Huskers in the NFL Week 2

Not only did we find out Nebraska’s schedule this weekend, but we also got to see how our former Huskers did in their second week of the NFL season. Whether it was a return of a dominant performance, players standing out on Thursday night or a player in the middle of a crazy onside kick, we saw plenty of our former Huskers making an impact. Each week I’ll take a look at how each of the former Huskers did in their NFL games while also highlighting the performer of the week.

Top Husker Performer

Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay

On Sunday we got to see some of the old Ndamukong Suh in the Buccaneers win over the Panthers. Suh finished with two sacks and displayed some of his dominant strength in manhandling Carolina interior linemen in the process. Throw in that Suh was also chasing down Christian McCaffery on screen passes and we see a bit of an energized Suh. Maybe playing on a team that is challenging to go to the Super Bowl will help to spark Suh back to what we saw out of him in Detroit.

Had a Good Day

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

I feel like a broken record when discussing how Lavonte David does in his games as he continues to show that he is not only the Buccaneers best defensive player but one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Maybe the Bucs having a huge year with Tom Brady as the quarterback will help to shine some light on him. As for Sunday, David had 9 total tackles but also forced a fumble on Carolina receiver Robbie Anderson and was able to recover it.

Andy Janovich, Cleveland

After only playing on only 12% of offensive snaps during week one we got to see a lot more of Janovich (38%) as the Browns had the lead and were looking to feed Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. While on the field Janovich did well to help the Browns running backs occupying defenders and springing some long runs. Heck Janovich even got a shout out from Joe Buck during the telecast. Thrown in a short reception and making the game clinching catch on an onside kick and it was a pretty good game for the Jano.

Freedom Akinmoladun, Cincinnati

With injuries to starters Geno Atkins and Mike Daniels the Bengals activated Akimoladun to their active roster on Thursday morning before their game that night. Not only was Akimoladun active for the game he was able to make a key tackle on running back Nick Chubb just short of the goal line on fourth down, helping to keep the Bengals in the game. Sure the Bengals gave up 215 yards rushing, but for Akimoladun to come in and make a play like this, it was a good day for him.

Sam Koch, Baltimore

It was another good day for the Baltimore punter who only needed to punt twice with both of his punts doing exactly what they needed. Koch’s first punt was from their own 22 yard line and he was able to send it 53 yards flipping the field while his second punt was from near the 50 yard line and Koch was to put it to the 11 yard line.

Up and Down Game

Nathan Gerry, Philadelphia

Sure Gerry had seven tackles and that was good for second best on the team, but the Eagles got rolled 37-19 against the Los Angeles Rams. This wasn’t all on Gerry but the Eagles did give up 191 yards rushing and only registered a sack and two quarterback hits on a Rams offense whose offensive line is not very good.

Rex Burkhead, New England

With primary pass catching back James White missing the game because of a family tragedy, Burkhead had a bigger role in the game plan that saw him finish with 12 total touches for 49 yards. Burkhead didn’t have much room as a runner but found most of his success in the passing game, nearly taking a quick pass for a touchdown before getting tripped up at the seven yard line.

Had a Bad Day

Nick Gates, New York Giants

In his second game as a starting center, Gates’ game was very similar to their week one game against the Steelers in the fact that the offensive line struggled to open up holes in the run game and only were able to produce 75 total yards rushing. Not to mention that Daniel Jones was hit four times and sacked another four. It wasn’t all on Gates, but as he continues to learn the position on the fly it doesn’t help that he lacks talent around him.

Alex Lewis, New York Jets

Playing against the 49ers and their talented defense was always going to be a challenge for Alex Lewis and the Jets offensive line and it proved to be true. Not only did the Jets offense struggle to get yards or points but the offensive line struggled to protect Sam Darnold giving up six total quarterback hits. Five of those came from the Jets interior and when you factor in Lewis having a holding penalty, it wasn’t his best game.

Richie Incognito, Las Vegas

It was a short night for Incognito as he injured his Achilles tendon early in the first half. Incognito was ruled questionable for a return before halftime but he never did come back into the game while backup rookie John Simpson came in and played well replacing him.

Maliek Collins, Las Vegas

Make that two straight quiet weeks for the Raiders captain as he was practically non-existent in the Raiders big win over the Saints on Monday Night Football. Playing 70% of the snaps for the Raiders Collins was only able to get one quarterback hit and was out of the game towards the end. It’s still early in the season, but Collins hasn’t had the same impact as he did last year with the Cowboys.

No Impact

Cethan Carter, Cincinnati

It was a standard game for Carter who as the third tight end mainly comes in on special teams and some goal line work as the fullback. However Carter’s role with the Bengals could be increasing as starter CJ Uzoma tore his ACL at the end of the game and will be out the rest of the season. Rookie Drew Sample is in line to become the new starter but we could see Carter’s role increase even if they do bring in someone else.

Ameer Abdullah, Minnesota

It was another quiet week for Abdullah whose playing time was primarily on special teams and didn’t get a chance to return a kick or punt. Ameer did get at least one snap on offense but didn’t get to touch the ball. As long as Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are healthy, we’ll just see Abdullah on special teams.

Luke Gifford, Dallas

Gifford was active for his first game of the season against the Falcons. There was hope that Gifford could get some snaps on defense with starter Leighton Vander Esch going on injured reserve, but that didn’t happen as Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas played every down. Gifford did play primarily on special teams and was on the field for the onside kick that the Cowboys recovered, but he didn’t have a single tackle. Maybe in upcoming weeks we can see Gifford get some defensive snaps, but it doesn’t look imminent.

Will Compton, Tennessee

It was a quiet Sunday for Compton who didn’t get any snaps on defense this week after playing half the game last Monday night. Instead Compton’s only action was on special teams where he didn’t register a single tackle. It looks as if Compton will have a roller coaster type season where some games he plays and others he is regulated to just special teams.

Joshua Kalu, Tennessee

Much like his former Husker teammate Will Compton, Joshua Kalu was regulated to only playing on special teams and didn’t finish with any tackles. Kalu did get to return a kick when Jacksonville squibbed it, as Kalu returned it for a measly two yards.

Brent Qvale, Houston

In Houston’s game against the Ravens Qvale did get into the game but it was for only four special teams snaps. As a backup lineman there is little opportunity to play barring an injury and that looks like the only way that he’ll be playing, even though the Texans offensive line has struggled to keep Deshaun Watson clean.

Inactive

Randy Gregory, Dallas

Carlos Davis, Pittsburgh

Khalil Davis, Tampa Bay

Practice Squad or Injured Reserve

Darrion Daniels, San Francisco

Lamar Jackson, New York Jets

Chris Jones, Arizona

Stanley Morgan, Cincinnati

Devine Ozigbo, Jacksonville IR