Bulldogs in NFL: When former Mississippi State players suit up in Week 16

The end of the NFL regular season is quickly approaching. Some teams are fighting for a playoff spot, while others already know when their offseason starts.

And there's a very good chance at least one former Mississippi State player will be on the NFC's No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.

The winner of Thursday night's game between the Rams and Seahawks will be in the driver's seat for the top spot in the NFC. Both teams feature at least one Bulldog in a starting role.

However, we'll only see one on the field Thursday night. Seahawks' starting tackle Charles Cross has been ruled out for the Week 16 contest after suffering a hamstring injury on last week's game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts. (Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is a starting defender for the Rams.)

Here's when you can catch all of the Mississippi State alumni in NFL action this week:

Thursday

Los Angeles Rams (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-3) | 7:15 p.m. | Prime Video

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Los Angeles Rams

Last Week: Forbes had six tackles and a pass deflection in a 41-34 win against the Lions.
Season: 39 tackles (27 solo), 1 FF, 15 PD, 3 INT

Charles Cross, OT, Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: Cross started at left tackle and played 59 offensive snaps and 6 special teams snaps in an 18-16 win against the Colts.
Season: 14 GS

Saturday

Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) at Washington Commanders (4-10) | 4 p.m. | FOX

Preston Smith, LB, Washington Commanders

Last Week: Had two tackles, one tackle for a loss and one pass defended in a 29-21 win against the Giants.
Season: 9 GP, 16 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PD

Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Chicago Bears (10-4) | 7:20 p.m. | FOX

Montez Sweat, DE, Chicago Bears

Last Week: Sweat had one tackle in a 31-3 win against the Browns.
Season: 39 tackles, 12 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 5 PD

Sunday

Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11) | Noon | CBS

Darius Slay, CB, Buffalo Bills

Last Week: On reserve/did not report list.
Season: 23 solo tackles, 1 PD

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) | Noon | FOX

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: Prescott started and completed 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards and no interceptions in a 34-26 loss to the Vikings.
Season: 357 of 522, 3,931 yards, 26 TD, 10 INT; 45 runs, 140 yards, 2 TD

Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12) | Noon | CBS

Chris Jones, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: Had two quarterback hits in a 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
Season: 17 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 PD

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans

Last Week: Simmons had seven tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and a one-yard touchdown reception.
Season: 55 tackles, 14 TFL, 9 sacks, 8 QBH, 1 FF, 1 PD; 1 reception, 1 yard, 1 TD

Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-8) | Noon | CBS

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Miami Dolphins

Last Week: Had one tackle in a 28-15 loss to the Steelers.
Season: 12 GP, 11 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7) | Noon | FOX

J.T. Gray, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: Added to the active roster last week and recorded one tackle in a 29-28 loss to the Falcons.
Season: 2 GP, 1 tackle

Jaden Crumedy, DT, Carolina Panthers

Last Week: Currently on Panthers’ practice squad.
Season: 2 tackles, 3 GP

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2) | 3:05 p.m. | FOX

Logan Cooke, P, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: Cooke had two punts for 104 yards (52 ypp) with a long of 57 yards in a 48-20 win against the Jets.
Season: 49 punts, 2,301 yards, 47 avg., long 63, 16 IN20

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6) | 3:25 p.m. | CBS

Tyrus Wheat, DE, Detroit Lions

Last Week: Wheat had one tackle in a 41-34 loss to the Rams.
Season: 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PD

Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5) | 3:25 p.m. | CBS

Decamerion Richardson, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Last Week: Richardson had one tackle in a 31-0 loss to the Eagles.
Season: 8 tackles

Denico Autry, DE, Houston Texans

Last Week: Had one tackle, a tackle for a loss and one sack in a 40-20 win against the Cardinals.
Season: 6 tackles, 2 tackle for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry, 1 PD, 1 blocked field goal.