‘Noles in the NFL: week 11

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman: In a mailbag column this week on the official Atlanta Falcons website, a bit of an update was provided on Freeman and his injury status. Freeman isn’t done for the year, but it is still too early to tell when he will be fully healthy. The earliest he could return is just over a month from now for a game against the Panthers on December 23.

Buffalo Bills

WR Kelvin Benjamin: BYE

Carolina Panthers (20-19 loss to Detroit)

K Graham Gano: An uncharacteristic day for Gano saw him miss his lone field goal attempt and one of his two extra point attempts.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera went for two and the win at the end of the game. Rivera is known for taking risks, but it’s likely that Gano’s struggles influenced that decision.

Chicago Bears (25-20 win over Minnesota)

NT Eddie Goldman: didn’t find himself on the stat sheet, but was fairly dominant against Minnesota’s offensive line for most of the night, providing push for other studs like Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks to get in the backfield.

Cincinnati Bengals (24-21 loss to Baltimore)

WR Auden Tate: Tate was promoted to the active roster last week and with news of A.J. Green being out with injury. Green was out again this week and Tater remained active. A proud moment for the young receiver came when he recorded his first career reception. It would be his only reception of the game, but certainly a mile stone.

OT Bobby Hart: the offensive line was able to keep Andy Dalton relatively clean as he was sacked just once. Hart did hurt his team with two false start penalties on the day.

WR Kermit Whitfield (practice squad)

Denver Broncos (23-22 win over Los Angeles Chargers)

DE Demarcus Walker: after being active for consecutive weeks, Walker was a healthy scratch against the Chargers.

S Trey Marshall (practice squad)

Detroit Lions (20-19 win over Carolina)

LB Christian Jones: Another ‘Nole that won by a point this weekend. Jones recorded four solo tackles and a defended pass in Detroit’s win.

Houston Texans

OT Roderick Johnson (practice squad)

Jacksonville Jaguars (20-16 loss to Pittsburgh)

CB Jalen Ramsey: Ramsey led the team with eight solo tackles. The Pro Bowl corner also had three passes defended and picked off Big Ben two times while covering Antonio Brown.

Ramsey was having a career day and it looked like the Jags might pull off the win until the last five minutes of the game when the Steelers scored two touchdowns to take the lead in the final seconds.

Before the game, reports surfaced that Jacksonville might consider trading Ramsey in the offseason,

The Jags denied the reports after they surfaced.

LB Telvin Smith: recorded six tackles (four solo).

WR Rashad Greene: after a heartbreaking fumble in the fourth quarter last week, Greene was inactive for the matchup against Pittsburgh.

Kansas City Chiefs

OT Cam Erving: (plays Monday night)

DT Derrick Nnadi: (plays Monday night)

LB Terrance Smith: (plays Monday night)

Los Angeles Chargers (23-22 loss to Denver)

S Derwin James: recorded seven solo tackles in a losing effort against the Broncos.

Los Angeles Rams

S Lamarcus Joyner: (plays Monday night)

Minnesota Vikings (25-20 loss to Chicago)

CB Xavier Rhodes: recorded four tackles (three solo) and a pass defended.

RB Dalvin Cook: after a strong return last week, Cook will want to forget about tonight and look to the next game. He had just 12 yards on nine carries (which account for over half of the teams 22 total yards rushing). Cook also had three receptions, but they would go for -2 yards. Plain and simple: the Chicago defense dominated the night.

Miami Dolphins

TE Nick O’Leary: BYE

New England Patriots

TE Ryan Izzo: (Injured Reserve)

New Orleans Saints (48-7 win over Philadelphia)

CB P.J. Williams: recorded two solo tackles and two passes defended as the New Orleans defense shut down the Eagles.

CB Patrick Robinson: (Injured Reserve)

OT Rick Leonard (practice squad)

New York Giants (38-35 win over Tampa Bay)

DE Mario Edwards Jr.: recorded two solo tackles in two QB hits against the Buccaneers.

New York Jets

S Terrance Brooks: BYE

Oakland Raiders (23-21 win over Arizona)

C Rodney Hudson: Hudson continues to be outstanding both on and off the field. We miss you, Rodney.

Philadelphia Eagles

DB Ronald Darby: Darby’s season is over after he suffered a torn ACL last week against the cowboys. The loss is a tough break for Darby, who won the Super Bowl with the team last year.

LB Nigel Bradham: recorded five solo tackles on a miserable day for the Eagles defense. The offense getting shut down by the Saints didn’t help things, but Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram ran roughshod over the Philly D.

DE Josh Sweat: recorded a QB hit.

DT Timmy Jernigan: still wasn’t activated by the team after recently returning to practice. The Eagles have about a week to make a decision on whether or not they will activate him or he will be shutdown for the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (20-16 win over Jacksonville)

LB Vince Williams: Williams had himself a game, leading the team with a ten tackle (six solo) performance. Williams also tallied a sack, TFL, QB hit, and a pass defended.

Williams’ took the time to catch up with former teammate Telvin Smith in pregame warmups.

LB Matthew Thomas: didn’t record any stats.

San Francisco 49ers

LB Dekoda Watson: BYE

Seattle Seahawks (27-24 win over Green Bay)

K Sebastian Janikowski: another perfect outing for Janikowksi saw him nail two field goals and three extra points. He didn’t kick a game-winner, but the ‘Hawks won by three. You do the math.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38-35 loss to New York Giants)

QB Jameis Winston: Well, apparently Winston is back. After being benched in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick for two week, Winston was called upon in the third quarter after Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions. Winston had a solid half of play going 12/16 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Winston also tacked on five carries for 16 yards.

DB Javien Elliot: recorded four solo tackles and a TFL.

LS Garrison Sanborn: handled long snapping duties.

WR Bobo Wilson (practice squad)

Washington Redskins (23-21 loss to Houston)

RB Chris Thompson: was held out for the third straight week with a rib injury.

K Dustin Hopkins: Hopkins made all three of his extra point attempts and was only called upon for one field goal, a 63-yard attempt for the game. No pressure at all, Dustin. The ball was on target but fell short in the endzone. Hopkins talked about the decision to kick from such a long distance.