Thursday Night Football -Atlanta Falcons v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons DT (St. Louis Battlehawks)
NFL Week 15 began with a stunning upset on Thursday Night Football. Although the Atlanta Falcons have already been eliminated from playoff contention, the team fought back to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 29-28. Former St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London played a big role in the victory, sacking Baker Mayfield for a seven-yard loss, and contributing a solo tackle and pass defense.
In week 16, the 5-9 Falcons travel to the West Coast to take on the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has also been eliminated from playoff contention.
Cleveland Browns v. Chicago Bears
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
The Cleveland Browns traveled to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Former St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt provided the Browns’ only points in a losing 31-3 effort. However, once again, Szmyt proved his value to the team by connecting on a 50-yard field goal.
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns long snapper (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Cleveland Browns long snapper Rex Sunahara (San Antonio Brahmas) snapped the ball for Szymt’s field goal, two kickoffs, and seven punts for 339 yards for Corey Bojorquez, who kicked a 61-yarder as his longest.
Next week, the 3-11 Browns hope to secure their fourth win of the season when they host the 10-4 Buffalo Bills.
Green Bay Packers v. Denver Broncos
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders )
After reclaiming the NFC North division title last week, the Green Bay Packers suffered a crushing 34-26 loss to the NFL-leading Denver Broncos. Former D.C. Defenders punter Daniel Whelan punted once for 57 yards. Quarterback Jordan Love completed 24/40 for 276 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked three times by Denver’s high-pressure defense. Making matters even worse for Green Bay, elite EDGE Micah Parsons may be lost for the season with a knee injury.
In Week 16, the 9-4-1 Packers go on the road Saturday night to take on their division rival, the 10-4 Chicago Bears.
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos DT (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions‘ linebacker Dondrea Tillman contributed a key sack of Jordan Love on Sunday, along with two tackles, with one solo tackle. So far, this season, Tillman continues to be an impact player with 33 tackles (ten solo), 3.5 sacks, three pass defenses, and two interceptions.
In Week 16, the 11-2 NFL-leading Broncos will host the 10-4 Jacksonville Jaguars.
New York Jets v. Jacksonville Jaguars
Adrian Martinez, New York Jets, quarterback (Birmingham Stallions)
When the San Francisco 49ers released former UFL League MVP and Birmingham Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez, it didn’t take long for the New York Jets to re-sign him to their practice squad. After spending last year on the Jets’ practice squad, Martinez was released during the 2025 preseason. On Sunday, with both Justin Fields and backup Tyrod Taylor inactive, Brady Cook was the starting quarterback with Martinez serving as his backup.
Although Cook scored his first NFL touchdown during the game, it wasn’t enough to overcome a sensational six-touchdown performance from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Next week, the 3-11 Jets will travel to New Orleans to face the 4-10 Saints.
Detroit Lions v. Los Angeles Rams
In a high-scoring shootout that saw more than 700 passing yards and five touchdowns between two elite NFL quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, the Detroit Lions came out on the losing end of a 41-34 battle to the Los Angeles Rams.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (Michigan Panthers)
Former Michigan Panthers star kicker Jake Bates missed a 41-yard field goal on the Lions’ first possession. However, in addition to four extra points, he drilled a 24-yard field goal and a clutch 48-yard kick to bring the Lions within one score late in the game. Sadly, the clock ran out before the Lions could attempt a game-tying score.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
When Lions Kalif Raymond returned to the lineup, former St. Louis Battlehawks and All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors took on a diminished role. Although Saylors played 19 snaps on special teams, he did not record any stats with Raymond and Tom Kennedy handling the kick return duties.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Following several serious injuries that depleted the Lions’ secondary, former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside returned to the Lions’ 53-man roster but was inactive on Sunday.
Next Sunday, in a bid to keep their playoff hopes alive, the 8-6 Detroit Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field.
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker,” Harrison Mevis, was perfect on Sunday, kicking two field goals, including a 44-yard kick and 5/5 extra points.
Next week, the 11-3 Rams will face their division foe, the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks. The Jets lost by a score of 48-20. Martinez returns to the Jets’ practice squad.
Next Week, the 3-11 Jets travel to New Orleans to take on the 4-10 Saints. Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
New Orleans Saints v. Carolina Panthers
Kevin Austin, Jr., New Orleans Saints wide receiver (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Kevin Austin, Jr. was inactive as a healthy scratch on Sunday as the Saints pulled off a 24-20 victory over their division rival, the Buccaneers.
Next week, the 4-10 New Orleans Saints will host the 3-11 New York Jets.
Minnesota Vikings v. Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
In a stunning upset, the 6-6-1 Dallas Cowboys were defeated 34-26 by the 5-8 Minnesota Vikings. The game got off to a rough note for the Cowboys when former Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey experienced a rare off-night when he missed the first of six field goal attempts, a 51-yard kick.
Late in the game, he missed on a 59-yarder. Aubrey connected on a 26-yard boot, a 37-yard field goal, and a 41-yard kick, along with two of two extra points. He also gained a first down when he faked a field goal and instead rushed for six yards. Converting 31 of 35 field goals, Aubrey is one of only four kickers in the NFL to have more than 30 attempts this season.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
Former USFL New Jersey Generals wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin caught two passes for 10 yards, along with one rush for two yards, and had four kick returns for 124 with a longest of 31 yards.
Perrion Winfrey, Dallas Cowboys (Birmingham Stallions)
Next week, the 6-7-1 Cowboys will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when the team hosts the 10-4 Los Angeles Chargers.
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings DT (Arlington Renegades )
Despite winning their second consecutive game on Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings were officially eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day. Nonetheless, the team scored an impressive moral victory with their upset win. Former Arlington Renegades DT Jalen Redmond had five total tackles with two solo and one sack. Redmond continues to be one of the leading Vikings defenders with a season total of 27 solo tackles, 5.0 sacks, and one forced fumble.
Next week, the 6-8 Vikings will play the 2-12 New York Giants.
Practice Squad Players:
Kohl Levao, New York Jets guard(San Antonio Brahmas)
Liam Fornadel, New York Jets guard (D.C. Defenders)
Kaden Davis, Cleveland Browns WR (Michigan Panthers)
Jonathan Garvin, Chicago Bears DE (Birmingham Stallions)
Check back here next week to find out who the standout spring players are in NFL Week 16.
Sue Levine spent the past five years creating and producing a successful weekly health and wellness podcast starring a wonderful iconic woman as the program host. As part of Sue’s responsibilities, she scripted every episode and discovered a genuine love of writing. When the podcast ended late last year, she shifted the focus of her writing to covering pro sports. A passionate fan of NFL and UFL football as well as fantasy, she is delighted to be able to share her articles with other football fans.