Pro Deacs: Week 18 and Wild Card Weekend Preview
1/8/2026 8:38:00 PM | Football
Multiple former Demon Deacons feature in the final week of the regular season while several Pro Deacs prepare for Wild Card Weekend.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs made its return for the final time of the 2025 NFL regular season, highlighted by running back Kenneth Walker III and safety Malik Mustapha going head-to-head for the NFC West crown, linebacker Justin Strnad making his return, Kobie Turner closing out an incredible regular season and multiple former Demon Deacons gearing up for the NFL playoffs beginning in the Wild Card round next weekend.
Walker and Mustapha Battle for NFC West Title
The final week of the 2025 NFL regular season featured another key matchup between a pair of former Demon Deacons, as running back Kenneth Walker III and the Seattle Seahawks battled safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West title. Ultimately, Walker and the Seahawks came away with a 13-3 victory to clinch the NFC West, as well as the first-overall seed in the NFC.
Walker led the Seattle run game on Saturday as he finished the game with 16 carries for 97 yards, as well as four catches for 36 yards. As a result, the fourth-year pro finished the season with over 1,000 yards for just the second time in his career,
Meanwhile, Mustapha tallied five tackles and three solo efforts. Mustapha has had another solid season for the 49ers as he finished his sophomore campaign with a career-best 76 tackles with 44 solo efforts and an interception.
Strnad Shines in Return to Help Broncos Secure Top Seed
After a long absence due to injury, linebacker Justin Strnad had one of his best games of the season in his return as he helped the Denver Broncos the top seed in the AFC with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Strnad recorded a team-high tackles, including a sack in the third quarter on quarterback Trey Lance, as well as a pass defense. With his performance, the fifth-year pro ended the regular season with 58 tackles with 23 solo efforts, a career-high 4.5 sacks, three pass defenses, and his first career interception.
Turner Flourishes in Regular Season Finale
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner continued his stellar 2025 season as he and the Los Angeles Rams claimed a win in the regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, helping the team secure a fifth-seed in the playoffs. Turner, who was named a team captain for the second consecutive season, notched a tackle-for-loss against the Cardinals, as well as a fumble recovery on the opening drive of the game. Overall, Turner has now recorded 48 tackles with 24 solo tackles, seven sacks, three pass deflections, an interception and a fumble recovery in his third season in the league. Additionally, his seven sacks is two shy from his career-best mark that he set in his rookie campaign and is currently tied for the 35th most in the NFL.
Pro Deacs Set for Wild Card Weekend
Three former Demon Deacons are slated to compete in the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs, beginning with defensive lineman Kobie Turner and the Los Angeles Rams, who travel to North Carolina to take on the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
The action continues on Saturday night as offensive Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers are set for a NFC North showdown against the Chicago Bears.
Wild Card weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon with safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers heading on the road to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Linebacker Branson Combs, a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, will also see his team play in the opening round of the playoffs as the AFC South champions will play host to the Buffalo Bills in the opening game of the Sunday slate.
Meanwhile, both linebacker Justin Strnad of the Denver Broncos and running back Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks both earned first round byes and will start postseason play during the Divisional round.
#ProDeacs Wild Card Slate (All times eastern)
Walker and Mustapha Battle for NFC West Title
The final week of the 2025 NFL regular season featured another key matchup between a pair of former Demon Deacons, as running back Kenneth Walker III and the Seattle Seahawks battled safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West title. Ultimately, Walker and the Seahawks came away with a 13-3 victory to clinch the NFC West, as well as the first-overall seed in the NFC.
Walker led the Seattle run game on Saturday as he finished the game with 16 carries for 97 yards, as well as four catches for 36 yards. As a result, the fourth-year pro finished the season with over 1,000 yards for just the second time in his career,
Meanwhile, Mustapha tallied five tackles and three solo efforts. Mustapha has had another solid season for the 49ers as he finished his sophomore campaign with a career-best 76 tackles with 44 solo efforts and an interception.
Strnad Shines in Return to Help Broncos Secure Top Seed
After a long absence due to injury, linebacker Justin Strnad had one of his best games of the season in his return as he helped the Denver Broncos the top seed in the AFC with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Strnad recorded a team-high tackles, including a sack in the third quarter on quarterback Trey Lance, as well as a pass defense. With his performance, the fifth-year pro ended the regular season with 58 tackles with 23 solo efforts, a career-high 4.5 sacks, three pass defenses, and his first career interception.
Turner Flourishes in Regular Season Finale
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner continued his stellar 2025 season as he and the Los Angeles Rams claimed a win in the regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, helping the team secure a fifth-seed in the playoffs. Turner, who was named a team captain for the second consecutive season, notched a tackle-for-loss against the Cardinals, as well as a fumble recovery on the opening drive of the game. Overall, Turner has now recorded 48 tackles with 24 solo tackles, seven sacks, three pass deflections, an interception and a fumble recovery in his third season in the league. Additionally, his seven sacks is two shy from his career-best mark that he set in his rookie campaign and is currently tied for the 35th most in the NFL.
Pro Deacs Set for Wild Card Weekend
Three former Demon Deacons are slated to compete in the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs, beginning with defensive lineman Kobie Turner and the Los Angeles Rams, who travel to North Carolina to take on the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
The action continues on Saturday night as offensive Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers are set for a NFC North showdown against the Chicago Bears.
Wild Card weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon with safety Malik Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers heading on the road to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Linebacker Branson Combs, a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, will also see his team play in the opening round of the playoffs as the AFC South champions will play host to the Buffalo Bills in the opening game of the Sunday slate.
Meanwhile, both linebacker Justin Strnad of the Denver Broncos and running back Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks both earned first round byes and will start postseason play during the Divisional round.
#ProDeacs Wild Card Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 37 defeated Arizona Cardinals 20
- This Week: N/A
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 19 defeated New Orleans Saints 17
- This Week: N/A
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 19 defeated New Orleans Saints 17
- This Week: N/A
- Ke'Shawn Williams (CIN)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 20 defeated Cincinnati Bengals 18
- This Week: N/A
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 20 defeated Cincinnati Bengals 18
- This Week: N/A
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: New York Giants 34 defeated Dallas Cowboys 17
- This Week: N/A
- Justin Strnad (DEN)*
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 19 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 3
- This Week: Bye Week
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 19 defeated Chicago Bears 16
- This Week: N/A
- Zach Tom (GB)*
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 16 defeated Green Bay Packers 3
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Saturday, 8:00 p.m., Prime Video)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)*
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 41 defeated Tennessee Titans 7
- This Week: Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 14 defeated Kansas City Chiefs 12
- This Week: N/A
- Boogie Basham (LV- PS)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 14 defeated Kansas City Chiefs 12
- This Week: N/A
- Kobie Turner (LAR)*
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 37 defeated Arizona Cardinals 20
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 16 defeated Green Bay Packers 3
- This Week: N/A
- John Wolford (MIN - PS)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 16 defeated Green Bay Packers 3
- This Week: N/A
- Ja'Sir Taylor (NYJ)
- Last Week: Buffalo Bills 35 defeated New York Jets 8
- This Week: N/A
- Malik Mustapha (SF)*
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 13 defeated San Francisco 49ers 3
- This Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:30 p.m., FOX)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)*
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 13 defeated San Francisco 49ers 3
- This Week: Bye Week
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19 defeated New Orleans Saints 17
- This Week: N/A
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 24 defeated Philadelphia Eagles
- This Week: N/A
Players Mentioned
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