Pro Deacs: Week 17
12/30/2025 12:53:00 PM | Football
Jessie Bates III and Kobie Turner star on Monday Night Football to highlight this edition of Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The penultimate week of the 2025 NFL regular season featured the return of Pro Deacs, highlighted by safety Jessie Bates III and defensive lineman Kobie Turner starring on Monday Night Football, safety Malik Mustapha adding a solid performance in a primetime thriller and running back Kenneth Walker III helping the Seattle Seahawks hold control of the top seed in the NFC.
Bates III and Turner Star in Monday Night Showdown
Safety Jessie Bates III and defensive lineman Kobie Turner starred in another showdown between former Demon Deacon greats on Monday Night Football, with Bates and the Atlanta Falcons ultimately coming away with the win over Turner and the Los Angeles Rams.
Bates played a pivotal role in helping the Falcons jump out to a quick 21-0 lead, which included a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking his 27th interception of his career and the fourth pick-six of his career. Additionally, with his pick-six on Monday night, Bates became just the fourth Falcon all-time to have three interception returns for touchdowns with the team and is now the only player in the NFL to have recorded a pick-six in each of the last three seasons. Overall, the eight-year veteran totaled seven tackles with four solo efforts to go along with his interception.
Meanwhile, Turner continued his excellent run of form for the Rams as he tallied five tackles with three solo efforts. Turner, who was named a team captain for the second-consecutive season, had been one of the hottest players getting to the quarterback heading into Monday, having totaled 5.5 sacks over the previous five games, including at least one sack in each of the last three games.
Mustapha Shines in Primetime Thriller
Safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers picked up an important victory over the Chicago Bears in a back-and-forth affair on Sunday Night Football. Mustapha finished the game with three tackles, including two solo tackles, and a pass deflection, to help the 49ers stay within a game of the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks for the top spot in both the division and the NFC. With his performance, Mustapha is now just one tackle away from breaking his total from his incredible freshman season last year.
Walker Helps Seattle Maintain Hold of NFC
Running back Kenneth Walker added another solid performance on Sunday afternoon to help the Seattle Seahawks maintain their hold of the top seed in the NFC. Walker ended Sunday's contest with 15 carries for 51 yards, as well as two catches for six yards in the win over the Carolina Panthers. Walker is now just 70 yards away from the 1,000 yard mark for the year, having recorded 930 yards and five rushing touchdowns this season.
Mustapha and Walker Set for Pivotal Clash
With their respective victories this past weekend, Malik Mustapha and Kenneth Walker are now set for a pivotal clash during the final week of the regular season as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. The winner of that game will not only win the NFC West, but will also secure the top overall seed in the NFC and earn a first round bye. Meanwhile, the loser will head on the road during the playoffs as a wild card team. Saturday's contest between the Seahawks and the 49ers will be streamed live on both ABC and ESPN at 8:00 p.m.
#ProDeacs Week 18 Slate (All times eastern)
Bates III and Turner Star in Monday Night Showdown
Safety Jessie Bates III and defensive lineman Kobie Turner starred in another showdown between former Demon Deacon greats on Monday Night Football, with Bates and the Atlanta Falcons ultimately coming away with the win over Turner and the Los Angeles Rams.
Bates played a pivotal role in helping the Falcons jump out to a quick 21-0 lead, which included a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking his 27th interception of his career and the fourth pick-six of his career. Additionally, with his pick-six on Monday night, Bates became just the fourth Falcon all-time to have three interception returns for touchdowns with the team and is now the only player in the NFL to have recorded a pick-six in each of the last three seasons. Overall, the eight-year veteran totaled seven tackles with four solo efforts to go along with his interception.
JESSIE ‼️
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) December 30, 2025
pic.twitter.com/PG9tEoaoNB
Meanwhile, Turner continued his excellent run of form for the Rams as he tallied five tackles with three solo efforts. Turner, who was named a team captain for the second-consecutive season, had been one of the hottest players getting to the quarterback heading into Monday, having totaled 5.5 sacks over the previous five games, including at least one sack in each of the last three games.
Mustapha Shines in Primetime Thriller
Safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers picked up an important victory over the Chicago Bears in a back-and-forth affair on Sunday Night Football. Mustapha finished the game with three tackles, including two solo tackles, and a pass deflection, to help the 49ers stay within a game of the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks for the top spot in both the division and the NFC. With his performance, Mustapha is now just one tackle away from breaking his total from his incredible freshman season last year.
Walker Helps Seattle Maintain Hold of NFC
Running back Kenneth Walker added another solid performance on Sunday afternoon to help the Seattle Seahawks maintain their hold of the top seed in the NFC. Walker ended Sunday's contest with 15 carries for 51 yards, as well as two catches for six yards in the win over the Carolina Panthers. Walker is now just 70 yards away from the 1,000 yard mark for the year, having recorded 930 yards and five rushing touchdowns this season.
Mustapha and Walker Set for Pivotal Clash
With their respective victories this past weekend, Malik Mustapha and Kenneth Walker are now set for a pivotal clash during the final week of the regular season as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. The winner of that game will not only win the NFC West, but will also secure the top overall seed in the NFC and earn a first round bye. Meanwhile, the loser will head on the road during the playoffs as a wild card team. Saturday's contest between the Seahawks and the 49ers will be streamed live on both ABC and ESPN at 8:00 p.m.
#ProDeacs Week 18 Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 37 defeated Arizona Cardinals 14
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 27 defeated Los Angeles Rams 24
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 27 defeated Los Angeles Rams 24
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 13 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 6
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 30 defeated Washington Commanders 23
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 20 defeated Kansas City Chiefs 13
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated Detroit Lions 10
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 41 defeated Green Bay Packers 24
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 23 defeated Indianapolis Colts 17
- This Week: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: New York Giants 34 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 10
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Boogie Basham (LV- PS)
- Last Week: New York Giants 34 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 10
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 27 defeated Los Angeles Rams 24
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated Detroit Lions 10
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- John Wolford (MIN - PS)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated Detroit Lions 10
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (NYJ)
- Last Week: New England Patriots 42 defeated New York Jets 10
- This Week: New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 13 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 6
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 42 defeated Chicago Bears 38
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 8:00 p.m., ESPN/ABC)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 27 defeated Carolina Panthers 10
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 8:00 p.m., ESPN)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Miami Dolphins 20 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
- This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., ESPN)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 30 defeated Washington Commanders 23
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
Players Mentioned
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