Huskers in the NFL Week 4

The 2020 NFL Season continues to give us plenty of surprises as this week we didn’t get to see any of the former Huskers on the Titans or Steelers play because of a Covid-19 outbreak within the Titans organization while the Patriots vs Chiefs game was moved to Monday after Cam Newton tested positive. As for the action on the field we continued to see the usual former Huskers continue to succeed while others had their best games of the week and we even got to see one former Husker make their NFL debut. As always I’ll take a look each week at how all of the former Huskers did in their NFL games while also highlighting the performer of the week.

Top Husker Performer

Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay

As the season progresses we are beginning to see Ndamukong Suh continue to make an impact that helps the Buccaneers win games. Sure his stat line isn’t impressive with only three tackles and a couple of quarterback hits. It was in two plays that Suh helped the Bucs win this game. At the end of the first half Suh burst through to force a fumble that Tampa recovered and then scored which really turned the momentum around. Then in the fourth quarter when the Chargers were looking to try and tie up the game Suh was able to get pressure in Herbert’s face helping force an interception that ended the game.

Had a Good Day

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

It was a standard stat line for Lavonte David who finished with 11 tackles, a tackle for loss and even a pass defended. But David’s biggest play came when the Bucs needed him the most. In the fourth quarter just after Tampa had taken the lead the Chargers were looking to answer back but David made a good tackle on the running back preventing him from making the first down. Los Angeles ends up punting and the Bucs never look back.

Cethan Carter, Cincinnati

It’s not a significant increase but Carter went from being just in to block in heavy formations and playing on special teams to actually getting in on a more regular rotation. This also means that Carter has caught passes in back to back games with this week’s being a 24 yard catch that was a beautiful throw by Burrow. As the season continues to progress we’ll see if Carter can continue to slowly work his way into more catches.

Andy Janovich, Cleveland

It was a dominant offensive performance for the Cleveland Browns rushing attack as they went for over 300 yards and three touchdowns gashing the Cowboys. And that was even after starter Nick Chubb went out with an injury. Janovich was a big part of that success as a lead blocker helping third string running back D’Ernest Johnson rush for 95 yards in his first big chunk of playing time. Cleveland’s offense has really taken off this year under new head coach Kevin Stefanski as he’s turned them into more of a running team and trading for Janovich has really paid off.

Sam Koch, Baltimore

Not only did Sam Koch average 47 yards a kick and put all three inside the 20 but he also threw a dime on a fake punt pass to Myles Boykin for a 15 yard completion that kept the drive alive and allowed the Ravens to end up finishing with a touchdown. With that completion Sam Koch is 7-7 for 82 yards and maybe the Ravens should think about him as their backup if Lamar Jackson ever gets hurt. He’s probably more accurate than Trace McSorely.

Rex Burkhead, New England

With starting running back Sony Michel going on injured reserve there was a thought that Burkhead would have a big role in tonight’s game against the Chiefs. Instead Damien Harris assumed the Michel role and Burkhead filled in his usual jack of all trades type role. That being said it was still a solid game by Burkhead standards as he finished with 12 total touches for 50 yards which included a nice 18 yard run and a nice diving catch.

Up and Down Game

Alex Lewis, New York Jets

Thursday night was a pretty standard performance for Lewis as he had a solid game but wasn’t perfect. Against the Broncos Lewis was solid in pass protection holding his own and while his defender did get a sack it was on a twist and Darnold fell back onto his back without getting hit. Lewis wasn’t bad as a run blocker but he’s not overly powerful and tends to occupy defenders and tended to let his defender slip a few times. Overall it was an alright night for Lewis as the Jets offense had its best output of the season.

Lamar Jackson, New York Jets

Elevated to the active roster on Thursday morning, Jackson made his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos getting significant playing time after starter Blessuan Austin left the game with an injury. Jackson showed flashes at times covering up receivers and even getting a pass break up. But he did look hesitant in the run game getting taken out of a run to his side and whiffing on a tackle attempt against Melvin Gordon that sealed the win for the Broncos.

Nick Gates, New York Giants

Going against Aaron Donald was not going to be an easy task for any center, but Gates played his best game so far this season holding his own for the most part and even getting some push in the run game. But what everybody will remember from this game is Gates’ role in two fights, the first one was with Donald while in the post game he came flying in and was throwing guys around getting in the middle of everything.

Had a Rough Day

Maliek Collins, Las Vegas

Add injury to insult as Collins was continuing to struggle through most of the first half of the game with only one tackle on a four yard game, but the situation got worse when Collins left the game with a shoulder injury. We don’t know the extent of the injury and hope that Collins is able to get back on the field next week and turn his season around.

Nathan Gerry, Philadelphia

Hoping to silence the critics that are calling for Gerry to be benched, Gerry’s woes continued on Sunday night. Gerry struggled in the run game missing tackles and struggling to get off blocks while in coverage he gave up several catches in the middle of the field despite being in the position to make a play or two.

No Impact

Freedom Akinmoladun, Cincinnati

After making his NFL debut two weeks ago, Akinmoladun was optioned back to the practice squad last week before being promoted back to the active roster for their game against the Jaguars. Against Jacksonville Akinmoladun didn’t have much of an impact only playing sparsely and finishing with just a tackle.

Luke Gifford, Dallas

Despite the Cowboys defense acting like a sieve allowing 508 total yards on Sunday to the Browns and starter Jaylon Smith struggling throughout the year that Luke Gifford would at least get a chance on defense. But he didn’t and was regulated to only special teams where he finished with one tackle. Maybe the Cowboys will reevaluate their defense and give Gifford a chance this upcoming week, but I’m not holding my breath.

Ameer Abdullah, Minnesota

It was a very quiet day for Abdullah who still continues to get no touches or snaps on offense while also not getting any chances to return kicks or punts as KJ Osborne got all of those opportunities.

Brent Qvale, Houston

The Texans offensive line continues to be a problem and the Texans even made a change at left guard benching former second round pick Max Sharpring but instead of plugging Qvale into that spot they went with Senio Kelemete.

Inactive or Non Participant

Randy Gregory, Dallas

Carlos Davis, Pittsburgh

Bye Week

Will Compton, Tennessee

Joshua Kalu, Tennessee

Khalil Davis, Tampa Bay

Practice Squad or Injured Reserve

Richie Incognito, Las Vegas - Short Term IR

Darrion Daniels, San Francisco

Chris Jones, Arizona

Stanley Morgan, Cincinnati

Devine Ozigbo, Jacksonville IR