Local NFL players roundup: two former Northwestern Trojans step up

Cordarrelle Patterson, Oakland - the former Northwestern Trojan made another big contribution for the Raiders during their 24-17 win over the New York Giants. Patterson made four catches for 97 yards, including a screen pass that he took 59 yards, which helped set up Johnny Horton’s 9-yard TD catch that put the game beyond the Giants. It was the second week in a row that Patterson turned a short play into a crucial late-game big-gainer.

“Unfortunately, I got caught and I don’t like getting caught,” Patterson told The Athletic afterward. “So I was mad after that, but we got the win. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Patterson asked to be put back on the special teams kick coverage units, even while playing a bigger role on offense with the team’s top two receivers, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, out. Patterson, who made a special teams tackle against the Giants, has always been known as a positive teammate and his request was well received in the locker room.

“He loves ball,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “He wants to help his teammates any way he can. We had two young guys in there that can run, but they’re green. He thought he could make an impact, and he did.”

Benjamin Watson, Baltimore - Watson caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ 44-20 blowout of Detroit. Watson leaked out on a perfectly executed play-action pass fake near the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, as Baltimore built a 20-0 halftime lead.

Watson has 45 catches and three touchdowns in 12 games. The Ravens have won four of their last five games.

Johnathan Joseph, Houston - the Texans are keeping a close eye on a number of newly injured players this week, including Joseph, the former Northwestern Trojan. He was one of five players that left the Texans’ 24-13 loss to Tennessee. Joseph made four tackles in the game but left with a shoulder injury.

Jadeveon Clowney, Houston - Clowney, from South Pointe, was largely kept in check during the Texans’ division loss to Tennessee, making three tackles in the loss.

Stephon Gilmore, New England - Gilmore had a strong outing against his former team as New England beat Buffalo 23-3. Gilmore, the former South Pointe Stallion, made three tackles and defended a pair of passes, while helping the Patriots keep Buffalo’s offense out of the end zone.

Gilmore made Pro Football Focus’ Sunday Standouts list for the second straight week, after allowing just two completions for 22 yards in his direction.

This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Local NFL players roundup: two former Northwestern Trojans step up."