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NFL teams waived seven former UNC players in the last week, many on Tuesday when rosters had to be trimmed to 53 players ahead of season openers the weekend after next. Rookie wide receiver Antoine Green was among those making the cut after an impressive final exhibition game for the Detroit Lions.
Sam Howell turned in another efficient performance Monday in his first exhibition game appearance since Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera officially named the second-year quarterback his starter. His big night was topped when he connected with former UNC teammate Dyami Brown for one of two touchdown passes he threw in the final 1:49 of the first half.
Javonte Williams made his preseason debut for the Denver Broncos after his long recovery from right knee surgery and declared that he is 100%. His performance was productive for the number of snaps he got — 12 rushing yards on three carries and four catches for 18 yards — and just being back on the field for the Broncos’ 21–20 exhibition loss Saturday at San Francisco was huge.
In his debut wearing an NFL uniform, Josh Downs made a case to start for the Indianapolis Colts and, at the very least, showed he’ll get on the field consistently in his rookie season. In his Colts’ 23–19 road exhibition loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, he caught both passes targeted to him for 29 yards, including an 18-yard reception, and also showed his versatility on his 22nd birthday.
Sam Howell looked good in his first game as an NFL starter, playing a little more than a quarter. Howell completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown for a 119.1 rating in 19 snaps over three drives as the Washington Commanders won their exhibition opener Friday at Cleveland 17–15.
Chazz Surratt came into his third NFL season with a shot at finally getting playing time and he didn’t do anything to hurt his chances on Thursday night. Surratt, who was on the New York Jets’ practice squad most of last season, had an interception and three tackles Thursday night in the Jets’ 21–16 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Sam Howell couldn’t have started his NFL career much better. His first professional pass in a regular-season game went for a 16-yard touchdown play. More importantly, he led the Washington Commanders to a 26–6 home victory Sunday over their rival Dallas Cowboys and was given the game ball from Coach Ron Rivera after the game.
Sam Howell’s wait is nearly over. He’ll finally make his regular-season NFL debut Sunday in the Washington Commanders’ final game of the season at home as their starting quarterback against the rival Dallas Cowboys.
A 20–19 victory for Coach Arthur Smith’s Atlanta Falcons at home against Arizona highlighted Week 17 for UNC alums as his team finally pulled out a victory in a close game. Atlanta earned the victory with a late drive to produce Youngkoe Koo’s 21-yard game-winning field goal with two seconds left.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was back on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bench. The hopes of making the playoffs for Coach Arthur Smith’s Atlanta Falcons ended. Interim Coach Jeff Saturday’s Indianapolis Colts lost their fifth straight. Texans defensive back M.J. Stewart Jr. suffered a concussion. It was that kind of week with few highlights other than wins by the teams of two offensive linemen who played every offensive snap — Houston’s Charlie Heck and New Orleans’ James Hurst — and Michael Carter’s 50 totals yards to start the NFL week in the New York Jets’ 19–3 Thursday home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky knew after throwing three interceptions a week earlier in a loss that he had to play a clean game if the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to rebound. Mission accomplished. In his first start since Week 4, he led three long, time-consuming drives and was efficient in a turnover-free game to lead the Steelers to a 24–16 road victory Sunday over the Carolina Panthers.
For the most part, the former Tar Heels in the NFL didn’t have a much better weekend than the Carolina football team endured in the ACC championship game against Clemson. It wasn’t a lucky Week 13.
By R.L. Bynum Mack Hollins is having fun, and his Las Vegas Raiders are figuring out a way to win. … More
Jeff Saturday didn’t get a victory in his second game as the Indianapolis Colts, thanks to mistakes, penalties and missed chances. Still, it gave the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles a good game. A week after his Colts stopped the Las Vegas Raiders as they tried to score a game-winning touchdown, Indianapolis couldn’t get it done against the Eagles (9–1).
There were many doubters when the Indianapolis Colts named Jeff Saturday their interim coach, but there was no doubt that his debut went well. The Colts held on to win 25–20 on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders to snap a three-game losing streak in their first game under Saturday, who is the first NFL head coach since 1961 with no college or pro coaching experience. His only previous coaching experience was as the head coach for Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Ga., going 20–16 over three seasons.
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