Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky relieves Pickett, is confident, aggressive in helping Steelers upset Bucs; Carter’s Jets role reduced

Mitch Trubisky has been playing on Pittsburgh’s scout team the last two weeks and not getting live reps in practice, but that didn’t seem to matter Sunday when rookie Kenny Pickett left the game in the third quarter with a concussion. Two games after Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin benched him in favor of the rookie from Pitt at halftime of the Oct. 2 loss to the New York Jets, Trubisky looked more aggressive and confident. That helped the Steelers hold on for a 20–18 home upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

UNC slips into AP poll for first time in more than year

Carolina’s 38–35 victory Saturday at Duke was enough to allow the Tar Heels to slip into the latest Top 25 poll. The Tar Heels (6–1, 3–0 ACC ) are No. 22 and are ranked for the first time in more than a year heading into their second open date of the season ahead of the Saturday, Oct. 29 home game with Pittsburgh (4–2, 1–1).

Downs had inspirational words for Maye before final drive

DURHAM — Josh Downs knew that Drake Maye was still down on himself over a fumble that gave Duke a chance to put the game away. When Carolina’s defense forced the Blue Devils to settle for a missed field-goal attempt to give Maye another chance to rally the Tar Heels, Downs wanted to make sure that the redshirt freshman was entering that drive with the right attitude.

Maye rallies UNC to amazing win over Duke

DURHAM — Wins never seem to come easy for Carolina but somehow they keep overcoming the defensive lapses and offensive hiccups to win. There were plenty of both Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium. But when you have Drake Maye — even on a night when he has two costly fumbles — you always have a chance.

Brown used an offense that’s better than the defense, but says the defense is ‘catching up’

Coach Mack Brown has grown accustomed during his second stint as Carolina’s coach to having an offense that’s much better than his defense. That hasn’t changed through the Tar Heels’ 5–1 start, particularly considering that the offense has talented, skilled players such as quarterback Drake Maye and receivers Josh Downs and Antoine Green.

Tar Heels in NFL: Dyami Brown has two spectacular TD receptions; Michael Carter runs for two TDs in Jets win

Dyami Brown had a quiet rookie season with Washington and didn’t get many chances to show his talent in the first four Commanders games this season. He got his chance on Sunday and took advantage by making two spectacular touchdown receptions, including a career-high 75-yard play, in Washington’s 21–17 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. Linebacker Cole Holcomb also put up big numbers in that game. New York Jets running back Michael Carter also had two touchdowns.

UNC’s defense makes enough big plays as Heels alone atop Coastal with win

After its best performance of the season a week earlier, Carolina’s defense went through its share of struggles Saturday at Miami. But that unit made enough big plays to keep the Tar Heels in control on a day that Caleb Hood emerged as their main running back. With Carolina’s 27–24 win in Miami Gardens, Fla., the Tar Heels (5–1) are alone atop of the ACC Coastal Division at 2–0 and learned how to win when quarterback Drake Maye wasn’t always on top of his game.

Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky benched at halftime of Steelers’ loss; Javonte Williams exits with knee injury

There wasn’t that much good news for UNC alums in the NFL on Sunday, with Pittsburgh benching quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at halftime, Denver running back Javonte Williams injuring his right knee and Jets running back Michael Carter putting up a season-low rushing total. At least for now, Trubisky’s time as Pittsburgh’s starter appears to be over in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett, the former Pitt star, after the Steelers’ 24–20 home loss to the New York Jets.

Defense has best game of season as UNC rolls by Hokies

CHAPEL HILL — Carolina always knew that the offense would be prolific and that the Tar Heels have plenty of potential if they can somehow get it together on defense.
That beleaguered unit did that for one day against a struggling Virginia Tech offense, and the test from here will be how much they can build on that against a quality opponent. UNC’s defense produced easily its best performance of the season in a 41–10 victory Saturday in its ACC opener at Kenan Stadium.

Tar Heels in NFL: Hollins has career day, makes two late clutch catches but Raiders fall

Mack Hollins made a lot of fantasy football owners happy with the best performance of his career Sunday as he continues to put up more significant numbers than star Devonte Adams, his fellow wide receiver with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hollins made two clutch catches on a late touchdown drive in the Raiders’ 24–22 loss at Tennessee on Sunday and showed that he’s a dangerous weapon for them. UNC fans already knew he was versatile, and he proved that by also throwing a pass and downing a punt.