Badgers in the NFL: Week 5

Veterans

• Russell Wilson, QB (Seahawks): The MVP front-runner had another spectacular performance in Week 5. Wilson threw for 217 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while adding a season-high 58 rushing yards. Most importantly, he led the Seahawks on a game-winning fourth quarter touchdown drive to keep them undefeated on the season. Through five weeks, Wilson ranks first among quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (19) and quarterback rating (129.8), and second in passing yards (1,502).

• James White, RB (Patriots): Due to positive COVID-19 cases, the Patriots’ game against the Broncos was postponed and Week 5 was used as their bye week.
• Corey Clement, RB (Eagles): Clement logged three offensive snaps and 16 special teams snaps for the Eagles on Sunday.
• Melvin Gordon, RB (Broncos): Due to positive COVID-19 cases, the Broncos’ game against the Patriots was postponed and Week 5 was used as their bye week.
• Dare Ogunbowale, RB (Jaguars): Ogunbowale played 54% of special teams snaps and recorded one tackle in the Jaguars’ loss to the Texans.
• Derek Watt, FB (Steelers): Watt was inactive in Week 5 due to a hamstring injury. His injury isn’t considered to be serious though, as head coach Mike Tomlin said Watt could return as soon as Week 6.
• Alec Ingold, FB (Raiders): Ingold had four targets and finished with two catches for 25 yards in the Raiders’ upset win over the Chiefs. He played a season-high 31% of offensive snaps, while also logging 20 snaps on special teams.

• Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Ramczyk started at right tackle and played every offensive snap in the Saints’ Monday night win over the Chargers.
• Rick Wagner, OT (Packers): The Packers had a bye Week 5.
• Rob Havenstein, OT (Rams): Havenstein once again got the start at right tackle and played all 68 offensive snaps for the Rams in Week 5.
• Kevin Zeitler, OG (Giants): For the fifth straight week, the nine year veteran started at right guard and played every offensive snap for the Giants.
• David Edwards, OG (Rams): Edwards started at left guard and played 100% of the offensive snaps in Week 5.
• Ryan Groy, OG (Chargers): For the second straight week, Groy started at right guard and played every offensive snap for the Chargers.
• Michael Deiter, C (Dolphins): Deiter played a season-high nine special teams snaps for the Dolphins on Sunday.
• Alex Erickson, WR (Bengals): Erickson played just two offensive snaps, but saw five snaps on special teams and returned one punt for four yards in Week 5.
• J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): In Watt’s first game since the firing of head coach Bill O’Brien, he tallied two total tackles and one pass defended. Most importantly, however, the Texans earned their first win of the season, beating the Jaguars 30-14.
• Joe Schobert, LB (Jaguars): Schobert played 98% of defensive snaps at inside linebacker and finished with four total tackles in Week 5.
• T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): On his 26th birthday, Watt had three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and a sack in the Steelers’ win over the Eagles. Through five weeks, Watt ranks fifth in the NFL in sacks with 4.5 and second in tackles for loss with eight.

• Ryan Connelly, LB (Vikings): Connelly played 52% of special teams snaps and recorded no tackles in the Vikings’ Sunday night loss to the Seahawks.
• Jack Cichy, LB (Buccaneers): Cichy logged ten snaps on special teams before leaving Thursday night’s game against the Bears with a hamstring injury. The third year pro just can’t catch a break with injuries, as he missed most of his first two seasons in the league with an ACL tear and an elbow injury. Thankfully, his hamstring issue doesn’t seem to be particularly serious and he should return at some point this season.

• T.J. Edwards, LB (Eagles): The Eagles placed Edwards on IR last week after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4. He will miss at least three games.
• Andrew Van Ginkel, LB (Dolphins): Van Ginkel had the best game of his young career in Week 5. The second year pro played 72% of defensive snaps and finished with six total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Dolphins’ upset win over the 49ers.

Rookies

• Jonathan Taylor, RB (Colts): Taylor rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in Week 5, good for a season-high 4.75 yards per carry. He also had 2 catches for 17 receiving yards. We’ve yet to see a breakout game from Taylor this season, but he continues to dominate touches in the Colts’ backfield and with two good matchups upcoming (Bengals, Lions) it’s only a matter of time until he has a monster game.

• Quintez Cephus, WR (Lions): The Lions had a bye in Week 5.
• Tyler Biadasz, C (Cowboys): Biadasz started his first career game at center on Sunday and played every offensive snap for the Cowboys. Following in former Badger Travis Frederick’s footsteps in Dallas, Biadasz has a great opportunity, with starter Joe Looney on IR, to earn a long-term starting role for the Cowboys.

• Zack Baun, LB (Saints): Baun finally saw some playing time at linebacker in Week 5. After logging just one defensive snap through four weeks, the third round pick played 12 snaps and finished with three total tackles in the Saints’ win over the Chargers.