University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In The NFL: Week Five
October 8, 2013 | Football
<B>Compiled by Andrew Tie, GoHeels.com</b>
Nicks has best game of season
Since week one when he had five receptions for 114 yards, Hakeem Nicks has not been as productive. However, he broke out of that slump with a big game in a loss to the Eagles this weekend. He had nine catches for 142 yards, including a long 49-yard reception.
This is a good sign for Nicks, and the Giants offense, as both have struggled this year. With the Giants 0-5 and Nicks being in the final year of his contract, there is a chance he doesn't return next year. Producing more like this game would lead to a much higher payday in the offseason.
Yates gets in the game
Even though the 49ers were blowing out the Texans, T.J. Yates still got his first real playing time of the year. His numbers were minimal-3-of-5 for 15 yards-but the Texans were mostly running the ball at that point.
With Matt Schaub continuing to struggle, there may be a bit of a quarterback controversy in Houston, and some people are calling for a switch to be made. But Yates continues to stand behind Schaub.
"It's rough to see anybody go through that," Yates said. "It's even worse because everybody on this team knows how much work he puts in, how much he cares about this team."
Coach Gary Kubiak said he's sticking with Schaub, but if Schaub plays poorly again next week, Yates may get in the game a little earlier.
Matchups to watch this week
The Giants travel to Chicago to take on the Bears on Thursday night. This will, of course, feature WR Hakeem Nicks (Giants), who may have just broken out of a slump, and DE Julius Peppers (Bears), who has struggled to consistently produce this year.
On Sunday, the Rams travel to Houston to face the Texans. This game will have DE Robert Quinn (Rams) trying to sack Matt Schaub throughout the game. But if Schaub has a poor game, Quinn may be going after his former teammate, T.J. Yates.
Updates from former Heels
Giovani Bernard again showed some burst for the Bengals and ran hard. However, he did have a fumble in the fourth quarter that didn't ultimately hurt the Bengals.
Browns WR Greg Little had his best game so far this year. He more than doubled his previous season high, as he had 71 yards on three catches.
Statistics from Tar Heels
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati RB - 13 rushes for 62 yards, 2 rec. for 7 yards
Zach Brown, Tennessee LB - 2 tackles
Bruce Carter, Dallas LB - 4 tackles
Greg Little, Cleveland WR - 3 rec. for 71 yards, 3 KOR for 14 yards
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants WR - 9 rec. for 142 yards
Robert Quinn, St. Louis DE - 2 tackles
Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo SS - 6 tackles
Brandon Tate, Cincinnati WR - 1 KOR for 29 yards, 1 PR for 7 yards
Cam Thomas, San Diego DT - 3 tackles
TJ Yates, Houston QB - 3/5 for 15 yards, 1 rush for 0 yards, 1 fumble recovered
