Pro Frogs: JV’s big night leads to 49ers win

Two Horned Frogs got prime time tilts this past weekend in the NFL, with two very different results. Jason Verrett’s Sunday Night game was a breakout performance, while Andy Dalton and the Cowboys struggled in a battle of Texas-raised QBs.

Jason Verrett, CB, San Francisco 49ers

Oh what a night for Jason Verrett and the 49ers. The sixth year pro is finally living up to what we all expected, and you could argue he is exceeding it. Not only does the cornerback have the lowest allowed passer rating in the league (a stingy 7.8), he was the NFL’s highest-rated defender of the week (94.0). He had two massive plays against an explosive Rams’ offensive during Sunday Night Football, batting away this pass on third down:

and picking off this ball in the end zone late in the contest:

And, if that’s not enough to get you hyped for JV, just look what he’s had to overcome to get (back) to this point:

Just an incredible story for a young man who nearly walked away from the game after RGIII welcomed him to DI Football — and is now on pace to be the league’s comeback player of the year.

Ben Banogu, DE, Indianapolis Colts

Cincy jumped out to a big lead behind Joey Burrow, but the Colts defense clamped down and Phillip Rivers led a come from behind win. Big Ben didn’t record an official stat, but might well have made the play of the game in forcing Burrow into a hurried throw that ended in a game-sealing interception.

Ross Blacklock, DT, Houston Texans

Houston looks like a completely different team under Romeo Crennell, and gave the 5-0 Titans all they could handle Sunday afternoon before falling in OT. Big Ross had an impact on the game, recording a tackle and tackle for loss — and it was impressive, on Derrick Henry in space.

The rookie seems to be finding his footing as we creep up near the halfway point of the season.

L.J. Collier, DE, Seattle Seahawks

BYE WEEK

Andy Dalton, QB, Dallas Cowboys

I am so sorry Andy. You didn’t deserve this.

Dalton wasn’t great on Monday night against the Cardinals, but he wasn’t bad, either. He certainly did enough early to keep Dallas in the ball game — were it not for two Ezekiel Elliott fumbles and an offensive line put together with duct tape and pipe cleaners.

Finishing 34-54 for 266 yards, one touchdown and two INTs, Dalton was victimized by drops, sacks (3), and pressures (8). Again — he wasn’t great in his first start for the Cowboys, but he wasn’t given a lot of help, either.

Jeff Gladney, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Well, poor Jeff had to try and cover Julio Jones Sunday, and as you would expect, the veteran wide receiver took the rookie DB to school. The Falcons got up off the turn and took down the Vikings 40-23, and while Gladney had eight tackles, Jones went 8 for 137 and two touchdowns against Jeff and his teammates in the secondary. Gladney did get a big play, though, forcing a fumble early in the contest on an effort play:

Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills

The Bills have had a strange week. After their week four game against the Titans was pushed to Tuesday, they played the Chiefs Monday afternoon (at 4:00pm?).

Joe Noteboom, OL, Los Angeles Rams

Noteboom was not a part of the problem in the loss to 49ers, as her remains on IR.

Matt Pryor, OG/OT, Philadelphia Eagles

Pryor missed the game Sunday due to injury, but is expected back for Thursday night.

Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Reagor is eligible to return from IR for this week’s game after having surgery on a UCL tear after week two. But with a short week ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Giants, it’s unlikely he returns to action.

The Eagles put up a valiant fight against the Ravens but fell short, 30-28.

Austin Schlottmann, OG/C, Denver Broncos

The Broncos may possibly have had the biggest upset of the weekend, knocking off the COVID-riddled Patriots in Foxborough 18-12 (that’s a terrible football score, isn’t it?). Schottmann played 50% of the offensive snaps and was solid in the win.

Vernon Scott, S, Green Bay Packers

Scott played only on special teams Sunday, which might have been part of the problem for Green Bay. The Pack got absolutely torched by Tom Brady and Gronk in a 38-10 loss.

Ty Summers, LB, Green Bay Packers

Ty recorded five tackles in playing about a third of the defensive snaps and almost every special teams play in the loss to the Bucs.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, Detroit Lions

Big V has had a tough 2020; returns from injury only to exit Sunday’s game due to dehydration.

The Lions beat the Jaguars 34-16.