By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye ended the worst three-week stretch of his young career, Javonte Williams ran for a career-high three touchdowns and Omarion Hampton scored in the fourth quarter in a good week for former Carolina players in Week 4 of the NFL season.
Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the Patriots’ 29–26 win at Buffalo, handing the Bills their first loss of the season. He also threw one interception, lost a fumble and ran eight times for 24 yards, but his 82.9 PFF offensive rating, 78.0 passer rating and 75.6 run rating were all season highs.
The performance was a sharp turn from the start of his season. Maye had thrown one touchdown pass against six interceptions before Sunday and was pulled late in the previous week’s 35–6 loss to Jacksonville.
His touchdown passes covered 14 yards to Romeo Doubs with 7:01 left in the first quarter, 2 yards to Doubs with 8:15 left in the third quarter and 23 yards to Efton Chism III with 1:50 left in the fourth. He also connected with Rhamondre Stevenson on the two-point conversion that put New England (2–2) ahead 29–26.
Buffalo took the lead 26–21 on Josh Allen’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman with 4:27 left, and Maye answered with an eight-play, 73-yard drive. Chism finished it with a one-handed grab, and Craig Woodson’s interception of Allen with 1:14 remaining sealed the win. The Patriots (2–2) became the first visiting team to win at the Bills’ new facility, Highmark Stadium.
Maye said afterward that the sideline never panicked once Buffalo took the lead.
“I’m just proud of the way the guys fought,” Maye said (his part of the press conference above starts at 7:26).
Pats coach Mike Vrabel said Maye played evenly with Allen, a two-time MVP candidate, and that the win put New England back in the race.
Maye also credited the receiver who made the winning catch. The 24-year-old Chism was on the field only because Mack Hollins left with a calf injury after catching three of four targets for 53 yards, including a 26-yard reception.
“He just keeps on doing the right thing,” Maye said.
This season, Maye has completed 73 of 117 passes for 854 yards and four touchdowns, with seven interceptions and 10 sacks. The Patriots host Las Vegas at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Williams carried 19 times for 62 yards, scoring all three touchdowns in the second half, as Dallas rallied for a 34–30 win at Houston. He added five catches on five targets for 21 yards and finished with 31.3 fantasy points. He scored on an 8-yard run with 12:55 left in the third quarter, a 1-yard run with 6:49 left in the third, and a 2-yard run with 11:17 left in the fourth.
Houston led 16–6 at halftime, and Williams then reached the end zone on three straight possessions to open the second half. His final score gave Dallas its first lead at 27–23. CeeDee Lamb later caught his career-high 17th pass, a 12-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott with 40 seconds left, to win it.
The 2-yard touchdown carried some extra meaning after Week 3. Dallas threw from the 2-yard line late in its loss to Baltimore, when a run would have pushed Williams to 100 yards.
“We’re just trying to go win it,” said Williams, who has six touchdowns on the season.
The Cowboys (2–2) host Tampa Bay at 8:15 p.m. Thursday on Prime Video.
Hampton produced season-high grades of 73.1 on offense and 75.8 on running while carrying nine times for 45 yards. He scored on a 2-yard run with 7:48 left in the fourth quarter to cut Seattle’s lead to 30–20. Hampton, who had 13.8 fantasy points, also caught both passes targeted to him for eight.
The touchdown could not save the Chargers, who fell to 0–4 in a 30–23 loss. Los Angeles outgained Seattle 301 to 286 but committed four turnovers, including three by Justin Herbert, and a strip-sack on its final drive ended the comeback attempt.
Elsewhere around the league for former UNC players:
—Wide receiver Dyami Brown started in Washington’s 30–13 loss to Indianapolis in London. He had three catches on four targets for 65 yards (48 longest) and returned three kickoffs for 82 yards (37 longest). He also had two assists on kickoff coverage.
— In that London game, Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had three catches on four targets for 16 yards (9 longest).
—In Pittsburgh’s 27–24 Thursday loss to Cleveland, linebacker Cole Holcomb played five defensive snaps (8%) and 18 special-teams snaps (18%) with one assist and one tackle on kickoff coverage.
—Linebacker Cedric Gray had two tackles (one for a loss), two assists and a tackle on kickoff coverage in Tennessee’s 24–18 loss to Baltimore with two tackles (one for a loss), two assists and a tackle on kickoff coverage. His 71.2 defensive rating was a season high.
—Wide receiver Tez Walker had one catch on two targets for 19 yards in that Ravens victory.
—Chiefs offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu came off the bench in Kansas City’s 30–27 win over Las Vegas.
— Offensive lineman Willie Lampkin played five special-teams snaps in Philadelphia’s 24–20 loss to the Rams.
— Chazz Surratt was inactive for Seattle’s win over the Chargers with a calf injury. Seattle hosts San Francisco at 4:25 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
—Houston placed running back British Brooks on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury.
—Neither Mitch Trubisky of Tennessee nor Sam Howell of Dallas, both backup quarterbacks, played, and neither has yet taken a regular-season snap this season.
—Week 4 concludes on Monday night with Mike Hughes and the Atlanta Falcons visiting Asim Richards and the New Orleans Saints at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
—Houston placed running back British Brooks on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts, 7 catches, 86 yards (48 longest); 53.5 offensive rating, 57.1 pass game rating, 34.4 run-blocking rating
Week 4 — Colts 30, Commanders 13 (in London) | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 65 yards (48 longest); 3 kickoff returns, 82 yards (37 longest); 2 assists on kickoff coverage; 10.5 fantasy points; season-high 75.6 offensive rating (previous weeks was 47.6, 46.9 and 46.9), season-high 80.0 pass-game rating, season-low 29.4 run-blocking rating
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts, 17 catches, 202 yards (25 longest); 77.4 offensive rating, 78.1 pass game rating, 58.7 run-blocking rating
Week 4 — Colts 30, Commanders 13 (in London) | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 16 yards (9 longest); 4.6 fantasy points; season-low 52.4 offensive rating, season-low 52.4 pass game rating, 59.6 run-block rating (second-lowest this season0
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 4 offensive snaps and 2 special-teams snaps through Week 3
Week 4 — Chiefs 30, Raiders 27 | Played off the bench
Week 5 — Open date
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 2 starts, 9 tackles, 7 assists; 68.8 defensive grade, 77.6 run-defense grade, 54.0 pass-rush grade, 57.9 pass-coverage grade
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | started: 2 tackles (1 for a loss), 2 assists, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; season-high 71.2 defensive rating, 72.8 run-defense rating, 75.6 tackling grade, 54.0 pass-rushing grade, 62.3 pass-coverage grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 4 games, 3 starts, 59 carries, 238 yards, 4.3 average, 3 touchdowns; 4 catches, 29 yards, 7.2 average; 2 fumbles (2 lost); 64.1 offensive grade, 58.5 pass game grade, 74.2 pass-block grade, 75.8 run grade
Week 4 — Seahawks 30, Chargers 23 | didn’t start: 9 carries, 45 yards (15 longest), 5.0 average, 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 7:48 left in fourth quarter); 2 catches on 2 targets, 8 yards (5 longest); 13.8 fantasy points; season-high 73.1 offensive grade, 60.1 pass game grade, season-low 25.2 pass-block grade, season-high 75.8 run grade
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 4 games, 3 tackles (both solo), 2 assists; 55.5 defensive grade; 63.4 special-teams grade
Week 4 — Browns 27, Steelers 24 (Thursday) | didn’t start; 1 assist, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 5 defensive snaps (8%), 18 special-teams snaps (18%); 46.0 defensive grade; 68.0 special-teams grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 4 games, 3 starts, 15 catches, 209 yards (26 longest), 13.9 average; 81.2 offensive grade, 80.1 pass game grade, 61.6 pass-blocking grade, 71.4 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Patriots 29, Bills 26 | started: 3 catches on 4 targets, 53 yards (26 longest); left the game with a calf injury with 10:13 left in the third quarter; 8.3 fantasy points; 77.6 offensive grade, 74.8 pass-game grade, 71.4 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics with Seattle (didn’t play last season; hasn’t played this season); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 4 — Cowboys 34, Texans 30 | Didn’t play
Week 5 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Tampa Bay, Prime Video
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 11 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended; 47.2 defensive grade
Week 3 — Falcons 35, Packers 14 | started: 6 tackles, 1 assist; 56 defensive snaps (85%); 56 defensive snaps (85%); 43.2 defensive grade; 6.5 fantasy points
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday at New Orleans, ESPN
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday vs. Baltimore, NBC
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 4 games, 19 special-teams snaps; 55.7 special-teams grade
Week 4 — Rams 24, Eagles 20 | 5 special-teams snaps; 57.9 special-teams grade
Week 5 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville in London, NFL Network
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 73 of 117, 854 yards, 4 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 10 sacks (45 yards in losses), 71.0 passer rating; 23 carries, 136 yards, 5.9 average; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 55.5 offensive rating, 49.9 passer rating, 77.0 run rating
Week 4 — Patriots 29, Bills 26 | started: 22 of 37, 269 yards, 1 sack (7-yard loss), 3 touchdowns (14-yard pass to Romeo Doubs with 7:01 left in the first quarter, 2-yard pass to Doubs with 8:15 left in the third quarter, 23-yard pass to Efton Chism III with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter), 2-point conversion completion to Rhamondre Stevenson after third TD pass, 1 interception, 97.7 passer rating; 8 carries, 24 yards (26 longest); 3 fumbles (1 lost; 2 recovered); 27.16 fantasy points; season-high 82.9 offensive rating, season-high 78.0 passer rating, season-high 75.6 run rating
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 102 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps; 58.9 offensive grade
Week 3 — Raiders 35, Saints 27 | started; 74 offensive snaps (100%); 64.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday vs. Atlanta, ESPN
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 4 — Seahawks 30, Chargers 23 | Inactive with calf injury
Week 5 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics with Buffalo (hasn’t played this season) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | didn’t play
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 0 starts, 2 catches, 66 yards (47 longest); 56.5 offensive grade, 57.9 pass game grade, 64.3 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 19 yards; season-low 47.4 offensive grade, season-low 52.7 pass game grade, season-low 45.1 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday at Atlanta, NBC
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 62 carries, 231 yards (3.7 average), 5 touchdowns; 15 catches, 77 yards (17 longest), 5.1 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 71.0 offensive rating, 83.3 pass game rating, 68.5 pass-block rating, 66.2 run rating
Week 4 — Cowboys 34, Texans 30 | started: 19 carries, 62 yards (13 longest), 3 touchdowns (runs of 8 with 12:55 left in the third quarter, 1 with 6:49 left in the third quarter and 2 with 11:17 left in the fourth quarter); 5 catches on 5 targets, 21 yards (9 longest); 31.3 fantasy points; 64.2 offensive rating, 63.5 pass game rating, 63.3 pass-blocking rating, 63.5 run rating
Week 5 — 8:15 Thursday vs. Tampa Bay, Prime Video
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason; estimated return Oct. 11
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
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