How did former Tar Heels fare in Week 1 of NFL action?
You could say this weekend was very stressful for the UNC football program and its fans.
The Tar Heels almost suffered a third defeat in five seasons to in-state rival App State, but rode a career day from Omarion Hampton and a late defensive stop to a 40-34 victory. UNC was down after one possession, then saw Hampton and Drake Maye reach the end-zone in back-to-back possessions. Carolina’s defense was very reminiscent of 2022’s, allowing the opposition to move the ball without much resistance, something surprising considering the 9-sack performance against South Carolina.
Life for former Tar Heels in the NFL was a little less stressful, highlighted by Sam Howell’s second win in two starts as the Washington Commanders’ quarterback.
Let’s take a deeper dive into how former Carolina players performed around the NFL:
Sam Howell throws for a touchdown, runs for game-winner in Commanders' come-from-behind victory
There’s no doubt the Washington Commanders got a steal in the 2022 NFL draft, when they drafted Sam Howell out of UNC in the fifth round. The former Tar Heel holds 27 school records, including career passing yards (10,283) and touchdowns (92).
Howell started Week 18 for the Commanders last year, leading them to an upset win over the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys. With the departure of Taylor Heinicke to the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz to free agency, Howell became Washington’s full-time starter in the offseason.
On Sunday afternoon, Howell led the Commanders to a 1-0 start with a come-from-behind, 20-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He completed 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, plus added 11 rushing yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
Howell has a slightly tougher test against this upcoming Sunday, when he and his Washington teammates will face off against former UNC teammate Javonte Williams and the Denver Broncos.
Williams returns from injury to lead Broncos in rushing yards
Javonte Williams was one of the unfortunate players to miss time with an injury last season, tearing his ACL, MCL and PCL in October. He was in his second season as a starter for the Denver Broncos, but his yardage total was well off the 903-yardage cumulation in his rookie season (2021).
If you watched the Broncos-Raiders game on Sunday, you wouldn’t have been able to tell Williams missed time with an injury. He carried the rock 13 times for 52 yards (four yards per carry) in Denver’s difficult, 17-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Williams and his Broncos teammates will try to get back on track this weekend, as they host the Commanders and Williams’ former UNC teammate, Sam Howell.
Michael Carter carries the ball once in emotional win
The New York Jets upset their AFC East rival-Buffalo Bills in overtime on Monday Night football, but at a cost – losing star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was the main focus of NFL media for seemingly the past several months, to an torn Achilles for the season.
New York won on an overtime punt return from undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson, who solidified his spot on the roster.
There is also a former Tar Heel on the roster, running back Michael Carter, who carried the football just once for six yards. Carter was listed as a starter entering the 2022 campaign, but now sits deep on the depth chart behind Breece Hall and newly-acquired Dalvin Cook.
Josh Downs catches three passes in regular-season debut
Facing an NFL defense for the first time in a regular-season game, former Tar Heel wide receiver Josh Downs caught three Anthony Richardson passes for 30 yards.
Downs’ yardage total was third among Indianapolis Colts receivers. Despite his stellar debut, Downs and the Colts’ offense were shutout in the fourth quarter of a 31-21 defeat to the AFC South favorite Jacksonville Jaguars.
Downs may get even more of a chance to shine this coming weekend, with Indianapolis heading to Houston for another AFC South battle with the Texans.
Holcomb shines on an otherwise bad day for Steelers
Cole Holcomb was a rare bright spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, generating five tackles (two solo) and forcing a fumble in a disappointing, 30-7 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Holcomb is listed as Pittsburgh’s starting left inside linebacker – he signed in the offseason. The 2019 fifth-round pick is enjoying a solid NFL career so far, with 241 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown to his name.
Chazz Surratt helps set up game-winning punt return for Jets
Chazz Surratt, the former UNC quarterback-turned-linebacker, laid out a crucial dive block on Monday Night Football that allowed New York Jets teammate Xavier Gipson to score the game-winning touchdown.
While Surratt didn’t register any stats, it makes you wonder if his block was the deciding factor in the Jets’ upset.
Ezeudu and Giants offense shutout in opener
Unless you’re a Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders or Philadelphia Eagles fan, you almost feel bad for the New York Giants.
The Giants, one season removed from a playoff appearance, looked nothing like the part in a 40-0 shutout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Former UNC offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu was part of an unfortunate play in the loss. He was lined up to help the Giants take a 3-0 lead on a Graham Gano kick, only for Dallas Cowboys defensive back Noah Igbinoghene to take the blocked kick into the end zone for a 6-0 advantage.
In the opener, Ezeudu was listed as the backup right guard behind Mark Glowinski.
James Hurst, Saints squeak by Titans in opener
James Hurst, who played at UNC from 2009-2012, helped the Saints to a 16-15 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week One.
According to the Saints’ official depth chart, Hurst split reps with Andrus Peat at left guard.
Peat is coming off an Achilles injury, so expect to see Hurst in future games this year.
Chandler sees limited action in upsetting loss
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the NFL’s greatest mysteries.
They have talent across the board – Kirk Cousins, the NFL’s best wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, plus a top-5 tight end in T.J. Hockenson – but always seem to fall short of expectations.
The Vikings fell short in Week 1, losing a 20-17 contest to a Baker Mayfield-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad.
A former Tar Heel saw limited action in the loss for Minnesota, however, as 2021 running back Ty Chandler carried the ball three times and caught a pass for 18 yards.
Chandler is currently listed as the backup to Alexander Mattison, meaning he’ll likely continue to see playing time throughout his second NFL season
M.J. Stewart records two tackles in loss
Former UNC safety M.J. Stewart only recorded two tackles in the Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Stewart, playing his second season in Houston, is listed as the backup free safety to Jalen Pitre. Stewart played the first two years of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then the next two with the Cleveland Browns.
No one is expecting the Texans to do much this year, so look for Stewart to appear in several games.
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons defeat Carolina Panthers
When you ask an NFL fan their first thoughts when they hear the name “Mack Hollins,” it might be easy to point out his iconic hair.
Hollins, who played at UNC from 2013-2016, has an impressive list of hairstyles to his name. He sported short hair in Chapel Hill, then transitioned to afros and cornrows in the NFL.
Hollins, currently in his sixth NFL season, is also a reputable receiver. He caught four Desmond Ridder passes for 31 yards in the Atlanta Falcons’ 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.
Originally a fourth-round 2017 NFL Draft selection by the Philadelphia Eagles, Hollins has at least 100 receiving yards in every season to date. He’s coming off a career-high 690 receiving yards, 57 catches and four touchdowns in Las Vegas last year.
Listed as a starting receiver with Drake London and Scott Miller, Hollins gives his young quarterback a veteran receiver to develop chemistry with. He should continue seeing plenty of targets, as the Falcons look for their first postseason berth since 2017.
