NC State quarterbacks went 2-1 this week, as they brought their combined team records to 9-6, led by Russell Wilson’s 4-1 Seahawks and MVP push. The 4-1 Seahawks are above last year’s NFC Champion, the Los Angeles Rams, in the NFC West after defeating them, 30-29, on Thursday night. Here is a deeper look into just how well Wilson performed, as well as other impressive Wolfpack alumni.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson continued his MVP-caliber campaign this season as he lit the Los Angeles Rams up for 300 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. On the season, Wilson already has 1,409 passing yards, a league-high 12 touchdowns, and an impressive zero interceptions. The only other quarterbacks in the league that has zero interceptions but has started every game thus far are Marcus Mariota and Patrick Mahomes.
Wilson’s impressive Thursday evening sent a strong Rams team home with a 30-29 loss, and Wilson delivered a beautiful throw in what was arguably the best catch this so far this season.
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
While Wilson had an incredible day, Rivers had quite the opposite, finishing with 211 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions thrown to a Broncos defense that has underwhelmed this season. The 2-3 Chargers fell to the then-winless Broncos, adding insult to injury.
The Chargers get somewhat of a break in the form of their next game vs. the 1-4 Steelers, who will start their third string quarterback, but even that game is far from a guarantee for a disappointing Chargers team thus far.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Brissett himself did not have the greatest of games against the Chiefs, but the Colts ended up winning in the trenches, with strong games from both the offensive line and defensive line. Brissett finished the game with 151 passing yards on 62.1% completion, with zero passing touchdowns and one interception. However, Brissett scored the only touchdown of the game for the Colts on a rush attempt, and he finished the game with nine total rushing yards.
The Colts have had an up-and-down year since the retirement of Andrew Luck, but Brissett has filled in admirably for the team, and at 3-2, they have the potential to make a run at the playoffs.
Nyheim Hines, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Hines only rushed twice in the 19-13 win over the previously undefeated Chiefs, finishing with negative one yard, but his effectiveness came on multiple connections with Brissett. Hines finished the game with 46 receiving yards on four catches, including an impressive 18-yard lob from Brissett. Hines also tied number-one Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton for most targets in the game, with five.
Justin Jones, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers
While the Chargers did lose, Jones showed off on the defensive side of the ball, racking up five total tackles, three of which were solo tackles, one pass deflection and one quarterback hit. Even though Jones was all over the field, pressure was overall lacking as Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco finished with a smooth 70% completion and 159 yards.
The Broncos’ two-headed rushing attack of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman was not impacted by the Chargers defensive line, as the pair combined for 175 yards on 28 carries, and one touchdown.
B.J. Hill, Defensive Tackle, New York Giants
Although the Giants lost the game 28-10, and allowed Vikings rushers to record 211 yards, Hill showed promise in the game. Hill finished the game with five total tackles and half a tackle for loss. Currently, Hill is on pace to top his production from last season in terms of tackles, having 19 through five games of play, with four starts.
Jaylen Samuels, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Samuels had a mediocre day in terms of production, as he finished with just 13 all-purpose yards, but he did complete a pass, make a catch and run the ball in the same game, similar to what was seen last week against the Bengals. He had a wild game, as did the entire Steelers team after starting quarterback Mason Rudolph went down with injury, so it will be interesting to see how Samuels is utilized moving forward.
