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Tigers in the NFL: Week 6

Tigers in the NFL: Week 6Tigers in the NFL: Week 6

Each week during the NFL season, ClemsonTigers.com breaks down how former Clemson standouts are faring in the NFL. The following is a summary of what transpired in Week 6 of the 2019 slate, including a table with updated roster information and statistics.

Week 6 of the 2019 NFL season played host to several standout performances by former Clemson Tigers. In an epic duel of star quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson led his Houston Texans to a victory on the road over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. With the help of Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Watson orchestrated an impressive 31-24 win at Arrowhead Stadium, with Watson coming out on top against Mahomes thanks to a 93-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Other standout performances from erstwhile Tigers included Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander tabbing his first interception and sack of the year and Seattle Seahawks wideout Jaron Brown hauling in a pair of touchdown passes.

Watson went 30-of-42 through the air for 280 yards and one touchdown. He also made a significant mark on the Texans’ winning performance with his ground game, as Watson scored two rushing touchdowns and finished with 42 rushing yards on 10 carries. As for Hopkins, he tallied a season-high nine catches for 55 yards and also caught a throw from Watson on the 2-point conversion that followed what proved to be Houston’s game-winning touchdown. Hopkins has now recorded at least five catches in nine consecutive games, which is the third-longest such streak in Texans history.

Hopkins converted seven first downs on Sunday, and two of his most important receptions resulted in first downs on the Texans’ final possession. With Houston clinging to a 7-point lead, the Texans were able to eat up clock late in the game en route to securing their win. “Nuk” was a key factor in making that happen, starting with an 18-yard reception that saw Hopkins spin out of a tackle and race past the first-down marker. Not long after that, Hopkins iced the game with a sliding fourth-down catch that provided the Texans with a first down and enabled Watson to wrap up the hard-fought victory with a couple of kneel-downs.

The Texans trailed 17-3 through one quarter of play. However, Watson jumpstarted a second-quarter turnaround with an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back Duke Johnson, who caught the pass in the flat and then dove over the goal line, early in the second period.

Watson turned the ball over twice via a pair of interceptions, but he made up for those mistakes with his rushing prowess. Registering multiple rushing touchdowns in a game for the second time in his career, Watson scored on rushes of three yards and one yard, respectively. The first rushing score for Watson came in the final minute of the first half. With time running out, the third-year gunslinger weighed his options in the pocket while receiving excellent protection from his offensive line and eventually decided to hustle, untouched, into the end zone for six points.

Watson’s second touchdown on the ground, which occurred with the Texans trailing by one point, essentially decided the outcome of the contest, as Watson broke the plane after juking a defender and using his momentum to fall across the goal line while being tackled. Staring down the opposing linebacker like a basketball player gearing up to drive down the lane, Watson was able to be just elusive enough to manufacture the go-ahead score at the 6:17 mark of the fourth quarter, thereby capping off an efficient 93-yard possession.

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Playing on the defensive side of the ball for the Texans, nose tackle D.J. Reader notched three solo tackles, one of which was a tackle for loss. Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who competed alongside Hopkins and Reader at Clemson, was forced to face off against the Texans’ high-powered offense, but the veteran defensive back did well, compiling six total tackles.

Keeping it in the secondary, Alexander made a splash in the Vikings’ 38-20 triumph versus the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Eagles trailing and backed up deep in their own territory, Alexander made matters worse for Philadelphia by picking off Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz for Alexander’s second career interception. Alexander, who attained three tackles, was also in on a sack, splitting it with linebacker Eric Kendricks, that resulted in a loss of nine yards and forced an Eagles punt. Fellow Vikings defensive back Jayron Kearse made an impact, too, with the safety garnering three combined tackles.

On top of coming up with the second 2-touchdown showing of his career, Brown, who had zero touchdowns coming into Week 6, showed off his dance moves. Prior to the Seahawks’ clash with the Cleveland Browns, Brown was captured on video engaging in a dance-off of sorts with other members of the Seahawks’ receiving corps. Later, after Brown caught a 17-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Seattle receiving unit put its preparation to good use by performing a flawless rendition of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” dance as part of a well-choreographed touchdown celebration.

https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1183421271263989763

https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1183452085922095104

Brown proceeded to score another touchdown when he caught a dart thrown by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the third quarter, with the 6-yard touchdown pass giving Seattle the lead. In total, Brown made three catches for 29 receiving yards and was a pivotal contributor to the Seahawks’ 32-28 win. Also on the receiving front, Tennessee Titans wideout Adam Humphries, who gloved six catches for 47 yards, led his team in both receptions and receiving yardage. Additionally, Humphries returned three punts for a total of 19 yards.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams made the most of his five receptions, with each of them resulting in a first down. Two of Williams’ catches were maximum-effort plays. On a third-down catch in the second quarter, Williams left his feet for a leaping grab that moved the chains. During the fourth quarter, Williams, who racked up 72 receiving yards in all, turned a short pass into a 13-yard gain by sloughing off a would-be tackler and making another defender miss with a superb shake-and-bake move.

 

Defensively, Green Bay Packers linebacker B.J. Goodson amassed five tackles, three of which were of the solo variety, while defensive tackles Grady Jarrett, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, and Dexter Lawrence, who suits up for the New York Giants, obtained six tackles and four tackles, respectively. Also of note, cornerback Coty Sensabaugh made his season debut with the Denver Broncos. The 30-year-old Sensabaugh, who entered the NFL in 2012, spent the first five weeks of the regular season as a free agent, but the Broncos opted to bolster their secondary by signing the seasoned veteran in advance of their Week 6 matchup. Sensabaugh previously played for the Titans, Los Angeles Rams, Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.

PLAYERTEAMPOSITIONROSTER STATUSCLEMSON YEARSWEEK 6 STATISTICSSEASON STATISTICS
Mackensie AlexanderMinnesota VikingsCBactive2014-151 game played, 3 assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defended 3 games played, 7 combined tackles (4 solo, 3 assisted), 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Stephone AnthonyNew Orleans SaintsLBactive2011-141 game played3 games played
Vic Beasley Jr.Atlanta FalconsLBactive2011-141 game played, 1 game started, 1 solo tackle, 1 pass defended6 games played, 6 games started, 11 combined tackles (7 solo, 4 assisted), 1.5 sacks, 1 pass defended
Bashaud BreelandKansas City ChiefsCBactive2010-131 game played, 1 game started, 6 combined tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted)6 games played, 6 games started, 24 combined tackles (19 solo, 5 assisted), 1 interception, 2 fumbles recovered, 1 fumble recovery touchdown, 3 passes defended
Jaron BrownSeattle SeahawksWRactive2009-121 game played, 3 receptions, 29 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns6 games played, 3 games started, 11 receptions, 145 receiving yards, 2 receiving yards, 1 fumble lost
Austin BryantDetroit LionsDEreserve/injured2015-18inactiveN/A
Deon CainIndianapolis ColtsWRactive2015-17bye5 games played, 2 games started, 4 receptions, 52 receiving yards
Adam ChoiceSeattle SeahawksRBreserve/injured2014-18inactiveN/A
Clelin FerrellOakland RaidersDEactive2015-18bye4 games played, 4 games started, 10 combined tackles (5 solo, 5 assisted), 1 sack, 2 passes defended
Mark FieldsMinnesota VikingsCBpractice squad2015-18inactive1 game played
Wayne GallmanNew York GiantsRBactive2014-16inactive5 games played, 2 games started, 25 rush attempts, 93 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 9 receptions, 79 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 1 fumble lost
B.J. GoodsonGreen Bay PackersLBactive2012-151 game played, 1 game started, 5 combined tackles (3 solo, 2 assisted)6 games played, 4 games started, 17 combined tackles (10 solo, 7 assisted)
T.J. GreenNew Orleans SaintsSpractice squad2012-15inactiveN/A
DeAndre HopkinsHouston TexansWRactive2010-121 game played, 1 game started, 9 receptions, 55 receiving yards6 games played, 6 games started, 40 receptions, 402 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Albert HugginsHouston TexansDEpractice squad2015-18inactiveN/A
Adam HumphriesTennessee TitansWRactive2011-141 game played, 1 game started, 6 receptions, 47 receiving yards, 3 punt returns, 19 punt return yards, long punt return of 11 yards6 games played, 3 games started, 21 receptions, 189 receiving yards, 1 rush attempt, 1 rushing yard, 6 punt returns, 23 punt return yards, long punt return of 11 yards
Mitch HyattDallas CowboysOTpractice squad2015-18inactiveN/A
Grady JarrettAtlanta FalconsDTactive2011-141 game played, 1 game started, 6 combined tackles (2 solo, 4 assisted)6 games played, 6 games started, 33 combined tackles (16 solo, 17 assisted), 2 sacks, 2 fumbles forced
Jayron KearseMinnesota VikingsSactive2013-151 game played, 1 game started, 3 combined tackles (1 solo, 2 assisted)6 games played, 2 games started, 17 combined tackles (11 solo, 6 assisted), 2 passes defended
Dexter LawrenceNew York GiantsDTactive2016-181 game played, 1 game started, 5 combined tackles (3 solo, 2 assisted)6 games played, 6 games started, 18 combined tackles (9 solo, 9 assisted), 2 sacks, 1 fumble forced, 1 kick blocked
Shaq LawsonBuffalo BillsDEactive2013-15bye5 games played, 6 combined tackles (2 solo, 4 assisted), 1 sack, 1 pass defended
Jordan LeggettTampa Bay BuccaneersTEpractice squad2013-16inactiveN/A
Ray-Ray McCloudCarolina PanthersWRactive2015-171 game played, 1 punt return, 10 punt return yards, 1 fumble lost6 games played, 8 kickoff returns, 194 kickoff return yards, long kickoff return of 31 yards, 10 punt returns, 82 punt return yards, long punt return of 39 yards, 1 fumble lost
Trayvon MullenOakland RaidersCBactive2016-18bye5 games played, 4 combined tackles (3 solo, 1 assisted)
Dorian O'DanielKansas City ChiefsLBactive2014-2017inactive4 games played, 2 solo tackles
Bradley PinionTampa Bay BuccaneersPactive2012-141 game played, 6 punts, 267 punting yards, 1 punt inside the 20-yard line, long punt of 49 yards6 games played, 26 punts, 1,134 punting yards, 7 punts inside the 20-yard line, long punt of 63 yards
D.J. ReaderHouston TexansDTactive2012-151 game played, 1 game started, 3 solo tackles6 games played, 6 games started, 22 combined tackles (13 solo, 9 assisted), 2.5 sacks
Hunter RenfrowOakland RaidersWRactive2014-18bye5 games played, 1 game started, 12 receptions, 101 receiving yards
Artavis ScottLos Angeles ChargersWRpractice squad/injured2014-16inactiveN/A
Coty SensabaughDenver BroncosCBactive2007-111 game played1 game played
Tyler ShatleyJacksonville JaguarsCactive2010-131 game played6 games played
Cordrea TankersleyMiami DolphinsCBreserve/physically unable to perform2013-16inactiveN/A
Brandon ThomasJacksonville JaguarsOGactive2009-13inactiveN/A
Carlos WatkinsHouston TexansDEactive2012-161 game played3 games played, 2 assisted tackles, 1 fumble recovered, 1 pass defended
Sammy WatkinsKansas City ChiefsWRactive2011-13inactive5 games played, 5 games started, 23 receptions, 365 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 1 fumble lost
Deshaun WatsonHouston TexansQBactive2014-161 game played, 1 game started, 30 pass completions, 42 pass attempts, 280 passing yards, 1 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 10 rush attempts, 42 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns6 games played, 6 games started, 140 pass completions, 201 pass attempts, 1,644 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 32 rush attempts, 164 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 2 fumbles lost
Christian WilkinsMiami DolphinsDTactive2015-181 game played, 1 game started, 1 solo tackle, 1 pass defended5 games played, 5 games started, 17 combined tackles (9 solo, 8 assisted), 1 pass defended
Mike WilliamsLos Angeles ChargersWRactive2013-161 game played, 1 game started, 5 receptions, 72 receiving yards5 games played, 5 games started, 19 receptions, 303 receiving yards