By R.L. Bynum
Ty Chandler’s career-high 132 yards and a touchdown highlighted Week 15 for UNC alums on a weekend when coaches benched quarterbacks Sam Howell and Mitch Trubisky after ineffective efforts in losses.
Chandler’s big game came Saturday in his Minnesota Vikings’ 27–24 overtime loss at Cincinnati, in which he had 23 carries and a 30-yard run and made three catches for 25 yards. He produced 24.6 fantasy points, including 11.6 on Minnesota’s first drive.
“I couldn’t have done it without them changing the line of scrimmage,” he said. “They all did a great job, and I’m real thankful for them.”
A sprained ankle by usual starter Alexander Mattison led to Chandler getting his first NFL start, but many suggest Chandler should start even when Mattison recovers.
“Just preparing to be ready and going out there and executing at a high level,” he said. “Just being ready to seize the moment.”
Early in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 28–20 Sunday road loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Commanders benched Howell after he went 11 of 26 with one touchdown and his league-leading 15th interception.
After the game, Washington coach Ron Rivera said that Howell will remain the starter.
It was Howell’s second consecutive week with a 50.5 passer rating. A week after throwing for a career-low 127 yards, he threw for only 102 yards Sunday, and has thrown at least one interception in four consecutive games.
Trailing 28–7, former N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett rallied Washington within eight with two touchdown passes, the second with 1:46 remaining. Brissett finished 8 of 10 for 124 yards, two touchdowns and a 157.9 passer rating.
Washington had four three-and-outs and only one red-zone trip in the first half. Howell’s fourth-and-one pass to Logan Thomas at the Rams 12 was batted away on that drive.
Howell threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel with 6:25 left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 20–7, but the offense didn’t have much spark until Brissett entered the game.
Dyami Brown, who was targeted for only one pass in his six offensive snaps and didn’t make the catch, had one assist on punt coverage in his 15 special-teams snaps.
Before Trubisky gave way to Mason Rudolph late in Saturday’s 30–13 loss at Indianapolis, he was 16 of 23 for 169 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, three sacks and a 68.9 passer rating.
The Steelers have lost both of Trubisky’s starts since Kenny Pickett sprained his right ankle. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said that Pickett could return next week.
“We don’t have the answers right now, but we’re going to find them,” Trubisky said. “We’re going to work tirelessly at it, we’re going to come together, and our leaders have to step up.”
It started well for Trubisky with a one-yard touchdown plunge late in the first quarter and a four-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson early in the second quarter, giving Pittsburgh a 13–0 lead, but the Steelers couldn’t score again.
For the Colts, Josh Downs came off the bench to catch three passes on three targets for 19 yards, including an eight-yard gain. He also returned punts for the first time this season, averaging 12.7 yards on three returns.
In Arizona’s 45–19 home loss Sunday to San Francisco, Michael Carter had 27 yards on three carries, including a 19-yard rush, and caught three passes for 10 yards in 18 offensive snaps.
Javonte Williams had 27 yards on 12 carries and -7 yards on two catches in Denver’s 42–17 Saturday loss at Detroit. The Lions’ Antoine Green was inactive for the game.
Charlie Heck started at right tackle for Houston in the Texans’ 19–16 win at Tennessee. He replaced Charlie Fant, who is recovering from a hip injury. After playing only five special-teams snaps in three games this season, he played all 77 offensive snaps Sunday, with five special-teams snaps.
Mike Hughes got his first start of the season at cornerback for Atlanta in the Falcons’ 9–7 loss at Carolina, making two tackles, including one for a loss. Atlanta wide receiver Mack Hollins was inactive for the game.
James Hurst started at left guard for New Orleans in the Saints’ 24–6 Sunday home win over the New York Giants, playing all 62 offensive saps and four special-teams snaps. Offensive lineman Marcus McKethan played two special-teams snaps for the Giants.
Chazz Surratt had one assist off the bench in three defensive and 18 special-teams snaps for the New York Jets in their 30–0 Sunday loss at Miami.
Dallas offensive lineman Asim Richards was inactive for Dallas’ 31–10 loss at Buffalo.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string WR behind Terry McLaurin
28–20 Sunday loss at Los Angeles Rams — 1 catches on 1 target; 1 assist on punt coverage; 6 offensive snaps (10%), 15 special-teams snaps (56%)
Season statistics — 14 games, 1 start; 12 catches, 164 yards (35 longest), 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards; 1 assist; 1 special-teams tackle; 1 special-teams assist
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, CBS
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Competing for time with James Conner, Earl Demercado and Keaontay Ingram
45–19 Sunday loss vs. San Francisco — 3 carries, 27 yards, 9.0 average (19 longest); 3 catches on 3 targets, 10 yards, 3.3 average (8 longest); 18 offensive snaps (24%)
Season statistics — 12 games, 19 carries, 109 yards (19 longest); 22 catches, 93 yards (10 longest)
Up next — 4:25 Sunday at Chicago, Fox
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Alexander Mattison