Texas Longhorns in the NFL: Regular season Week 1

The opening week of the NFL season did not disappoint. Multiple games came down to the wire and the officiating was much better than it was all preseason. As for the Texas Longhorns alumni, there were many standout performances on the field.

Safeties Earl Thomas and Quandre Diggs were atop their positions, both posting above a 92 Pro Football Focus game grade.

Michael Dickson put up near record-breaking single punt game numbers in the Denver air and defending Super Bowl champion Jordan Hicks played lights out to lead a stout Eagles defense in effort to hold the Falcons to 12 points.

Healthy scratches: Marcus Johnson, Hassan Ridgeway, Malik Jefferson.

Malcolm Brown (RB-LAR)

Last Week: 33-13 win at Oakland Raiders

Brown had two crucial third-down catches for 18 yards while the Rams were trying to run out the clock in the fourth quarter. He also had a five-yard carry.

This Week: vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sun. Sep. 16 3:05 p.m.)

Marquise Goodwin (WR-SF)

Last Week: 24-16 loss at Minnesota Vikings

After taking a scary hit to his thigh/knee area, Goodwin left Sunday’s game in the first quarter without a catch. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a bruised thigh.

This Week: vs. Detroit Lions (Sun. Sep. 16 3:05 p.m.)

Geoff Swaim (TE-DAL)

Last Week: 16-8 loss at Carolina Panthers

Swaim caught three balls for 18 yards in his starting tight end debut for the Cowboys.

This Week: vs. New York Giants (Sun. Sep. 16 7:20 p.m. NBC)

Desmond Harrison (OT-CLE)

Last Week: 21-21 OT tie vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The undrafted free agent got the start at left tackle after Cleveland moved original starter Joel Bitonio to guard. Unfortunately for Harrison, his debut went rough. Harrison allowed the most quarterback hurries in the NFL and committed four penalties.

This Week: at New Orleans Saints (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Connor Williams (OT-DAL)

Last Week: 16-8 loss at Carolina Panthers

The second-round draft pick got the start at left guard in the Cowboys opener. Against one of the better pass-rushing defenses in the league, Williams struggled in his debut, giving up two sacks. He posted a 56.1 PFF game grade, which ranked fourth out of the six (first and second round rookies) interior offensive lineman that played.

This Week: vs. New York Giants (Sun. Sep. 16 7:20 p.m. NBC)

Malcom Brown (DT-NE)

Last Week: 27-20 win vs. Houston Texans

Brown wrapped up two tackles and was inches away from a sack for a safety on DeShaun Watson. Watson was able to get rid of the ball and avoided an intentional grounding penalty with his tight-end in front of him. Newly Patriots defensive coordinator Doug Marrone had high praise for Brown following their first game.

This Week: at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sun. Sep. 16 3:25 p.m. CBS)

Alex Okafor (DE-NO)

Last Week: 48-40 loss vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Capturing two solo tackles, Okafor recorded a 77.2 PFF game grade.

This Week: vs. Cleveland Browns (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Brian Orakpo (DE-TEN)

Last Week: 27-20 loss at Miami Dolphins

Splitting exactly half the snaps (48-48) with the other edge-rusher Kamalei Correa, Orakpo recorded two tackles.

This Week: vs. Houston Texans (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Jordan Hicks (LB-PHI)

Last Week: 18-12 win vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Eagles kicked off the NFL season on Thursday night in search to defend their reign with a win. Hicks, who wasn’t able to play in last year’s Super Bowl, had an eye-popping game as the anchor of Philadelphia’s defense. He was all over the field with seven tackles (five solo), 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, and a pass deflection. Hicks can be one of the best middle linebackers in the game when healthy.

With the game on the line on fourth-and-goal, right after committing a questionable penalty the play before, Hicks stepped into the throwing lane of Matt Ryan and forced an incompletion to end the game.

This Week: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Derrick Johnson (LB-OAK)

Last Week: 33-13 loss vs. Los Angeles Rams

The middle linebacker of a fresh-faced Raiders defense held his own with five solo tackles and led the defense to play inspired in Gruden’s debut.

This Week: at Denver Broncos (Sun. Sep. 16 3:25 p.m.)

Holton Hill (CB-MIN)

Last Week: 24-16 win vs. San Francisco 49ers

Hill was the replacement for No. 2 cornerback Trae Waynes when Waynes checked out of the game.

This Week: at Green Bay Packers (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Adrian Colbert (FS-SF)

Last Week: 24-16 loss at Minnesota Vikings

Starting at free safety, Colbert delivered some nice hits on Vikings receivers and finished with five tackles. In an awesome feature that the NFL does every week with players, Colbert was mic’d up during the game.

This Week: vs. Detroit Lions (Sun. Sep. 16 3:05 p.m.)

Quandre Diggs (SS-DET)

Last Week: 48-17 loss vs. New York Jets

Diggs showed his worth to his new contract extension and was one of the lone bright spots for Detroit in their Monday night opener. On Darnold’s first career pass attempt, Diggs read his throw across the field and took it back for a pick-six, marking his first career NFL touchdown.

The strong safety finished with four solo tackles and a pass breakup in an embarrassing loss.

This Week: at San Francisco 49ers (Sun. Sep. 16 3:05 p.m.)

Adrian Phillips (SS-LAC)

Last Week: 38-28 loss vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Phillips notched two total tackles playing in a backup safety role.

This Week: at Buffalo Bills (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Kenny Vaccaro (SS-TEN)

Last Week: 27-20 loss at Miami Dolphins

Vaccaro totaled five tackles, had an interception and a pass breakup in a loss.

This Week: vs. Houston Texans (Sun. Sep. 16 12:00 p.m.)

Earl Thomas (FS-SEA)

Last Week: 27-24 loss at Denver Broncos

Less than a week after returning to the practice field, Earl Thomas made his presence felt on Sunday. Thomas had an interception on the second defensive drive of the game and returned it inside-the-10. He finished with five tackles and two pass breakups to go along with his interception. The all-pro safety is officially back.

Thomas on the interception: “It felt good. I haven’t had one like that in a minute.”

This Week: at Chicago Bears (Mon. Sep. 17 7:15 p.m. ESPN)

Michael Dickson (P-SEA)

Last Week: 27-24 loss at Denver Broncos

‘The Punter’ had a field day punting in the high-altitude air in Denver. Dickson averaged an astounding 59 yards on six punts with four downed inside-the-20. This performance will go in the record books for the second best per punt average in an NFL game ever. Only behind Mike Scifres, who averaged 59.5 yards on six punts once in a game. Not too shabby of a debut for Dickson.

Check out Dickson’s game long 69-yard punt below.

This Week: at Chicago Bears (Mon. Sep. 17 7:15 p.m. ESPN)

Phil Dawson (K-ARI)

Last Week: 24-6 loss vs. Washington Redskins

Dawson saw no opportunities in the kicking game with the Cardinals trailing 24-0 and going for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

This Week: at Los Angeles Rams (Sun. Sep. 16 3:05 p.m.)

Justin Tucker (K-BAL)

Last Week: 47-3 win vs. Buffalo Bills

In tough, wet weather conditions, Tucker showed why he’s one of the best kickers in the NFL. He connected on both field goal attempts from 39 and 41 yards out and made all five of his extra point attempts.

This Week: at Cincinnati Bengals (Thurs. Sep. 13 7:20 p.m. ESPN)

* All game times listed under the Central Time Zone

** Nationally televised games listed in BOLD