Baker Mayfield’s Saturday night showcase started out with a bang, as the former Oklahoma Sooners star tossed a dime to the end zone on the Browns first drive in Denver.
Baker Mayfield woke up feeling dangerous again.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner | #Brownspic.twitter.com/GGJ9tUMOgb
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 16, 2018
Finishing with 188 yards on 18-of-31 passing, Mayfield threw two touchdowns and one pick in the 17-16 win over the Broncos.
Baker Mayfield's second TD pass of the game gives the Browns a fourth quarter lead.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner | #Brownspic.twitter.com/ePr6V2r5OX
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 16, 2018
Mayfield’s prolific productivity and playmaking abilities appear to have more than translated to the next level already, haters be damned. Steering the Browns into playoff contention before a Week 16 home matchup against his old buddy Hue Jackson and the Bengals, the former OU signal caller’s numbers sit amongst exclusive NFL company.
Baker Mayfield has the second highest passer rating in the red zone this year, just 0.1 points behind Brees. pic.twitter.com/RJBIv0XOSs
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) December 17, 2018
Baker Mayfield has 21 TD passes, 5 shy of NFL rookie record shared by Peyton Manning (1998) and Russell Wilson (2012).#Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 16, 2018
After the game, our guy dropped by the NFL Network desk to talk football with Hall of Famer Terrell Davis and company.
.@BakerMayfield discussed the confidence this road win brings the #Browns, taking it one week at a time and more!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 16, 2018
: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/JdhZ9F9Qcv
While it’s possibly still a bit early to reach for such hyperbole, it’s sure starting to look like Baker the Touchdown Maker has, in fact, taken over as the man in Cleveland after LeBron James took his talents to Los Angeles this past summer.
“I believe I was brought to Cleveland to help change it.”
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 16, 2018
That's our quarterback pic.twitter.com/mhNNxPGsL4
Damien Williams also made his mark in primetime, scoring twice in his first start in Kansas City. The game would end in wild fashion, with the Chargers converting a late two-point conversion on the last play of regulation to defeat the Chiefs 29-28 in a Thursday night classic. But Williams was a standout in his starting debut, finishing with 49 yards and two rushing scores on 10 carries and adding 74 receiving yards on six receptions.
And finally a Damien Williams touchdown to put the Chiefs on the board again pic.twitter.com/NzxKCz4deu
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) December 14, 2018
Damien Williams! Have a night! That touchdown puts the Chiefs up 28-14.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 14, 2018
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/9MFwYqkKH8
With a skill set seemingly tailor-made for Andy Reid’s offense, Damien is carving out a nice role as the Chiefs’ new go-to back with each touch and opportunity.
Damien Williams turned in a career-best performance with a 123 scrimmage yards and two TDs against the Chargers, completing a bounce back from offseason shoulder surgery and giving Chiefs some faith in their run game despite turnover, injuries. https://t.co/TxSWYciWX4
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) December 14, 2018
Adrian Peterson ran for 51 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in Washington’s 16-13 win over the Jags. Following the win, AD shared a moment of wisdom and solidarity with fellow Sooner Dede Westbrook. There’s only ONE Oklahoma.
It’s a Sooner thing!!!! #OUDNA #BOOMER @AdrianPeterson pic.twitter.com/ovtbtYSFsT
— Dede Westbrook (@DedeTHEGreat11) December 17, 2018
Speaking of Dede Westbrook, the second-year speedster caught three passes for 21 yards on the other side for Jacksonville, and absolutely dazzled on this picture-perfect, textbook punt return before halftime that gave the Jaguars heading into the intermission.
Dede Westbrook ➡️ The House. #OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/XCgWADGKfV
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 16, 2018
The wall built by his teammates for Westbrook on the return was executed to perfection, allowing the 2016 Biletnikoff winner to give fans a glimpse of his jaw-dropping, sprinter speed on his breathtaking jaunt to the end zone. Westbrook finished with 84 punt return yards, while teammate Blake Bell added one catch for six yards on the afternoon.
Joe Mixon went off in a 30-16 home win over the Raiders. Mixon rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries as he continues to establish himself as one of the premier backs in the NFL.
Joe Mixon has 77 rushing yards and a TD early in the second quarter.#OUDNA | #BoomerSoonerpic.twitter.com/j3CUa0okkc
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 16, 2018
Currently seventh in the league in rushing, Mixon’s presence in Cincy continues to grow with each game. Here’s a look at all of Joe’s big plays from Week 15.
129 yards, 2 TDs. @Joe_MainMixon's #OAKvsCIN highlights! pic.twitter.com/9daDS2vhWU
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2018
Mark Andrews caught two passes for 31 yards in the Ravens 20-12 win over the Bucs. If first-down celebrations were a thing, the former OU tight end would be taking home awards after this one.
OKAY, @Mandrews_81❗️ pic.twitter.com/tlVbrGkpet
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 16, 2018
Who did it best?@Mandrews_81 pic.twitter.com/ysWjzBGP0n
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 17, 2018
Tony Jefferson was back from injury after a two-week absence and recorded two solo tackles in the Ravens win. Led by rookie Lamar Jackson at the helm, Baltimore has won four of their last five games — their only loss being an overtime road defeat in Kansas City — and currently sit at sixth in the AFC playoff race at 8-6 overall.
RT to vote
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) December 12, 2018
#ProBowlVote + Tony Jefferson pic.twitter.com/fOVJbisk1F
On the other side, Tampa Bay defensive teammates Gerald McCoy and Devante Bond each recorded two solo and one assisted tackles in the Buccaneers loss to the Ravens.
After his huge Week 14, Kenny Stills had one catch for 17 yards in the Dolphins 41-17 loss to the Vikings.
Sterling Shepard caught two passes for 37 yards in the Giants shutout loss to the Titans.
Jermaine Gresham had one catch for 16 yards in the Cardinals loss to the Falcons.
Jordan Phillips grabbed one solo tackle in the Bills 14-13 win over the Lions.
Aaron Colvin had one solo tackle and defended a pass in the Texans win over the Jets on Saturday.
These Oklahoma Sooners also saw action for their respective teams this weekend:
(*denotes starter)
*Orlando Brown (OT - Ravens), *Lane Johnson (RT - Eagles), *Tress Way (P - Washington), *Trent Williams (OT - Washington), James Winchester (LS - Chiefs)
The following Sooners were inactive or did not play in Week 15:
Jeff Badet (WR - Vikings, practice squad), Emmanuel Beal (LB - Seahawks, IR), Tony Jefferson (S - Ravens), Stacy McGee (DT - Washington, PUP), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (LB -Rams, Bye Week), Steven Parker (S - Rams, practice squad), Samaje Perine (RB - Washington), Ahmad Thomas (LB - Colts, promoted to 53-man roster this past week), Daryl Williams (OT - Panthers, IR)