UConn in the NFL: Week 9

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LB Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders

11 tackles, 8 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit

Moore continues to dominate- recording at least 10 tackles for the third time this year. That is half of the games he has played in. He led the Raiders in tackles but could not help in getting their first win of the year as they lost 30-24 to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.  He continues to be one of the best tacklers in the league and the best on Oakland as he is now second on the team in total tackles with 54 despite missing two games to injury.  It does not get any easier for Moore and the Raiders as they take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos next week.

Robert McClain, Atlanta Falcons: BYE

I misspoke in last week's Huskies in the NFL saying that the Atlanta Falcons were taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  That was wrong.  McClain will get the chance to play against former Husky Danny Lansanah this week.  Although he is a professional football player, McClain's love for dogs is one of a kind.  He was a celebrity judge at the annual Atlanta Humane Pet Parade during his bye week!

Danny Lansanah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 tackles, 1 solo

Lansanah didn't blow up the box score with tackles, but contributed to allowing the Cleveland Browns to just 50 total rushing yards.  Despite this, the Bucs lost again 22-17.  They will look for their second win of the year next week as Lansanah and the Bucs take on Robert McClain and the Atlanta Falcons.

Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders: IR

Branch is on IR, which is a shame because he is awesome and it'd be great to see two Husky defenders starting together on one team.

Will Beatty, New York Giants

Beatty lost to his former teammate Darius Butler this week as the Colts thumped the Giants 40-24.  The left tackle and the Giants' offensive line allowed three sacks on Eli Manning on 10 hurries.  While those numbers are not great, they still gave him enough time to throw for over 350 yards.  While Beatty's health has finally been 100% this year, these next eight games are going to be gigantic for him if he wants to stay in New York.  Given a big contract a couple years ago, the Giants are going to have to start deciding whether they should hold on to him for years to come.  If he does not play well and the G-men don't want to keep him, he could be cut in the offseason.  Beatty and New York take on the Seattle Seahawks next week in a must-win game.

Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers: No stats

Reyes has continued to be a disappointment this year for the San Diego Chargers who have now lost three in a row after getting blown out 37-0 to the Miami Dolphins.  The Chargers D-line barely got any pressure on Tannehill, recording no sacks or hurries, while also allowing over 100 yards on the ground.  Reyes has not been the same player he was in his first two years in the league, and he needs to step up in the second half of the season for the Chargers.  The SB Nation blog for the Chargers, "Bolts from the Blue" suggest potentially moving Reyes to a substitute in order to keep his quickness fresh.  The Bolts from Blue also released a daily links which somewhat discussed Reyes' very poor play this year.  Nonetheless, we are still supporters of Kendall!!!

Jordan Todman, Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 rush, 9 yards. 1 reception, 1 yard. 6 kickoff returns for 173 yards (28.8 AVG), 39 long.

Todman continues to dominate on special teams, as he was extremely effective in returning the football while also making two big plays in punt coverage.  Despite JT's stellar play, the Jaguars lost again, 33-23 to the Bengals.  With Denard Robinson emerging as a legit running back (for this season), Todman has needed to find a way to continue to produce for the Jags and he has done just that.  The Jaguars take on the Dallas Cowboys next week in London.

Dwayne Gratz, Jacksonville Jaguars: 6 tackles, 3 solo, 1 PD

Gratz had one of his best games of the year in the 33-23 loss to the Bengals and recorded his most tackles since the Jags week 3 loss to the Colts where he had 7.  He had his hands full this past Sunday having to deal with covering both A.J. Green and Mohammed Sanu.  He and second-year corner back Demetrius McCray held their own- keeping Sanu and Green relatively in-check.  The Jaguars take on the Dallas Cowboys next week in London.

FB Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs: No Stats

Sherman didn't receive a touch for the first time since week 4, but still finds himself as a centerpiece in Kansas City's offense as a lead blocker for the Chiefs rushing attack. Chiefs running backs combined for 113 yards on 24 carries in a 24-10 win against the reeling Jets, and Sherman figures to continue to play a large role in the future success of their offense. The Shermanator was just rewarded for his play with a 3-year contract extension worth up to $7 million.

RB Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers: 4 carries for 23 yards, 1 reception for 6 yards

In his first game back since suffering a concussion in week 4, Brown was effective in a miserable team effort by the San Diego Chargers despite only getting 5 touches. Branden Oliver on the other hand averaged only 1.5 yards per carry on 13 touches. With Ryan Matthews likely to return after the Chargers' upcoming bye week, Donald will be fighting for 3^rd down opportunities with the rookie Oliver.

TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans: No Stats

For the second week in a row, tight ends have yet to catch a pass for the Texans. This bodes well for Griffin's usage, as he is barely seeing snaps and may get some looks as the season grinds on and the tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart continue to falter. The Texas are making a change at quarterback from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Ryan Mallet, hopefully something can develop for the tight ends with a new guy under center.

CB Darius Butler, Indianapolis Colts: 3 tackles, 1 pass defended

Butler had a decent day on Monday night after a disastrous performance against Big Ben and the Steelers last weekend. With the return of Vontae Davis, Butler could return to his more comfortable position, defending the slot receiver. Colts DC Greg Manusky used Butler in ways I've yet to see this season, having Darius blitz the quarterback at least 6 times last night, nearly coming up with a few sacks. The Colts held the Giants passing offense mostly in check, allowing 349 yards on 52 attempts from Eli Manning. Butler has a bye this week before a marquee match-up between the Colts and the AFC-leading New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Tennessee Titans: BYE

Blidi has solidified himself as the starting cornerback for the Titans, and has some extremely tough challenges coming up. Next week, Wreh-Wilson will find himself lined up across the Smiths (Steve and Torrey) in Baltimore, and in the following week against the surging Steelers on Monday night.

Shamar Stephen, Minnesota Vikings: 1 tackle

Stephen had one tackle during his 21 snaps in the Vikings 29-26 victory over the Redskins. The Vikings now sit at 4-5 on the year and Stephen is seeing the majority of his time on running downs. This week Stephen joined a webcast on Vikings.com.

Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills: BYE

The 5-3 Bills were on bye this week, which gave Easley an extra week to rest his sprained MCL after being questionable week 8 and then not playing. He should be ready to go this week against the 5-3 Chiefs.

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions: BYE

The 6-2 Lions were on bye last week and are at home facing a 5-3 Dolphins team. Remember, Orlovsky is always just one play away!