As some teams finish up their bye weeks, the NFL is in its final six-game stretch of the season as teams aim for the playoffs and players start standing out as leaders on the stat sheets. Here’s how former Wolfpack players are faring in the final push in the regular season.
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
In his 195th consecutive start, fourth all-time in NFL history, Rivers produced 251 passing yards, two touchdowns and committed zero turnovers in a 54-24 romping of the Buffalo Bills.
Thanks to five interceptions in the first half by the Bills, the Chargers snapped their two-game losing skid and moved to 4-6 on the season.
This was the team’s highest scoring outing since Rivers became the starter for the Chargers in 2006. Rivers currently ranks in the top 10 passing yardage leaders this season with six games remaining.
Matthew Dayes, Running Back, Cleveland Browns
Dayes continued to be a star in the return game for the Browns as he returned two kicks for 62 yards, including a 53-yard return in the Browns’ 19-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The rookie also recorded one catch for five yards as Cleveland remains winless on the season.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson continued to put his team on his shoulders as he threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns and lead his team in rushing with 86 yards and another score on the ground in a 34-31 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.
Wilson’s two turnovers, a fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception that set up an Atlanta touchdown, proved to be the undoing for the Seahawks in a tight matchup. The Seahawks are in the playoff hunt with a 6-4 record while Wilson is currently ranked second, behind New England Patriots signal caller Tom Brady, in the league for passing yards with 2,801 and 21 total touchdowns.
Stephen Hauschka, Kicker, Buffalo Bills
On the losing side of the 54-24 smackdown from Rivers and Los Angeles, Hauschka made all three of his extra point attempts and nailed his lone field goal attempt from 50 yards out. He currently ranks tied for 13th in the NFL with 18 made field goals and has made 90 percent of his field goal attempts.
Josh Jones, Safety, Green Bay Packers
Jones was the third-leading tackler for Green Bay with seven in a 23-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 2017 second-round draft pick has recorded 41 tackles and two sacks this season for the 5-5 Packers.
