In a typical season, only 10-15% of NFL games are decided in overtime. However, on Sunday afternoon, three games were tied at the end of regulation. Find out who came out on top in overtime and which spring footballers played a big role in deciding those games.
UFL Stars In Crazy NFL Week 12 Overtime
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime, while the Jacksonville Jaguars held off the Arizona Cardinals to win 27-24. But the most exciting OT finish took place in the Detroit Lions v. New York Giants game.
Detroit Lions v. New York Giants
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (Michigan Panthers)
Detroit Lions second-year place kicker Jake Bates has struggled at times this season with missed or blocked kicks, but the former Michigan Panthers star kicker came through in the clutch when his team needed him the most. With 33 seconds left in regulation on Sunday, Bates drilled a 59-yard field goal to tie the score at 27 and send the game to overtime. It was Bates’ longest kick to date and tied a Detroit Franchise record.
After trailing the entire game, Detroit managed to pull out an overtime 34-27 win. It took only one play in overtime, a 69-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs to give Detroit the lead, followed by an Aidan Hutchinson take-down sack of Jameis Winston to preserve the win.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks and All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors had five kick returns on Sunday for 139 yards. Averaging almost 29 yards per carry, his longest was for 34 yards.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside was listed as inactive on Sunday.
Next up, the 7-4 Detroit Lions will host division rival the 7-3-1 Green Bay Packers on the annual Thanksgiving Day game.
Atlanta Falcons v. New Orleans Saints
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle (XFL St. Louis Battlehawks)
The Atlanta Falcons took on NFC South Division rival, the New Orleans Saints. Former St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London was back in action after his strong performance of three solo tackles and a sack last Sunday. London had a relatively quiet outing against the Saints with one solo tackle in the Falcons’ 24-10 victory.
Minnesota Vikings v. Green Bay Packers
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings DT (Arlington Renegades)
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle (Arlington Renegades), continues to be one of the better players on the Vikings defense. On Sunday, he combined for six tackles (three solo) and a pass defense. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Vikings to overcome a strong effort by the Green Bay Packers, who defeated the team by a score of 23-6. The former Renegades DT has 40 tackles (21 solo), 4.0 sacks, three pass defenses, and a forced fumble for the season.
Next week, the 4-7 Vikings will look to get back on track against the 8-3 Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota’s former star quarterback, Sam Darnold.
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
Daniel Whelen had another busy afternoon punting four times for 190 yards in the Packers’ 23-6 victory over division rival the Minnesota Vikings. His longest punt on the afternoon was a stunning 63-yarder, marking the fifth game this season in which Whelan booted a punt over 60 yards.
Lucas Havrisik, Green Bay Packers kicker (San Antonio Brahmas)
With Green Bay’s veteran kicker, Brandon McManus, off the injured list, former San Antonio Brahmas kicker Lucas Havrisik was inactive on Sunday.
On Thursday, the 7-3-1 Packers will travel to Detroit to take on division rival the 7-4 Detroit Lions in the annual Thanksgiving Day game.
Los Angeles Rams v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker,” Harrison Mevis had a huge outing on Sunday when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 34-7. Mevis had a perfect night, converting all four extra points along with his first NFL field goal from 40 yards, followed by a 52-yarder to close out the game.
Next week, the 9-2 Rams will play the 6-5 Carolina Panthers.
Cleveland Browns v. Las Vegas Raiders
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns long snapper (San Antonio Brahmas)
The Cleveland Browns pulled off an enormous 24-10 victory on Sunday with much-maligned quarterback Shadeur Sanders getting his first NFL start. Sanders had plenty of help from former St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt. Szmyt connected on his only field goal attempt of the night, a 53-yarder, along with 3/3 extra points. This season, Szmyt has made 16/19 field goals with a 55-yarder as his longest, in addition to 18/19 extra points.
His fellow spring footballer and Cleveland Browns long snapper Rex Sunahara (San Antonio Brahmas) continues to be a reliable and steadying presence.
Next week, the 3-8 Browns hope to secure an upset when they host the San Francisco 49ers.
Dallas Cowboys v. Philadelphia Eagles
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (USFL Birmingham Stallions)
Dallas Cowboys elite kicker Brandon Aubrey experienced a rare missed field goal on Sunday. The unsuccessful 51-yard kick was only his second of the season. However, later in the game, he made up for it with a 42-yard score that gave his team an upset 24-21 win over the 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles. Adding 3/3 extra points earlier in the game, Aubrey maintains a 97.2% efficiency rate on PATs.
Perrion Winfrey, Dallas Cowboys (Birmingham Stallions)
Former All-UFL and Birmingham Stallions DT, Perrion Winfrey, made his long-awaited return from IR and debuted against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. However, he did not record any stats.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
Former New Jersey Generals wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin had one of the most exciting plays of the game on Sunday in the Cowboys’ upset victory. After catching a pass from Dan Prescott, Turpin broke free and turned it into a thrilling 48-yard gain. Although he committed a costly fumble earlier in the game, Turpin’s big breakaway just before halftime led to a Dallas touchdown. In addition, Turpin had three kick returns for 85 yards and a 1-yard punt return.
Next week, the 5-5-1 Cowboys will hit the road on Thanksgiving Day to play the 6-5 Kansas City Chiefs.
Practice Squad Players:
Brandon Smith, New York Jets wide receiver (D.C. Defenders)
Kohl Levao, New York Jets guard (San Antonio Brahmas)
Liam Fornadel, New York Jets guard (D.C. Defenders)
Kevin Austin, Jr., New Orleans Saints WR (Birmingham Stallions)
Kaden Davis, Cleveland Browns WR (Michigan Panthers)
Jonathan Garvin, Chicago Bears DE (Birmingham Stallions)
Adrian Martinez, San Francisco 49ers quarterback (Birmingham Stallions)
Bye Week Players:
Denver Broncos LB Dondrea Tillman (Birmingham Stallions)
Peter Bowden, Los Angeles Chargers LS (Michigan Panthers)
Check back here next week to find out who the standout spring players are in NFL Week 13.
