UConn in the NFL: Week 7

Nick Williams has had an inconsistent career in the NFL. In 2013, after four years at UConn, Williams was signed to the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. The results were disappointing, as he played in only five games before being cut from the team.

One year later, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons where he would spend the next three seasons on and off the active roster. He was most productive in 2015, catching 17 passes on 25 targets for 159 yards and two touchdowns. But in his final two years with the Falcons, Williams entered only three combined games before ultimately being cut from the team.

In week 4, Williams made his 2018 debut for the Tennessee Titans; the third uniform of his pro career. The Titans defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 26-23 in that game, though Williams failed to receive a target.

He was targeted twice in week 5 but dropped both chances; the second of which had him wide open on the one-yard line for the go-ahead touchdown. Understandably disappointed in their new receiver, the Titans split ways with Nick Williams, the third time he was left without an NFL team to play for.

However this wait was brief, as the Los Angeles Rams signed Williams just one week after he parted ways with the Titans. Williams caught both of the passes thrown his way as the Rams earned a 39-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Los Angeles continues to be the best team in football with a perfect 7-0 record and a ridiculous 15.29 average margin of victory.

After all the struggle and uncertainty over the years, Nick Williams may find himself wearing a super bowl ring come February.

The next most likely Super Bowl candidate is Anthony Sherman. The Kansas City Chiefs bounced back from their first loss of the season to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 45-10. Sherman failed to appear on the box score - such is the life of a full back - but continues to thrive as one of the best in the league.

Cornerback Byron Jones had a combined four tackles in another fine defensive performance from the Dallas Cowboys. The Redskins managed just one offensive touchdown as quarterback Alex Smith was held to 178 passing yards and the red zone defense forced two goal-to-go field goals.

The rest of the Huskies in the NFL were absent from week 7. Geremy Davis is still without a catch on the year. Foley Fatukasi and Time Boyle are yet to enter a game, and Shamar Stephen was on a a bye week. Blidi Wreh-Wilson was again left sidelined for the Atlanta Falcons and Ryan Griffin was ruled out of the Houston Texans game with a knee injury.

For Griffin, there was a silver lining in a poor performance by rookie tight ends Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins. The two Jordans had been competing with Ryan Griffin for targets all year and with Griffin on the sidelines, this was their time to shine.

Yet neither came close as Akins went 0-for-0 in his first start of the year, and Thomas failed to catch his lone target of the game. Griffin hasn’t run away with the starting job, but it would appear he hasn’t lost it either. Let’s hope he feels better in time for the Miami Dolphins game Thursday night.