Terps in the NFL: Stefon Diggs and DJ Moore impress once again in week six

In what seems to be a continuing trend this season, wide receivers Stefon Diggs and DJ Moore led the way for former Terps in Week Five.

The duo continues to prove its among the NFL’s best. In his first year with the Buffalo Bills, Diggs currently ranks No. 2 in receiving yards per game (101.8) and also has the fifth-most receiving yards (509) of any player in the league. And Moore has established his presence in the league, now ranking eighth in both receiving yards (474) and average yards per reception (17.6).

Maryland is the only school in the league to boast two players in the top-10 in receiving yards, marking a historic feat for the program.

Moore had 93 yards for the second-straight week, this time on 11 targets, in the Carolina Panthers’ 16-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. The high yardage paired with the increased amount of targets could mean big things for the former Terp as he looks to prove himself as the team’s top receiver over Robby Anderson.

Diggs scored his third touchdown of the season for the Bills in the second quarter against the Chiefs, giving the team its first lead of the game on a 4-yard connection with Josh Allen. The toe-dragging touchdown left the game’s broadcasters in disbelief.

Despite the incredible catch, Diggs only had six receptions on eight targets, producing a season-low 46 yards in the 26-17 loss. Still, he holds his spot atop the league rankings.

He’s also shown that he is worth the king’s ransom Buffalo traded for him back in March, leading the Bills in receptions (42), receiving yards (555), receiving touchdowns (3) and long gain (49).

In terms of personal records, both receivers seem to be in the midst of a career renaissance. In just six games, Diggs has already accrued about half the total yardage of his career-high 1,130 from last season, while Moore is on pace to outdo his career-high 1,175 yards, also in 2019.

Other Performers

• New England defenseman J.C. Jackson continued his dominant season in the Patriots loss to the Broncos, defending against two passes, recording a tackle and snagging his second interception of the season off of Denver quarterback Drew Lock.

• Jackson’s teammate and former Terp Byron Cowart did not play in Sunday’s contest due to a positive from the defensive lineman.
• After being ruled inactive for last weeks game, New York Jets running back Ty Johnson finally got his chance to shine in Sunday’s 24-0 blowout loss against the Miami Dolphins, recording 42 rushing yards on just three carries. Johnson’s highlight of the day came on a 34-yard rush, the Jets’ longest offensive play of the game and the longest gain by any Jets running back this season. Considering Johnson produced only four less rushing yards than team leader Frank Gore had on 11 carries, the former Maryland running back could potentially see even more involvement in the coming weeks.
• Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue managed two tackles in Minnesota’s 40-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Sunday’s contest marked the first time Ngakoue failed to record a sack in a start all season. Fans should have little reason to worry however, as the Maryland product looks to be on track to decimate sack totals from previous years.
• Darnell Savage Jr. recorded five tackles in Green Bay’s 38-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland once again struggled to get the ball rolling, recording 2 rushing yards and 6 receiving yards in a blowout win against the Cleveland Browns. Teammate Sean Davis failed to record any statistics.
• Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson had a solid outing in the Monday loss to Kansas City, notching three tackles.
• Carolina Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. was unable to record a stat on Sunday.