Terps in the NFL: J.C. Jackson takes league lead in interceptions

For the third straight game, New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson recorded an interception.

Jackson’s performance against the Buffalo Bills Sunday secured him the NFL lead in interceptions with four picks.

The third-year man was mostly tasked with matching up against fellow former Terp Stefon Diggs. Jackson finished the game with five total tackles, three of which were solo, a pass deflection and the interception, which he returned for 25 yards.

His takeaway came from a pass from quarterback Josh Allen that was intended for Diggs.

With his fourth interception of the season, Jackson is now one shy from tying his career-high of five from 2019. He now has eight pass deflections this season, which is two shy of his career-high of 10, which was also set last season.

Other Performers

• Diggs led the Bills in receiving, yet again. The star wideout caught six passes for 92 yards for an average of 15.3 yards per catch. He was targeted nine times in the win over the Patriots. He has led Buffalo in catches and receiving yards in six games this season to help the Bills sit atop the AFC East with a 6-2 record. Diggs is lighting it up this season and currently sits fifth in the NFL in receiving yards this with 603.
• On Thursday Night Football, Carolina Panthers wideout DJ Moore led his team in receiving yards for the fifth time this season. Moore only caught two passes but picked up 55 yards, with a long reception of 42 yards. He was targeted six times in the Panthers’ loss to Atlanta. Moore is now fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 622 so far this season.
• Defensive lineman Byron Cowart recorded four total tackles, two solo tackles and a tackle for loss in New England’s loss to the Bills. The second-year Patriot is having the best season of his career, in part because he played five games as a rookie. He has 15 total tackles so far in 2020.
• In Bills’ win over New England, Quinton Jefferson recorded one tackle, which was a sack on quarterback Cam Newton that forced the Patriots to punt the football. This was his second sack of the season, as he managed to get to quarterback Derek Carr in Week Four.
• Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage had a bounce-back game after missing last week due to injury. Savage recorded four total tackles, two of which were solo. The second-year pro has 31 total tackles in just six games, which is 14 tackles shy of his rookie total from 2019. Green Bay lost a tough divisional matchup to Minnesota, but still remains in first place in the NFC North.
• Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. had one carry for one yard in a massive win for the Steelers. Pittsburgh improved to 7-0, beating its division rival Baltimore Ravens, remaining as the lone undefeated team in the NFL.
• New York Jets running back Ty Johnson ran the ball three times on Sunday for 15 total yards. With the trade of Le’Veon Bell, Johnson is behind Frank Gore and La’Mical Perine at running back for New York.
• Yannick Ngakoue donned a Baltimore Ravens jersey for the first time after being traded a couple of weeks ago. He picked up one tackle in the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers. Baltimore sits in second place in the AFC North at 5-2.
• After not recording a defensive stat last week, Chicago Bears linebacker Josh Woods picked up one tackle this week against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints won 26-23 in overtime with a game winning field goal from Wil Lutz.
• Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. only played four defensive snaps on Thursday night and did not record a stat. Carter has mostly contributed on special teams for Carolina.
• Steelers safety Sean Davis did not record a stat this week against Baltimore and has reminded a mainstay on special teams for Mike Tomlin’s NFL leading squad.