NC State in the NFL: Week 1

Thirteen former NC State players suited up and played for their respective teams this past weekend in Week 1 of the NFL.

Quarterback Philip Rivers and the Chargers got off to a slow start against the Broncos last night, but scored 14 unanswered points in the 4th to try to come back from a 17 point deficit, but it wasn’t enough, falling tot he Broncos 24-21. Rivers was 22 of 33 for 192 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. His QB Rating was a 99.6m which is impressive. Rivers graded out as the 8th best Quarterback in Week 1 according to ProFootballFocus.

Quarterback Mike Glennon almost led the Bears to a 4th Quarter comeback over the Falcons in his first game as the starter for the Bears. Glennon connected with Tariq Cohen for a touchdown with a little over 7 minutes to go, to cut the deficit to 3 points. After the Falcons kicked a field goal, to increase the lead to 6, with a little over 3 minutes left in the game, Glennon led the Bears all the way down to the 5-yard line. Unfortunately, Jordan Howard and Josh Bellamy literally dropped touchdown catches on 1st and 2nd down, and Glennon was ultimately sacked on 4th down. Glennon brought the Bears back and put them in a position to win, but it wasn’t enough. He finished 26 of 40 for 213 yards and a touchdown. Glennon’s QB Rating was a decent 86.8, and graded out as the 11th best QB in week 1 according to ProFootballFocus.

Quarterback Russell Wilson spent all of Sunday afternoon running for his life due to having a nearly invisible offensive line. He was 14 of 27 for 158 yards, and he also rushed for 40 yards in the 9-17 loss to the Packers. Wilson’s performance was graded as the 12th best performance by a QB in week 1.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was in for 1 drive, but it was the most efficient offensive drive the Colts has in their 9-46 loss to the Rams. With starter Andrew Luck on the mend and unable to play, the Colts started Scott Tolzien, and he proceeded to throw 2 pick-sixes, and was sacked 4 times. In the 4th quarter the Colts benched Tolzien and inserted Brissett, and the former NC State Quarterback made a STATEment. Brissett threw a 50-yard pass, and two plays later the score the Colts lone touchdown of the day.

Joe Thuney started for the Pats in their 27-42 loss to the Chiefs, and was the 16th best graded Guard in the NFL in Week 1.

Outside Linebacker Willie Young had 1 tackle in the Bears 21-24 loss to the Packers on Sunday. He only played 20 snaps and struggled posting a grade of 47.4 on ProFootballFocus.

Cornerback Dontae Johnson had 1 tackle in the 49ers 3-23 loss to the Panthers on Sunday. Johnson started, but struggled, grading out as the 72nd best corner in action on Week 1 according to ProFootballFocus with a grade of 45.0.

Cornerback David Amerson had 2 tackles in the Raiders 26-16 victory over the Titans on Sunday. Amerson graded out as the 51st best Cornerback in action in Week 1, with a grade of 56.5.

Cornerback Juston Burris picked up his 1st interception of 2017 in the first game of 2017, picking off the Bills Tyrod Taylor in the endzone, and then returned it 48 yards. Burris played 30 snaps in the Jets 12-21 loss to the Bills, and was graded as the 44th best Cornerback in Week 1, with a grade of 68.3

Kicker Steven Hauschka missed his first field goal attempt as a member of the Buffalo Bills, sending a 46-yarder wide left. He did connect on all three of his PAT attempts.

Safety Josh Jones picked up his first career tackle on Sunday in the Packers 17-9 victory over the Seahawks.

Running Back Matt Dayes played 13 snaps in his first career NFL game, rushing 3 times for 7 yards, and catching 2 passes for 9 yards in the Browns 18-21 loss to the Steelers.

J.R. Sweezy and the Bucs game versus the Miami Dolphins was postponed.