Gary VanDyke

Atlanta rookie linebacker Foyesade Oluokun recorded nine combined tackles versus Baltimore Sunday. That amount slotted the rookie as the second on the team in tackles this contest.

Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jarrett returned to form this contest and versus Baltimore's run game. He secured 4 solo tackles and two assists with a sack while recording two forced fumbles.

Atlanta Falcon's star linebacker Deion Jones returned to the lineup after a foot injury sidelined him in the Week 1 contest versus Philadelphia. Jones had a stellar second half making play after play as Baltimore stuck to the ground and pound run game. He stacked the box with 15 combined tackles, with thirteen of those being solo. He padded those numbers with one sack, a tackle for a loss, for good measure in his return as one of the better linebackers in the NFL.

Tampa Bay safeties Justin Evans (toe, again) and Isaiah Johnson (concussion) exited in the win Sunday versus Carolina. They didn't return and managed about half the defensive snaps in this contest.

Tampa Bay backup safety Andrew Adams managed to pick off Cam Newton three times in the win Sunday. Those were his highlights as he only contributed one tackle, but was credited with three more passes defended. It was pleasant surprise rookie safety Jordan Whitehead who received yet another opportunity with Justin Evans (toe) missing half the contest. Whitehead led the secondary in tackles with seven combined.

Tampa Bay's defense was much improved versus Carolina with the return of veteran linebacker Lavonte David. He had missed a few contests with a knee injury but returned in great form. David racked up a total of ten solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for a loss and chipped in with his own passed defended as well. His performance capped fellow linebacker Adarius Taylor to four solos.

Carolina second-round rookie Donte Jackson stood out in the effort to contain the passing game of Tampa Bay. In the process recording six solo tackles. Captain Munnerlyn also showed up to play with seven solos and a pass defended.

Carolina linebacker Luke Keuchly might have only had five combined tackles in the loss to Tampa Bay Sunday. But he showcased some of those playmaking skills in this contest. He additionally had a fumble recovery, two passed defended and a tackle for a loss.

New Orlean Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan and David Onyemata did all they could do to keep the pressure on Dak Prescott in the loss Thursday night versus Dallas. Between the two they recorded fourteen combined tackles, five sacks, and four tackles for a loss. Altogether the defensive managed seven total sacks with A.J. Klein and Taylor Stallworth also chipping in one apiece.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott repeatedly seemed to "pick on" New Orleans cornerback Eli Apple with success in the first half of this contest. To show for it Prescott completed more pass attempts than Apple did tackles. He ended up with six combined as Prescott went on to complete 24 of 28 attempts. New Orleans had made a trade for Apple around the deadline and it certainly may be one the would like to have back at this point.