A former Auburn running back found the end zone for the second straight week. One of the rookies made his NFL debut. That and more in this week's Auburn in the NFL recap.
BEST OF WEEK 3
Dee Ford, LB, San Francisco 49ers
After being listed as questionable for Sunday's game, Ford did more than just play. He made his presence known with a lightning quick sack late in the second quarter on a crucial third down. Ford blew past right tackle Matt Feiler to sack quarterback Mason Rudolph and stall the drive heading into halftime. He added another quarterback hit to the stat sheet as the 49ers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-20, to start the season off 3-0.
Bring 'em down @IamDeeFord
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 22, 2019
#PITvsSF pic.twitter.com/5OBd66qzzK
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions
Johnson once again found the end zone as the Lions went on the road Sunday and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24. The former Auburn running back rushed for 36 yards and the touchdown and added one reception for seven yards. Per Next Gen Stats, he faced an 8-plus man box against the Eagles over 60 percent of the time, which ranked the highest of any running back in Week 3.
All the way 🆙 @AyeyoKEJO pic.twitter.com/hm8FRvw4Xl
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 22, 2019
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Slayton made his NFL debut Sunday after returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out the first two weeks. The fifth-round pick was instrumental in the Giants' 32-31 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He reeled in three catches for 82 yards, averaging almost 28 yards per catch on the day.
This is just sooooo good#GiantsPride | #NYGvsTB pic.twitter.com/EggQ0JLcfW
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 22, 2019
Braden Smith, OL, Indianapolis Colts
Starting at right tackle for the third consecutive week, Smith played a major role in the Colts' 27-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The former second-round pick helped in both pass and run protection as quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns. Through three games, Smith has played the 23rd-most offensive snaps of all offensive linemen and has only allowed one sack.
OTHER TIGERS IN THE NFL
Montravius Adams, DT, Green Bay Packers
Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Daren Bates, LB Tennessee Titans
Angelo Blackson, DL, Houston Texans
Daniel Carlson, K, Oakland Raiders
Chandler Cox, FB, Miami Dolphins
Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rudy Ford, DB, Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Harris, LS, Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Jones, CB, New England Patriots
Devaroe Lawrence, DL, Cleveland Browns
Carl Lawson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Washington Redskins
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
Greg Robinson, OL, Cleveland Browns
Dontavius Russell, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chad Slade, OL, New York Giants
Jarrett Stidham, QB, New England Patriots
Neiko Thorpe, CB, Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Whitehead, S, Cleveland Browns
DNP (Reserve/Injured or Practice Squad)
Shon Coleman, OL San Francisco 49ers
Brandon King, LB, New England Patriots
Ricardo Louis, WR, Miami Dolphins
Duke Williams, WR, Buffalo Bills