By R.L. Bynum
On a rough weekend in the NFL for Tar Heels, Miami wide receiver Mack Hollins was nearly the hero for the Dolphins.
Hollins made a big play to give the Dolphins a one-point lead with 2:33 left, but they lost to the Atlanta Falcons 30–28 on a 36-yard Younghoe Koo field goal as time expired.
Hollins caught a fourth-quarter four-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for his first touchdown reception of the season and third of his career. It would have been the game-winning score had Koo missed.
With wide receiver Preston Williams back in the lineup for Miami, Hollins didn’t start as he did for the previous game.
Miami has lost six consecutive games after winning its opener.
Michael Carter and the New York Jets had a rough afternoon in a 54–13 loss at New England.
Carter only had 37 rushing yards on 11 carries and fumbled but got his largest usage in the passing game of his rookie season. After pulling down only nine catches for 64 yards in the first five games, he had eight catches on nine targets for 67 yards Sunday.
Carter’s 19 touches were a season-high, beating his previous best of 14 in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.
Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown’s injury frustrations continued in a 24–10 loss at Green Bay. After being questionable for the game with a knee injury suffered in Week 4, he started but aggravated that injury on the first play of the second quarter. He limped noticeably, favoring his right leg as he went to the sideline and appeared to be in significant discomfort.
According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, a UNC alum, a source tells her that the injury is not expected to be serious but further tests are likely for clarity.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb had four tackles and two assists, tied for his fewest total tackles of six, collected in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
Tampa Bay running back Giovani Bernard had two catches on three targets, including a 9-yard reception, for a net of five yards in the Bucs’ 38–3 home win over the Chicago Bears.
Chicago linebacker Robert Quinn, who has been the subject of trade rumors, missed the game under COVID-19 protocols. That means that he either tested positive or came into close contact with an infected person.
Javonte Williams had four rushes for 20 yards, both season-lows, in Denver’s 17–14 loss Thursday night at Cleveland as the Broncos fell to 3–4 after winning their first three games.
His previous low in carries was seven against Baltimore in Week 4 when he had 48 yards and his previous rushing yards low was 29 on 12 rushes against the New York Jets in Week 3.
Starting Denver running back Melvin Gordon III didn’t get that many more chances, either, with eight rushes for 18 yards.
Williams was used more in the passing game, though, with six receptions, a season-high, for 32 reception yards and his first career touchdown reception, a short pass on a 10-yard play. His season-high for receptions yards was 33 against the Jets.
How Tar Heels did in Week 7
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
38–3 win vs. Chicago — 2 receptions on 3 targets, 5 yards (longest 9); 11 offensive snaps (15%) and 2 special-teams snaps (8%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 4 rushes, 21 yards; 19 catches, 102 yards (5.4 average, longest 32 yards), 2 TDs, 1 fumble
Up next — at New Orleans, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Dyami Brown, Washington wide receiver
24–20 loss at Green Bay — Started; no statistics; left the game in the first half after aggravating a knee injury; 10 snaps (14%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 8 receptions on 20 targets, 81 yards (10.1 average, longest 22 yards); 1 rush for -4 yards
Up next — at Denver, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
54–13 loss at New England — Started; 11 rushes, 37 yards (longest 6); 8 catches on 9 targets for 67 yards (8.4 average; longest 16); 47 snaps (72%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 58 carries, 202 yards (3.5 average, longest 14 yards), 2 TDs; 17 receptions, 131 yards (7.7 average; longest 17)
Up next —vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Off this week
Season statistics — 6 games, 7 reception, 47 yards (6.7 average, longest 19); 1 rush, 1 yard, 1 TD
Up next — at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Charlie Heck, Houston Texans right tackle
31–5 loss at Arizona — Started; played all 56 offensive snaps and 1 special-teams snap
Season statistics — 5 games, 3 starts; 192 offensive snaps, 10 special-teams snaps
Up next — vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Cole Holcomb, Washington outside linebacker
24–20 loss at Green Bay — Started; 4 tackles, 2 assists; played all 56 defensive snaps
Season statistics — 7 games, 41 tackles, 23 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception
Up next — at Denver, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Mack Hollins, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
30–28 loss vs. Atlanta — 2 catches on 3 targets for 13 yards (longest 9), 1 TD; 39 offensive snaps (53%) and 16 special-teams snaps (57%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD; 3 special-teams tackle; 1 tackle
Up next — at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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James Hurst, New Orleans Saints left tackle
13–10 win at Seattle — Started; reported as tackle-eligible 8 times; 11 offensive snaps (15%), 3 special-teams snaps (12%)
Season statistics — 6 games; 3 starts; 148 snaps, 21 special-teams snaps
Up next — vs. Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears outside linebacker
38–3 loss at Tampa Bay — Didn’t play under COVID-19 protocols
Season statistics — 6 games, 15 tackles, 4 assists, 6 sacks, 4 tackles for losses, 3 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
Up next — vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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Andre Smith, Buffalo Bills weakside linebacker
Off this weekend
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Up next — vs. Miami, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Chazz Surratt, Minnesota Vikings weakside linebacker
Off this weekend
Season statistics — 4 games, no statistics
Up next — vs. Dallas, 8:20 p.m. Sunday, NBC (WRAL in Triangle)
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Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Off this weekend
Season statistics — 2 games; 2 of 2 passing for 9 yards (longest 8); 10 rushes for 27 yards (longest 22), 85.4 passer rating
Up next — vs. Miami, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS
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Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
17–14 Thursday loss at Cleveland —4 rushes, 20 yards (longest 7); 6 catches on 7 targets, 32 yards (longest 10), 1 TD; 21 snaps (42%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 69 carries, 320 yards (4.6 average; longest 49 yards), 1 TD; 20 catches, 122 yards (6.1 average, longest 17 yards)
Up next — vs. Washington, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox
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On injured reserve
M.J. Stewart, Cleveland Browns safety (hamstring injury; eligible to return Week 9)
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On practice squads
Jake Bargas, Minnesota Vikings fullback
Myles Dorn, Minnesota Vikings safety (played 10 special-teams snaps on Week 2)
Dazz Newsome, Chicago Bears wide receiver
Antonio Williams, Buffalo Bills running back
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Injured and out for the season
Jalen Dalton, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle, suffered triceps injury
Ryan Switzer, Cleveland Browns wide receiver, had ankle surgery Aug. 20
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