CASPER, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming has produced several NFL players currently making an impact. Here’s how they did in the most recent week’s slate of games.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen put up big numbers once again this week, though it came in a tough loss as the Bills fell 37–34 to the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime. In the loss, Allen threw for 339 yards, his second-highest total of the season, and also picked up a pair of touchdowns through the air. Though he racked up a tremendous amount of yards, he did it on poor efficiency: His 55% completion percentage was his lowest of the season.
Thus far this season, Allen has 3,214 passing yards on a 68% completion rate. He’s thrown 24 touchdowns and rushed for nine more.
Allen leads the league in passing touchdowns and ranks second in the NFL in completed passes, third in passing yards, third in quarterback rating and seventh in completion percent.
Marcus Epps, Las Vegas Raiders
After being injured in his team’s Week 11 game against the Chargers, Epps saw slightly limited playing time in his team’s 31–17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 12. The safety finished with two tackles in the loss, missing roughly 20% of the defensive snaps in the game.
Thus far in the 2023–24 season, Epps has 47 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
Tashaun Gipson Sr., San Francisco 49ers
The veteran Gipson had one of his better outings of the season this week, accruing five tackles and a sack in his team’s Thursday night win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Gipson now has 39 tackles and an interception so far this season.
Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints
This has been a breakout year for Granderson, the Saints’ young defensive end, and Granderson added to his already-impressive season résumé. On Sunday, Granderson finished with a season-best 10 total tackles. However, it came in a losing effort, as his team fell to the Atlanta Falcons 24–15.
Granderson this season has 54 tackles to go along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The Saints’ front office recently recognized Granderson for his strong play by agreeing to a $52 million contract extension.
Tyler Hall, Las Vegas Raiders
Hall saw very limited playing time in his team’s loss to the Chiefs. Taking the field for just a single defensive snap and only four special teams snaps, he failed to record a stat in the contest.
Despite being called upon infrequently this season, Hall has shown flashes of brilliance, including an October showdown with the New England Patriots that saw him record six tackles.
Hall has 17 tackles this season.
Chad Muma, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars won a thrilling game on Sunday, prevailing over the Houston Texans with a 24–21 nail-biting win. However, Muma did not record a stat in the game. He took the field on three defensive plays and 18 special teams plays.
The second-year linebacker has 15 tackles this season.
Mike Purcell, Denver Broncos
Purcell did not have a tackle in his team’s win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but made an impact with a crucial fumble recovery that stopped what looked like a surefire scoring drive for the opponent.
It was Purcell’s first fumble recovery of the year.
This season, Purcell has 11 tackles to go with his fumble recovery.
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals
It was another stellar outing for the Casper native this week, as he reached double-digit tackles for the fourth time this year. Wilson had 10 tackles, though it wasn’t enough to propel his team to victory, as the Bengals fell 16–10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wilson — a former Natrona County Mustang s well as a former UW Cowboy — has 89 tackles, a pair of forced fumbles and a trio of interceptions this year.
Wilson has emerged as one of the most important players for the Bengals, as he leads the team in tackles, is tied for the team lead in forced fumbles and ranks second on the squad in interceptions.
Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars
This year, Wingard has emerged as one of the key reserves in the NFL, providing a spark of energy defensively off the bench for his team. However, his impact was limited on Sunday, as he failed to record a stat in his team’s win over the Texans.
Wingard has 26 tackles and an interception on the season.
