.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the NFL: Week 16
12/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 29, 2015 
By Daniel Kobren
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
The playoff picture in the NFL is becoming more and more clear entering the final two weeks of the regular season. Many Gophers and their teams are in position to wrap up a playoff spot in Week 17 while some have already punched their ticket to the postseason.
Veteran Eric Decker and the New York Jets looked to move into an AFC wild card spot as they hosted the New England Patriots. With the Jets up 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots drove down the field to send the game to overtime. New York got the ball to start overtime and drove down the field to the six-yard line. The Jets looked to Decker to make a play and he delivered, catching the walk-off touchdown. The Gophers' all-time leading receiver finished the game with three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Jets 26-20 victory. With the victory, Decker and the Jets need to beat the Buffalo Bills next week to get into the playoffs.
In a battle of former Minnesota tight ends, Matt Spaeth and the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Baltimore to take on Maxx Williams and the Ravens. While Spaeth was active, he did not record any statistics. Williams hauled in two catches for 16 yards as the Ravens upset the Steelers, 20-17. Spaeth and the Steelers are still alive for a playoff spot but need help to make it to the postseason.
Return specialist Marcus Sherels and the Minnesota Vikings had a chance to clinch a playoff spot against the New York Giants. Sherels returned one punt for one yard as the Vikings rolled over the Giants to punch their ticket to the postseason, 49-17. The Vikings face the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title next week.
Running back David Cobb and the Tennessee Titans hosted the Houston Texans. Cobb ran the ball a team-high seven times for 18 yards but the Titans fell to the Texans, 34-6.
Damien Wilson and the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Wilson was active but did not record any statistics. The Cowboys lost to the Bills, 16-6.
The Atlanta Falcons and Ra'Shede Hageman hosted the undefeated Carolina Panthers this week. Hageman recorded one tackle as the Falcons handed the Panthers their first loss of the season, 20-13.
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
The playoff picture in the NFL is becoming more and more clear entering the final two weeks of the regular season. Many Gophers and their teams are in position to wrap up a playoff spot in Week 17 while some have already punched their ticket to the postseason.
Veteran Eric Decker and the New York Jets looked to move into an AFC wild card spot as they hosted the New England Patriots. With the Jets up 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots drove down the field to send the game to overtime. New York got the ball to start overtime and drove down the field to the six-yard line. The Jets looked to Decker to make a play and he delivered, catching the walk-off touchdown. The Gophers' all-time leading receiver finished the game with three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Jets 26-20 victory. With the victory, Decker and the Jets need to beat the Buffalo Bills next week to get into the playoffs.
In a battle of former Minnesota tight ends, Matt Spaeth and the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Baltimore to take on Maxx Williams and the Ravens. While Spaeth was active, he did not record any statistics. Williams hauled in two catches for 16 yards as the Ravens upset the Steelers, 20-17. Spaeth and the Steelers are still alive for a playoff spot but need help to make it to the postseason.
Return specialist Marcus Sherels and the Minnesota Vikings had a chance to clinch a playoff spot against the New York Giants. Sherels returned one punt for one yard as the Vikings rolled over the Giants to punch their ticket to the postseason, 49-17. The Vikings face the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title next week.
Running back David Cobb and the Tennessee Titans hosted the Houston Texans. Cobb ran the ball a team-high seven times for 18 yards but the Titans fell to the Texans, 34-6.
Damien Wilson and the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Wilson was active but did not record any statistics. The Cowboys lost to the Bills, 16-6.
The Atlanta Falcons and Ra'Shede Hageman hosted the undefeated Carolina Panthers this week. Hageman recorded one tackle as the Falcons handed the Panthers their first loss of the season, 20-13.
Players Mentioned
Running Back
/ Football
Defensive End
/ Football
Tight End
/ Football
LB
/ FootballCoach Fleck Previews Wisconsin
Monday, November 24
Highlights: Gophers 35, Northwestern 38
Saturday, November 22
Play in Focus: Anthony Smith & Deven Eastern
Monday, November 17
Coach Fleck Previews Northwestern
Monday, November 17