Eagles Blank Raiders, Lean on Barkley and Bigsby in Backfield Rotation
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t just rely on Saquon Barkley to carry the load in their 31-0 shutout win over the Las Vegas Raiders - they also gave Tank Bigsby his most active game of the season, and the second-year back made the most of the opportunity.
Bigsby, who was acquired from Jacksonville just one game into the 2025 season, had seen limited action since landing in Philly. Coming into Week 15, he had just 168 rushing yards on 19 carries across 12 games. But against the Raiders, the Eagles gave him a real shot to get into rhythm - and he responded with 57 yards on 17 carries.
Barkley, as expected, led the way with 22 carries for 78 yards. But the Eagles’ decision to work Bigsby into the mix wasn’t just about spelling their All-Pro.
It was about establishing a physical ground game that could wear down a defense and control the tempo - and it worked. Even though Bigsby was stopped short on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the 1-yard line with under two minutes left, the Eagles had already done more than enough to put the game away.
Bigsby was one of 19 former Auburn players who saw the field on Sunday, part of a broader trend of SEC talent making its mark across the league. Three other Auburn alums were involved in the Eagles-Raiders matchup.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson handled the opening kickoff but didn’t get any scoring opportunities. Wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, elevated from the practice squad, was active but didn’t record any stats.
Defensive tackle JJ Pegues also saw the field but didn’t show up on the stat sheet.
Around the League: Auburn Alums in Action
Let’s take a lap around the league and check in on how other former Auburn players fared in Week 15:
Bears 31, Browns 3
Tight end Sal Cannella remains on Cleveland’s practice squad and wasn’t eligible to play.
Texans 40, Cardinals 20
Houston’s Marlon Davidson (Greenville) and Arizona’s Eku Leota are both on practice squads and inactive. Linebacker Owen Pappoe did suit up for the Cardinals and made four tackles.
Jaguars 48, Jets 20
Jalen McLeod is still on injured reserve for Jacksonville.
On the other side, Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood had a strong showing with eight tackles in a starting role. Jaguars offensive lineman Kilian Zierer was inactive on the practice squad.
Chargers 16, Chiefs 13
Long snapper Josh Harris did his job quietly and efficiently - four punts, three field goals, one extra point.
Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith had a breakout moment, scoring his first NFL touchdown on a 16-yard strike from Justin Herbert just before halftime. He also returned four kickoffs for 93 yards, showcasing some real burst.
Bills 35, Patriots 31
Cornerback Carlton Davis had an active day for New England, finishing with four tackles, a tackle for loss, and two pass breakups in a tight game.
Commanders 29, Giants 21
Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville) started at cornerback for Washington and recorded five tackles along with a quarterback hit.
Fellow Commanders corner Jonathan Jones was inactive due to a rib injury. Giants wideout Darius Slayton contributed with four catches for 53 yards.
Broncos 34, Packers 26
Bo Nix (Pinson Valley) continues to impress in his rookie campaign.
The Broncos quarterback threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-34 passing, guiding Denver to its 11th straight win. Nix connected on scoring throws of 20, 5, 14, and 23 yards, each one critical in keeping pace with a high-scoring Packers team.
Packers safety Jaylin Simpson remained on the practice squad, while quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham (Broncos) and Malik Willis (Packers) dressed but didn’t play. Defensive tackle Colby Wooden started for Green Bay and made three tackles.
Rams 41, Lions 34
Jarquez Hunter was inactive for Los Angeles, while cornerback Roger McCreary (Williamson) is still on injured reserve. Lions safety Daniel Thomas (Lee-Montgomery) chipped in with one tackle on defense and another on special teams.
Saints 20, Panthers 17
Carolina defensive end Derrick Brown was steady as usual, finishing with four tackles as the Panthers battled in a close one.
Seahawks 18, Colts 16
Outside linebacker Derick Hall had three tackles and a quarterback hit for Seattle.
Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (Jackson) played but didn’t record any stats. Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith remains on injured reserve.
49ers 37, Titans 24
Titans linebacker Dorian Mausi was active but didn’t appear on the stat sheet.
Vikings 34, Cowboys 26
Cowboys tight end Rivaldo Fairweather is still on the practice squad. Vikings linebacker Austin Keys made his mark on special teams with one tackle.
Looking Ahead
Week 15 kicked off on Thursday with the Falcons edging out the Buccaneers 29-28.
It wraps up Monday night when the Dolphins visit the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. That one kicks off at 7:15 p.m.
CDT on ESPN.
As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, performances like Bo Nix’s and KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s are reminders that young talent is starting to shine - and for teams like the Eagles, getting meaningful reps for players like Tank Bigsby could pay dividends when the games matter most.