Auburn in the NFL: Week 17 rundown

Auburn in the NFL: Week 17 rundownAuburn in the NFL: Week 17 rundown
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

On the final week of the regular season, former Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson set the single-season scoring record for the Oakland Raiders. That and more in the Week 17 NFL rundown. 

BEST OF WEEK 17

Daniel Carlson, K, Las Vegas Raiders
Carlson wrapped up the season by making all three of his PATs and his lone field-goal attempt from 33 yards out to help the Raiders beat the Denver Broncos, 32-31. With the six points, he passed Sebastian Janikowski as the franchise's single-season scoring leader and finished tied for first in the NFL in scoring with 144 points on the season. Carlson was 33 of 35 on field goals this year, including a perfect 4 of 4 from beyond 50 yards. 


Jonathan Jones, CB, New England Patriots 
Jones was the definition of lockdown Sunday. He was targeted once all game and the lone pass thrown his way, he stepped in front of the wide receiver and reeled in his second interception of the season. The fifth-year cornerback also had five tackles and was named to the PFF Team of the Week for his performance. Jones finished the season with a defensive PFF grade of 80.7, good for fourth among all NFL cornerbacks. 


Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots
What didn't Newton do in Sunday's 28-14 win over the New York Jets? The veteran quarterback was 21 of 30 through the air for 242 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 79 yards, including a 49-yard run that was the longest by a Patriots quarterback in franchise history. And he also became the first Patriots quarterback to ever catch a touchdown pass, hauling in a 19-yard touchdown grab – the first of his NFL career.


Braden Smith, OL, Indianapolis Colts
Anytime a running back goes over 200 yards, the offensive line had a good day. On Sunday, rookie Jonathan Taylor set a franchise record with 253 yards rushing behind Smith and his fellow linemen. The performance led to a victory and sealed a playoff appearance for the Colts. But the highlight for Smith wasn't a block or pancake. It was his dance moves after the team scored its first touchdown. 


Other Tigers in the NFL 
Peyton Barber, RB, Washington Football Team
Daren Bates, LB Tennessee Titans
Angelo Blackson, DE, Arizona Cardinals
Derrick Brown, DL, Carolina Panthers
Josh Bynes, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Blake Countess, DB, Philadelphia Eagles
Byron Cowart, DL, New England Patriots*
Marlon Davidson, DL, Atlanta Falcons
Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rudy Ford, DB, Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Harris, LS, Atlanta Falcons
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Miami Dolphins
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions
Carl Lawson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Cody Parkey, K, Cleveland Browns
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Jarrett Stidham, QB, New England Patriots
Neiko Thorpe, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

DNP (Reserve/Injured)
Montravius Adams, DL, Green Bay Packers
Shon Coleman, OT, San Francisco 49ers 
Jack Driscoll, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Dee Ford, DL, San Francisco 49ers
John Franklin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
Brandon King, LB, New England Patriots 
Dontavius Russell, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars 
Daniel Thomas, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Practice Squad
Nick Coe, DE, Miami Dolphins
Javaris Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins 
Mike Horton, OG, Carolina Panthers
Devaroe Lawrence, DT, Washington Football Team
Derrick Moncrief, LB, Los Angeles Rams*
Arryn Siposs, P, Detroit Lions
Chad Slade, OG, New York Giants
Duke Williams, WR, Buffalo Bills

*AU lettermen