NFL News & Analysis

10 worst individual performances of Week 2

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after the Packers were stopped by the Minnesota Vikings during the game on September 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Week 2 is in the books, and with it, a new crop of players stood out, both in good and bad ways. Earlier today, colleague Sam Monson identified the top performers of the week so far; here, though, we take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum, revealing some of the lowest-graded players in Week 2.

Damarious Randall, CB, Green Bay Packers (22.1)

How quickly the tables can turn. After finishing Week 1 with the highest grade among all NFL CBs, Randall was absolutely torched by Vikings’ receiver Stefon Diggs on Sunday night, to the tune of five catches on five targets for 134 yards and a touchdown. Overall he allowed seven-of-eight targets to be caught for 161 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Randall also missed a tackle, and will likely be looking to quickly forget that this game ever happened.

Stephon Gilmore, CB, Buffalo Bills (25.9)

Stephon Gilmore had very similar coverage numbers to Randall, as the entire Bills' defense was shredded by Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets’ offense. Gilmore surrendered seven catches on eight targets for 129 yards on Thursday, and was beaten consistently by any New York receiver who lined up across from him. Even worse, nearly all of his receptions allowed went for first downs.

Shareece Wright, CB, Baltimore Ravens (32.0)

The numbers didn’t look too bad for Wright, allowing four-of-eight targets to be caught for 97 yards and a touchdown. However, he was beaten on a few of those incompletions, only to be bailed out by a bad throw. Wright also missed a team-high three tackles versus the Browns.

Keith McGill, S, Oakland Raiders (32.2)

It was a tough week for secondary players, as we come to the fourth DB in a row to make this list. McGill had a tough time against the run, failing to make a single stop, and missing a tackle. As the primary cover man, he allowed all six targets to be caught for 98 yards, including a 44-yarder to rookie TE Austin Hooper.

Jesse James, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (33.1)

Jesse James caught three passes from Ben Roethlisberger for 29 yards and a touchdown, so it might seem like he had a good day according to the box score. But my oh my, was he ever having a tough time blocking. James was beaten like a drum to the tune of seven run stops. Even on plays where he didn’t surrender the stop, he allowed his man to completely disrupt the intention of the play.

DeShawn Shead, CB, Seattle Seahawks (34.2)

We’re back to corners, and this time it’s DeShawn Shead, who could not seem to cover Rams WR Kenny Britt. Britt caught all six targets for 94 yards when Snead was the primary coverage defender. Add on a big 17-yard completion to Tavon Austin, and you’ve got the makings of a less-than-stellar day from the Seahawks' cornerback, who like Packers CB Damarious Randall, was coming off an impressive season opener.

Chris Chester, RG, Atlanta Falcons (34.6)

Falcons G Chris Chester wasn’t great when it came to pass blocking, as he allowed a sack and three quarterback hurries. He fared even worse when it came to run blocking, as he allowed a team-high six run stops and was generally unable to make a positive run block all game.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers (35.3)

No, this isn’t a mistake. Aaron Rodgers played what could arguably be called the worst game of his career Sunday night. Even if you take away the three fumbles in which he showed poor ball security, he was having a rough passing day, as well. Rodgers was accurate on just 58.8 percent of his throws (second-worst adjusted completion percentage among QBs so far this week), and completed just 5-of-14 passes for 90 yards on targets that traveled beyond 10 yards through the air. He was missing more often than not, and had a couple of really dangerous attempts, all of which led to the lowest-graded game of his career.

Matt Kalil, LT, Minnesota Vikings (35.3)

It didn’t seem to matter who lined up across from Kalil on Sunday night—they were going to beat him rushing the passer. Kalil allowed a sack, a hit, and three hurries in Sam Bradford's Minnesota debut, and was beaten on an additional four other pass rushes, though no pressure was recorded. Kalil also allowed two run stops, and was just unable to make many positive blocks all game.

Garry Gilliam, RT, Seattle Seahawks (35.5)

Garry Gilliam suffered from a heavy dose of Rams DT Aaron Donald on Sunday, and his grade was evidence of his struggles with that task. Gilliam was beat for four solo run stops; three of those were tackles for losses. In the passing game, he allowed two hits and a hurry, and was beaten an additional three more times. The Seahawks' RT didn’t record a single positively-graded block all game.

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