Maryland in the NFL, Week 11: D’Qwell Jackson puts together a strong performance

We’re hitting the stretch run of the NFL season, and quite a few former Maryland football players are trying to help their teams qualify for a shot at the Lombardi trophy. But a few are also injured, with two going on injured reserve already and another two inactive this week.

D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Jackson recorded his first sack of the season to go along with nine tackles in a 24-17 win over the Titans. The Colts improved to 5-5 with the win, moving past the Titans for second place in the AFC South.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings

After back to back record breaking weeks Diggs came back down to earth this past weekend, catching just six balls for 37 yards in a 30-24 win over the Vikings. This can happen when you’re covered by Patrick Peterson, who is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. But the Vikings found a way to win without great production from their top wideout and snapped a four game losing streak.

Nolan Carroll, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Carroll recorded six tackles a week after suffering a concussion. He finished second on the team in tackles, and also had a huge hit on Thomas Rawls to force an incompletion.

The rest of the Eagles defense forgot to show up as it allowed 439 yards in a 26-15 loss to the Seahawks, including a whopping 15 yards per completion and five yards per carry.

Sean Davis, S, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Davis made his first start at safety Sunday, recording three tackles and breaking up one pass in the Steelers 24-9 win over the Browns. He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown, but that was called back due to a penalty.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Davis has earned the starting safety job after starting at nickel cornerback earlier in the season. The rookie showed his versatility at Maryland, and it is already helping him in one of the NFL’s most prestigious organizations (and this is coming from a Ravens fan).

Heyward-Bey was once again inactive this week, missing his second straight game after suffering a foot injury against the Ravens.

Nick Novak, K, Houston Texans

Novak was perfect Monday night, hitting two field goals and two extra points in a 27-20 loss to the Raiders. He hit a 32 yard field goal to finish off the Texans opening drive, and then hit one from 33 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

After a few tough weeks, Ngakoue bounced back with a tackle and a sack in the Jaguars 26-19 loss to the Lions.

Despite the holding the Lions to only 297 yards, the defense was at the mercy of quarterback Blake Bortles who threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, in the loss.

Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Smith did not play this week after suffering a shoulder injury last weekend against Arizona. It was the first missed game of his six year career.

Vernon Davis, TE, Washington Redskins

After a stretch where the 11 year tight end appeared to turn back the clock, Davis didn’t even see a target Sunday against the Packers. It seems strange that Kirk Cousins couldn’t find him at least once during one of the best games of his career.

Jon Condo, LS, Oakland Raiders

Condo was on the field eight times Monday night, for three punts, three extra points in two field goals. Since he’s teammates with Marquette King, I feel that’s a good enough excuse for posting this video of him punting a ball into on the opposite side of the field.