David Montgomery
Montgomery helped lead the Detroit Lions to a 23-20 win over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day.
Although he did not find the endzone, Montgomery proved to be a workhouse as usual for Detroit, leading the team with 88 yards on 21 carries while catching three passes for 36 yards.
With this win, the Lions broke a seven-year streak of losing in Thanksgiving games, with three of those seven losses coming against Chicago.
But with Montgomery’s help against his former team, Detroit was able to break that streak and remain atop the NFC with an 11-1 record.
Kene Nwangwu
Nwangwu made his season debut after struggling to make an active roster for the New York Cyclones (Jets) in their 26-21 loss Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite not finding a way to play throughout the majority of the season, Nwangwu proved he can still be an All-Pro-level returner like he was with the Minnesota Vikings back in 2022.
Highlighted by his 99-yard kick return in the second quarter, Nwangwu finished the game with three total kick returns for 157 yards and a touchdown. Nwangwu also added a solo tackle during his time on special teams.
It’s safe to say that after Sunday’s performance, Nwangwu should have no trouble staying with the Jets to finish out the season if he can keep putting up performances such as this.
Will McDonald IV
After failing to record a sack for four consecutive games, McDonald found his stride against the Seattle offense and led the Jets with two sacks Sunday.
The two sacks would go on to be the only two tackles he would have against the Seahawks, but he still managed to have four hits on Seattle quarterback Geno Smith.
Before his four-game sack drought, it had looked like McDonald could finally become the NFL’s sack leader after the injury to Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who had led the league in sacks at the time.
But since he went into that four-game drought, he slipped in the standings until after Sunday’s match against the Seahawks, where McDonald jumped into a three-way tie for fourth place in the NFL in sacks with 10 total on the season.
The other two pass rushers he is tied with are Minnesota pass rusher Jonathan Greenard and Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett.
Brock Purdy
Purdy had his worst statistical game of the season in the San Francisco 49ers’ 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
Granted, Purdy and San Francisco were challenged with playing in the snow-filled stadium and frigid temperatures of Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Purdy went 11-of-18 passing for 94 yards with no passing touchdowns or interceptions. He also contributed four rushing yards on two carries.
The 49ers continue their injury-riddled season now on a three-game losing streak, with news of star running back Christian McCaffrey being ruled out long-term with a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s game.
McCaffrey has been known to be San Francisco’s most dynamic playmaker, but has only been able to play in four games this season, and has run the risk of missing the remainder of the season.
Breece Hall
Hall had his only game this season without a reception from New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Jets’ loss.
Although being only targeted once, Hall struggled to find ways to make his impact felt in the passing game.
Hall didn’t have a great day on the ground game either, as he only mustered up 60 yards on 12 carries with two fumbles, one that was lost.
Despite leading New York in rushing, Hall had one of his worst games of the season with the two fumbles and failing to receive a pass from Rodgers on Sunday.
