As the NFL entered Week 11 of the 18-week regular season, the injury bug continued to take its toll on players, creating increased opportunities for UFL players to make an impact. However, it was a disappointing outcome for most of their NFL teams. Find out which former spring footballers stood out this week.
New York Jets v. New England Patriots
Brandon Smith, New York Jets wide receiver (D.C. Defenders)
Kohl Levao, New York Jets guard (San Antonio Brahmas)
Liam Fornadel, New York Jets guard (D.C. Defenders)
The 2-8 New York Jets lost to the 9-2 New England Patriots on Thursday Night football by a score of 27-14. Unfortunately, none of the three New York Jets practice squad players, Brandon Smith (D.C. Defenders), Kohl Levao (San Antonio Brahmas), or Liam Fornadel (D.C. Defenders), were elevated for the game.
Next week, the Jets will look for an upset win against the 5-5 Baltimore Ravens.
Atlanta Falcons v. Carolina Panthers
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle (XFL St. Louis Battlehawks)
The 3-6 Atlanta Falcons took on their NFC South Division rival, the 5-5 Carolina Panthers. After missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury, former St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London was back in action. London had three solo tackles and a sack on Sunday, but sadly, it wasn’t enough to overcome a disappointing 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Next week, the 3-7 Falcons will try to rebound against the 2-8 New Orleans Saints.
Los Angeles Chargers v. Jacksonville Jaguars
Peter Bowden, Los Angeles Chargers LS (Michigan Panthers)
The 5-4 Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the 7-3 Los Angeles Chargers. Although former Michigan Panthers long snapper Peter Bowden was recently signed to the Chargers, he remained on their practice squad for the second week in a row as the Chargers suffered a brutal 35-6 loss on the road.
Next week, the 7-4 Chargers will have a bye week off to regain their winning ways.
Chicago Bears v. Minnesota Vikings
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle (Arlington Renegades)
On Sunday afternoon, the 4-5 Minnesota Vikings hosted division rival, the 6-3 Chicago Bears. Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle (Arlington Renegades), has been outstanding this season. Redmond had a quiet afternoon with three total tackles (one solo) in a heartbreaking 19-17 last-minute loss to the Bears. The former Renegades DT has 34 tackles (18 solo), 4.0 sacks, two pass defenses, and a forced fumble for the season.
Next week, the 4-6 Vikings will look to get back on track with another divisional game against the 6-3-1 Green Bay Packers.
Jonathan Garvin, Chicago Bears DE (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions DE Jonathan Garvin was signed to the Chicago Bears last month. He remained on the practice squad again this week.
Green Bay Packers v. New York Giants
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
The 5-3-1 Green Bay Packers traveled to New York to take on the struggling 2-8 Giants. Whelen had another busy afternoon punting four times for 195 yards in the Packers’ 27-20 victory. His longest punt on the afternoon was a stunning 61-yarder, marking the fourth game this season in which Whelan had a punt over 60 yards.
Lucas Havrisik-Green Bay Packers kicker (San Antonio Brahmas)
With Green Bay’s veteran kicker, Brandon McManus, back on the injured list, former San Antonio Brahmas kicker Lucas Havrisik was the designated kicker on Sunday. Unfortunately, Havrisik had a rough outing. He missed two of three extra points. As it turned out, he wasn’t the only NFL kicker struggling on Sunday. The league set a record for the most extra points missed in a single day, failing to convert 12 PATs.
Next week, the 6-3-1 Packers will host the struggling 4-6 Minnesota Vikings.
San Francisco 49ers v. Arizona Cardinals
Adrian Martinez, San Francisco 49ers quarterback (Birmingham Stallions)
On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers traveled to Glendale, AZ, to face their NFC West Division rivals, the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, and emerged with a resounding 41-22 victory. With a healthy Brock Purdy stepping back into the lineup for the first game in weeks, backup quarterback, former UFL league MVP and Birmingham Stallions championship quarterback, Adrian Martinez, was waived by the team. Martinez is once again a free agent and available for NFL teams in need of a talented dual-threat quarterback.
Next week, the 7-4 San Francisco team will face another NFC rival, the 6-5 Carolina Panthers.
Los Angeles Rams v. Seattle Seahawks
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker,” Harrison Mevis, had his second start for the LA. Rams this week. Fresh off the practice squad, Mevis once again replaced Rams kicker Joshua Karty. For the second week in a row, Mevis did exactly as he was asked to do. He connected on three of three extra points in the Rams’ 21-19 division win over the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, just like a week ago, that’s all he was asked to do. Mevis didn’t have an opportunity to kick a field goal.
Next week, the 8-2 Rams will host the 6-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Denver Broncos v. Kansas City Chiefs
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos offensive linebacker (Birmingham Stallions)
After defeating the 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 22-19, the 9-2 Denver Broncos currently have one of the best records in the NFL. Former Birmingham Stallions LB Dondrea Tillman had a relatively quiet game, combining for three tackles with one solo in the thrilling 22-19 victory. After last week’s game, where he had three tackles (one solo), an interception, and a pass defense, Tillman can now enjoy some much-needed downtime with the Broncos’ bye week ahead.
Cleveland Browns v. Baltimore Ravens
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
The Cleveland Browns hosted the 4-5 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Both teams have struggled, but the Ravens are once again clicking on offense with the return of a healthy Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Despite a strong effort from the Browns, the Ravens notched a come-from-behind 23-16 win.
Former St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt continues to be a bright spot for the struggling Browns. He was perfect on Sunday, nailing a 30-yard field goal, a 24-yard field goal, and a 46-yarder. He also converted on his only extra point attempt. However, it wasn’t enough for the Browns to overcome the Ravens.
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns long snapper (San Antonio Brahmas)
Despite Cleveland’s frustrating season, Rex Sunahara, the former San Antonio Brahmas LS, has been a steady presence.
Cleveland, Kaden Davis, Cleveland Browns wide receiver (Michigan Panthers)
For the second time this season, former Michigan Panthers wide receiver Kaden Davis was elevated from the practice squad and active for the game. However, he did not record any stats.
Next week, the Browns hope to secure an upset when they host their division rival, the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders.
Detroit Lions v. Philadelphia Eagles
On Sunday night, the Detroit Lions came up short against a dominant defensive effort from the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Stunning one of the league’s best offenses, the Eagles defeated the Lions by a score of 16-9 in a lopsided battle.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks and All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors returned to action on Sunday night after missing last week with a back injury. He had one kickoff return for 26 yards.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside did not record any stats on Sunday.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (Michigan Panthers)
Former Michigan Panthers star kicker Jake Bates has struggled in recent weeks. His troubles continued on Sunday night. Although Bates nailed a 54-yard field goal late in the game in gusty wind conditions, he missed an extra point earlier. In fairness to Bates, the missed extra point was from a distance of 49 yards. The extra 15 yards were tacked on as a result of a penalized post-touchdown celebration by Jameson Williams.
In one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, the 6-4 Lions have now slipped to third place in the NFC North. The team will look to rebound next week against the 2-9 New York Giants.
Dallas Cowboys v. Las Vegas Raiders
On Monday Night Football, the 3-5-1 Dallas Cowboys traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to face the 2-7 Raiders.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (USFL Birmingham Stallions)
Coming back from his bye week, Dallas Cowboys elite kicker Brandon Aubrey put his only missed field goal from two weeks ago behind him. After booting a 50-yard field goal through the uprights that began the Cowboys’ 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Aubrey added 4/4 extra points.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
KaVontae Turpin had four kick returns on Monday Night Football for 111 yards. His longest return was for 39 yards. He had one punt return for 14 yards. Although he didn’t register a gain with his lone reception on offense, Turpin has a total of 16 catches for 184 yards this season.
Next week, the 4-5-1 Cowboys will host the 8-2 Philadelphia Eagles.
Check back here next week to find out who the standout spring players are in NFL Week 12.
