Cyclones in the NFL: Week 14 Recap

Ten Cyclones continue to scrap for playoff positioning, as the NFL has hit the final four weeks of the season. The Lions, Texans and Broncos all picked up big wins, while the Colts and Ravens stumbled. The 49ers had a bye week, and also sit squarely in the mix.

No Cyclones will be featured in primetime this week, but both the Lions and Broncos have massive games with Detroit heading to Los Angeles to play the Rams and Denver hosting the Packers.

Darien Porter – #26, Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
Starting his third consecutive game, Porter saw his second-highest snap count (77 total, 69 on defense) of the season against Denver. He notched his second-most tackles in a game and deflected a pair of passes – the first of his career. Raider corner Kyu Blu Kelly was hurt during the game, so look for Porter's role to continue to grow.
Last Time Out: L vs. DEN, 17-24 // 6 tackles (4 solo), 2 passes defended
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Philadelphia (12 pm on FOX)

David Montgomery – #5, Detroit Lions (8-5)
Montgomery and the Lions picked up a huge win for their playoff hopes last Thursday, as the seventh-year pro scored his seventh rushing touchdown of the season in the win. Montgomery has now rushed for over 50 yards five times this season and scored in six contests in a divided backfield with star Jahmyr Gibbs.
Last Time Out: W vs. DAL, 44-30 // 6 rushes for 60 yards and 1 TD, 1 catch for 13 yards
Up Next: Dec. 14, at LAR (3:25 pm on FOX)

Breece Hall – #20, New York Jets (3-10)
Hall was limited on Sunday against the Dolphins, as Miami quickly went up 21-0 in the first quarter. With the quick deficit, the game plan shifted away from the ground game and more toward the air, limiting Hall's production as he averaged just 3.1 yards per rush.
Last Time Out: L vs. MIA, 10-34 // 14 rushes for 43 yards
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Jacksonville (12 pm on CBS)

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (8-5)
Noel continues to be utilized in a variety of ways by the Texans, as he got the ball both in the air and ground game as well as on special teams. He uncorked his fourth-longest punt return of the season in his lone attempt against the Chiefs, setting up a scoring drive for the Texans.
Last Time Out: W at KC, 20-10 // 2 catches for 12 yards, 1 rush for 1 yard, 1 punt return for 21 yards
Next Up: Dec. 14, vs. Arizona (12 pm on FOX)

Jalen Travis – #75, Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
Travis got his first real crack at playing time with the first team on Sunday, as starting right tackle Braden Smith exited with a concussion. Travis did not allow a sack in his two and a half quarters played and held his own against a fierce edge rusher in Josh Hynes-Allen of the Jaguars.
Last Time Out: L at JAX, 19-36 // 38 total snaps (35 on offense, 3 on special teams)
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Seattle (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (8-5)
Starting his eighth contest of the season, Higgins secured three passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud on Sunday. Higgins is slowly becoming one of Stroud's go-to options on third down, as two of his three receptions moved the sticks on a third-down attempt. His third catch also came on a third-down play, falling one yard shy of moving the sticks.
Last Time Out: W at KC, 20-10 // 3 catches for 34 yards
Next Up: Dec. 14, vs. Arizona (12 pm on FOX)

Charlie Kolar – #88, Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
Kolar secured a pass for the second consecutive game for the Ravens, taking it 19 yards. He would go on to play 19 snaps on offense and 22 on special teams.
Last Time Out: L vs. PIT, 22-27 // 1 catch for 19 yards, 41 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Cincinnati (12 pm on CBS)

Kene Nwangwu – #34, New York Jets (3-10)
Nwangwu only got his hands on one kickoff, as fellow returner Isaiah Williams took the other two opportunities. In his lone return, Nwangwu galloped for 33 yards. He now has a kickoff return of at least 30 yards in four games in 2025.
Last Time Out: L vs. MIA, 10-34 // 1 kickoff return for 33 yards
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Jacksonville (12 pm on CBS)

T.J. Tampa – #27, Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
For the first time since week 11, Tampa didn't see any run on defense and was limited to a special teams role. He stood on teams against the Steelers, though, collecting a pair of solo tackles in the kicking phase.
Last Time Out: L vs. PIT, 22-27 // 2 solo tackles, 24 special teams snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Cincinnati (12 pm on CBS)

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (8-5)
For the first time with C.J. Stroud under center this season, Hutchinson was held without a reception. He was targeted twice but that was it for the third-year wideout. He finished the game with 28 offensive snaps and seven on special teams.
Last Time Out: W at KC, 20-10 // 2 targets, 35 total snaps
Next Up: Dec. 14, vs. Arizona (12 pm on FOX)

Allen Lazard – #10, New York Jets (3-10)
Lazard was held without a catch for the first time since week two, as he played just nine offensive snaps – a season low.
Last Time Out: L vs. MIA, 10-34 // 1 target, 9 offensive snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Jacksonville (12 pm on CBS)

Will McDonald IV – #9, New York Jets (3-10)
For the third time this season, McDonald was held without a defensive stat. He finished the game playing 45 snaps on defense and six on special teams.
Last Time Out: L vs. MIA, 10-34 // 51 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Jacksonville (12 pm on CBS)

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (11-2)
For the first time this season, Uwazurike was held without a defensive snap. He finished Sunday's contest having played 23 defensive snaps and three on special teams.
Last Time Out: W at LV, 24-17 // 26 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, vs. Green Bay (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jake Hummel – #35, Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
Hummel saw one defensive snap on Sunday but played the remaining 24 snaps on special teams. He was unable to secure a tackle for the first time since week six, as he had recorded one in six consecutive outings going into the game against Pittsburgh.
Last Time Out: L vs. PIT, 22-27 // 25 total snaps
Up Next: Dec. 14, at Cincinnati (12 pm on CBS)

Brock Purdy – #13, San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Last Time Out: bye week
Up Next: Dec. 14, vs. Tennessee (3:25 pm on FOX)

Players Mentioned

Jayden Higgins

Jaylin Noel

Darien Porter

Jalen Travis

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