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It was a relatively quiet week for NFL Terps in Week 2, but Packers rookie safety Darnell Savage continued to prove why he was worthy of being a first-round pick in the 2019 draft after an electric career in a Maryland uniform.
Savage followed up his strong performance in Week 1 by recording six tackles, one pass deflection that led to an interception and a forced fumble. His play was crucial for the Packers in their 21-16 victory over the Vikings at Lambeau Field.
.@packers Defense is quickly becoming one of the @NFL best lead by @JaireAlexander & @darnellsavage_ play in the secondary. All phases are clicking. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/uWMolo0DLP
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 16, 2019
Unfortunately for Savage, he left the stadium wearing a walking boot which would indicate he injured his foot at some point during the win Sunday, but the Packers do not believe the injury is serious, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Former Steelers and Redskins safety and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark had this to say about Savage:
Darnell Savage reminds me of a young Earl Thomas. I’m nervous to say this because E will be a HOFamer but this kid can flat out go
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 15, 2019
Standout performers
Playing against Savage on Sunday was Vikings star receiver Stefon Diggs. The fifth year pro Terp was targeted seven times, which was a drastic improvement from last week, but it only resulted in one catch.
Fortunately for Diggs, that one catch turned into a 49-yard touchdown. With that score, Diggs has now recorded a touchdown in each of the last six games he has played against the Packers. Even though Diggs only had the single catch, his increase in targets should be a good sign as the season progresses.
He also had a touchdown in the red zone called back after review because of an offensive pass interference by one of his teammates and was wildly overthrown on another would-be touchdown from Kirk Cousins.
What. A. Throw.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2019
What. A. Catch.#Skol pic.twitter.com/LL9Hg8mshT
Diggs also had the coolest cleats of any NFL Terp this week and maybe in the whole NFL by paying homage to a popular SpongeBob meme.
When you have to cover #14... pic.twitter.com/EHAReTqHgB
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2019
Another former Terp receiver also had a strong week — DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers. The 2018 first round pick recorded eight catches for 89 yards on 14 targets. Two questions for Moore as the season goes on are going to be: How will Cam Newton’s decline in productivity affect him and will he ever be a threat in the red zone?
*Note: this was tweeted before the end of the game, hence the stat difference.
DJ Moore has been one of the sole bright spots for the Panthers tonight, now with 7 catches for 77 yards and averaging 11 yards per reception. #HeATerp pic.twitter.com/ZDfvQFPcJx
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) September 13, 2019
Other Terps in action
- Vernon Davis followed up his big week one with only three catches for 29 yards in the Redskins loss to the Cowboys.
- Sean Davis recorded 5 tackles in his first game of the season after recovering from an ankle injury. He had the Steelers quite upset though after he was called for a block in the back that negated a defensive touchdown by TJ Watt. Davis also left the game after injuring his shoulder in the loss to the Seahawks.
Sean Davis shut things down REAL QUICK pic.twitter.com/JyQFW5XLBN
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 15, 2019
- JC Jackson recorded two tackles and had a monster pass break-up on a deep ball thrown his direction in the Patriots win over the Dolphins.
JC Jackson with an incredible play breakup! pic.twitter.com/P6iVm8FZeL
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) September 15, 2019
- Jackson’s Patriot teammate Byron Cowart made his NFL debut after being a healthy scratch in Week 1. He recorded one tackle in the team’s win.
- Ty Johnson made a larger impact for the Lions in his second week of NFL action. The running back recorded five carries for 30 yards with one of those carries being a 17 yard rush in his team’s win over the Chargers.
Ty Johnson led all Detroit Lions running backs in yards per carry today in their 13-10 win today. He averaged 6 yards per carry, gaining 30 yards on five attempts. #HeATerp.
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) September 15, 2019
- Quinton Jefferson didn’t make quite the impact as he made in week one for the Seahawks, only recording one tackle in his team’s win over the Steelers.
- Jermaine Carter also had a much quieter Week 2 for the Panthers as he recorded two tackles and a half sack in his team’s loss to the Bucs.
- Yannick Ngakoue was inactive this week for the Jags with a hamstring injury, while Josh Woods was a healthy scratch for the second straight week for the Bears.