Local NFL players: Clowney disruptive, again
Jadeveon Clowney, Houston - Clowney made six tackles, including two for a loss, though the Texans again slumped to defeat, a 26-16 loss to San Francisco.
Clowney was shut out in the sack column, but was otherwise a menace to the 49ers’ offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, the former South Pointe Stallion had five QB hurries and four QB hits on 30 pass-rushing snaps, the best rate of any edge defender in the league this past week.
“He’s very unique,” left tackle Joe Staley told ESPN. “Real slippery guy, taller guy, kind of built like Aldon [Smith] was when he was here. He’s really good at using his hands and getting skinny through blocks, and he’s super powerful as well. There’s a reason why he was drafted No. 1 overall. It’s because he’s a super talented guy, and he lines up all over the place, too. They do a lot of things with him.”
Clowney is second in the league with 20 tackles-for-loss, according to teamrankings.com.
Stephon Gilmore, New England - Gilmore made three tackles but the Patriots’ winning streak was snapped in a 27-20 loss to Miami Monday night. The former South Pointe Stallion played all 73 defensive snaps for New England.
Johnathan Joseph, Houston - Joseph, the Northwestern grad, made two tackles and defended a pair of passes during the Texans’ loss to the 49ers.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Oakland - the former Northwestern Trojan never got going during the Raiders’ 26-15 loss to Kansas City, struggles that were emblematic of Oakland’s overall offensive failures Sunday.
Patterson caught three passes for eight yards but was unable to bust any of the short completions for big gains. Patterson played 27 snaps on offense and 14 on special teams.
Benjamin Watson, Baltimore - Watson was only targeted once and didn’t make a catch during the Ravens’ 39-38 loss to Pittsburgh. It was only the second game this season that the former Northwestern Trojan hasn’t caught a pass, and first since the season opener against Cincinnati.
This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Local NFL players: Clowney disruptive, again."