#FromStateToSundays: Week 18 Update
January 09, 2024 | Football
The NFL wrapped up its regular season this past weekend and will now see nine Mississippi State players moving on to the playoffs.
But before heading into the postseason, several Bulldogs had some historic and lucrative performances remaining during Week 18.
Chris Jones recorded a sack during Kansas City's road win at the Los Angeles Chargers which activated a $1.25 million incentive in his contract. The sack gave Jones 10 ½ for the year, marking the second straight season and third time in his career he has reached double-digit sacks.
The Houston, Mississippi native has 75 ½ sacks for his career and owns the third-highest pressure grade in the NFL among interior defenders this season at 90.3, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Dak Prescott could be set for another huge payday following the season after leading Dallas to the NFC East Championship. Prescott completed 31 of 36 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns in the Cowboys' 38-10 win at Washington. It was the 11th time in Prescott's career that he has tossed four TDs in a game. He leads the NFL with four games of four touchdowns thrown this season.
Prescott continues to top the league with 36 touchdown passes and a 69.5 completion percentage. He also ranks second in passer rating (105.9) and third in passing yards (4,516). The three-time Pro-Bowler and MVP candidate also holds the No. 2 PFF passing grade (89.8) and No. 3 offensive grade among quarterbacks (90.8) on the year.
Montez Sweat also made history this year by becoming the first player in NFL history to lead two franchises in sacks during the same season. Sweat recorded 6 ½ sacks for the Commanders before being traded to Chicago on Halloween. He notched six sacks to top the Bears in that category and now has 41 ½ sacks for his career.
Johnathan Abram closed out the season strong by racking up nine tackles, which tied for the team lead in New Orleans' 48-17 win over rival Atlanta. Abram started the final two games in the Saints' secondary and totaled 15 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one pass defense during that span.
Cameron Young also concluded his rookie season in style. Young started at nose tackle and tallied four tackles to help Seattle secure a 21-20 road win at Arizona.
Before moving on to the playoffs, Elgton Jenkins earned the second-highest pass blocking rating among offensive guards in the NFL at 87.6 during Green Bay's win over the Bears. For the season, Jenkins holds the third-best pass-blocking grade among all guards at 81.3.
Last Week: Abram started and finished tied for the team lead with nine tackles (four solo, five assists) in a 48-17 win over the Falcons.
Season: 26 tackles (14 solo, 12 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception, one pass defense, one forced fumble
Last Week: Autry made one assisted tackle in a 28-20 win over the Jaguars.
Season: 50 tackles (30 solo, 20 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, four pass defenses, two blocked kicks
Last Week: Cooke punted once for 43 yards in a 28-20 loss at the Titans.
Season: Punting - 61 punts, 2,893 yards (47.4 avg.), long 65 Passing – 1 of 1, 13 yards
Last Week: Cox was not active in a 27-10 loss at the Giants.
Season: 33 tackles (15 solo, 18 assists), five sacks, three tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two pass defenses
Last Week: Cross started at left tackle in a 21-20 win at the Cardinals.
Season: 14 games played, 14 starts
Last Week: Emerson did not play in a 31-14 loss at the Bengals.
Season: 56 tackles (42 solo, 14 assists), one tackle for loss, 14 pass defenses, four interceptions
Last Week: Forbes started and made five solo tackles in a 38-10 loss to the Cowboys.
Season: 35 tackles (33 solo, two assists), two tackles for loss, 12 pass defenses, one interception
Last Week: Gay did not play in a 13-12 win at the Chargers.
Season: 58 tackles (44 solo, 14 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, three quarterback hurries, four pass defenses, one interception
Last Week: Gray made one solo tackle on special teams in a 48-17 win over the Falcons.
Season: 12 tackles (seven solo, five assists), one blocked punt
Last Week: Jackson started at left guard in a 9-0 loss to the Buccaneers.
Season: Five games played, two starts
Last Week: Jenkins started at left guard in a 17-9 win over the Bears.
Season: 15 games played, 15 starts, one tackle, one fumble recovery
Last Week: Jones started and made one solo tackle, one tackle for loss, one sack and four quarterback hurries in a 13-12 win at the Chargers.
Season: 30 tackles (20 solo, 10 assists), 10 1/2 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hurries, four pass defenses
Last Week: Phillips was on injured reserve (torn quad) for a 27-10 win over the Eagles.
Season: 10 games played, nine starts
Last Week: Prescott started and completed 31 of 36 passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in a 38-10 win at the Commanders.
Season: Passing – 420 of 590, 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, nine interceptions Rushing – 55 carries, 239 yards, two touchdowns
Last Week: Simmons was on injured reserve (knee) for a 28-20 win over the Jaguars.
Season: Defense - 37 tackles (23 solo, 14 assists), 11 tackles for loss, 5 1/2 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one pass defense Receiving – One catch, two yards, one touchdown
Last Week: Slay was not active in a 27-10 loss at the Giants.
Season: 50 tackles (41 solo, nine assists), one tackle for loss, 15 pass defenses, two interceptions, one touchdown
Last Week: Smith started at outside linebacker and made two solo tackles in a 17-9 win over the Bears.
Season: 43 tackles (23 solo, 20 assists), three tackles for loss, eight sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, four pass defenses, one forced fumble
Last Week: Spencer was on the practice squad for a 17-3 win at the Patriots.
Season: N/A
Last Week: Sweat started and made three tackles (two solo, one assist) and one tackle for loss in a 17-9 loss at the Packers.
Season: 57 tackles (38 solo, 19 assists), 14 tackles for loss, 12 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles, 28 quarterback hurries, four pass defenses
Last Week: Wheat saw action in a 38-10 win at the Commanders.
Season: Two tackles (one solo, one assist)
Last Week: Williams was on the practice squad for a 28-20 loss at the Titans.
Season: N/A
Last Week: Young started and four tackles (one solo, three assists) and one pass defense in a 21-20 win at the Cardinals.
Season: 18 tackles (10 solo, eight assists), one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, one pass defense
