Cyclones in the NFL: Week 16 Recap

With the playoff picture starting to take shape with two weeks to go, it appears that the 49ers, Texans and Broncos will all make the dance with five Cyclones between the triage of teams. Teams like Detroit, Baltimore and Indianapolis will need some help on top of winning out to qualify.

A pair of Cyclones will be featured on Christmas Day, as Enyi Uwazurike and David Montgomery take center stage. ISU will also have athletes competing on Saturday and Sunday.

Brock Purdy – #13, San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Purdy continues to round into form, as he had a career outing on Monday Night Football against the Colts. On the road, Purdy dealt five touchdown passes, a career high, and finished with 295 passing yards for the second-straight week. Brock's game against Indianapolis was the highest-graded game by a QB this season, with a 96.9 PGG grade.
Last Time Out: W at IND, 48-27 // 25-34 for 295 yards and 5 touchdowns, 2 rushes for 11 yards
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. Chicago (7:20 pm on NBC)

The highest-graded game by a QB this season:

BROCK PURDY ⛏️ pic.twitter.com/7cfx8SqIST
— PFF (@PFF) December 23, 2025

Jalen Travis – #75, Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
Travis made his second consecutive start for the Colts on Monday night, but was swapped to the opposite side – left tackle. In his first game as an NFL left tackle, Travis held up well as he did not allow a sack on Phillip Rivers and helped Indianapolis rush for 58 yards and a score.
Last Time Out: L vs. SF, 27-48 // 65 total snaps (60 on offense [100%] and 5 on special teams)
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. Jacksonville (12 pm on FOX)

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (10-5)
Noel did not get the chance to impact the game on offense, but stood out again in the return game for the Texans. He finished with 107 total return yards across six separate returns for Houston. Noel is tied for the fifth-most punt return yards in the league through 16 weeks.
Last Time Out: W vs. LV, 23-21 // 4 KO returns for 88 yards, 2 PR for 19 yards
Next Up: Dec. 27, at LAC (3:30 pm on NFL Network)

Darien Porter – #26, Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Porter made his fifth consecutive start at corner for the Raiders, matching up with a multitude of Cyclone receivers on the Texans. He was targeted four times on Sunday, giving up a pair of receptions for 40 yards. Head Coach Pete Carroll has continued to mention Porter in pressers, saying that his game is, "rounding into shape."
Last Time Out: L at HOU, 21-23 // 3 tackles (2 solo), 67 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. NYG (3:05 pm on CBS)

David Montgomery – #5, Detroit Lions (8-7)
The Steeler defense provided many issues for the Lions' run game, as Montgomery was limited to just four carries (his fewest of the season) and 14 yards (his second-fewest of the season). Detroit saw its playoff hopes all but vanish in the loss, as they need some serious help to make it to the postseason.
Last Time Out: L vs. PIT, 24-29 // 4 rushes for 14 yards
Up Next: Dec. 25, at Minnesota (3:30 pm on Netflix)

Charlie Kolar – #88, Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
Kolar continues to be reliable for the Ravens, as he secured his 14th catch of the year on his lone target. Kolar has yet to drop a pass this season, and each of his last four receptions has gone for more than 17 yards.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 24-28 // 1 catch for 18 yards, 45 total snaps (27 offense, 18 special teams)
Up Next: Dec. 27, at Green Bay (7 pm on Peacock)

Breece Hall – #20, New York Jets (3-12)
As New York continues to utilize backup quarterbacks, defenses have been able to key in on Hall in the run game. Since Justin Fields got hurt, Hall's production has dipped, but he was still able to account for 63 yards for New York (32% of the team's total offense).
Last Time Out: L at NO, 6-29 // 16 rushes for 54 yards, 2 catches for 9 yards
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. New England (12 pm on FOX)

Jake Hummel – #35, Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
Hummel saw one defensive snap and 19 on special teams in the loss to New England on Sunday Night Football. He notched a tackle for the eighth time I the last nine outings.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 24-28 // 1 tackle, 20 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 27, at Green Bay (7:00 pm on Peacock)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (10-5)
Higgins was the fourth leading receiver for the Texans on Sunday, despite just catching one pass. His lone snag against came on a third down as he was able to move the sticks, proving that he's a trusted target for QB C.J. Stroud.
Last Time Out: W vs. LV, 23-21 // 1 catch for 17 yards on 3 targets
Next Up: Dec. 27, at LAC (3:30 pm on NFL Network)

Will McDonald IV – #9, New York Jets (3-12)
McDonald got to the quarterback often on Sunday, recording his first sack since week ten. McDonald also racked up a pair of QB Hits, his fourth-most in a game this season. Through week 16, Will has eight sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 19 QB Hits as he continues to prove he's one of the premier pass rushers in the game.
Last Time Out: L at NO, 6-29 // 1 sack, 4 tackles, 2 QB Hits
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. New England (12 pm on FOX)

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (10-5)
Hutchinson was targeted twice against the Raiders, coming away with one catch on the day. He's now caught a pass in all but three games this season. He finished the game with nine special teams snaps, his third-most of the season.
Last Time Out: W vs. LV, 23-21 // 1 catch for 4 yards, 41 total snaps
Next Up: Dec. 27, at LAC (3:30 pm on NFL Network)

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (12-3)
Uwazurike and the Broncos suffered their first loss since week three, falling at home to the Broncos and losing their grip on the number one overall seed in the AFC. Enyi notched his first multi-tackle game since week 13 in the loss.
Last Time Out: L vs. JAX, 20-34 // 2 tackles, 37 total snaps (31 defense, 6 special teams)
Up Next: Dec. 25, at Kansas City (7:15 pm on Prime Video)

T.J. Tampa – #27, Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
Tampa recorded a tackle in a sixth consecutive outing for the Ravens, but Baltimore would end up falling at home to the Patriots. The team now needs help to qualify for the postseason.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 24-28 // 1 tackle, 22 total snaps (3 defense, 19 special teams)
Up Next: Dec. 27, at Green Bay (7:00 pm on Peacock)

Kene Nwangwu – #34, New York Jets (3-12)
Nwangwu got the chance to return one kickoff against the Saints, taking it for 34 yards. Nwangwu continues to lead the NFL in return yards averaged (by a returner with more than one return), as he is sitting at 35.0 on the year.
Last Time Out: L at NO, 6-29 // 1 KO return for 34 yards, 13 special teams snaps
Up Next: Dec. 28, vs. New England (12 pm on FOX)

Allen Lazard
Lazard is hoping to sign with a new team down the stretch, as he has eyes on helping a contender.
Last Time Out:
Up Next:

Players Mentioned

Jayden Higgins

Jaylin Noel

Darien Porter

Jalen Travis

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