Former Penn State football player standouts in Week Seven of NFL
With NFL teams starting bye weeks en-mass, there are fewer Penn State football players to review this week, but the ones that did play stood out in a big way. Here are the names and familiar faces making an impact in the NFL during Week 7. Some stats are provided by PFF.
Penn State offensive players
Saquon Barkley
While he didn’t get a touchdown on Sunday, former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley touched the ball 28 times for 135 yards to power the Giants to a 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Barkley finished the weekend 14 yards behind NFL-leading rushing Nick Chubb. The Giants are the surprise of the NFL, sitting second in the NFC at 6-1, and Barkley’s resurgence is a huge reason why.
Pat Freiermuth
Pat Freiermuth returned with a vengeance on Sunday, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers with nine targets and eight catches for 75 yards. It didn’t matter, however, with quarterback Kenny Pickett throwing three interceptions. On the other side, fellow Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki struggled to find a home in the Miami Dolphins offense. He saw seven targets but only caught three for 27 yards. Still, the Dolphins got out of the game with a 16-10 win.
Conner McGovern
Penn State guard Connor McGovern played his best game of the 2022 season, allowing zero pressures on 28 pass-blocking attempts against the Detroit Lions. He also helped pave the way for 139 yards rushing on the way to a gritty 26-6 win for the Dallas Cowboys.
Defense
Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons came back in a big way after his quiet game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys pass rusher tallied five pressures. He tabbed a sack, and two QB hits, making it a productive day for the star Penn Stater. Parsons also added three run stops and a forced fumble.
Odafe Oweh
Sacks are still elusive for former Penn State edge rusher Odafe Oweh. He didn’t get one in the Ravens’ 23-20 win over the Browns, but he did manage two quarterback hits and five total pressures. The speedy pass rusher won 57% of his true passing situations on Sunday, third to Parsons (2nd–60%) and Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Sam Hubbard (1st–66.7%). Oweh is a curious player in this regard. He’s 16th in the NFL among edge rushers with 23 pressures but has by far the fewest sacks in that group with only one.
Adrian Amos
Former Penn State defensive back Adrian Amos tallied six tackles against the Washington Commanders and gave up only two receptions for ten yards. Despite quality play from most of the defense, the Green Bay Packers offense couldn’t muster enough points to overcome the Commanders, losing 23-21.
Still to play: Jaquan Brisker and the Chicago Bears take on the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
