Lansanah led the team in tackles for the second straight week in the Buccaneers 34-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. With another linebacker going down for Tampa Bay, this time Mason Foster, Lansanah could start seeing time at the MLB position with his quickness and cover skills. He is now second on the team in tackles. The Bucs take on the Carolina Panthers next week.
Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills: No Stats
The Bills suffered a tough loss in Denver 24-17 that just about ends their playoff chances. Easley played a good game in coverage but, as is life on special teams, performance doesn’t always translate to the box score. Easley and the 7-6 Bills have another tough one this week at home against the 10-3 Packers this Sunday at 1:00 pm.
Jordan Todman, Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 carries, 11 yards; 1 catch, 5 yards; 4 kick returns, 111 yards (Long of 30)
Todman was third among Jaguar running backs with 12 snaps in Jacksonville’s 27-13 loss to the Texans. The former Big East Offensive Player of the Year continues to be consistent in his limited opportunities and is now second in the NFL in kick return yards with 872 (behind Devin Hester’s 891). The 2-11 Jaguars travel to Baltimore Sunday to take on the 8-5 Ravens at 1:00 pm.
Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers: 3 tackles
Reyes had another fairly quiet game in the Chargers 23-14 loss to the Patriots on Sunday night. The Chargers offense let the defense down (which hasn’t happened often this season). The 8-5 Chargers play the 10-3 Broncos Sunday at 4:05 in a huge game for San Diego’s playoff hopes.
Dwayne Gratz, Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 tackles
Gratz continued his improve play as the Jaguars’ defense held the Texans to 135 yards passing. The former Husky played 64 defensive snaps, getting subbed out for just two goal line plays. Gratz is still looking for his first interception of the year.
Shamar Stephen, Minnesota Vikings: 3 tackles
Stephen played 37 snaps while making his third start in a row in the Vikings 30-24 overtime victory over the Jets. Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN in Minnesota said that Stephen was imposing his will in one-on-one matchups but got moved off the line in most double teams. Not too bad from the rookie who was one of the few bright spots from the Pasqualoni era. Sharriff Floyd, the Vikings defensive tackle that Stephen splits time with injured his knee during the win and may not be able to go week. The injury opens the chance for Stephen to build on his successful season and receive an increase in snaps. The 6-7 Vikings travel to Detroit this week to play the 9-4 Lions at 4:25 pm.
FB Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs: 2 catches for 8 yards
The Sherminator paved the way for 126 yards and a 7.3 yards per carry average by the Kansas City rushing attack. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, KC suffered a three point loss to the Arizona Cardinals, threatening their shot at the playoffs. Sherman continues to play at an elite level and has a great chance to be the first UConn Husky selected for the first team all-NFL.
RB Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers: 5 catches for 49 yards, 1 tackle, 1 kick return for 8 yards
The stats look okay for Donald, but Sunday night against the Patriots did not turn out that way for him. On a punt early in the game for the Chargers, Donald Brown missed a block that led to a blocked punt and Chargers punter Mike Scifres injuring his shoulder on the play. This has been a very tough year for Brown averaging just 2.3 yards per carry and officially getting phased out in the run game, but he will have his chances to make an impact for this team with his production in the passing game and his playoff experience down the stretch.
TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans: 1 catch for 25 yards
Griffin was seeing zero snaps just a few weeks ago, he has proved himself to be a playmaker over the last few weeks, catching a touchdown out of the backfield in last week’s victory against the Titans. With a 25 yard catch this week, Griffin has earned the snaps and is becoming a big play threat for Houston. Griffin and the Texans have a monumental game in Indianapolis on Sunday, as Griffin faces Darius Butler on the other side of the football.
CB Darius Butler, Indianapolis Colts: 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Darius started his second game of the year with Vontae Davis out with a concussion for the Colts. In a win against the Browns, Butler and the rest of the Colts secondary shut down the Cleveland passing attack, holding receivers to 96 yards and picking off Brian Hoyer twice. Butler has found a home here in Indy and will be a player to watch as the Colts poise themselves for a deep run into the playoffs.
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Tennessee Titans: 1 tackle
After starting 11 games in 2014 during his second season in the NFL, Blidi Wreh-Wilson has been placed on injury reserve after aggravating his shoulder in a loss to the Giants. It was not a great sophomore season for Blidi, Ranked 111 out of 113 of all eligible cornerbacks according to pro football focus, though he did show improvement as the year went on. He is signed with the Titans through 2016.
Will Beatty, New York Giants: