TCI takes a look at how Clemson’s NFL alumni performed during Week 9 action…
Cincinnati 31, Cleveland 10
CIN: Brandon Thompson—1 tackle
Thompson is entrenched in the defensive tackle rotation with the Bengals. Only injury can change his situation at this point.
Buffalo 33, Miami 17
BUF: Jonathan Meeks—2 tackles
Sammy Watkins—8 tgts, 8 rec, 168 yds, TD
Watkins had a banner day as not only the featured target for Tyrod Taylor, but pretty much the only one. His teammates combined to catch three passes for only 13 yards. This was, by leaps and bounds, the best game of Watkins’ season. Meeks also had a fine game in the Bills’ secondary.
New England 27, Washington 10
WAS: Bashaud Breeland—1 assisted tackle
Breeland didn’t do much in a difficult matchup against the Patriots’ underneath passing game. He won’t be the only top cornerback victimized by Tom Brady this season, and the second-year pro is still having a very good season.
Tennessee 34, New Orleans 28 (OT)
TEN: Coty Sensabaugh—4 tackles (2 solo)
NO: Stephone Anthony—8 tackles (3 solo)
C.J. Spiller—2 car, 8 yds; 2 tgts, 1 rec, 2 yds
Sensabaugh was under a lot of pressure against a relentless downfield assault perpetrated by Drew Brees, but he handled it fairly well. The veteran has seen his stock rise this season. Anthony continues to impress for the most part, although typical rookie mistakes appear from time to time. Spiller was a non-factor in this particular contest.
NY Jets 28, Jacksonville 23
NYJ: Marcus Gilchrist—3 tackles
Gilchrist continues to impress, for the most part, in his new gig with the Jets. They seem to like his aggressive style in the secondary and should keep putting him in the starting lineup.
JAC: Andre Branch—3 tackles
There was playing time available for Branch on Sunday, and the defensive end delivered with three tackles. The Jaguars seem committed to using him on the edge a good bit.
Pittsburgh 38, Oakland 35
PIT: Martavis Bryant—7 tgts, 3 rec, 31 yds, TD
Bryant’s effectiveness was limited by the enormous number of targets that went the way of Antonio Brown. The second-year pro was able to find the end zone, however, which has become a regular occurrence in Bryant’s brief time in the league.
San Francisco 17, Atlanta 16
SFO: Bradley Pinion—5 punts, 48.2 avg; 1 tackle
Pinion continues to boom the ball, and the 49ers’ anemic offense needs him to keep doing it. None of his punts planted the Falcons inside the 20, but that had more to do with offensive inefficiency than Pinion’s lack of precision.
ATL: Vic Beasley Jr.—1 tackle, INT, PBU
Grady Jarrett—2 tackles (1 solo)
Beasley recorded his first career interception in Sunday’s game, picking off Blaine Gabbert. Jarrett keeps producing relative to the number of snaps he spends on the field.
NY Giants 32, Tampa Bay 18
TB: Adam Humphries—5 tgts, 5 rec, 55 yds; 1 tackle
Humphries has bounced from the active roster to the practice squad and back this season, and he made the most of his opportunities on Sunday. The rookie was clearly Jameis Winston’s second-favorite target behind Mike Evans and seems to have developed a nice rapport with his fellow first-year player.
Indianapolis 27, Denver 24
IND: Dwayne Allen—3 tgts
Allen has been a negligible part of the Colts’ gameplan this season, even though he has enjoyed relatively good health. Sunday’s goose egg was just another in a string of disappointing performances in the production department.
Philadelphia 33, Dallas 27 (OT)
PHI: Byron Maxwell—4 tackles (3 solo)
Maxwell has taken his lumps this season, and it was telling that he spent large portions of Sunday’s game away from Dez Bryant. Nonetheless, Maxwell had a pretty good game against a full complement of receivers from the Cowboys.
Chicago 22, San Diego 19
CHI: Jarvis Jenkins—3 tackles
Jenkins was a disruptive force in Monday night’s big road win. He committed a dumb penalty that put the Chargers into field goal range just before halftime, but other than that, it was a solid all-around performance.
SDG: Kavell Conner—8 tackles (7 solo), PBU
Against the pass-first Bears, Conner’s coverage skills got a workout, and he responded. This was perhaps his best overall game as a Charger, as the veteran linebacker looked right at home in San Diego’s defense.
Other Rostered Players: Tavaris Barnes (NO), Chris Hairston (SDG), Tyler Shatley (JAC), Tony Steward (BUF).
Inactives: Malliciah Goodman (ATL), Brandon Thomas (SFO), Charlie Whitehurst (TEN).
Bye Week: Jaron Brown (ARI), Kourtnei Brown (HOU), Crezdon Butler (SEA), Chandler Catanzaro (ARI), Chris Clemons (ARI), Andre Ellington (ARI), DeAndre Hopkins (HOU), Antoine McClain (ARI).