USC NFL Week 3 Roundup: Everson Griffen Dominates (9/27)

USC NFL action in Week 3 featured standout performances from defenders Everson Griffen, Nick Perry and Su’a Cravens and more Projan highlights.

While Pete Carroll’s Seahawks were dominateing the San Francisco 49ers, Carroll-era defensive linemen put on a clinic of their own.

Everson Griffen and Nick Perry were immense for the Vikings and Packers, but they weren’t the only former Trojans making their mark.

Here’s how the Projans fared in Week 3 of the NFL season.

Three Stars of the Week

Everson Griffen: Nevermind that Griffen was so sick during the game that Minnesota listed him as questionable to return midway through, the Vikings’ lineman was a force in the win over the Panthers with three sacks. The first knocked Carolina out of field goal range, the second secured a third down stop, while the third capped the victory on another late third down stop. That’s not to mention his critical QB hurry on an earlier fourth down.
Nick Perry: With his long-haired Trojan teammate Clay Matthews sitting out, Perry stepped up to the plate and put in a career performance to propel the Packers to a close victory over the Lions. Perry finished with seven tackles and two sacks, effectively limiting Detroits rushing attack while putting pressure on Matthew Stafford from the outside. He also had a pass deflection.
Su’a Cravens: Seeing increased time on the field as he acclimates to the NFL, the rookie had three tackles and a late interception to seal the Redskins’ win over the Giants.

What Other Projans Did

Nelson Agholor: The sophomore wideout added to his tally with three receptions for 21 yards as the Eagles pounded the Steelers.

Buck Allen: For a third week in a row, Allen was inactive by coaches decision for the Ravens.

Matt Barkley: An injury to Jay Cutler moved Barkley up the pecking order with the Bears as he now sits second on the depth chart at quarterback. He did not make an appearance in Chicago’s loss to Dallas however.

Reggie Bush: Bush did play a single snap for the Bills, who trounced the Cardinals.

Jordan Cameron: The Dolphins tight end had one catch for five yards on Sunday, but a concussion kept him out as his team downed the Browns in overtime.

Jurrell Casey: Four tackles and a half sack from Casey wasn’t enough to power to Titans, who lost to the Raiders.

Matt Cassel: Cassel did not get into the game for Tennessee against Oakland.

Brian Cushing: The Texans linebacker remains out with an MCL tear.

Rhett Ellison: Ellison had his first catch of the season, hailing one in for 18 yards as the Vikings beat the Panthers.

Xavier Grimble: After a bright Week 2, Grimble didn’t nab a catch as the Steelers offense struggled to score even three points against the Eagles.

Matt Kalil: The Vikings placed Kalil on IR, ending his season.

Ryan Kalil: Kalil and the Panthers had a rough outing against the Vikings, giving up eight sacks.

Devon Kennard: In a losing effort, Kennard logged six tackles for New York against Washington, doubling his highest total of the year.

Cody Kessler: Injury trouble at the quarterback spot gave Kessler his first NFL start ahead of schedule, but it wasn’t a dream situation for the rookie. Kessler was an efficent 21-of-33 for 244 yards and rallied for a strong fourth quarter perofrmance after a disastrous first series in the game culminating in a sack fumble.

Marqise Lee: Lee continued his productive third season with five receptions for 44 yards, but the Jaguars still fell to the Ravens.

Marcus Martin: Martin remains a back up at center for the 49ers.

Clay Matthews: The ankle injury Matthews sustained last week held him out of the Packers win over the Lions.

Rey Maualuga: Maualuga had four tackles and one pass break up as the Bengals lost to the Broncos.

T.J. McDonald: The Rams got their second win of the season with McDonald contributing three tackles and one sack against the Bucaneers.

Mike Morgan: Morgan had one tackle as the Seahawks prevailed over the 49ers.

Carson Palmer: To call it a rough day would be an unstatement for Palmer and the Cardinals, who were easily beaten by the Bills. The quarterabck completed just 52 percent of his passes while throwing four interceptions — his first picks of the season.

Hayes Pullard: Pullard sprained his ankle in Jacksonville’s loss to Baltimore.

Silas Redd: Redd remains indefinitely banned for a violation of the league’s substance policy.

Nickell Robey-Coleman: It was a quieter outing for the Bills cornerback after last week’s scoop and score but quiet doesn’t mean bad as Robey-Coleman had two tackles and a solid day of coverage to help Buffalo emerge with a win over Arizona.

Frostee Rucker: Rucker remains out with an MCL injury.

Mark Sanchez: Sanchez did not play for the Cowboys, who beat the Bears.

Kevon Seymour: Seymour saw a lot of time as the Bills’ nickel corner, tallying three tackles in the win.

Josh Shaw:

Shaw continues to live up to his potential in the second year of his NFL career. Though the Bengals lost to the Broncos, Shaw had four tackles and after the game, stats gurus noted that the cornerback is allowing a 0.0 passer rating as a defender.

More from Reign of Troy

Tyron Smith: A back problem caused Smith to miss his first game since 2012. Dallas carried on without him, however, taking care of Chicago.

Malcolm Smith: Smith’s five tackles helped the Raiders to a win over the Titans.

Randall Telfer: Telfer, who is dealing with a neck injury, didn’t have any stats in Cleveland’s loss to Miami..

Max Tuerk: Tuerk remains a back up at center for the Chargers.

Leonard Williams: Not much went right for the Jets against the Chiefs offensively, but on the defensive line Williams was reasonable productive with three tackles, a half sack and two tackles for loss.

Robert Woods: Woods had an active day against the Cardinals, catching six passes for 51 yards.

Shareece Wright: After his Week 2 production slipped down to normal cornerback numbers, Wright was back at it in Week 3 against the Jaguars, logging seven tackles as the Ravens toppled the Jaguars.

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