Terps in the NFL: D.J. Moore explodes in standout performance

Former Maryland star and current Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore exploded for a phenomenal performance on Sunday, yet again, which made him one of the most consistent players through four weeks of NFL action in 2021.

Moore went off for eight receptions, 113 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets in a loss to Dallas. He also ran the ball one time for six yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold and Moore have seemed to establish a very solid on-field relationship in Darnold’s first year with the Panthers.

The fourth-year receiver set the tone early with a magical catch and run, where he broke a tackle and somehow kept his knee from hitting the ground by using his hand to keep himself up.

Moore used the momentum from one of the most impressive plays of his NFL career and turned in two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Both receptions came within the red zone for Carolina, proving that Darnold relies heavily on Moore when it matters most.

He paced all receivers in the game, both on Carolina and Dallas, in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

After Moore’s second straight game with at least 100 receiving yards, he has moved up to No. 4 in the NFL for receiving yards through four games this season (398) and fourth in receiving yards per game (99.5). He is tied for second in the league in receptions (30), third in targets (43) and is currently tied for third in receiving touchdowns (3).

He’ll look to continue his powerful start to the season next week at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Other Performers

• Buffalo Bills All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs bursted for his first 100-yard game of the 2021 season on Sunday against Houston. He recorded seven catches for 114 yards on 10 targets and fumbled the ball once, but the Bills recovered it. Diggs has now been targeted 40 times in four games this season and he has not dropped any of them, which is the most targets in the NFL without a drop. Diggs will look to continue that at Kansas City next week, in what should be an offensive showdown.
• New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson had another solid week, this time in Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium. Jackson recorded five total tackles and a pass deflection while playing 100% of the defensive snaps for the Patriots. Jackson, who already has three interceptions, also has four total pass deflections through the first four games of the season.
• On Monday Night Football, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was spectacular in putting pressure on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He recorded one tackle in the loss to Los Angeles and added two quarterback hits on Herbert. Ngakoue proved he is still a threat to rush the opposing quarterback.
• Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson did not record a tackle on Monday night, but he also added a quarterback hit. Ngakoue and Jefferson combined for three quarterback hits on Herbert, but the Raiders fell. Las Vegas will host Chicago next week.
• Carolina linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. was solid, yet again, this week. Against the Cowboys, he made his fourth consecutive start on defense and he totaled four tackles with two solo tackles. It was his second straight game with four tackles. Carter has been a very reliable defender for the Panthers’ front seven.
• Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage Jr. only recorded one tackle in this week’s win over Pittsburgh, but he was not targeted often. He played every defensive snap for the Packers for the third straight week, as Green Bay knocked down the Steelers 27-17.
• New York Jets running back Ty Johnson played a small role in the Jets’ overtime win over Tennessee on Sunday. He had three carries for one yard and two catches for 12 yards. Johnson fumbled the football, but the Jets recovered it. Johnson played behind Michael Carter and Tevin Coleman this week, but he continues to play on the offensive side for New York.
• Chicago Bears linebacker Josh Woods played in over 70% of the squad’s special teams plays on Sunday but did not register a stat. Woods continued his streak of special teams playing time for the Bears this week. He has appeared in two consecutive games.
• Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jake Funk did not post a stat this week after recording his first career NFL carry last week. Funk played in a little over half of the Rams’ special teams plays on Sunday against Arizona.
• Offensive lineman Michael Dunn did not appear for the Cleveland Browns in this week’s 14-7 win at Minnesota.
• Seattle Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry did not appear in this week’s 28-21 win at San Francisco.
• Linebacker Keandre Jones and safety Sean Davis were on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad this week.
• Safety Antoine Brooks Jr. remained on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad this week.
• Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. remained on the injured reserve this week for the Pittsburgh Steelers for undisclosed reasons.
• Defensive lineman Byron Cowart remains on the injured reserve/PUP for New England and will not be eligible to come off until at least Week Seven.