Kyle Williams Delivers Again as Patriots Rally Past Ravens, While Cameron Ward Shines and Gardner Minshew Suffers Another Setback
When the Patriots needed a spark, Kyle Williams gave them a firework show.
The rookie wideout out of Washington State etched his name into New England history this past Sunday night, becoming just the second Patriots receiver since Randy Moss to record three touchdowns of 30 yards or more in a single season. And this one couldn’t have come at a bigger moment.
Down 11 points in the fourth quarter against Baltimore, the Patriots were staring at a potential loss that could’ve derailed their push for the AFC’s top seed. Enter Williams.
Running his trademark go-route, he slipped behind the secondary and hauled in a perfectly placed 37-yard dime from Drake Maye at the front pylon. It was a momentum-shifting strike that ignited New England’s comeback in what turned into a 28-24 win.
Williams didn’t just make a big play-he made the play. And he did it after being thrust into action when two of the Pats’ starting receivers went down mid-game.
That’s been the story of his season: low volume, high impact. Despite having just seven catches on the year, he’s turned them into 189 yards and three touchdowns-an eye-popping 27 yards per grab.
Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even in the rotation to start the year.
And it’s not just on offense where Williams is making noise. Since Week 12, he’s taken over kickoff return duties and is averaging a strong 26.4 yards per return. That 4.4 speed is showing up in all phases, and the Patriots are clearly finding more ways to get the ball in his hands.
WSU Quarterbacks Collide: Ward Impresses, Minshew Injured Again
Sunday’s Titans-Chiefs matchup had a little extra juice for Washington State fans, with former Cougars Cameron Ward and Gardner Minshew facing off at the NFL level. But the anticipated showdown took a tough turn early.
On just the third play of the game, Minshew took a hit while scrambling and went down awkwardly. Initial fears pointed to a torn ACL, but an MRI later confirmed a deep bone bruise-no surgery required, but still a season-ending injury. It’s a tough blow for the veteran, who also saw his 2024 campaign cut short with a broken collarbone.
Injuries haven’t defined Minshew’s career, but with free agency looming and his 30th birthday on the horizon, he’ll need to show he can stay healthy if he wants another shot as a starter.
On the other side, Ward made the most of the spotlight. The rookie quarterback played with poise and confidence, throwing for 228 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Titans to a 26-9 win.
According to Pro Football Focus, it was his best game of the season, earning an 89.9 grade. Ward looked in control from the start, and if this is a glimpse of what’s to come, Tennessee may have found something real in their young signal-caller.
Chiefs Rookie Tackle Esa Pole Hits a Rough Patch
After two strong performances, Chiefs left tackle Esa Pole came back down to earth a bit against the Titans. The undrafted rookie had a tough outing, starting with a pair of false start penalties on the opening drive. Later in the first half, he missed an assignment deep in his own territory, allowing Jeffrey Simmons to come through untouched for a safety.
It was a learning moment for Pole, who’s still adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses. But the Chiefs kept him on the field for every snap, a clear sign they’re committed to his development as they gear up for the postseason.
NFL Cougar Roundup: WSU Alumni Making Noise Across the League
- Abraham Lucas had a clutch moment in Seattle’s 38-37 thriller over the Rams on Thursday Night Football. On the game’s final play, the right tackle held his block just long enough for Sam Darnold to hit the game-winning two-point conversion. That’s a big-time play in a big-time moment.
- Jaylen Watson filled up the stat sheet with seven tackles for Kansas City, but his day ended early due to a groin injury. To make matters worse, Watson later revealed on social media that his home had been broken into that same day. A rough Sunday all around for the Chiefs corner.
- Jaden Hicks, another Chiefs defender, saw his most extended action in weeks and made it count with four tackles. He also got home on a safety blitz, delivering a big hit on his former WSU teammate Cameron Ward-though Ward still managed to get the ball out for a 30-yard completion.
- Chau Smith-Wade continues to quietly put together a strong sophomore season for the Panthers. The nickel corner racked up five tackles in Carolina’s 23-20 win over Tampa Bay and owns an impressive 83.2 tackling grade, per PFF. At 5-11 and 176 pounds, he’s proving that size isn’t everything when you’ve got instincts and technique.
- Daiyan Henley was all over the field for the Chargers in their 34-17 win over Dallas, finishing with six tackles. The second-year linebacker is now just eight stops away from back-to-back 100-tackle seasons-a testament to his consistency and motor.
- Frankie Luvu added eight tackles in Washington’s 29-18 loss to the Eagles. It was another solid outing in what’s been a productive season for the Commanders linebacker.
- Jalen Thompson missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury. With the Cardinals sitting at 3-12 and Thompson set to hit free agency soon, Arizona may play it safe and keep him sidelined for the final two weeks.
From clutch catches in prime time to late-season breakouts and injury setbacks, it was another eventful week for former Washington State standouts across the NFL. And with the playoff picture tightening, several of them are positioned to play key roles down the stretch.