Maryland Alumni Make Their Mark in Week 16 as NFL Playoff Picture Takes Shape
With the NFL regular season barreling toward the finish line, Week 16 gave us a closer look at who’s ready for the postseason-and a handful of Maryland football alums made sure their names were part of that conversation. From clutch catches to key defensive efforts, Terps across the league showed up in big moments.
D.J. Moore Delivers in Overtime Thriller
Let’s start with D.J. Moore, who reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when the moment calls for it. With the Bears locked in a tight overtime battle against the Packers, Moore hauled in a 46-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown grab in tight coverage from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams-a walk-off score that sealed a 22-16 win and kept Chicago atop the NFC North.
It wasn’t just the game-winner that stood out. Moore finished with five catches for 97 yards, his highest yardage total of the season, and continued a hot streak that’s seen him find the end zone five times in the last five weeks. After a midseason lull, Moore’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for a Bears team trying to prove it belongs in the NFC’s upper tier.
Now, things get real. Chicago’s next test?
A Sunday night showdown with the San Francisco 49ers-a battle that could decide the NFC’s top seed and the all-important first-round bye. If Moore and Williams can keep this connection cooking, the Bears might just be more dangerous than anyone expected down the stretch.
Stefon Diggs Powers Patriots into Playoffs
Over in the AFC, another Maryland wideout was making headlines. Stefon Diggs turned in a vintage performance to help the Patriots punch their playoff ticket with a 28-24 win over the Ravens.
Diggs was everywhere, catching nine passes for 138 yards and slicing through Baltimore’s secondary with surgical precision. It marked his fourth 100-yard outing of the season and came at a time when New England needed it most. Now sitting at 12-3, the Patriots are in the driver’s seat in the AFC East, with games against the Jets and Dolphins left to close out the regular season.
If they can hold on, it would be their first division crown since Tom Brady’s final year in Foxborough back in 2019. And with Diggs heating up, this offense has the firepower to make a serious run.
Rookies Getting Reps
Several first-year Terps are continuing to earn valuable snaps as they navigate their rookie campaigns:
- **Dante Trader Jr. ** (Dolphins) made five tackles in a physical matchup against the Bengals, continuing to show promise in Miami’s secondary.
- Tai Felton (Vikings) recorded a catch for six yards versus the Giants.
- Jordan Phillips (Dolphins) didn’t register any tackles in the same game.
- Ruben Hyppolite II (Bears) was inactive.
- Tommy Akingbesote (Bills) remained on the practice squad.
Meanwhile, Josh Kaltenberger, Glen Miller, and Kaden Prather are still unsigned as they await their opportunity.
Veterans and Role Players Contribute Across the League
Beyond the big names, a number of Maryland alumni found ways to contribute in Week 16:
- Chig Okonkwo (Titans) caught six passes for 44 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, continuing to be a reliable red-zone target.
- Ty Johnson (Bills) found the end zone on one of his three carries, finishing with 16 rushing yards in a win over Cleveland.
- Nick Cross (Colts) was active on defense, racking up six tackles against the 49ers.
- Tarheeb Still (Chargers) added two tackles against the Cowboys.
- Chad Ryland (Cardinals) went 4-for-6 on field goals, including a 51-yarder against Houston.
- Spencer Anderson (Steelers) logged 64 total snaps between offense and special teams against the Lions.
- D.J. Glaze (Raiders) played 54 snaps at right tackle in a win over the Texans.
- Josh Woods (Falcons) saw 20 snaps in a mix of defensive and special teams duties against Arizona.
- Beau Brade (Giants) played nine special teams snaps.
- Jakorian Bennett (Eagles) got in for six defensive snaps against Washington.
- Corey Bullock (Ravens) played five special teams snaps against the Patriots.
- Deonte Banks (Giants) didn’t record any stats against the Vikings.
A few others were either inactive or remained on practice squads in Week 16:
- Jeshaun Jones (Vikings), Durrell Nchami (Colts), Quinton Jefferson (Lions), and Darnell Savage (Bills) didn’t suit up.
Injury Updates
- Sam Okuayinonu (49ers) returned to action after missing Week 15 with an ankle injury and made three tackles against the Colts on Monday Night Football.
- Byron Cowart (Jets) remains on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Since he wasn’t designated to return prior to roster cuts, his season is effectively over unless a settlement is reached.
Looking Ahead
With Week 17 kicking off on Christmas Day, fans are in for a holiday treat. The NFL’s tripleheader will be streamed across Netflix and Amazon Prime, offering a full day of football as the playoff race tightens.
As the postseason nears, Maryland’s NFL alumni are making their presence felt-from impact starters like Moore and Diggs to rookies and role players grinding for every snap. With just two weeks left in the regular season, the spotlight only gets brighter.