By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye opened Week 7 with another 300-yard passing performance and three total touchdowns Thursday night, and Javonte Williams closed it Monday with the best rushing performance of his NFL career.
The former Carolina stars provided the week’s biggest highlights for Tar Heels in the NFL, although their teams had dramatically different results.
Maye threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in New England’s 30–24 loss at Chicago. Four days later, Williams rushed for a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries to lead Dallas to a 38–21 road victory over Philadelphia.
Williams’ performance was particularly impressive against an Eagles defense that couldn’t consistently contain him. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, broke off a 34-yard run and scored on a 2-yard carry with 2:21 remaining to help put the game away. It was the first game this season he wasn’t targeted for any passes.
The Cowboys had struggled to establish their running game in their previous two losses, and Williams said the emphasis against Philadelphia was restoring balance.
“We were just trying to get back to a balanced offense, and I feel like we did a great job tonight,” Williams, who had 21.5 fantasy points, said, according to the Cowboys’ official website.
Williams said Coach Brian Schottenheimer had emphasized reaching at least 25 rushing attempts, and his effectiveness helped Dallas stick with that approach.
“It was good to give [Schottenheimer] the confidence to keep calling the runs,” Williams said.
Quarterback Dak Prescott praised Williams for the qualities that make him valuable beyond his rushing statistics.
“He’s a true pro. One of the best teammates, the guy that does everything right, a smart football player, and a physical football player,” Prescott said.
Williams also earned the highest Pro Football Focus offensive grade of his six-year NFL career, an 88.0, surpassing his previous best of 81.9 against Jacksonville in Week 2 of his rookie season in 2021. His 85.9 rushing grade was his best this season, and his 82.4 pass-blocking grade reflected his contributions beyond carrying the ball.
The performance came three days after Williams expressed frustration with Dallas’ offensive inconsistency and challenged the Cowboys to demonstrate their potential.
“We just got to go out. Like I said, we just got to go out and show the world,” Williams said in a Friday interview with Dallas Sports Journal.
Williams has rushed for 472 yards and eight touchdowns through seven games, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He also has 19 receptions for 103 yards and another touchdown, bringing his total to nine touchdowns.
Maye was similarly productive Thursday, completing 24 of 31 passes (77.4%) with two touchdowns and one interception for a 117.8 passer rating. He also led the Patriots with 26 rushing yards on four carries.
His 7-yard touchdown run with 11:33 remaining in the second quarter gave him his second rushing score of the season. He later connected with running back Rhamondre Stevenson on a 48-yard touchdown pass as the first half ended and found tight end Eli Raridon for a 30-yard score with 3:46 left in the third quarter.
Maye accounted for 347 yards of total offense and produced 28.44 fantasy points despite the defeat.
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Although Maye’s numbers were impressive, he focused afterward on the mistakes that kept New England from winning, particularly an end-zone interception.
“It definitely was a huge point in the game,” Maye said of the interception. “It’s those plays, I talk about all the time. And those plays that can swing the game, can impact the game, and that was definitely one of them right there.”
He also took responsibility for the offense’s difficulty handling Chicago’s pressure.
“Disappointed in myself. I got to have some answers to get the ball out and not have our guys holding up for that long and trying to get some stuff going,” Maye said.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel praised his quarterback’s competitiveness despite the defeat.
“He gave us a chance. He competed and I know he’d like to have that throw back to Eli [Raridon] but, I thought he really competed,” Vrabel said. “I’m glad he’s ours.”
Through seven games, Maye has completed 141 of 214 passes (65.9%) for 1,784 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his combined passing and rushing yards to 1,995.
Stewart starts for Houston
Houston safety M.J. Stewart made his first start since returning from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list (torn quadriceps muscle) and was one of the Texans’ busiest defenders in a 27–21 home loss to the New York Giants.
Starting in place of injured safety Reed Blankenship, Stewart collected five solo tackles, seven assists, half a sack, a quarterback hit and a pass defended. He played 63 defensive snaps, playing in 95% of Houston’s defensive plays.
Stewart, who was activated Oct. 10, has played three games this season and made one start.
Elsewhere in Week 7 among former UNC players:
— Kansas City’s Joshua Ezeudu made his first start of the season and the 11th of his NFL career in the Chiefs’ 20–3 road loss to Seattle. Ezeudu filled in at right tackle for Jaylon Moore, who was sidelined by a concussion, and played all 53 offensive snaps, along with three on special teams. He received a 51.7 PFF offensive grade and a 51.0 pass-blocking grade, both season lows.
— New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards played every offensive snap at left tackle in his team’s loss to Pittsburgh in France. Richards was called for a false start and finished with a 55.4 offensive grade in 57 snaps.
— In Pittsburgh’s 16–10 victory over New Orleans in Saint-Denis, France, Cole Holcomb forced a fumble and contributed an assisted tackle.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes had one solo tackle, one assist and a pass defended in the Falcons’ 29–20 victory over San Francisco, earning a season-high 89.4 defensive grade, including an 87.1 coverage grade.
— Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray contributed two solo tackles, two assists and an assisted tackle on kickoff coverage in the Titans’ 27–24 loss to Cleveland. His 45.9 defensive grade was his lowest this season.
— In Pittsburgh’s 16–10 victory over New Orleans in Saint-Denis, France, Cole Holcomb forced a fumble and contributed an assisted tackle.
— Philadelphia offensive lineman Willie Lampkin, who has started twice this season, only played seven special-teams snaps in the Eagles’ loss to Dallas.
— Indianapolis receiver Josh Downs caught two passes on four targets for 18 yards in the Colts’ 16–10 loss at Minnesota.
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter carried three times for seven yards and caught his only target for another seven yards in the Titans’ loss to Cleveland.
— Baltimore receiver Tez Walker played 20 offensive snaps and six on special teams but didn’t record a catch in the Ravens’ 35–13 home loss to Cincinnati.
— Neither Dallas backup quarterback Sam Howell nor Tennessee backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky played. Neither has played yet during the regular season.
—Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt was inactive for the fourth consecutive game because of a calf injury.
— Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown, Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton and Jacksonville cornerback Alijah Huzzie all had open dates.
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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 6 — 49ers 23, Commanders 17 (road on Monday) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 33 offensive snaps (49%), 13 special-teams snaps (13%); 50.9 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade; 2.1 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
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 — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, 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 — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started at right tackle (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starters Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 pass coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
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 — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
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 — 7 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps through Week 6
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (home) | didn’t start
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run, 11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, 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 — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
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 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
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 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 110 carries, 472 yards (4.3 average), 8 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 77.0 offensive grade, 79.6 pass grade, 60.8 pass-block grade, 75.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | started: 25 carries, career-high 155 yards (6.2 average; 34 longest) 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 2:21, 4th quarter); career-high 88.0 offensive grade (previous high 81.9 at Jacksonville in Week 2 of the 2021 season), 52.1 pass grade, 82.4 pass-block grade, season-high 85.9 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
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)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— 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
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— 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
Photo via @dallascowboys
