The 2018-19 NFL season is hitting its home stretch, as teams have just four games remaining after a busy weekend of action.
For the NC State alumni playing in the league, Week 13 marked another impressive week for some of the Pack’s biggest names. Here’s how the Pack Pros performed over the weekend:
Philip Rivers, quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
Rivers continued on a fantastic 2018 campaign Sunday night, leading a comeback charge for the Chargers in a 33-30 primetime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rivers completed 26 of 36 pass attempts for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Los Angeles was down 23-7 at the half, but outscored the Steelers 26-7 in the second half to come away with the win. The win was Rivers’ seventh career comeback when trailing by at least 16 points, which tied Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history.
Rivers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year, and now has 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His QBR through 12 games is at 77, which is the highest mark of his career.
Bradley Chubb, outside linebacker, Denver Broncos
Chubb played a big role at linebacker in the Broncos’ 24-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Late in the fourth quarter, Chubb sealed the win for Denver with a forced fumble on a sack. Chubb recovered the fumble as well, ending any hope of a Bengals comeback.
With the late sack in Sunday’s win, Chubb now has 10 sacks in his rookie season. That is tied for the ninth-most in the entire NFL, and the most among rookies. With four games left to play, Chubb has an outside shot at the rookie sack record of 14.5, set by Jevon Kearse in 1999.
Russell Wilson, quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson had an efficient day passing the ball in the Seahawks’ 43-16 thrashing of the San Francisco 49ers, throwing four touchdowns on just 11 completions to lead Seattle to victory. Wilson attempted just 17 passes in total, throwing for 185 yards. He also added 14 yards on the ground.
B.J. Hill, defensive tackle, New York Giants
Hill had a monster day in a 30-27 win over the Chicago Bears, recording three sacks to help the Giants overcome a good Chicago team. Hill entered this weekend with only two sacks on the season, but now leads the Giants in sacks with five on the season.
Jaylen Samuels, running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Samuels made an impact for Pittsburgh late in the fourth quarter after an injury to starting running back James Conner, scoring a game-tying touchdown in the Steelers’ primetime loss to the Chargers. It was his second score of the year.
Samuels entered the game following the injury and had two catches right away. The second was a 10-yard touchdown grab, with the extra point tying things up at 30-30 with just over four minutes to play. Samuels has played sparingly for Pittsburgh this season, but could see much more time down the stretch if Conner’s injury keeps him out.
Stephen Hauschka, Kicker, Buffalo Bills
Hauschka had a rough day in the Bills’ 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, missing a field goal and an extra point. He pushed the point after wide left following the Bills’ first touchdown of the game, and then missed a 55-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that would have made it a one-point game.
Hauschka did have one make on the day, a 32-yarder in the third quarter.
Nyheim Hines, running back, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts lost in maybe the most boring NFL game of the season, as the Jaguars kicked two field goals to beat Indianapolis 6-0. Hines’ impact in the run game was almost nonexistent. He had just four carries, gaining only five yards. He did, however, put up 50 yards on nine catches receiving.
David Amerson, cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals recorded their first win at Lambeau Field in franchise history Sunday, beating the Packers 20-17 on the road. Amerson started at cornerback for Arizona, registering the third-most tackles on the team with five. He also had one pass defended.
Josh Jones, safety, Green Bay Packers
Jones played 48 of the Packers’ 62 defensive snaps in Green Bay’s loss to Arizona, and he performed fairly well. Jones registered five tackles, and also recorded his first sack of the season.
