Auburn in the NFL: Week 8 Recap
We have officially reached the halfway mark of the NFL season, with the trade deadline approaching this spooky Halloween afternoon.
As we do every week, Auburn Wire will take a look at some of the most notable performances from Auburn Alumni across the League.
It was an extra slow week for former Tigers, but some storylines stood out, including Derick Hall’s increased playing time, Derrick Brown’s Panthers finally getting a win, Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean struggling in Buffalo, and Carl Lawson stays with the Jets despite trade rumors.
Here is a look at several headlines from Week 8 that feature Auburn’s top NFL players.
Derick Hall plays most snaps since week 3
Last week, I hypothesized Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall was due for an uptick in playing time following the injury to teammate Uchenna Nwosu last week.
My institution was correct, as Hall played the most snaps (30) he had since week 3.
The former Tiger made the most of those snaps, collecting a career high four tackles and a stuff in Seattle’s thrilling 24-20 win over Cleveland.
Hall should be a key contributor for the Seahawks moving forward. The team is buying at the trade deadline, most recently trading for DL Leonard Williams to beef up the middle of the line and open up exploitable matchups on the edge.
Derrick Brown, Panthers, finally get first win of 2023
It’s been a rough couple of years for Derrick Brown and the Carolina Panthers.
After they were the worst team in football a year ago, they have started out that way again despite drafting Bryce Young with the first overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft.
The Panthers 0-6 start to the season was made even worse by the fact the No. 2 overall pick C.J Stroud’s Texas were 3-3 entering Sunday’s face-off in Carolina.
After the Texans jumped out to an early lead, Derrick Brown and the Panthers defense stepped up for Carolina, allowing just six points over the games final 42 minutes in the Panthers 15-13 win.
Brown played well in the game, registering 5 total tackles and 0.5 stuffs.
Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis, struggle in Buffalo
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary led by Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis had a tall task ahead of them on Thursday night against Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and the Buffalo Bills passing attack.
The former Tigers and their teammates did not hold up to it.
Josh Allen dotted up the Tampa Bay defense in the Bills 24-18 win, throwing for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown.
The Bucs fought hard in the game, and could have won it had Chris Godwin turned around a second earlier on the final play, but the Bills ultimately prevailed.
Up next for Davis and Dean’s 3-4 Buccaneers is a road matchup against the Houston Texans.
Carl Lawson stays put with Jets
Former Auburn Tiger Carl Lawson has struggled to earn playing time since coming over to the New York Jets in 2022.
The lack of playing time and seemingly bad fit with the Jets made many insiders believe Lawson would get moved on Tuesday’s deadline, but it seems as if he will be staying put with New York.
Lawson has played sparingly this season, collecting 3 tackles in 8 games.
