It was an overall down week for these former Trojans, so let’s take a look at their performances and see if more of the same is expected going forward.
Sam Darnold
Just as easily as he led the team to a hot 3-0 start this season, Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers have now lost their past three games. In a 34-28 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Darnold threw for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He had four carries for 48 yards on the ground.
Darnold’s very first throw of the game was his interception and it set the tone for the rest of the game. By halftime, Darnold had completed just over 27% of his passes for 60 yards. He was sacked and fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, which was recovered by the Minnesota defense. Although he led the team on a 96-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard Robby Anderson touchdown to help send the game into overtime, his rebound was too little, too late. Darnold finished the game having completed only 17 of 41 pass attempts.
Darnold’s confidence seems to have withered over the last few weeks and with it goes the team’s performance. Should Darnold’s bad play continue the rest of the season, it would not be surprising if the team begins searching for alternative options. Luckily for Darnold, the Panthers have a smoother road ahead with their next three opponents having a combined record of 5-12.
Robert Woods
Robert Woods came back down to Earth with only two catches for 31 yards on Sunday after a stellar 150-yard performance last week. One of his catches was a 15-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to give the Los Angeles Rams a 7-3 lead, but apart from that it was once again the Cooper Kupp show. Woods’ fellow Rams receiver finished with nine catches, 130 yards and two touchdowns. The former Trojan saw just five targets to Kupp’s twelve.
When the team makes it a point to get Woods the ball, he massively produces. This was the case in Week 5. Currently standing at 5-1 though, the Rams do not have the need to force targets to Woods when Kupp is working just fine as the team’s go-to receiver.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman Jr. had just two catches for 25 yards in the Indianapolis Colts’ 31-3 victory over the Houston Texans. Returning from a neck injury that had kept him sidelined all season, T.Y. Hilton’s return on Sunday did not favor Pittman. Hilton led the team in receiving with four catches for 80 yards. A run-heavy game script also contributed to Pittman’s down week, as quarterback Carson Wentz attempted just 20 passes, completing just over half. It will be interesting to see if Pittman can retain his No. 1 receiver status or if Hilton will take back the title in the coming weeks.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
After recording over 65 yards in each of his last two games, Amon-Ra St. Brown had five catches for only 26 yards in the Detroit Lions’ 34-11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. It was tight end T.J. Hockenson who led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards. St. Brown was essentially a non-factor, as he was only utilized in the short-yardage passing game. Nevertheless, St. Brown was tied for second in targets— seven— proving that he remains a key part of the Detroit offense.
Ronald Jones II
Ronald Jones II rushed for 20 yards on five carries and had nine receiving yards in a 28-22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones has been playing in Leonard Fournette’s shadow all season, but Thursday night’s game solidified that even more — Fournette finished with 127 total yards and two touchdowns. Jones’ lack of involvement this season is a bit surprising given his large role in the team’s 2021 Super Bowl season.
As the trade deadline draws near, there have been recent reports about teams expressing interest in Jones. A change of scene appears to be the best option for both Jones and Tampa Bay.