, 124.3 QBR, 6 RUSH, 41 YDS, LONG 16 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 40-34)
- Produced the 21st 300-yard passing game of his career and the first since Dec. 26, 2021 at Washington
- Turned in his fourth three-passing-touchdown game of the season
- Broke a 13-yard run on a 3rd-and-5 for a first down in the first quarter
- Completed a 52-yard pass on a 3rd-and-30 in the fourth quarter
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 24 TKL, 29 AST, 53 TT, 7.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 7 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 3 AST, 4 TT, 2 QBH vs. Houston Texans (L, 14-19)
- Was selected for the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row
- Part of a Titans defense that allowed just 70 rushing yards, marking the 12th time in a 13-game stretch that a Tennessee opponent has not rushed for 100 yards
- Held the opposition to fewer than 20 points for the 10th time this season, which is tied for the third-most such games since the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1999
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 34 TKL, 15 AST, 49 TT, 3 IN, 13 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT at Dallas Cowboys (L, 34-40)
- Was selected for the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career
- Part of an Eagles team with the NFL's best record at 13-2, which has already tied the franchise's record for regular-season wins (2004; 2017)
- Tied for ninth in the NFL with 13 pass defenses
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 36 TKL, 19 AST, 55 TT, 8.5 SK, 9.0 TFL, 19 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 5 TT, 1.0 SK, 2 QBH, 1 FF at Miami Dolphins (W, 26-20)
- Recorded a strip sack on a 2nd-and-goal on his own 8-yard line that, despite being recovered by the offense, eventually forced a field goal rather than a touchdown
- It was his first forced fumble of the season and seventh of his career
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 23 TKL, 16 AST, 39 TT, 7.0 SK, 12.0 TFL, 26 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS at San Francisco 49ers (L, 20-37)
- Ranks fourth in the NFL with 26 QB hits
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at New York Jets (W, 19-3)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 10-13)
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