TCI has a recap of how Clemson’s NFL alumni performed in Week 3 of the season…
NY Giants 32, Washington 21
WAS: Bashaud Breeland—3 tackles (2 solo), PBU
Breeland was part of a Washington secondary that was carved up by Eli Manning for much of Thursday night’s game. Still, it wasn’t a bad game for the second-year pro, who should continue to get a significant assignment on a weekly basis.
Atlanta 39, Dallas 28
ATL: Vic Beasley Jr.—2 tackles, sack
After a miserable start, the Falcons’ defense really kicked it into gear after halftime. Beasley recorded a third-down sack late in the game with his team leading by four points that forced a Cowboys punt. It was the second consecutive week in which Beasley sacked the opposing quarterback.
Indianapolis 35, Tennessee 33
TEN: Coty Sensabaugh—4 tackles (2 solo)
Sensabaugh didn’t show up on the stat sheet for his work in coverage, but the Titans’ secondary did a decent job against Andrew Luck and the Colts until the final third of the game. The veteran continues to see ample work in nickel packages as a coverage asset inside.
Philadelphia 24, NY Jets 17
PHI: Byron Maxwell—8 tackles (6 solo)
Maxwell still hasn’t asserted himself in coverage, which is disappointing considering the magnitude of his signing. He did, however, make the plays he needed to make when ball carriers were in his vicinity, including racking up a half-dozen solo tackles.
Marcus Gilchrist—3 tackles (2 solo)
Advanced metrics love Gilchrist, who also signed a pretty solid free agent contract in the offseason. Philly didn’t take many deep shots in this game, so Gilchrist’s role in Sunday’s proceedings was limited.
Carolina 27, New Orleans 22
NO: Stephone Anthony—5 tackles (3 solo)
Tavaris Barnes—1 tackle
C.J. Spiller—1 car, 4 yds; 2 tgts, 2 rec, 22 yds
It was a light day for this trio of Tigers wearing Saints uniforms. Anthony was a force in the middle of a defensive unit that was much maligned but pretty much stopped everyone but Cam Newton on Sunday. Barnes got a little run as a reserve on the defensive line, as well. You have to feel badly for Spiller. As soon as the Bills find a quarterback, he signs to play with Drew Brees right before the veteran gets hurt. More Luke McCown probably means more traditional running game and fewer opportunities for the secondary backs in the Saints’ attack. That can’t be good news for Spiller, who barely touched the ball on Sunday.
Cincinnati 28, Baltimore 24
CIN: Brandon Thompson—2 tackles (1 solo)
Thompson didn’t show out against the Ravens, but he did what solid D-tackles do in the NFL: eat up space and let others fly to the football. Cincy’s defense was fantastic for three quarters, and Thompson’s ability to execute facilitated much of that success.
Houston 19, Tampa Bay 9
HOU: DeAndre Hopkins—14 tgts, 8 rec, 101 yds, TD
Hopkins continues to finish games with studly stat lines. A whopping 14 targets—by far the most among Texan receivers—makes it three straight games in double digits for Nuk, and his short touchdown catch was his third in as many contests. Sunday also marked Hopkins’ first 100-yard receiving day of the season, and it almost certainly will not be his last.
Arizona 47, San Francisco 7
ARI: Chandler Catanzaro—6-6 PAT, 1-1 FG
Chris Clemons—1 solo tackle
It was largely a monotonous day for Catanzaro, as an explosive scoring performance by his teammates on both sides of the ball had him regularly kicking extra points. The Cardinals’ offense appears to be much more potent in 2015, meaning Catanzaro might have more kicking opportunities than he did in his rookie campaign, although many of those might be extra points. Clemons made his season debut at safety for Arizona.
SFO: Bradley Pinion—6 punts, 47.2 avg
The 49ers were putrid on offense, turning the ball over four times and punting on six occasions. That meant Pinion got a chance to shine, and the rookie took full advantage. He boomed a 56-yard punt at one point while sporting a gaudy average for the game, and he pinned the Cardinals inside their own 20 four different times.
Buffalo 41, Miami 14
BUF: Sammy Watkins—2 tgts, 1 rec, 39 yds
Watkins wasn’t being featured in Buffalo’s passing game even before he left with a calf injury. Inconsistent usage has been almost as maddening as a plethora of nagging injuries for the second-year receiver. It’s unclear how much time, if any, Watkins will miss due to his most recent health issue.
Seattle 26, Chicago 0
CHI: Jarvis Jenkins—10 tackles (4 solo), 2 sacks
The assumption was that Jenkins would be more of a playmaker in John Fox’s defense this season, and he was the most dominant force on a Bears defense that had to hold up alongside a makeshift offense. Jenkins got after Russell Wilson on almost every down, barely missing a third sack late in the game. The Seattle offensive front isn’t very good, but this was easily Jenkins’ best game as a professional.
Rostered Players: Jaron Brown (ARI), Kavell Conner (SDG), Malliciah Goodman (ATL), Chris Hairston (SDG), Grady Jarrett (ATL), Tyler Shatley (JAC).
Inactives: Dwayne Allen (IND), Andre Branch (JAC), Andre Ellington (ARI), Adam Humphries (TB), Tony Steward (BUF), Brandon Thomas (SFO), Charlie Whitehurst (TEN).