Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Week 16 of the NFL season closed out on Monday night, setting the stage for a festive slate of holiday matchups in Week 17. The action-packed week showcased standout performances on both sides of the ball, with former Virginia Tech Hokies making their mark across the league. In this week’s edition of NFL Hokies, sponsored by Coca-Cola, we spotlight the top showings from Hokie alumni in Week 16 and preview the must-watch matchups featuring these Tech stars as they gear up for Week 17 action.
LB Divine Deablo
Linebacker Divine Deablo delivered one of his strongest performances of the season in Week 16, earning a 76.4 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), his second-best mark of the year. The veteran Raider recorded four tackles against the Jacksonville Jaguars, highlighted by a 77.8 tackling grade and an impressive 82.7 coverage grade in the team’s hard-fought 19-14 victory. Deablo also contributed a key pass deflection, one of six for the Raiders’ defense, as Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones managed 25 completions on 39 attempts. The win marked just the third of the season for Las Vegas, who now shift their focus to closing out the year with pride after being eliminated from postseason contention.
G Wyatt Teller
Guard Wyatt Teller delivered one of his finest performances of the season, earning an 81.0 overall offensive grade and an 81.7 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) across 66 snaps. Teller’s standout effort made him the top-rated player on the Browns’ offense despite Cleveland’s tough 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns found their greatest success on the ground, led by running back Jerome Ford, who racked up 92 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. Teller played a pivotal role in enabling that success, posting a solid 76.3 run-blocking grade to anchor Cleveland’s rushing attack.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions faced off for their second matchup of the season, with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds standing out as one of the Bears’ top defensive contributors. Edmunds recorded six total tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, and added a key pass deflection to his stat line. His efforts earned him an impressive 80.3 tackling grade from PFF, placing him among the team’s top five defensive performers in the game.
RB Raheem Blackshear
The Carolina Panthers secured a thrilling 36-30 overtime victory against the Arizona Cardinals to cap off Sunday’s action. Running back Raheem Blackshear saw some touches in the backfield, contributing three carries for 13 yards and delivering in key short-yardage situations to help seal the win. Blackshear’s efforts earned him a 66.2 rushing grade from PFF, marking his highest of the season and a promising start to his offensive contributions.
Notable Week 17 Matchups
Miami Dolphins at Clevland Browns: Sunday, Dec. 29 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
The Miami Dolphins are set to trade the warm temperatures of South Florida for the winter chill of Huntington Bank Stadium as they face the Cleveland Browns in a pivotal Week 17 matchup. Sitting at 7-8 and second in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins must win their remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive. This showdown features two standout former Hokies: Dolphins’ cornerback Kendall Fuller and Browns offensive lineman Teller. Teller is expected to suit up for Cleveland, while Fuller remains questionable due to injury but hopes to take the field for Miami in this high-stakes contest.
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sunday, Dec. 29 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
While the Carolina Panthers’ 2024 playoff hopes have officially ended, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain firmly in the hunt with an 8-7 record. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has enjoyed a career resurgence this season, amassing 3,920 passing yards and 34 touchdowns to lead Tampa Bay’s postseason push. Meanwhile, Carolina has shown flashes of improvement, earning four wins on the year with contributions from Hokies like defensive end Amare Barno, running back Raheem Blackshear, and, more recently, tackle Yosh Nijman. The Buccaneers also feature strong Hokie ties off the field, with Senior Advisor to the General Manager Bruce Arians and safeties coach Nick Rapone playing key roles in the team’s success. As these NFC South rivals square off, Hokie alumni will leave their mark both on the gridiron and behind the scenes.