Northwestern in the NFL, Week 10/11: Newsome II nabs his first NFL pick – Inside NU
After a brief hiatus, we’re back with Northwestern in the NFL. See how former Wildcats have done in the pros with the playoff chase rapidly approaching.
Rashawn Slater: Los Angeles Chargers, OT
Slater was busy in Week 10, as the Chargers lost in a 41-38 shootout at home against the Lions. As usual, he played every offensive snap and didn’t surrender a single pressure or sack. In fact, the entire offensive line kept Justin Herbert upright for the entire game, but the Chargers couldn’t keep up with Detroit in the end.
In Week 11, Slater looked a bit shakier in a loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Chargers played a sloppy game that could’ve gone their way had it not been for some fourth-quarter mishaps. With that being said, Slater is still one of the best left tackles in the NFL and could be named to his second Pro Bowl this winter.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 7:20 p.m. CT)
Greg Newsome II: Cleveland Browns, CB
In a 33-31 win against the Ravens in Week 10, Newsome II had the play of the game. Down seven in the fourth quarter, the Browns needed a defensive stop. Lamar Jackson dropped back for Baltimore on second-and-8 and fired, but Ogbo Okoronkwo got a hand up and deflected the pass. Recognizing the ball wobbling in the air, Newsome snatched it and took it to the end zone for a pick-six — his first NFL interception.
While he didn’t have as flashy a game in Week 11 against the Steelers, Newsome still recorded three combined tackles, including a tackle for loss. He and the Browns held Pittsburgh to just 10 points in a win without quarterback Deshaun Watson. Newsome will look to continue his excellent season from the slot in Denver.
Week 12 matchup: at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. CT)
Peter Skoronski: Tennessee Titans, OG
Skoronski has continued to put up a solid season at left guard for the Titans. He’s still allowed just one sack this season and has proven himself as a building block for the future. The rookie got called for his first career penalty in Tennessee’s Week 11 loss to the Jaguars — he crept too far downfield on an ineligible man call in the fourth quarter, setting his offense back five yards in a game that was already settled.
Yet, the Titans’ O-line as a whole doesn’t look quite as strong. Andre Dillard hasn’t played well at left tackle, which raises questions of who will start at the position next year. It’s possible that Skoronski, who played tackle at Northwestern, could slide outside and dispel draft analysts’ concerns that he lacks the wingspan to protect his quarterback’s blindside.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 12 p.m. CT)
Ben Skowronek: Los Angeles Rams, WR
Skowronek remains buried on the Rams’ depth chart, making his primary contributions on special teams. In a 20-3 blowout loss against the Packers in Week 10, he attempted one rush in the first quarter that went for negative two yards.
The third-year receiver didn’t record any offensive statistics in Los Angeles’ 17-16 win against the Seahawks. His only noteworthy play was an offensive holding call in the third quarter that pushed the Rams back to their 9-yard line. Cooper Kupp did leave the game early with an ankle injury, so Skowronek could see more snaps in a divisional clash in Arizona.
Week 12 matchup: at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. CT)
Anthony Walker Jr.: Cleveland Browns, LB
Walker Jr. had a relatively quiet night in Cleveland’s 33-31 win at Baltimore in Week 10. He recorded two tackles (one solo) and saw the field for 74% of the Browns’ defensive snaps. In Week 11 against the Steelers, though, Walker exited in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and didn’t return.
The seven-year veteran will look to recover before a mile-high clash against the Broncos. Walker’s been an important piece of Cleveland’s formidable defense, so the team will hope that his injury is only a minor tweak.
Week 12 matchup: at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. CT)
Adetomiwa Adebawore: Indianapolis Colts, DE
After recording his first career sack in Week Nine, Adebawore didn’t play as much in a grind-it-out win against the Patriots in Germany. He saw the field for just 17 defensive snaps but managed to record a solo tackle and a QB hit.
Though Adebawore is still just a rotational pass rusher, there’s no doubt that his stock is ascending. The fourth-round rookie recorded five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in his senior season at Northwestern. Adebawore will look to get after Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers at home on Sunday afternoon.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 12 p.m. CT)
Dean Lowry: Minnesota Vikings, DE
Lowry was inactive with a groin injury in the Vikings’ 27-19 win against the Rams in Week 10. He did appear in Minnesota’s 21-20 loss to the Broncos, but he tore his pec and exited the game. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve, ending his first season with the Vikings. Lowry finished the year with 14 combined tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Chicago Bears (Monday, 7:15 p.m. CT)
Joseph Jones: Tennessee Titans, LB
Jones returned to action for the Titans in Week 11 after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. He played 18 special teams snaps (72%) but didn’t record any stats. The seventh-year linebacker was reverted to Tennessee’s practice squad on Monday, so he might not suit up for the Titans’ matchup against the Panthers.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 12 p.m. CT)
Blake Hance: Jacksonville Jaguars, OL
Hance came in for just one play in the Jaguars’ embarrassing 34-3 loss to the 49ers in Week 10 — a field goal attempt in the second quarter. In Week 11 against the Titans, he played nine offensive snaps and six special teams snaps. The four-year veteran continues to play a situational role for Jacksonville, subbing in for injured linemen and entering the game in jumbo packages. He and the Jaguars will look to get the run going in Houston.
Week 12 matchup: at Houston Texans (Sunday, 12 p.m. CT)
‘Cats that didn’t play this week: Cameron Mitchell (Cleveland Browns), Godwin Igwebuike (Pittsburgh Steelers), Earnest Brown IV (Los Angeles Rams), Evan Hull (Indianapolis Colts, torn meniscus), Ifeadi Odenigbo (New York Jets, injured reserve), Tyler Lancaster (Denver Broncos), Joe Gaziano (Atlanta Falcons), Trevor Siemian (New York Jets)
