By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, including one to Mack Hollins on his return from injured reserve, but the New England Patriots lost 45–27 to the Green Bay Packers during a weekend that featured several strong performances from former UNC players.
Maye completed 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. His 74.3 passer rating was well below his season mark of 96.8.
Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepted him twice, and safety Evan Williams picked him off once.
“Just throwing the football in spots that I don’t think I should’ve thrown it,” Maye said, adding that he needed to locate the safeties on the first interception, put more distance on the second throw and see the defender jumping the crossing route on the third.
Maye threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Rhamondre Stevenson with 9:23 left in the second quarter, an 8-yarder to Efton Chism III with 2:37 left in the quarter and a 22-yarder to Hollins with 1:11 left in the third. Maye has 2,282 yards (8.4 per attempt) on 178 of 272 passing with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.
Hollins started after missing four games on injured reserve with a calf injury. He caught 3 of 6 targets for 36 yards and his first touchdown of the season, playing 43 offensive snaps.
Hollins said the coaches had prepared the team well and pointed to how one missed assignment can affect the whole offense.
“Either 11 guys do the right thing, or they don’t,” he said.
Dallas running back Javonte Williams carried the ball 20 times for 101 yards (15 longest) and scored on a 1-yard run with 1:08 left to give the Cowboys a 27–23 win in Indianapolis. Williams also caught 4 of 5 targets for 23 yards and played 57 offensive snaps. He has 629 yards and nine touchdowns on 154 carries this season.
Two former Tar Heels were on the other sideline. Colts receiver Josh Downs started and caught 3 of 6 targets for 24 yards (9 longest) on 49 offensive snaps. Offensive lineman Charlie Heck, who signed Oct. 29, was inactive.
“I stunk today,” Downs said after dropping two passes. “That’s the game of football sometimes. I didn’t catch those passes when I should have, and that’s that.”
Dallas rookie safety Caleb Downs said his older brother still got the better of him on some snaps. “He definitely got me on some of the plays that they missed him on,” Caleb Downs said.
Houston safety M.J. Stewart recorded his first full sack of the season in the Texans’ 44–22 win over the Chargers. He finished with four solo tackles and one assist on 51 defensive snaps (71%) and has 1½ sacks in four games since returning from the physically unable to perform list on Oct. 10.
Elsewhere among former UNC players in Week 0:
—Chargers running back Omarion Hampton started and carried 13 times for 60 yards (32 longest), with his other 12 carries gaining 28 yards in 29 offensive snaps.
—Kansas City offensive guard Joshua Ezeudu played 24 offensive snaps in the Chiefs’ 35–12 win over the Jets and reported as tackle-eligible once. He earned a season-high 79.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus.
—Seattle’s Chazz Surratt made two special-teams tackles on 17 special-teams snaps (81%) in the Seahawks’ 17–3 win over Arizona.
—Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes had a tackle in the Falcons’ 34–17 loss to Cincinnati in Madrid.
— Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker played 15 offensive snaps in the Ravens’ 33–10 Thursday loss to Jacksonville, whose cornerback Alijah Huzzie was inactive.
—Philadelphia guard Willie Lampkin played two offensive snaps in the Eagles’ 19–11 loss to the Giants and, like Ezeudu, reported as tackle-eligible once.
—Washington receiver Dyami Brown missed the Commanders’ 20–13 loss to the Rams after going on injured reserve Saturday with a calf injury.
—Dallas quarterback Sam Howell did not play and still hasn’t gotten into a regular-season game.
—Tennessee’s Michael Carter, Cedric Gray and Mitch Trubisky and Pittsburgh’s Cole Holcomb had open dates
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 — 3 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 48.2 offensive grade, 61.1 pass grade, 25.0 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, 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 — 9 games, 6 starts, 33 catches, 354 yards (42 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 punt returns, 20 yards; 68.0 offensive grade, 67.5 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 62.5 run-block grade
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (home) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 26 yards (9 longest); 49 offensive snaps (77%); 51.1 offensive grade, 51.1 pass grade, 59.8 run-block grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, 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 — 7 games, 1 start, 111 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 66.3 offensive grade, 54.7 pass-blocking grade, 81.8 run-blocking grade
Week 9 — Chiefs 35, Jets 12 (home) | 24 offensive snaps; reported tackle-eligible once; season-high 79.5 offensive grade, 62.7 pass-block grade, season-high 81.8 run-block grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 starts, 16 tackles, 16 assists, ½ sack; 63.0 defensive grade, 65.0 run grade, 88.3 tackle grade, 51.8 pass-rush grade, 63.2 coverage grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
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 — 8 games, 6 starts, 102 carries, 369 yards (32 longest), 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 11 catches, 63 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 59.8 offensive grade, 47.3 pass game grade, 82.6 pass-block grade, 60.0 run grade
Week 9 — Texans 44, Chargers 22 (home) | started: 13 carries, 60 yards (32 longest), 4.6 average; 29 offensive snaps (40%); 62.5 offensive grade, 32.3 pass grade, 77.2 pass-block grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday at Baltimore, ESPN
Charlie Heck, Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Reserve; signed Oct. 29 to 53-man roster after Miami waived him during training camp
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay) — 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 73 special-teams snaps
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (home) | not active for game
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, 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 — 8 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 56.1 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 8:20 Sunday at Cincinnati, NBC
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 33 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 5 games, 4 starts, 18 catches, 245 yards (26 longest), 13.6 average, 1 touchdown; 80.4 offensive grade, 78.6 pass grade, 78.8 run-block grade
Week 9 — Packers 45, Patriots 27 (home) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 36 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown (22-yard reception, 1:11, third quarter); 43 offensive snaps (68%); 66.7 offensive grade, 78.6 pass grade, 58.8 run-block grade; returned after spending four games on injured reserve with a calf injury
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Detroit in Munich, Fox
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 26 | 6–1, 225 | fifth 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 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (road) | didn’t play
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 24 tackles, 11 assists, 5 passes defended; 52.0 defensive grade, 89.6 run grade, 63.9 tackle grade, 43.1 coverage grade
Week 9 — Bengals 34, Falcons 17 (at Madrid) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 20 offensive snaps (35%), 12 special-teams snaps (46%); 63.9 defensive grade, 60.0 run-defense grade, season-high 81.2 tackle grade, 63.6 coverage grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — 1 game, 13 special-teams snaps; 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Jaguars 33, Ravens 10 (road on Thursday) | not active
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
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 — 9 games, 2 starts; 131 offensive snaps, 65 special-teams snaps; 53.4 offensive grade
Week 9 — Giants 19, Eagles 11 (home) | 2 offensive snaps (3%), 6 special-teams snaps (20%); reported tackle-eligible once; 60.0 offensive grade, season-low 47.9 special-teams grade
Week 10 — Open date
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 24 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts, 178 of 272, 2,282 yards (8.4 average), 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 20 sacks (103 yards in losses), 96.8 passer rating; 47 carries, 219 yards, 4.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 6 fumbles (2 lost), 2 fumble recoveries; 79.2 offensive grade, 77.8 pass grade, 67.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Packers 45, Patriots 27 (home) | started: 21 of 38, 299 yards (36 longest), 3 touchdowns (30-yard pass to Stevenson, 9:23, 2nd quarter; 8-yard pass to Chism, 2:37, 2nd quarter; 22-yard pass to Hollins, 1:11, 3rd quarter), 3 interceptions, 74.3 passer rating; 1 carry, 3 yards; 51 offensive snaps (81%); 59.5 offensive grade, 60.6 pass grade, 56.3 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Detroit in Munich, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 8 games, 317 offensive snaps, 22 special-teams snaps
Week 9 — Saints 23, Browns 22, OT (home) | 6 special-teams snaps (18%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
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 — 4 games, 1 start, 12 tackles, 8 assists, 1½ sacks, 1 pass defended; 47.7 defensive grade, 52.3 run defense grade, 51.5 tackle grade, 73.9 pass-rush grade, 46.6 coverage grade
Week 9 — Texans 44, Chargers 22 (road) | didn’t start: 4 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack; 51 defensive snaps (71%), 8 special-teams snaps (24%); 50.2 defensive grade, 69.2 run grade, season-high 80.6 tackle grade, 70.8 pass-rush grade, 44.4 coverage grade.
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 64.8 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Seahawks 17, Cardinals 3 (home) | 2 special-teams tackles; 17 special-teams snaps (81%); season-high 75.5 special-teams grade
Week 10 — 4:05 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 32 | 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 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 3 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 9 — Jaguars 33, Ravens 10 (home) | 15 offensive snaps (27%), 2 special-teams snaps (7%)
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts, 154 carries, 629 yards (4.1 average), 9 touchdowns; 24 catches, 127 yards (17 longest), 5.3 average, 1 touchdown; 2 fumbles; 73.2 offensive grade, 80.1 pass grade, 57.4 pass-block grade, 70.6 run grade, 59.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (road) | started: 20 carries, 101 yards (15 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 1:08 fourth quarter); 4 catches on 5 targets (13 longest), 23 yards; 57 offensive snaps (72%); 72.7 offensive grade, 76.3 pass grade, 73.4 pass-block grade, 69.1 run grade
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, 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)
— Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown (calf injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all 3 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
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 1 tackle and 13 special-teams tackles in 2 preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and 2 assists in 3preseason games
— 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 @patriots
