UConn in the NFL: Week 5

Entering the 2018-19 season, tight end Ryan Griffin was expected to be the clear number one tight end for the Houston Texans. After an 0-5 outing in week one, Griffin had yet to haul in more than two receptions in a given game. That all changed this week against a solid Dallas Cowboys defense.

Griffin caught six passes on nine targets Sunday night in the Texans’ 19-16 victory over the Cowboys, good for 65 yards and 10.83 yards per reception. Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas, the pair of rookies that have been splitting targets with Griffin each caught one pass, establishing Griffin as the top dog at tight end.

Unfortunately for UConn fans, the passing success of the Texans came at the expense of cornerback Byron Jones and this Cowboys secondary. Jones recorded a season high 10 tackles, but that had a lot to do with the production from DeAndre Hopkins and company. Hopkins recorded nine receptions for 151 yards, and while Jones wasn’t to blame for most of them, his help-defense certainly contributed to his high tackle totals.

Anthony Sherman and the Kansas City Chiefs continue to thrive as one of just two undefeated teams in the league. Sherman caught a 15-yard pass, his third of the year, as the Chiefs cruised to a 30-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They’ll be traveling to New England to take on the streaking Patriots on Sunday Night Football this weekend. That means that Sherman - a native of North Attleborough, Massachusetts - will be playing at home.

Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen made small contributions, though neither picked up the win. Wreh-Wilson recorded two tackles as the Atlanta Falcons fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-17, and Stephen assisted on one tackle for the Seahawks in a 33-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Geremy Davis and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi were once-again absent and have yet to show up on a box score this year.