Hokies in the NFL: Week Three

Sorry for being absent the second week, everyone! Today we will take a look at the performance of Hokies that have moved on to the NFL throughout week two and three of the 2016 NFL season.

Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor (QB): Tyrod’s opening week performance was pedestrian, but he did everything he could to make up for it during the Buffalo Bill’s game against the New York Jets. Taylor was 18 – 30, 297 yards, and tossed three touchdowns against one interception. The Bills still struggled to establish the running game, only managing 86 total yards, 25 of which came from two Taylor runs. In the end the Jets were able to grind out a win on the back of Matt Forte’s three TD performance. Taylor and the Bills fell 31 – 37. This prompted the Bills to fire their offensive coordinator, Greg Roman.

In week three the Bills faced former Hokie assistant, Bruce Arians, and the Arizona Cardinals. Buffalo was able to shake off any of their first two losses and defeat the Cardinals, 33-18. Tyrod Taylor only threw 14 – 25, 119 yards, threw no TDs and had a single interception. Regardless of the ground game’s issues in the previous weeks, Buffalo was able to establish the run, racking up 208 yards rushing. Tyrod was a significant contributor, running for 76 yards on nine attempts. Taylor had a long run of 49 yards and also a 20-yard scoring rush.

This week the Bills will travel to Foxboro and face the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots, who simply keep finding ways to win.

Chicago Bears

Eddie Royal (WR): The Bears are struggling. They were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, 29 – 14, during week two. Eddie Royal hauled in four passes for 52 yards on six targets. Royal really made some money, and helped the languishing Chicago offense, with a 65-yard touchdown punt return.

Unfortunately, things did not get better for the Bears during their week three matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Chicago fell, 17 – 31. Eddie was targeted three times and caught all three passes for 21 yards. Royal again saw time on special teams and returned two punts for 17 yards. The injury of starting QB, Jay Cutler, will likely result in challenges for the Bears offense in working to establish the passing game.

Kyle Fuller (DB): Fuller was still battling to recover from off season surgery, and was inactive during the losses against Philadelphia and Dallas. Yesterday, Ian Rapoport, reported that Fuller is likely headed to injury reserve, which is terrible news for the beleaguered Bears secondary as they host the Detroit Lions who are averaging almost 313 yards passing a game.

Kansas City Chiefs

Dadi Nicolas (LB): Nicolas is currently backing up KC linebacker, Dee Ford, and did not see significant playing time during the week two 12 – 19 loss to the Texans, or the 24 – 3 win against the Jets.

New Orleans Saints

Darryl Tapp (DL): Like the Bears, the 0 – 3 Saints are struggling. Tapp is currently backing up DE, Cameron Jordon. Jordan is currently listed as questionable, but it is believed that he will be suiting up for week four. If he doesn’t, then perhaps we will see Tapp on the field against San Diego.

San Diego Chargers

Brandon Flowers: It’s a fact that I love me some Jaguars… that’s my NFL team… and in the week two matchup, Brandon Flowers, and his colleague on the other side of the field, Jason Verret, absolutely shut down the Jaguars’ vaunted passing attack. Flowers had seven total tackles, one of which was for a loss. He also recorded one pass defended. As is tradition, the Jaguars were only able to cross the 300 yard passing mark and score, during garbage time in the fourth quarter, when they were already losing 35 – 0. The Chargers won, handily, 38 – 14.

The Indianapolis Colts were able to earn their first win during the week three matchup against San Diego. Flowers recorded four tackles, during the loss, but Andrew Luck was able to hang 317 yards passing on the San Diego secondary.

Seattle Seahawks

Kam Chancellor (DB): In week two the Seahawks lost to the Los Angeles Rams during their inaugural game at their new home in Los Angeles, 9 – 3. Kam had five tackles and certainly did his part in keeping the Rams out of the end zone, but the offense was unable to take advantage of the Seattle defensive performance. Seattle was back to form in their week three victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Chancellor led the team in tackles, registering eight total, and also added a pass defended.

Washington Redskins

Kendall Fuller (DB): Fuller was inactive during the week two loss against the Cowboys and the week three victory over the New York Giants. This week the Redskins will face the Cleveland Browns, and HC Jay Gruden has intimated that the third round draft pick will be ready to play. This is good news for the Redskins who are dealing with multiple secondary injuries.

DeAngelo Hall (DB): Hall recorded five tackles and a pass defended during the 27 – 23 loss to the Cowboys in week two. He had similar numbers against the New York Giants, providing five tackles for the Washington defense. Unfortunately, the 13 year NFL veteran’s game was cut short with an apparent leg injury. An MRI exam has revealed that the safety tore his ACL and will require surgery. The Hokie will be placed on IR for the remainder of the season.