The NFL rolled on through week 12 and there were some former Wisconsin Badgers that stood out during this week of play. The Badgers have produced plenty of NFL talent across the league, and with a strong football program, that should continue. Let’s take a look at how the Wisconsin Badgers impacted the NFL this week.
TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s no secret that TJ Watt is an outstanding linebacker and leads the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense each and every week. He’s been breaking plenty of records as he goes along his career, and the former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker found even more history this week.
Just 98 games into his NFL career, TJ Watt has reached 90 sacks, sealing the deal against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with a sack that turned into a fumble that the Bengals ultimately recovered.
TJ Watt doing TJ Watt things
(Via: NFL, CBS) pic.twitter.com/v5lIr9L2rU
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 26, 2023
He helped lead the team to a 16-10 win with 5 tackles and 2 sacks. TJ Watt holds a tie this season with Danielle Hunter of the Vikings for the lead in sacks with 13.5
TJ Edwards and the Chicago Bears
While TJ Edwards hasn’t been as flashy as a linebacker counterpart in TJ Watt, he’s been solid on the season in his own right and helped the Bears to a low-scoring 12-10 win. Edwards had six tackles on the evening, bringing his league-leading total to 127 combined tackles.
It was his second straight game with an interception, and he stopped a 4th down attempt in the 3rd quarter that turned the ball back over and stopped a drive by the Vikings.
And Edwards follows it up with the Bears 3rd INT of the game ‼️
📺: #CHIvsMIN on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/J5tLNJHyh1 pic.twitter.com/2d4C1s2O09— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2023
Former Wisconsin Badgers QB Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos find themselves in the playoff hunt after a win over the Cleveland Browns 29-12. The team is led by a familiar name to Wisconsin Badgers fans in QB Russell Wilson. Wilson went 12 for 22 through the air with 134 yards and a touchdown. He also punched through a rushing TD and added 34 yards on 11 carries with his legs.
🙌 @DangeRussWilson 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/rR62V5WO5j
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2023
While he isn’t playing like the Russell Wilson of old, he’s still putting up a solid season for the Denver Broncos that has them looking at a potential playoff slot as the season goes along.

Jonathan Taylor for the Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor has proven to be a staple for the Indianapolis Colts and their running game. The former Wisconsin Badgers RB put up 91 yards on 15 carries for the Colts in their win over the Bucs 27-20. Taylor was able to punch through two touchdowns. That brings him to four on the year including this one in the 4th quarter that sealed the deal for the Colts.
JT times ✌️
📺 CBS
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 26, 2023