‘Noles in the NFL: week 7

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman: The Falcon’s don’t play until Monday night, but after battling different injuries for multiple weeks, Atlanta placed Freeman on Injured Reserve after he underwent groin surgery. The move will temporarily free up the roster spot while Freeman heals up.

Buffalo Bills (37-5 loss to Indianapolis)

WR Kelvin Benjamin: Benjamin had his best game of the year in the Bills’ loss, recording four catches for 71-yards. Benjamin was also the topic of some trade rumors that surfaced Sunday afternoon.

Carolina Panthers (21-17 win over Philadelphia)

K Graham Gano: wasn’t called upon for any field goal attempts and was just one-for-two on extra points.

Chicago Bears (38-31 loss to New England)

NT Eddie Goldman: The Bears lost a heart breaker to the Patriots as a last second hail mary attempt was completed, but got stuffed at the one-yard line. Goldman recorded two solo tackles, one being a TFL.

Cincinnati Bengals (45-10 loss to Kansas City)

OT Bobby Hart: it was a rough night for Hart in pass protection as the Chiefs brought plenty of pressure and Cincinnati was blown out.

WR Auden Tate: after being cut, Tate cleared waivers and was resigned to the practice squad.

WR Kermit Whitfield (practice squad)

Denver Broncos (45-10 win over Arizona)

DE Demarcus Walker: Mamba mode was activated for the first time this season as Walker made his season debut and was impactful as Denver’s defense dismantled Arizona and rookie quarterback Josh Rosen. Walker had one tackle and scooped up a loose fumble as the Broncos won in blowout fashion on Thursday night.

S Trey Marshall (practice squad)

Detroit Lions (32-21 win over Miami)

LB Christian Jones: recorded one tackle and one pass defended.

Houston Texans (20-7 win over Jacksonville)

OT Roderick Johnson (practice squad)

Jacksonville Jaguars (20-7 loss to Houston)

CB Jalen Ramsey: recorded one solo tackle in the Jaguars loss. It wasn’t Ramsey’s best performance of the year, as he was beat twice by DeAndre Hopkins, one going for a touchdown. However, he held Hopkins to three catches for 50 yards, with 31 yards coming from the catch below. Great coverage, better catch:

Ramsey is considered a lock down corner. That paired with the fact that he is an outspoken player means that every time he is beat it’s going to be made into highlight.

Hopkins is an elite receiver. He’s going to make plays. We’re not going to suddenly pretend like Ramsey isn’t one of the best corners in the league. Jacksonville’s offense was frustratingly bad, often putting the defense in bad situations. Quarterback Blake Bortles was even pulled from the game. A quote by Ramsey after the game point to him thinking the defense isn’t the problem, and most would agree.

This concludes my defense of Jalen Ramsey (who I will protect at all costs.)

Telvin Smith: recorded eight tackles (seven solo).

WR Rashad Greene: was recently resigned to Jacksonville’s active roster and recorded one catch for eight yards in the loss.

Kansas City Chiefs (45-10 win over Cincinnati)

OT Cam Erving: had a solid outing as the Chiefs prolific offense hammered Cincinnati. Patrick Mahomes’ ability to escape pressure helps a ton, but Erving continues to emerge as a bully on this Kansas City line. Having caught a lot of flack since entering the league, his progression has been impressive this year.

DT Derrick Nnadi: provided plenty of push for the Chiefs defensive line against his old teammate Bobby Hart. Nnadi finished the night with three solo tackles and is moving up the pecking order in Kansas City,

LB Terrance Smith: was able to record two tackles before he left the game with a knee injury and wouldn’t return.

Minnesota Vikings (37-17 win over New York Jets)

CB Xavier Rhodes: the all-pro corner left Minnesota’s match up early with an injury. After being carried off the field it didn’t look good for Rhodes, but head coach Mike Zimmer believes the injury isn’t as serious as it looked. We’ll see in the coming week.

RB Dalvin Cook: was ruled out for third straight week as he is still nursing a hamstring injury. Cook is practicing in a limited fashion during the week, but with backup RB Latavius Murray running well the past couple weeks, the Vikings won’t rush Cook back until he is 100%.

New England Patriots

TE Ryan Izzo: (Injured Reserve)

New Orleans Saints (24-23 win over Baltimore)

CB P.J. Williams: recorded two solo tackles as the Saints escaped the Ravens by one point when the most reliable kicker in the league, Justin Tucker, missed the first extra point of his NFL career.

CB Patrick Robinson: (Injured Reserve)

OT Rick Leonard (practice squad)

New York Giants

DE Mario Edwards Jr: (plays Monday night)

New York Jets (37-17 loss to Minnesota)

S Terrance Brooks: recorded two solo tackles, a TFL, and a pass defended.

Oakland Raiders

C Rodney Hudson: BYE

Philadelphia Eagles (21-17 loss to Carolina)

DB Ronald Darby: was targeted often as Cam Newton spread the ball around to eight different receivers on the day. Darby recorded four solo tackles and had three passes defended.

LB Nigel Bradham: recorded six tackles (five solo).

DE Josh Sweat: was active Sunday afternoon, but didn’t record any stats.

DT Timmy Jernigan: (Injured Reserve)

Pittsburgh Steelers

LB Vince Williams: BYE

LB Matthew Thomas: BYE

San Francisco 49ers

LB Dekoda Watson: (Injured Reserve)

Seattle Seahawks

K Sebastian Janokowski: BYE

Los Angeles Chargers (20-19 win over Tennessee)

S Derwin James: The Chargers kicked off early as they traveled to London to take on Tennessee. James tied for the team lead with eight tackles (five solo) in Los Angeles’ fourth straight win.

Los Angeles Rams (39-10 win over San Francisco)

S Lamarcus Joyner: recorded two solo tackles.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26-23 win over Cleveland in OT)

QB Jameis Winston: went 32/52 for 365 yards and two interceptions. Winston was effective using his legs gaining 55 yards on the ground with a touchdown.

The Buccaneers won in overtime after kicker Chandler Catanzaro hit a 59-yard field goal, redeeming himself after missing an extra point and a 40-yard game winner earlier in the game. Here are Winston’s postgame comments:

DB Javien Elliot: was utilized mostly on special teams and didn’t record any stats in the game.

LS Garrison Sanborn: handled his long snapping duties.

WR Bobo Wilson: (practice squad)

Washington Redskins (20-17 win over Dallas)

RB Chris Thompson: was inactive as he deals with rib and knee injuries.

K Dustin Hopkins: was perfect on the day making both of his field goals and both of his extra points.