Tigers in the NFL: Week 17

Each week, we take a look at what some of the former Clemson standouts are doing in the NFL. Here’s a look at what went down in Week 17, the final week of the regular season:

The 2016 NFL regular season is officially in the books. A plethora of former Tigers put together excellent showings this fall, particularly Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley. The second-year pass rusher, who was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl a few weeks ago, picked up a sack on Sunday to give him 15.5 on the season. Beasley’s 15.5 sacks were the most in the NFL this year. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, also of the Falcons, collected a sack in the Atlanta victory, as well.

Beasley was not the only Clemson alumnus in the NFL to have a career year in 2016, as wide receiver Adam Humphries turned out to be the X factor for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense. Humphries produced one of his best showings at the professional level over the weekend, hauling in a career-high 10 catches for 94 yards.

Also in the receiving department, Buffalo Bills wideout Sammy Watkins caught four passes for 31 yards in Week 17, and Houston Texans pass catcher DeAndre Hopkins compiled 123 yards on seven receptions. Hopkins finished the season with 78 catches for 954 receiving yards, leading the Texans in both categories.

Dwayne Allen scored a pivotal 15-yard receiving touchdown in the second half of the Indianapolis Colts’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fifth-year pro totaled 34 yards on three catches. In addition, Colts free safety T.J. Green had three tackles, two of them solo.

Rookie Houston Texans defensive tackle D.J. Reader was credited for two tackles in Week 17, and fellow rookie Jayron Kearse, a strong safety for the Minnesota Vikings, notched his first career fumble recovery.

Elsewhere around the league, Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland garnered five tackles, and Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro was a perfect 3-3 on field-goal attempts, including a 47-yarder, and 5-5 on extra-point attempts. Also on special teams, San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion had himself quite a game on Sunday, totaling 289 yards on six punts, three of which landed inside of the 20-yard line.