Stanford in the NFL: Week 17Stanford in the NFL: Week 17
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Stanford in the NFL: Week 17

A summary of how Cardinal alums fared around the league

EAGLES QUARTERBACK Tanner McKee began the day as a backup and ended it with a measure of history on Sunday, joining Washington tight end Zach Ertz as standouts among former Cardinal during Week 17 of the NFL season. 

Here is how the former Cardinal fared:

Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee made his NFL debut and promptly threw two touchdown passes in a 41-7 victory over visiting Dallas on Sunday in a result that clinched the NFC East title for the Eagles.

A third-stringer most of the year, McKee got his chance when Jalen Hurts missed the game with a concussion and Kenny Pickett injured his ribs with the score 24-7 in the third quarter. On his first play, McKee handed off to Saquon Barkley for nine yards and his first pass was a nine-yarder to DeVonta Smith. 

McKee then closed out his first full series as a pro -- an eight-play, 65-yard drive -- with a smooth 20-yard backshoulder throw to A.J. Brown in the end zone. Without understanding the significance of the play for McKee, Brown threw the ball into the stands. Upon realizing his mistake, he was able to exchange his own autographed jersey with a fan for the ball. McKee wasn’t done, hitting Smith on a slant for a 25-yard scoring play with 10:03 left. McKee also handed the ball off to Barkley on the fourth-quarter run where Barkley gained 23 yards to become the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

McKee went 3-for-4 for 54 yards on 21 plays while closing out the game. McKee became the first player in the NFL Draft era (since 1936) to have multiple TD passes in his NFL debut while attempting five or fewer passes. He had a passer rating of 156.2.

McKee, a sixth-round draft choice in 2023, became the 270th Stanford alum to play in an NFL or AFL regular-season game all-time. McKee becomes the 31st different Stanford alum to play in a regular season game this NFL season. He also is the 22nd Stanford alum to play quarterback in an NFL regular season game.

Eagles defensive tackle Thomas Booker had a career-high five tackles, including a half-sack, and had a quarterback hit. Booker and Jeremiah Trotter sacked Cowboys QB Cooper Rush for a seven-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Booker was in on 16 defensive snaps and three on special teams.

Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz snagged a laser of a pass from Jayden Daniels from two yards out in overtime to give the Commanders a 30-24 victory over visiting Atlanta on Sunday night to clinch an NFC playoff berth. Ertz caught two touchdown passes, including a 10-yarder in the third quarter that drew the Commanders within 17-14.

It was the first multi-touchdown game of the season for Ertz, who has seven TDs this season. Ertz had three catches on the winning drive and preceded his first TD with a 37-yard gain that helped set up that score. It was the longest gain of the game for either team. He finished with six catches for 72 yards. Ertz, at age 34, became the third-oldest player to score an overtime touchdown in team history. Ertz played 55 offensive snaps.

In his second NFL appearance, Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne made a tackle on a kickoff return. He was in on 16 offensive snaps and 14 on special teams in his most extensive action to date. For Atlanta, starting center Drew Dalman played every offensive snap (64) and had a fumble recovery after QB Michael Penix was sacked in the fourth quarter.

Kansas City starting strong safety Justin Reid intercepted a pass during the Chiefs’ 29-10 victory at Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Reid had five solo tackles and knocked down a pass as the Chiefs (15-1) secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Reid gained his second interception of the season when he picked off a deep first-quarter pass by Russell Wilson in the end zone. Reid played 63 defensive snaps and two on special teams.

Los Angeles Chargers starting tight end Tucker Fisk had one catch for eight yards in a 40-7 victory at New England on Saturday that clinched a playoff spot for the Chargers (10-6). Fisk’s catch over the middle from Justin Herbert jumpstarted an 11-play, 91-yard drive that gave the Chargers a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Fisk played 32 offensive snaps and two on special teams.

Chargers’ offensive tackle Foster Sarell played 10 snaps on offense and eight on special teams. Strong safety Kendall Williamson played two defensive snaps and 16 on special teams in his second appearance for the Chargers, with two tackles on kickoff returns. For the Patriots, tight end Austin Hooper had three catches for 19 yards. Hooper played 24 offensive snaps and one on special teams.

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty kicked field goals of 53 and 25 yards in a 13-9 victory over visiting Arizona on Saturday. Karty was perfect on two field-goal tries and on an extra point as the Rams crept closer to an NFC West title and playoff berth. Karty surpassed 100 career points, becoming the second rookie in franchise history (along with kicker Frank Corral in 1978) to accomplish the feat. Karty has made his past nine field-goal tries.

Rams tight end Colby Parkinson had a tackle on a punt return while in on 23 offensive plays and nine on special teams. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention despite four catches for 22 yards and a rush for seven by receiver Michael Wilson, who also had a tackle on an interception. Wilson played 69 (87 percent) offensive snaps. Arizona starting tight end Elijah Higgins had two catches for 23 yards. Higgins had a 15-yard catch in the second quarter and was in on 22 offensive snaps and 13 on special teams.

New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas had a solo tackle, tackle for loss, quarterback hurry, and batted down a pass in a 40-14 loss at Buffalo on Sunday. Thomas dropped running back James Cook for a four-yard loss in the third quarter. Thomas was in on 29 defensive plays and six on special teams. He has five tackles for loss this season.

Miami punter Jake Bailey averaged 43.9 yards on seven kicks to help keep the Dolphins (8-8) in playoff contention with a 20-3 victory at Cleveland on Sunday. Bailey had a long of 53 and had two downed inside the 20, including a 52-yarder to the 2 in the fourth quarter. Bailey also was a holder on placekicks. Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner had a solo tackle among his 12 defensive plays. He also was in on 10 special teams downs.

Minnesota starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips tied a season-high with six tackles in the Vikings’ 27-25 victory over visiting Green Bay on Sunday that kept Minnesota in the No. 1 spot in the NFC playoff picture. Phillips was in on 31 defensive snaps.

Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz had two catches for 21 yards in the Texans’ 31-2 loss to visiting Baltimore on Wednesday. Schultz had an 18-yard catch in the second quarter among his 40 offensive snaps in the game. Quarterback Davis Mills entered for Houston’s last series and completed his only pass, for five yards, among his seven plays to close the game. Despite the loss, Houston (9-7) clinched the AFC South title and a playoff berth.

Las Vegas offensive guard Andrus Peat was in on six special teams snaps in the Raiders’ 25-10 victory at New Orleans on Sunday. Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly was in on one special teams play.

Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little was inactive.

Denver offensive tackle Cameron Fleming and Buffalo defensive end Casey Toohill were on practice squads.

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Curtis Robinson, New Orleans cornerback Paulson Adebo, Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko, Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig, and New York Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke were on injured reserve.