Weekly Recap
In a blizzard up in Buffalo, Joey Mbu played 15 snaps for the Colts in their 13-7 loss to the Bills. Joey didn’t record a stat and it’s hard to take anything from a game that was played in about a foot of snow. Stay warm, Joey. The Colts are 3-10 on the season and playing out the string.
William Jackson III was one of only two “bright spots” in the Bengals 33-7 loss to the Bears. Jackson played almost the entire game as Cincy was dealing with injury problems in the secondary. He made 3 tackles and was credited with a pass defensed and now leads the league in forced incompletions (see previous post). Brandon Wilson also played after being banged up all week, but only saw the field on two special teams plays and did not record a stat. The Bengals are now 5-8 and 2 games out in the wildcard race with 3 games to go.
DJ Hayden came up big in the Lions 24-21 victory over the Buccaneers. Hayden had 2 tackles, half of a sack and recovered a fumble in his own territory. The win keeps the Lions a game back in a crowded wildcard race in the NFC.
On the opposite sideline, Charles Sims had what amounts to a normal statline for him this year. Sims had 3 carries for 16 yards and 2 receptions on 3 targets for 11 yards. The Bucs are now 4-9 and playing out the string.
Case Keenum played well, but the Vikings 8 game win streak came to an end in a 31-24 loss to the Panthers. Case was 27-44 for 280 yards, 2 TDs, 2 Ints and was sacked 6 times. He also rushed 5 times for 40 yards; injuries to the offensive line saw Case running for his life most of the game. The Vikings loss puts them in sole possession of 2nd place in the NFC, one game back of the Eagles.
Wade Phillips had a bad day as his Rams defense got carved up in a 43-35 loss to the Eagles. Before tearing his ACL, Carson Wentz threw for 291 yards and 4 TDs. The Rams defense did get pressure, tallying 2 sacks and 8 QB hits on the day, but Wentz and the Eagles were just better. The loss puts the Rams in a tie for the 3rd spot in the NFC with the Saints and Panthers and only a game up on the Seahawks for the division lead.
Tyus Bowser saw his second-most action on the year in the Ravens 39-38 loss to the Steelers. Bowser saw 22 snaps on defense and 22 more on special teams and was able to record the first sack of his career while also adding another TFL and another QB hit. Nice outing for Bowser that hopefully leads to more playing time. The loss does drop the Ravens into a 4-way tie for both of the AFC wildcard spots with Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Buffalo.
Elandon Roberts continued his solid play in the Patriots 27-20 loss to the Dolphins on Monday night. Roberts ended up with 7 tackles and a tackle for loss, but did have a few problems in coverage. Still, his hard-hitting style and aggressive nature continue to impress. The loss drops the Patriots into the 2nd spot in the AFC, a game behind the Steelers.
Cam Malveaux was inactive and didn’t play for the Dolphins who are now 6-7 and a game out of the wildcard race in the AFC.
