Pro Deacs: Week 15
12/17/2025 4:06:00 PM | Football
Justin Strnad and Zach Tom face off with playoff implications on the line to highlight this week’s edition of Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs returned to action during Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, highlighted by a pivotal matchup of former Wake Forest standouts with playoff implications on the line, Kobie Turner recording another solid performance to clinch a playoff berth, and safety Malik Mustapha starring for the San Francisco 49ers.
Strnad and Tom Square Off in Denver
With playoff implications on the line, linebacker Justin Strnad and the Denver Broncos outlasted offensive lineman Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, 34-26. Strnad played in a limited capacity due to an injury sustained in the first quarter as the Broncos earned their 11th-straight win and secured a playoff berth while also moving atop the AFC standings. This season, Strnad has been a major part of the Broncos success on defense, having totaled 50 tackles with 20 solo efforts and a career-high 3.5 sacks. Additionally, the sixth-year pro recorded his first career interception.
On the other side, Tom helped the Packer offense record 362 yards of total offense against one of the best defensive units in the league, including 115 yards on the ground. Tom has been one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL in 2025 as the fourth-year pro currently holds an 83.5 offensive rating by Pro Football Focus, which ranks ninth among offensive tackles.
Turner Shines to Help Secure Playoff Berth
Defensive end Kobie Turner shined once again on Sunday afternoon as he helped the Los Angeles Rams secure a playoff berth following their win over the Detroit Lions. Turner finished the game with five total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and a sack. The third-year veteran has now tallied 5.5 sacks this season and has recorded a sack in each of the past two games.
Mustapha Stars in Win
Safety Malik Mustapha added another exceptional performance as he and the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tennessee Titans to keep pace in the race for the NFC West title and a spot in the playoffs. Mustapha led the 49er defense with 10 tackles, including six solo efforts. After an incredible freshman campaign, Mustapha has continued to progress during his sophomore season, having recorded 60 tackles, two pass defenses and an interception.
Bates Helps Falcons Earn Upset Win in Primetime
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded one of his best performances of the season to help the Atlanta Falcons earn an upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime action on Thursday Night Football. Bates notched the second-most tackles for the Falcons, tallying eight tackles with six solo efforts. As a result, Bates earned a 71.5 defensive grade by PFF, which includes a team-high 81.4 run defense rating. Following his performance on Sunday, Bates has now totaled 85 tackles with 49 solo efforts, as well as four pass defenses, a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble.
#ProDeacs Week 16 Slate (All times eastern)
Strnad and Tom Square Off in Denver
With playoff implications on the line, linebacker Justin Strnad and the Denver Broncos outlasted offensive lineman Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, 34-26. Strnad played in a limited capacity due to an injury sustained in the first quarter as the Broncos earned their 11th-straight win and secured a playoff berth while also moving atop the AFC standings. This season, Strnad has been a major part of the Broncos success on defense, having totaled 50 tackles with 20 solo efforts and a career-high 3.5 sacks. Additionally, the sixth-year pro recorded his first career interception.
On the other side, Tom helped the Packer offense record 362 yards of total offense against one of the best defensive units in the league, including 115 yards on the ground. Tom has been one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL in 2025 as the fourth-year pro currently holds an 83.5 offensive rating by Pro Football Focus, which ranks ninth among offensive tackles.
Turner Shines to Help Secure Playoff Berth
Defensive end Kobie Turner shined once again on Sunday afternoon as he helped the Los Angeles Rams secure a playoff berth following their win over the Detroit Lions. Turner finished the game with five total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and a sack. The third-year veteran has now tallied 5.5 sacks this season and has recorded a sack in each of the past two games.
Mustapha Stars in Win
Safety Malik Mustapha added another exceptional performance as he and the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tennessee Titans to keep pace in the race for the NFC West title and a spot in the playoffs. Mustapha led the 49er defense with 10 tackles, including six solo efforts. After an incredible freshman campaign, Mustapha has continued to progress during his sophomore season, having recorded 60 tackles, two pass defenses and an interception.
Bates Helps Falcons Earn Upset Win in Primetime
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded one of his best performances of the season to help the Atlanta Falcons earn an upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime action on Thursday Night Football. Bates notched the second-most tackles for the Falcons, tallying eight tackles with six solo efforts. As a result, Bates earned a 71.5 defensive grade by PFF, which includes a team-high 81.4 run defense rating. Following his performance on Sunday, Bates has now totaled 85 tackles with 49 solo efforts, as well as four pass defenses, a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble.
#ProDeacs Week 16 Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Houston Texans 40 defeated Arizona Cardinals 20
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 29 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 29 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 31 defeated Cleveland Browns 3
- This Week: Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 31 defeated Cleveland Browns 3
- This Week: Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 34 defeated Dallas Cowboys 26
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 34 defeated Green Bay Packers 26
- This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 41 defeated Detroit Lions 34
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 34 defeated Green Bay Packers 26
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Saturday, 8:20 p.m., FOX)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 48 defeated New York Jets 20
- This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Philadelphia Eagles 31 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 0
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Boogie Basham (LV- PS)
- Last Week: Philadelphia Eagles 31 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 0
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 41 defeated Los Angeles Rams 34
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 34 defeated Dallas Cowboys 26
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- John Wolford (MIN - PS)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 34 defeated Dallas Cowboys 26
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (NYJ)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 48 defeated New York Jets 20
- This Week: New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 28 defeated Miami Dolphins 15
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 37 defeated Tennessee Titans 24
- This Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 18 defeated Indianapolis Colts 16
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 29 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
- This Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 29 defeated New York Giants 21
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders (Saturday, 5:00 p.m., FOX)
Players Mentioned
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