Name: LaDainian Tomlinson
Position: Running back
Current Team: New York Jets
Outcome of game: New York 29 Minnesota 20
Stats:
Rushing Attempts: 20
Rushing Yards: 94
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Receptions: 5
Receiving yards: 13
Fumbles: 1
Analysis: The Tomlinson of old has returned. Tomlinson carved up a stout Minnesota Vikings’ defense on Monday Night Football and helped lead his team to victory. He leads the team’s running backs in carries this season and in Monday’s game he received twice the carries as that of his counterpart Shonn Greene.
Next Week: The Jets take on the Denver Broncos in a match-up that looks to be favorable for Tomlinson. Denver has allowed an average of nearly 130 yards per game on the ground and has not been able to contain top running backs such as Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice. Tomlinson should continue to look like a top running back in the NFL.
Name: Drew Coleman
Position: Cornerback
Current Team: New York Jets
Outcome of game: New York 29 Minnesota 20
Stats:
Tackles: 3
Sacks: 1
Analysis: In a tough match-up in which Coleman lined up against future hall-of-famers Brett Favre and Randy Moss, Coleman held his own as he racked up three tackles and a sack on third-down which forced the Vikings to punt, ultimately leading to a field goal by Jets kicker Nick Folk. Coleman did leave the game early in the third quarter due to flu-like symptoms and is not expected to miss much time going forward.
Next Week: Next week against the Broncos, Coleman and the Jets will have their hands full against one of the top passing offenses in the league. Kyle Orton and his wide receivers averaged 347 yards per game, making them the second-ranked passing offense in the league.
Name: Daryl Washington
Position: Linebacker
Current Team: Arizona Cardinals
Outcome of game: Arizona 30 New Orleans 20
Stats:
Tackles: 6
Tackles for Loss: 2
Analysis: Washington and the Arizona Cardinals defense shut down the one of the hottest offenses in the NFL in the New Orleans Saints. Washington helped shut down the running game, where four of his six tackles came against the run with two tackles for a loss of yards.
Next Week: The Cardinals will have a bye week before taking on the Seattle Seahawks who have been lackluster on offense this season. However, recently-acquired Marshawn Lynch should bring new life to the Seahawks offense. Washington will need to step up and have a good game for the Cardinals to win at home.
Name: Jason Phillips
Position: Linebacker
Current Team: Baltimore Ravens
Outcome of game: Baltimore 31 Denver 17
Stats:
Tackles: 1
Forced Fumbles: 1
Analysis: Phillips showed some life this week against the Denver Broncos as he recorded a tackle and a forced fumble. On the kickoff after a Ray Rice touchdown, Phillips forced kick-returner Demaryius Thomas to fumble and the Ravens recovered. This turnover eventually led to a field goal scored by Billy Cundiff.
Next Week: Going forward, don’t expect much out of Phillips except some more special teams playing time. The Ravens want to see better awareness on defense before he will have a chance to play against an opposing offense.
Name: Jerry Hughes
Position: Defensive End/Defensive Tackle
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Outcome of game: Indianapolis 19 Kansas City 9
Stats: Hughes did not play in the latest game.
Analysis: The Indianapolis Colts are experimenting with what position Hughes plays. During practice they have tried him at defensive end and defensive tackle in order to spur progress in the first round pick.
Name: Aaron Brown
Position: Running back
Current Team: Detroit Lions
Outcome of game: Detroit 44 Saint Louis 6
Stats: Brown is out due to a finger injury.
Analysis: Brown hopes to return to action this week against the Giants. It’s too early to tell whether Brown will be healthy enough to play, and it’ll depend on the amount of work he can put in at practice this week. Even so, Brown is last on the Lions depth chart at running back and has virtually no impact.
Name: David Hawthorne
Position: Linebacker
Current Team: Seattle Seahawks
Outcome of game: Bye Week
Stats: The Seattle Seahawks had a bye this week.
Analysis: After a tough loss to the Saint Louis Rams, David Hawthorne and the Seattle Seahawks look to bounce back this week against the Chicago Bears who have been struggling on offense.
Judge Howell is a sophomore broadcast journalism major from Plano.
