Last weekend saw the Jaguars and the Bucs lose games in the final seconds that they had a chance to win, while the Dolphins beat the AFC East division-leading Buffalo Bills.
BY ALLEN DELANEY
Gator-heavy teams Denver and Chicago both had byes which made for a lighter week, and no one did much on offense.
A few Florida alumni made the trip across the pond to play in England for the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers as the NFL held a regular-season game there for the second straight season.
Now to the stats!
BIG WEEKS
The Gators who were the best last weeked:
Channing Crowder, MLB, Miami: Five tackles and a crucial fumble recovery in 25-16 victory over Buffalo.
Mike Peterson, MLB, Jacksonville: Led the team with 10 tackles in a 23-17 loss to Cleveland.
Reggie Nelson, FS, Jacksonville: Second on the team with five tackles in the loss the Browns
Lito Sheppard, DB, Philadelphia: Two tackles and an interception in the Eagles’ 27-14 victory over Atlanta.
DOING THEIR JOBS
Cooper Carlisle, OG, Oakland: Started during Raiders’ 29-10 loss to the Ravens.
Earnest Graham, RB, Tampa Bay: Graham finished with 42 yards on 17 carries and four receptions for 22 yards. The Bucs drove inside the Dallas 20-yard line with seconds remaining on the clock but failed on fourth down and lost 13-9.
Ike Hilliard, WR, Tampa: Three receptions for 23 yards in the loss to Dallas.
Kevin Carter, DE, Tampa: Three tackles in loss to Cowboys
Andra Davis, MLB, Cleveland: Two tackles in 23-17 victory over Jaguars.
Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville: Carried eight times for 24 yards. Taylor is having a tough year and is not seeing the ball very much, partly because the Jaguars keep falling behind.
Jabar Gaffney, WR, New England: One reception for 17 yards in 23-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
Javon Kearse, DE, Tennessee: Three tackles in win over Colts
Bobby McCray, DE, New Orleans: One tackle in the London shootout with San Diego won by his Saints, 38-31.
Brandon Siler, LB, San Diego: Three tackles in loss to Saints.
Max Starks, OT, Pittsburgh: Started for the Steelers in their 21-14 loss to the New York Giants.
Gerard Warren, DT, Oakland: Two tackles in loss to Ravens.
OTHERS
Former Gators who did not play, recorded no stats or were inactive:
Dallas Baker, WR, Pittsburgh (lost to New York Giants, 21-14) … Andre Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati (lost to Houston Texas, 35-6) … Todd Johnson, S, St. Louis (lost to New England Patriots 23-16) … Derrick Harvey, DE, Jacksonville (lost to Cleveland Browns 23-17) … Reynaldo Hill, CB, Tennessee (beat Indianapolis Colts 31-21) … Ian Scott, DT, San Diego (lost to New Orleans Saints) … Ray McDonald, DE, San Francisco (lost to Seattle Seahawks 34-13).
These former Gators’ teams had byes:
Alex Brown, DE, Chicago … Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago … DeShawn Wynn, RB, Green Bay … Marcus Thomas, DT, Denver … Jarvin Moss, DE, Denver … Marquand Manuel, S, Denver …Darrell Jackson, WR, Denver … Chad Jackson, WR, Denver (picked up last week and signed but no added to practice squad; it remains to be seen what his role will be).
Good news for Drew Miller – he was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars.