‘Noles in the NFL: week 5

Atlanta Falcons (41-17 loss to Pittsburgh)

Devonta Freeman: made his return to the lineup this week after being sidelined with a knee contusion since week one. Freeman led the team in carries and rushing yards with 32 on eight touches. Atlanta would have to abandon the running game early as they were down big in Pittsburgh.

Buffalo Bills (13-12 win over Tennessee)

WR Kelvin Benjamin: continued to struggle with just one catch for 11 yards on five targets.

Carolina Panthers (33-31 win over the New York Giants)

K Graham Gano: With all the skill position players FSU puts in the NFL, it’s not often that a kicker is going to be the highlight of this column, but my god, have a day Graham Gano. Not only was Gano perfect on three extra points, the nine year vet drilled all four of his field goals including a 63-YARD GAME WINNER.

Chicago Bears

NT Eddie Goldman: BYE

Cincinnati Bengals (27-14 win over Miami)

WR Auden Tate: was inactive for the fifth straight game despite an injury to starting slot receiver John Ross III heading into the game.

OT Bobby Hart: had a less than stellar day, despite a win on the scoreboard. Andy Dalton was sacked twice and Hart has struggled with being penalized this season.

WR Kermit Whitfield: (practice squad)

Denver Broncos (34-16 loss to the New York Jets)

DE Demarcus Walker: was inactive in the Broncos loss to the Jets. Giving up 323 yards on the ground, with 219 yards of that coming from just Isaiah Crowell, Denver could have used Walker on Sunday.

S Trey Marshall: (practice squad)

Detroit Lions (31-23 win over Green Bay)

LB Christian Jones: recorded two solo tackles and a tackle for a loss.

Houston Texans

OT Roderick Johnson: After being cut from the Texans active roster, he was immediately resigned to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Jacksonville Jaguars (30-14 loss to Kansas City)

CB Jalen Ramsey: was tasked with covering receiver Tyreek Hill. Going into the game Ramsey and Hill traded barbs in the media, with Hill saying he “wanted all the smoke” from Ramsey. Ramsey reminded Hill that he was an All-Pro as a corner, and Hill’s only accolades were as a returner.

Hill was limited to 61 yards receiving, with half of that coming from a 36-yard gain where he bested Ramsey. The Pro Bowl corner finished the game with four solo tackles.

Ramsey said he felt like he won the majority of the battle with Hill, but it didn’t matter in the end as the Jags lost.

LB Telvin Smith: led the team in tackles once again with 13 (eight solo).

WR Rashad Greene: In preparation for going against the top offense int he league, the Jaguars elected to release Greene this week in favor of promoting corner Quenton Meeks to the active lineup.

Kansas City Chiefs (30-14 win over Jacksonville)

OT Cam Erving: got the start at left guard for the Chiefs and helped keep quarterback Partrick Mahomes relatively clean, allowing just one sack. Against “Sacksonville,” that’s no easy feat.

DT Derrick Nnadi: recorded four solo tackles.

LB Terrance Smith: recorded five tackles (four solo), one sack, one tackle for a loss, and a QB hit.

Miami Dolphins (27-14 loss to Cincinnati)

Nick O’leary: was recently signed to the Dolphins roster and while he didn’t record any stats, was effective as a blocker in a potent Miami rushing attack.

Minnesota Vikings (23-21 win over Philadelphia)

CB Xavier Rhodes: recorded three solo tackle and a pass defended.

RB Dalvin Cook: did not play after suffering a setback with the hamstring injury he has been battling this season.

New England Patriots (38-24 win over Indianapolis)

TE Ryan Izzo (injured reserve)

New Orleans Saints

CB P.J. Williams: plays Monday night.

CB Patrick Robinson: (injured reserve)

OT Rick Leonard (practice squad)

New York Giants (33-31 loss to Carolina)

DE Mario Edwards Jr: recorded one solo tackle in the loss against Carolina

New York Jets (34-16 win over Denver)

S Terrance Brooks: didn’t record any stats in his team’s victory. He was banged up on a play, but returned to the game after being examined by team doctors.

Oakland Raiders (26-10 loss to Los Angeles Chargers)

DE Tank Carradine: was released by the Raiders, per his request.

C Rodney Hudson: continued to anchor a young Raider’s offensive line. With Donald Penn, the other stud linemen in Oakland on injured reserve, Hudson’s unit has struggled to protect quarterback Derek Carr.

Philadelphia Eagles (23-21 loss to Minnesota)

DB Ronald Darby: recorded four solo tackles in another difficult outing for the eagles secondary.

DE Josh Sweat: got his first on field action of his NFL career against the Vikings, but didn’t record any stats.

LB Nigel Bradham: recorded seven tackles (five solo) and recovered a fumble after a backwards pass fell to the turf. Amazingly these referees were able to identify that is was, in fact, a backwards pass. Who would have thought it possible?

DT Timmy Jernigan: (injured reserve)

Pittsburgh Steelers (41-17 win over Atlanta)

LB Vince Williams: was on the inactive list this week as he recovers from injury. This was the first career game the inside linebacker has missed due to injury, but the Steelers aren’t likely to rush him back as they put in their best performance of the season to limit an explosive Atlanta offense to 17 points.

LB Matthew Thomas: recorded one solo tackle on the afternoon.

San Francisco 49ers

LB Dekoda Watson (injured reserve)

Seattle Seahawks

K Sebastian Janokowski: continued his early season success splitting the uprights on his sole 52-yard attempt. Janokowski was also a perfect 4/4 on extra points.

Los Angeles Chargers (26-10 win over Oakland)

S Derwin James: recorded five total tackles (four solo) and a tackle for a loss in the bay area battle.

Oddly enough, in the week leading up to his game against Jon Gruden’s Raiders, Gruden himself went out of his way to say he wanted to draft James, but didn’t because Oakland had already spent high picks at the safety position in recent years.

Los Angeles Rams (33-31 win over Seattle)

S Lamarcus Joyner: recorded five tackles (one solo) against the ‘Hawks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Jameis Winston: BYE

LS Garrison Sanborn: BYE

WR Bobo Wilson: (practice squad)

WR Javien Elliot: (practice squad)

Washington Redskins

RB Chris Thompson: plays Monday night.

K Dustin Hopkins: plays Monday night.