Week One of the NFL season has come and gone and there were a few standout performances from former Gophers, and a few disappointing results. We are seeing a changing of the guard as some of the Gophers from the early 2020’s are seeing their roles be significantly diminished, but also some of the youngest Gophers in the NFL are struggling to see the field. It’s only Week one so way to early to see any trends, but it will be something to watch as the season rolls on. Below see how the ex-Gophers did
in Week 1 and a look ahead to Week 2.
Arizona Cardinals
Week 1 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2 vs Seattle Seahawks
Jack Gibbons-LB
Gibbons started at linebacker for Arizona and played 54 of 55 defensive snaps while adding another 11 on special teams. He played a large role in Arizona’s upset win over the Chargers finishing with a team high seven tackles, five of them solo, a half of a sack and a QB hit.
Baltimore Ravens
Week 1 @ Indianapolis Colts
Week 2 vs New Orleans Saints
Rashod Bateman-WR
Bateman will be an interesting player to watch this season as his role appears to be shrinking on the Ravens. He played 53 offensive snaps which was 78% but was only targeted once by Lamar Jackson and did not make the catch. With Zay Flowers suffering a hamstring injury, it will be interesting to see if Bateman is a larger target this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
Week 1 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 @ Houston Texans
Boye Mafe—DE
Mafe had an amazing debut on the Bengals defensive line in their win over Tampa Bay. He played 37 defensive snaps or 65% and finished with just one solo tackle. But that tackle was a strip sack of Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter. He also recovered a Bucky Irving fumble in the first quarter. Not a bad start in the orange and black. He will likely go against fellow former Gopher Aireontae Ersery this Sunday in what could be a fun battle.
Dallas Cowboys
Week 1 @ New York Giants—Sunday Night
Week 2 vs Washington Commanders
Brevin Span-Ford—TE
Span-Ford played 13 offensive snaps and another 11 on special teams in the loss to the Giants. He was targeted twice by Dak Prescott and made both catches for 14 yards. He also added a special teams tackle. Unfortunately he likely lost a bet to Prescott on the results of Saturday’s game between their two colleges.
Though he probably doesn’t care after he signed a new three year contract extention worth $18 million with $12.075 million guaranteed. Not too shabby for an undrafted tight end.
Green Bay Packers
Week 1 @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 2 @ New York Jets
Benjamin St. Juste—CB
St. Juste played mostly on special teams with 23 special teams snaps and just one defensive snap in the loss. He recorded one solo tackle.
Houston Texans
Week 1 vs Buffalo Bills
Week 2 vs Cincinnati Bengals
Aireontae Ersery—OT
Ersery played all 79 offensive snaps and five more on special teams in the close loss to Buffalo. He did pick up a false start penalty on the opening drive of the season.
Indianapolis Colts
Week 1 vs Baltimore Ravens
Week 2 @ Kansas City Chiefs—Sunday Night
Justin Walley—CB
Walley made his NFL debut and played 39 defensive snaps and another seven on special teams in the loss to the Ravens. He finished with six tackles, five of them solo.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1 vs Cleveland Browns
Week 2 @ Denver Broncos
Eric Murray—S
Murray started and played jus 33 defensive snaps and seven special teams snaps sitting most of the fourth quarter of the blowout win over Cleveland. He recorded a pair of tackles, one of them solo.
Daniel Faalele—OG
Faalele was a healthy scratch for the game and was inactive.
Danny Striggow—DE
Striggow saw extra time in the blowout late and played 24 defensive snaps and five more on special teams. He recored two tackles, one of them solo.
Las Vegas Raiders
Week 1 vs Miami Dolphins
Week 2 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Cody Lindenberg—LB
Lindenberg was a surprise scratch for Sunday’s win over Miami as it appeared he had a backup linebacker spot locked up.
Minnesota Vikings
Week 1 vs Green Bay Packers
Week 2 @ Chicago Bears
Max Brosmer—QB-Practice Squad
Brosmer was not active for the game, but could potentially be the emergency third QB this week if Kyler Murray needs to miss the game with his concussion.
Blake Cashman—LB
Cashman was once again an absolute stud for the Vikings on defense. He played 65 defensive snapa and one more on special teams and finished with seven tackles, five of them solo, two for a loss, with two QB hits and a half of a sack of Jordan Love. Not too shabby.
New Orleans Saints
Week 1 @ Detroit Lions
Week 2 @ Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Howden—S
The Saints dropped a heartbreaker in OT to Detroit to open the season. Howden only saw special teams action playing 23 snaps and picking up a pair of tackles, one of which was solo.
New York Jets
Week 2 vs Green Bay Packers
Tyler Johnson—WR—Practice Squad
After being released by Dallas in training camp, Johnson was signed to the Jets practice squad this week. He played 12 games for the Jets a season ago so it’s very possible he could see a call up in the future.
New York Giants
Week 1 vs Dallas Cowboys—Sunday Night
Week 2 @ Los Angeles Rams—MNF
John-Michael Schmitz—C
JMS started and played all 69 starts at center for the Giants offense in their win.
Tyler Nubin—S
Nubin did regain his starting role and played all 58 defensive snaps and four more on special teams in the win. He ended with three solo tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyler Baugh-DT—Practice Squad
Esezi Otomewo—DT—Practice Squad
Neither player was called up for the game and both remained on the practice squad.
Seattle Seahawks
Week 1 Vs New England Patriots—Wednesday Night
Week 2 @ Arizona Cardinals
Deven Eastern—DT—Practice Squad
Eastern was not called up.
Nick Kallerup—TE
Kallerup was a healthy scratch and was inactive for the season opening game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 @ Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2 vs Cleveland Browns
Ko Kieft-TE
Kieft played a single snap on offense and added 15 on special teams in the loss to the Bengals. He did not record a stat.
Antoine Winfield, JR—S
Winfield played 62 of 63 defensive snaps and added seven more on special teams in the loss. He recorded nine tackles, seven of them solo.
Washington Commanders
Terell Smith—CB— Practice Squad
Smith was not called up for Week 1.
