The NFL playoff race is heating up and the NC State football alumni are doing their best to make a push for the postseason. Here are the top Wolfpack performances from Weeks 10–12.
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
Rivers and the Chargers have struggled this year in close games to say the least. San Diego is 1-5 in games decided by seven points or less. That trend continued in Week 10, as Rivers and the Chargers fell to a surging Miami Dolphins team, 31-24.
The Dolphins matchup was by far Rivers’ most disappointing game of the season. While he threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns, he also threw four costly interceptions, one of which resulted in a 60-yard pick-six by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso.
After the bye in Week 11, Rivers and the Chargers bounced back, defeating the AFC South-leading Houston Texans, 21-13. Rivers had an average performance Sunday, throwing for 242 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
In Week 10, Wilson and the Seahawks secured a huge win, defeating arguably the best team in the AFC, the New England Patriots, 31-24.
It was by far Wilson’s greatest statistical performance of the season. The star quarterback threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns, all of which were to wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
The dual-threat quarterback turned into a triple-threat, catching a 15-yard touchdown pass from Baldwin in Seattle’s 26-15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. Wilson also threw for a respectable 272 yards and one touchdown.
This season, Wilson is not able to rely on his running game due to the unexpected retirement of stud running back Marshawn Lynch in the offseason. Wilson is now called on to carry the load for the offense. In games where Wilson does not throw a touchdown pass, the Seahawks are 1-3-1. This past Sunday was the case, as Seattle fell to the Buccaneers, 14-5.
In his worst outing of the season, Wilson threw for a measly 151 yards and two interceptions. Wilson was under duress all afternoon, as he was sacked six times, the most for him in a game this season.
Stephen Hauschka, Kicker, Seattle Seahawks
In the win against the Patriots, Hauschka was the definition of clutch, converting all four of his attempted field goals; however, he did miss his third extra point attempt of the season. Hauschka tied his highest point total of the season with 13.
In a week that was rough for kickers around the league, 12 point after attempts were missed, one of which was from Hauschka. In the Eagles win, Hauschka was two for three on field goal attempts and two of three on extra points. Hauschka also made his lone field goal attempt of 43 yards in the loss to Tampa Bay.
David Amerson, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
After a bye in Week 10, Amerson and the Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. In a quiet afternoon for the starting corner, Amerson recorded four tackles and one pass deflection.
The hottest team in the AFC faced off against the faltering Carolina Panthers this past Sunday. Amerson was inactive for the game due to a knee injury. Despite an already subject secondary, the Raiders defense provided enough pressure to Cam Newton, sealing their fifth-straight win with a strip sack from Khalil Mack, 35-32.
Mario Williams, Defensive End, Miami Dolphins
Despite Miami’s recent success, the 11-year pro has seen limited action as of late. In the past three games, Williams has combined for just three tackles and half a sack. Williams was carted off in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers with a stomach injury. Later, the team released that the defensive end had suffered a stomach virus.
Junior cornerback David Amerson runs back after making an interception against Boston College Saturday, November 24, 2012. Amerson returned the interception for a 55-yard touchdown in the Wolfpack's 27-10 win over the Eagles at Carter-Finley Stadium.
