Showing out on both sides of the ball, an abundance of former Clemson Tigers fared well in Week 6 of the 2018 NFL schedule. Leading the way were quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre “Nuk” Hopkins, who helped the Houston Texans earn their third consecutive victory. Several former Clemson defensive studs produced impactful performances, too, including multiple members of the Tigers’ 2016 and 2017 draft classes.
For the third time this season, Watson connected with Hopkins for a touchdown. Defeating the Buffalo Bills, 20-13, Houston reached the end zone for the first time in the victory on a leaping 13-yard snag by Hopkins, who hauled in five catches for 63 yards. Despite facing persistent pressure throughout the game from the Buffalo pass rush, Watson was able to go 15-25 through the air for 177 passing yards.
Incredible.@DeAndreHopkins | #BUFvsHOU pic.twitter.com/uWSZZTixB6— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 14, 2018
Incredible.@DeAndreHopkins | #BUFvsHOU pic.twitter.com/uWSZZTixB6
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 14, 2018
Watson faced off against Bills defensive end and former Clemson teammate Shaq Lawson. In the battle of first-round draft choices, Lawson bested Watson on at least one play, with the third-year defensive end tallying his first sack of the year as part of a two-tackle performance.
In addition to “Nuk” making his mark in Week 6, a couple of Hopkins’ former compatriots in the Clemson receiving corps experienced notable outings over the weekend. Adam Humphries was the most productive target for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, as he tabbed a team-high 82 receiving yards on three catches, including a 51-yard burst down the field on a slant route.
Jameis finds Humphries for 51 yards!#GoBucs | #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/Qj3N9ukfEv— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 14, 2018
Jameis finds Humphries for 51 yards!#GoBucs | #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/Qj3N9ukfEv
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 14, 2018
Elsewhere, Seattle Seahawks wideout Jaron Brown manufactured six points for his squad. Making the most of his sole reception of the afternoon, Brown nabbed a five-yard touchdown catch in the end zone for his second scoring play of the season. Brown’s score set the tone for a 27-3 victory by the Seahawks over the Oakland Raiders in a contest played across the pond in London.
Smooth like butter 🙌🏈@jaronbrown13 | #SEAvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Z5oNOZGanX— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 14, 2018
Smooth like butter 🙌🏈@jaronbrown13 | #SEAvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Z5oNOZGanX
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 14, 2018
On the defensive side of the ball, Miami Dolphins cornerback Cordrea Tankersley played his best game of the season thus far by tabbing five combined tackles and providing solid coverage in the secondary. Fellow cornerback Mackensie Alexander also stepped up in a major way, with the Minnesota Vikings defensive back compiling five total tackles, including his second career sack, and two pass deflections. Also of note, New York Giants linebacker B.J. Goodson racked up a season-high six combined tackles, five of which were solo, as well as two hits on the quarterback.
