Badgers in the NFL: Week 2

Veterans

• Russell Wilson, QB (Seahawks): Another week, another monster game for Wilson. The nine year veteran completed 21 of 28 passes for 288 yards, five touchdowns and one interception (which wasn’t his fault and was because of a dropped pass). Wilson has to be considered the front-runner for MVP in the early-going of the 2020 season, as he has nine touchdowns, one pick and a ridiculous 82.5% completion percentage through two games.

• James White, RB (Patriots): White was inactive after his parents were in a tragic car accident on Sunday that resulted in the death of his father. Thoughts and prayers to James and his entire family during this extremely difficult time. I recommend reading this ESPN article on the relationship between James and his father, written in 2019.
• Melvin Gordon, RB (Broncos): With running back Phillip Lindsay inactive with a toe injury, Gordon had the Broncos backfield all to himself in Week 2. The six year veteran rushed for 70 yards on 19 carries and caught two passes for 14 yards, including one that went for a touchdown. With Lindsay expected to miss another one to three games, Gordon should have a few big performances in store in the coming weeks.
• Corey Clement, RB (Eagles): With starting running back Miles Sanders returning from injury in Week 2, Clement was back to being a difference maker on special teams for the Eagles. The four year veteran played 60% of special teams snaps, but logged just three snaps at running back, down from the 25 snaps he saw in Week 1 sans Sanders.
• Dare Ogunbowale, RB (Jaguars): Ogunbowale played in his first game for the Jaguars in Week 2 and saw the field for 43% of special teams snaps. Stuck behind veteran pass-catching back Chris Thompson, Ogunbowale will likely see most of his playing time on special teams this season.
• Derek Watt, FB (Steelers): Watt played 72% of special teams snaps and finished with two total tackles. The special teams maestro also had a safety, when he tackled the Broncos’ punter in his own end zone. Watt has yet to factor much into the Steelers offense, as he logged only six snaps at fullback on Sunday.
• Alec Ingold, FB (Raiders): Ingold scored the Raiders’ first touchdown at their new stadium in Las Vegas on a three yard pass from Derek Carr. The second year fullback finished with two catches for five yards and played 20% of offensive snaps.

• Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Ramczyk started at right tackle and played all 60 offensive snaps for the Saints on Monday Night Football.
• Rick Wagner, OT (Packers): The eight year veteran started at right tackle and played every offensive snap for the Packers in Week 2.
• Rob Havenstein, OT (Rams): Havenstein started at right tackle and played 100% of the offensive snaps in the Rams win over Eagles.
• Kevin Zeitler, OG (Giants): Zeitler played every offensive snap at right guard for the Giants in Week 2.

• David Edwards, OG (Rams): After Rams starting left guard Joe Noteboom was forced to leave Sunday’s game with a calf injury, Edwards filled in and played 29 offensive snaps. With Noteboom out for Week 3 and a possible injured reserve candidate, Edwards has a great opportunity to prove himself as a starting caliber guard in the NFL.
• Michael Deiter, C (Dolphins): The second year pro saw action on just four special teams snaps in the Dolphins’ loss to the Bills.
• Alex Erickson, WR (Bengals): It was a quiet week for Erickson, who played eight snaps at wide receiver with no targets and only one special teams snap with no punt returns.
• J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): The Texans were completely over-matched by the Ravens in Week 2, but Watt looked great. He had two sacks, two total tackles, three quarterback hits and a pass defended. After missing eight games last season, it’s great to see Watt healthy and back to being a dominate force for the Texans.

• Joe Schobert, LB (Jaguars): Schobert played every defensive snap at inside linebacker and tallied ten total tackles for the Jaguars in Week 2.
• T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): Watt was all over the field on Sunday and recorded 2.5 sacks, four total tackles and four quarterback hits in the Steelers win over the Broncos. One of the best defensive players in the league, it seems like every week Watt is making game-changing plays for a Steelers team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

• Leon Jacobs, LB (Jaguars): Jacobs started at strong side linebacker and played 26% of defensive snaps in Week 2. He finished with one tackle for loss and also logged 23 snaps on special teams.
• Ryan Connelly, LB (Vikings): After being inactive in Week 1, Connelly played in his first game for the Vikings on Sunday. He played just one defensive snap but logged eleven special teams snaps and had one tackle. I’d expect Connelly to play more going forward, as he continues to learn the defensive playbook and work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his season last year.
• Jack Cichy, LB (Buccaneers): Cichy played 60% of special teams snaps in the Bucs’ win over the Panthers.
• T.J. Edwards, LB (Eagles): Edwards played 42% of defensive snaps at middle linebacker and notched six total tackles and a tackle for loss. He also logged 21 special teams snaps and forced a fumble on a punt return.

• Andrew Van Ginkel, LB (Dolphins): Van Ginkel played 16 snaps at outside linebacker for the Dolphins and finished with half a sack, one tackle for loss and four total tackles.

Rookies

• Jonathan Taylor, RB (Colts): In his first game as the Colts’ starting running back, Taylor was fed 26 carries and totaled 101 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while also adding nine receiving yards on two catches.

• Quintez Cephus, WR (Lions): With number one wide receiver Kenny Golladay out with an injury for the second straight week, Cephus started on the outside in his place. He was not targeted in the first half, but finished with three catches for 54 receiving yards on three targets.
• Tyler Biadasz, C (Cowboys): Biadasz saw playing time on six special teams snaps for the Cowboys in Week 2.
• Zack Baun, LB (Saints): After being inactive in Week 1, Baun made his NFL debut for the Saints in Monday Night’s game against the Raiders. The third round pick played 48% of special teams snaps but did not record a tackle.