BOISE, Idaho – As the 2024 NFL season enters its final four weeks, 11 former Boise State players will represent the Broncos, including three on national television. The action starts on Sunday with a matchup between the Washington Commanders (John Bates, Jeremy McNichols) and New Orleans Saints (Cedrick Wilson Jr.). The trio played together at Boise State in 2016, leading the Broncos to a 10-3 record.
On Monday night, Brett Rypien and the Minnesota Vikings will host the Chicago Bears on ABC. Also playing that night are the Atlanta Falcons (Avery Williams) and Las Vegas Raiders (Alexander Mattison). Williams and Mattison were also members of the 2016 team and spent three seasons together in the Treasure Valley. During that span, the Broncos went 31-9, winning the Mountain West Championship and Las Vegas Bowl in 2017.
SUNDAY
Washington Commanders (John Bates, Jeremy McNichols) at New Orleans Saints (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) – FOX, 11 a.m.
Last Week: The Commanders were off in Week 14 but cruised to a 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. McNichols averaged 5.3 yards per carry, recording 32 yards on six attempts, including three runs that resulted in first downs. He also returned four kicks for a career-high 90 yards. The 122 all-purpose yards also marks a career-high. Bates played 67 total snaps, second-most in his career. At 8-5, the Commanders are positioned to receive the third NFC Wild Card spot. Wilson Jr. had an 18-yard reception on third down for the Saints, extending a drive that resulted in New Orleans' final score of a 14-11 victory over the New York Giants. He also recorded a tackle on kickoff coverage.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Ezra Cleveland) vs. New York Jets – FOX, 11 a.m.
Last Week: Cleveland played all 59 snaps at left guard in Jacksonville's 10-6 win over Tennessee. The Jaguars totaled 291 yards of offense, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure a division win.
Tennessee Titans (John Ojukwu) vs. Cincinnati Bengals – FOX, 11 a.m.
Last Week: Ojukwu played 10 snaps as an extra offensive lineman in Tennessee's 10-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In those plays, the Titans gained 41 rushing yards on eight attempts, including a 14-yard gain that set up Tennessee's first field goal. Ojukwu's Pro Football Focus offensive grade of 88.0 was fifth among NFL offensive linemen in Week 14.
Buffalo Bills (Khalil Shakir) at Detroit Lions – CBS, 2:25 p.m.
Last Week: Shakir caught five passes for a team-high 106 yards and one touchdown in the Bills' 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He scored on a game-long 51-yard catch and set up another Buffalo touchdown with a 34-yard reception, accounting for two of the team's three longest passing plays. The Boise State product averages 8.3 yards after catch per reception, an NFL-high among wide receivers with 40 or more catches.
Denver Broncos (JL Skinner) vs. Indianapolis Colts – CBS, 2:25 p.m.
Last Week: Skinner and the Broncos were off in Week 14. The previous week, they defeated the Cleveland Browns, 42-31. Skinner played 30 special teams snaps, tying his career-high.
Los Angeles Chargers (Scott Matlock) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – FOX, 2:25 p.m.
Last Week: Matlock started at fullback and played 18 offensive snaps, adding three plays on defense and 10 on special teams. The Chargers outgained the Kansas City Chiefs but fell to the defending Super Bowl champions, 19-17, on a last-second field goal.
MONDAY
Minnesota Vikings (Brett Rypien) vs. Chicago Bears – ABC, 6 p.m.
Last Week: Rypien was inactive in Minnesota's 42-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings are 11-2 and winners of six-consecutive games, holding the NFC's top wild card spot.
Atlanta Falcons (Avery Williams) at Las Vegas Raiders (Alexander Mattison) – ESPN, 6:30 p.m.
Last Week: Williams played a team-high 24 special teams snaps, returning one punt for 11 yards in Atlanta's 42-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Mattison was inactive in Las Vegas' 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
BOISE STATE RETURNS TO FIESTA BOWL
Boise State earned the No. 3 seed and a berth in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl during the first expanded College Football Playoff. The Broncos will face the winner of Penn State vs. SMU on Dec. 31. The game will air on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the game can be purchasedHERE. More information about the game will be available on BroncoSports.com.
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