TCI has a complete rundown of how Clemson’s NFL alumni performed during Week 14…
Arizona 23, Minnesota 20 (Thurs.)
ARI: Jaron Brown—1 tgt, 1 rec, 1 yd
Chandler Catanzaro—3-3 FG, 2-2 XP; 1 tackle
For the seventh consecutive week, Catanzaro made multiple field goals. He has only missed twice all season long, which is odd considering three of his extra points have been wide. Brown was lightly used for the Cardinals in the victory.
Carolina 38, Atlanta 0
ATL: Vic Beasley Jr.—2 tackles, sack
Grady Jarrett—6 assisted tackles
Perhaps the best thing to come from the Falcons getting blasted by the Panthers was the extended look young players like Jarrett got in the game. The rookie tackle was active and productive. Beasley earned an elusive sack in an otherwise decent performance.
Cleveland 24, San Francisco 10
SFO: Bradley Pinion—7 punts, 40.9 avg
Pinion continues to have a strong season as a rookie. Three of his seven punts went inside the 20, a testament to the accuracy he has developed to go along with his booming leg.
New Orleans 24, Tampa Bay 17
NO: Stephone Anthony—3 tackles (2 solo)
C.J. Spiller—3 car, 2 yds; 3 tgts, 3 rec, 7 yds
It was a solid, if unspectacular, game for Anthony in a victory over the Buccaneers. He continues to play well week in and week out. The same cannot be said for Spiller, who appears to be largely a waste of space in the Saints’ offense. It doesn’t make sense why New Orleans spent so much money for a player whose presence doesn’t keep the team from bringing in Tim Hightower to run the ball 28 times when injuries strike.
TB: Kourtnei Brown—1 tackle
Adam Humphries—3 tgts, 1 rec, 6 yds, TD
Humphries continues to receive steady looks from Jameis Winston. The undrafted rookie scored a critical touchdown in the fourth quarter that pulled the Bucs within one score. Brown played a few snaps on defense for Tampa in the loss.
Pittsburgh 33, Cincinnati 20
PIT: Martavis Bryant—1 car, 1 yd; 9 tgts, 7 rec, 49 yds
Bryant is featured on a weekly basis in the Steelers’ offense as he continues to blossom into an NFL star. Only veterans Antonio Brown and Heath Miller were targeted more than the second-year stud.
Washington 24, Chicago 21
WAS: Bashaud Breeland—5 tackles (4 assists), PBU
Breeland had a decent game on Sunday, even though the Bears were able to hit on a couple of big plays in the passing game. He deflected a pass and did a pretty nice job in coverage against a surging quarterback in Jay Cutler.
Philadelphia 23, Buffalo 20
PHI: Byron Maxwell—2 tackles, PBU
It was another tough day for Maxwell, albeit in a win. The Eagles’ top cornerback has struggled in coverage all season long. A fellow Clemson alum was part of his problem in this case.
BUF: Jonathan Meeks—1 tackle
Sammy Watkins—1 car, 1 yd; 12 tgts, 5 rec, 81 yds, TD
Watkins torched the Eagles’ secondary and probably should have been even more productive. He was targeted a team-best dozen times and had a 47-yard touchdown grab. Meeks had a typical day for a backup safety.
NY Jets 30, Tennessee 8
NYJ: Marcus Gilchrist—6 tackles
Gilchrist keeps impressing at the back end of the Jets’ defense. His half-dozen stops were second-best on the squad in a dominating overall performance.
TEN: Coty Sensabaugh—7 tackles (5 solo)
Sensabaugh might have made himself some money this year. His versatility in coverage has been highlighted throughout the season, and even with Sunday’s loss, the veteran nickel cornerback was able to showcase his abilities.
Jacksonville 51, Indianapolis 16
JAC: Andre Branch—4 tackles, 2 sacks, PBU, FR
This was perhaps Branch’s finest game as a professional. He sacked Colts quarterbacks twice on the afternoon, and his 49-yard fumble return for a touchdown ignited a 48-3 Jaguars run to end the game.
IND: Dwayne Allen—3 tgts, 2 rec, -3 yds
Charlie Whitehurst—2-8, 8 yds, INT; 1 car, 2 yds
Allen was hardly a factor as the Colts desperately tried to manufacture a passing game while keeping their quarterbacks upright. Whitehurst came in after Matt Hasselbeck was injured and finished the game in marginal fashion.
New England 27, Houston 6
HOU: DeAndre Hopkins—6 tgts, 3 rec, 52 yds
Poor quarterback play doomed the Texans’ offense, and Hopkins became collateral damage. He tied for the team lead in targets but fell beneath the lofty expectations bestowed upon him each week.
Other Rostered Players: Tavaris Barnes (NO), Isaiah Battle (STL), Crezdon Butler (DET), Chris Clemons (ARI), Chris Hairston (SDG), Jarvis Jenkins (CHI), Antoine McClain (ARI), Tyler Shatley (JAC).
Inactives: Kavell Conner (SDG), Andre Ellington (ARI), Malliciah Goodman (ATL), Brandon Thomas (SFO), Brandon Thompson (CIN).
*The Buffalo Bills placed LB Tony Steward on injured reserve prior to last week’s game.