Cyclones in the NFL: Week 17 Recap

Week 17 featured multiple Cyclones making big plays across the NFL. ISU players combined to account for eight touchdowns as eight Cyclones earned wins over the holidays.

Brock Purdy, Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson and Enyi Uwazurike have all already locked up playoff spots with their respective teams as they will compete for seeding in week 18. The Ravens trio of T.J. Tampa, Jake Hummel and Charlie Kolar will need to beat Pittsburgh on Sunday Night to punch their ticket.

Brock Purdy – #13, San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
For the second consecutive week, Purdy accounted for five 49er touchdowns as San Francisco outdueled the Bears to set up a game for the number one overall seed against Seattle in week 18. Purdy became the first quarterback since Russell Wilson in 2020 to account for 5-plus touchdowns (rushing or passing) in consecutive games. Despite missing half the season with injury, Purdy has his 9ers primed for a playoff push.
Last Time Out: W vs. CHI, 42-38 // 24-33 for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns, 6 rushes for 28 yards and 2 touchdowns
Up Next: Jan. 3, vs. Seattle (7 pm on ESPN)

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (11-5)
Featured in the passing game for the first time in three weeks, Noel made his mark on Saturday as he recorded his second touchdown of the season off a 43-yard pass. Noel and teammate Jayden Higgins are the second rookie duo in NFL history (and first since 1938) to record 40-plus yard touchdown receptions in the same game.
Last Time Out: W at LAC, 20-16 // 3 catches for 54 yards and 1 TD, 1 rush for 2 yards, 2 KO returns for 41 yards, 1 PR for 4 yards
Next Up: Jan. 4, vs. Indianapolis (12 pm on CBS)

Breece Hall – #20, New York Jets (3-13)
Hall was one of the few bright spots for the Jets in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. The fourth-year pro rushed for 111 yards, his fourth 100-yard rushing effort of the season, and a score – his first since week 12. Hall became the first Jet running back since Chris Ivory in 2015 to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 10-42 // 14 rushes for 111 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 catches for 18 yards
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Buffalo (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (11-5)
Higgins had a splashy Saturday for the Texans, as he scorched the Charger defense just a minute and a half into the game for a 75-yard touchdown – his longest reception and score of his career. Higgins made one other catch for 13 yards, but his 88 total receiving yards were a single-game high.
Last Time Out: W at LAC, 20-16 // 2 catches for 88 yards and 1 touchdown
Next Up: Jan. 4, vs. Indianapolis (12 pm on CBS)

Jalen Travis – #75, Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Making his third consecutive start, Travis was shifted back to right tackle after spending week 16 at left tackle. Travis was not flagged, nor did he give up a sack against the Jaguars. He was part of an offensive unit that ran for 69 yards and threw for 147.
Last Time Out: L vs. JAX, 17-23 // 60 total snaps (57 on offense and 3 on special teams)
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Houston (12 pm on CBS)

Darien Porter – #26, Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
Making his sixth consecutive start, Porter continues to integrate himself into the Las Vegas defense. He played 60-plus snaps for the fourth consecutive week and was graded as the highest Raiders defender on the afternoon by PFF (75.7).
Last Time Out: L vs. NYG, 10-34 // 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 pass deflected
Up Next: Jan. 4, vs. Kansas City (3:25 pm on CBS)

Kene Nwangwu – #34, New York Jets (3-13)
For the first time since 2023, Nwangwu got some carries on offense, as he took advantage of the opportunity and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. He also saw his most kickoff attempts since 2023 as the Patriots kicked to him four times.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 10-42 // 6 rushes for 31 yards, 4 KO returns for 114 yards
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Buffalo (3:25 pm on CBS)

David Montgomery – #5, Detroit Lions (8-8)
Montgomery saw his largest snap share of the month but had a hard time getting going against a stout Minnesota defense. His 10 carries were the most he'd been given in a game since week 10 at Washington.
Last Time Out: L at MIN, 10-23 // 10 carries for 25 yards, 2 catches for 15 yards
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Chicago (3:25 pm on FOX)

Charlie Kolar – #88, Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Kolar did not play a big role in the passing game on Saturday, as he was targeted just once against the Packers. He did, however, play a massive role in the run game as he was constantly on the field as part of a jumbo package. Kolar helped power a Baltimore rushing game that ran the ball 53 times for 307 total yards.
Last Time Out: W at GB, 41-24 // 57 total snaps
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Pittsburgh (7:20 pm on NBC)

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (11-5)
Hutchinson made his fifth start of the season on Saturday, as he notched his first multi-reception contest since week 13. Hutch had both a rush and catch in the same game for the first time since week one as Houston downed the Chargers on the road.
Last Time Out: W at LAC, 20-16 // 2 catches for 21 yards, 1 rush for 8 yards
Next Up: Jan. 4, vs. Indianapolis (12 pm on CBS)

T.J. Tampa – #27, Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Tampa recorded his second-most tackles in a game on Saturday, notching three takedowns against the Packers. With cornerback Chidobe Awuzie fighting a n injury, there is a chance Tampa sees more time in a win-or-go-home game against the Steelers.
Last Time Out: W at GB, 41-24 // 3 tackles (1 solo)
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Pittsburgh (7:20 pm on NBC)

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (13-3)
Uwazurike and the Broncos officially clinched the AFC West this week, marking the first time since 2015. On Christmas Day, Enyi helped the Broncos defense limit Kansas City to just 82 rushing yards. Uwazurike notched multiple tackles for the 12th time this season in the win.
Last Time Out: W at KC, 20-13 // 3 tackles (1 solo)
Up Next: Jan. 4, vs. LAC (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jake Hummel – #35, Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Hummel made one tackle in Green Bay, as the Ravens earned a pivotal win that set up a win-and-in game in Pittsburgh this coming week.
Last Time Out: W at GB, 41-24 // 1 tackle, 18 special teams snaps
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Pittsburgh (7:20 pm on NBC)

Will McDonald IV – #9, New York Jets (3-13)
McDonald was placed on the injured reserve (IR) on December 26 and missed the week 17 contest against the Patriots. He will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Last Time Out: L vs. NE, 10-42 //
Up Next: Jan. 4, at Buffalo (3:25 pm on CBS)

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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