For Clemson football fans these are heady days when you turn on an NFL game, which almost certainly includes former Tigers performing at the highest level of football.
It started Thursday when Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne led the Jacksonville Jaguars over the New York Jets, 19-3. Lawrence was 20 of 31 for 229 yards and ran for another 51 in the win. Etienne, meanwhile totaled 83 yards on the ground, hitting the 1,000-yard mark on the season, while adding another 29 on three receptions from Lawrence.
With Tennessee’s loss to Houston Saturday, the Jags are technically in first as they have the tie-breaker with Tennessee.
Amari Rodgers only had one reception in that Houston-Tennessee game, but it was a big one, going for 37 yards and setting up the Texans’ game-winning touchdown.
Shaq Lawson had 4 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss in the Buffalo Bills 35-13 win over the Bears.
Deshaun Watson continues to struggle with the Browns. He completed 15 of 31 passes for 135 yards and an interception in the Browns 17-10 loss to the Saints.
The Giants lost on a 61 yard walk off field goal, but Dexter Lawrence contributed 6 tackles, including 1 for loss, had a pass defensed and a quarterback hit.
Tee Higgins reeled in 8 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals took down the Patriots.
In the endzone early 👏#CINvsNE | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/6zGs2iFUuh
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 24, 2022
Sammy Watkins just joined the Ravens this week, but he contributed with a 40 yard reception on his only target of the game as Baltimore took down the lowly Falcons. A.J. Terrell had 3 tackles and a pass defensed and Bradley Pinion punted 3 times for a 37.3 yards average for Atlanta.
Jayron Kearse continued his stellar play for the Cowboys, totaling 3 tackles, a pass defensed, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in the Dallas win, while Mackensie Alexander also had a tackle for the Cowboys.
Ray Ray McCloud continued his renaissance in San Francisco with a 71 yard rushing touchdown, a 23 yard kick-off return and 2 punt returns for the 49ers in a win over the Commanders.
The Raiders lost to the Steelers, but Hunter Renfrow had 4 receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown and 2 tackles. Meanwhile, Clelin Ferrell had a tackle for the Raiders.
Stats alone don’t do former Clemson football star Christian Wilkins justice to what he means to the Dolphins defense
Christian Wilkins continued to be a force for the Dolphins who lost to Green Bay, 26-20. Wilkins 5 tackles and 2 passes defensed just begins to tell the story and he’s one of those guys you just have to watch to understand just how disruptive he is on the field.
The Rams blasted the Broncos, and Derion Kendrick had a tackle for the Rams, while DeShawn Williams had 3 for the Broncos.
Christmas night, the Cardinals lost to the Tampa Bay Bucks, but Isaiah Simmons racked up 11 tackles and a pass defensed in the defeat.
Finally, tonight Mike Williams and the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football.