It was a packed Week 13 in the NFL, and Mississippi State alumni were right in the thick of the action. From Dak Prescott lighting it up on Thanksgiving to Chris Jones causing chaos up front, Bulldogs past and present made their presence felt across the league. Here's a breakdown of how the former Mississippi State standouts fared in an eventful slate of games.
Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys)
Prescott put on a show in the Cowboys’ 31-28 win over the Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day.
He completed 27 of 39 passes for 320 yards, tossing two touchdowns and one interception. He also had three rushing attempts, though they netted a loss of two yards.
Still, the performance was another reminder of how Prescott continues to steer one of the league’s most potent offenses. On the season, he’s now thrown for 3,261 yards with 25 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, completing nearly 70% of his passes.
Add in two rushing scores, and Prescott is firmly in the mix among the league’s most productive quarterbacks.
Chris Jones (DL, Chiefs)
Jones was his usual disruptive self, even in a narrow loss to Dallas.
He registered four tackles-two of them solo-and added a tackle for loss. Through 13 weeks, Jones has racked up 15 total tackles, including six for loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection.
His ability to collapse the pocket and blow up plays in the backfield continues to be a key part of Kansas City’s defensive identity.
Logan Cooke (P, Jaguars)
Cooke had a busy day punting, booting the ball seven times for a total of 313 yards (44.7 average), including a long of 63 yards.
One of those punts pinned the Titans inside their 20-yard line. Things got chippy after one returner made contact with him, sparking a brief scrum, but Cooke held his ground.
On the season, he’s now totaled 44 punts for 2,060 yards (47.2 avg.), with 15 landing inside the 20.
Charles Cross (OT, Seahawks)
Cross started at left tackle and logged 64 offensive snaps in Seattle’s 26-0 shutout win over the Vikings.
The second-year lineman continues to provide steady protection on the blind side, and has now started 12 games this season. His development remains one of the bright spots on a Seahawks offensive line that’s battled injuries.
Emmanuel Forbes (CB, Commanders)
Forbes had two tackles in a narrow 31-28 loss to the Panthers.
The rookie corner now has 29 total tackles on the year (21 solo), along with a forced fumble and seven passes defended. Washington’s secondary has had its ups and downs, but Forbes continues to gain valuable reps in coverage.
Jeffery Simmons (DL, Titans)
Simmons was a lone bright spot in Tennessee’s 25-3 loss to Jacksonville, notching six tackles (two solo), a sack, and a tackle for loss.
Simmons now has 36 tackles (23 solo), 6.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits on the year. He’s been a consistent force in the trenches, even when the Titans' defense has struggled.
Montez Sweat (DE, Bears)
Sweat added another tackle to his stat line in a 24-15 win over the Eagles.
On the season, he’s been a menace off the edge with 36 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and five pass deflections. His ability to both rush the passer and play the run makes him one of the more complete edge defenders in the league.
Cameron Dantzler (CB, Saints)
Dantzler was inactive in New Orleans' 26-7 loss to Buffalo. Still, he’s contributed 23 solo tackles and a pass deflection over the course of the season.
Martin Emerson (CB, Browns)
Emerson had one pass defended in Cleveland’s 21-17 win over the Saints.
The second-year corner continues to be a reliable piece in the Browns’ secondary. On the season, he’s appeared in 11 games, tallying 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.
Jett Johnson (LB, Panthers)
Currently on the Panthers' practice squad, Johnson has appeared in three games this season and recorded two tackles.
Erroll Thompson (LB, Buccaneers)
Thompson remains on Tampa Bay’s practice squad. He has seen action in one game this season.
Cameron Young (DL, Seahawks)
Young had two tackles in a tough 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos. He’s played in eight games this year, with 14 total tackles and one tackle for loss.
Tyrus Wheat (LB, Steelers)
Wheat played 16 special teams snaps in Pittsburgh’s 31-24 loss to the Packers. He’s logged 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1.5 sacks this season, carving out a role as a rotational linebacker and special teams contributor.
Nathan Pickering & Marquiss Spencer (DLs)
Both Pickering and Spencer are out for the season-Pickering with a torn Achilles and Spencer with a bicep injury.
Nathaniel Watson (LB, Chargers)
Watson had two solo tackles in a 31-14 loss to the Chargers. He now has seven total tackles on the year.
As the NFL season barrels toward the playoffs, Mississippi State's NFL alumni are making their mark in a variety of roles-whether it’s Prescott leading a high-powered offense, Jones and Simmons wrecking opposing backfields, or young players like Forbes and Cross continuing to develop. Week 13 was a reminder that the Bulldogs' pipeline to the pros is alive and well.