Terps in the NFL: J.C. Jackson and Darnell Savage excite in Week Three

Week Three of the 2020 NFL season got underway Thursday, with several Terps hitting the gridiron Sunday.

It was another big day for New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson. The third-year man registered six total tackles — all of them solo — a fumble recovery and a pass deflection en route to a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jackson did get fooled on a play where Raiders full back Alec Ingold hurdled over him before being knocked out of bounds. But despite this, Jackson was phenomenal all game, registering the third most tackles on the team, while also being responsible for one of the Patriots’ seven total pass deflections on defense.

Jackson now has 10 total tackles, nine solo tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection on the season. The Patriots improved to 2-1 and sit behind Buffalo in second place in the AFC East.

On Sunday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage had himself quite the night, recording seven total tackles, five of which were solo, setting season highs in both categories.

Savage’s seven tackles were good for the third most on his team for the night behind Ty Summers and Krys Barnes, who both had nine. The second-year safety now has 16 total tackles with 10 solo tackles this season.

Savage helped the Packers improve to 3-0 with a win over the Drew Brees and Saints, and the team now sits tied with Chicago atop the NFC North.

Other Performers

• Though his yardage wasn’t as high as usual, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs found the end zone for a four yard touchdown catch Sunday. Diggs finished with four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown as the Bills improved to 3-0 on the season with a win over the Los Angeles Rams. Diggs also had two touchdowns called back in the game on consecutive plays, one due to an incomplete pass and one from a teammate’s penalty.

The star wide receiver continues to have an impressive season, as he now has 20 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns after three games, ranking fourth in receiving yards in the league.

• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Anthony McFarland Jr. made his NFL debut Sunday against the Texans. The fourth-round pick was the second-leading rusher for Pittsburgh in the game, finishing with six carries for 42 yards, with his longest rush at 20 yards. He also caught one pass for seven yards.

• Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue didn’t pick up too many tackles in his team’s loss to Tennessee, but he did force a fumble and sack on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Ngakoue also finished with two total tackles and his new team Vikings remain winless on the season as they fell to 0-3.
• Carolina Panthers wide out DJ Moore caught two of his four targets for 65 yards, leading the Panthers in receiving yards for the second straight week. Moore continues to lead Carolina as the team’s top receiver.
• New England Patriots defensive end Byron Cowart picked up another tackle this week against the Raiders.
• Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson recorded one total tackle in a win over the Rams.
• Carolina Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter, Chicago Bears linebacker Josh Woods and Steelers safety Sean Davis were all active but did not record a stat.
• Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson was inactive against Arizona.