Heels in the NFL: 2016 NFL Season Week Two results

How did former UNC players perform in week two of the NFL season? We break it down and keep it heel here…

Currently, there are 24 former North Carolina Tar Heels in the NFL. These players survived the gruesome preseason cuts to earn a spot on a NFL roster.

Week 2 of the NFL season had several good matchups with some of our former Tar Heels having an impact.

We take a look at how UNC players performed during Week 2 of this season:

Da’Norris Searcy – Tennessee Titans

Searcy had four tackles, consisting of three solo tackles and one assisted tackle. The Tennessee Titans defeated the Detroit Lions 16-15.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25 L) carries the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25 R) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals

Last season during the AFC Wild Card game, Bernard was knocked out by Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier.

That game was brutal to say the least.

This past weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers tangled again in one of the best current rivalries in the NFL. The Steelers won the game 24-16 behind the arm of their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Bernard had a solid game, despite fumbling the ball in the second half.

Bernard rushed five times for 17 yards, he led all Bengals’ receivers with nine catches for 100 yards and one touchdown. Bernard scored Cincinnati’s only offensive touchdown in this game.

Perhaps, Bernard may be better suited as a third down back and the running back on passing downs.

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Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions

Ebron was targeted seven times by quarterback Matthew Stafford, for the second-consecutive week.

The tight end caught four of his targets for 53 yards with his longest catch going for 29 yards.

He averaged 13.3 yards per catch.

Although Detroit lost to Tennessee 16-15, Ebron is poised to have a breakout season.

Zach Brown – Buffalo Bills

Brown is one of the best tacklers in the NFL. In two games, he’s been one of the best players on the Buffalo Bills, seemingly being all over the field.

Despite the Bills losing to the Jets 37-31, Brown finished the game with an impressive 14 tackles, including eight solo tackles, six assisted tackles and one stuff that resulted in a one-yard loss.

Shaun Draughn – San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were defeated by the Carolina Panthers 46-27. San Francisco made a late comeback after being down 31-10. They pulled within four points at 31-27 late in the second half. A key play from the game was when Shaun Draughn picked up a miffed punt by Carolina’s Ted Ginn, Jr.

Currently, Draughn backs up starting running back Carlos Hyde. In addition, Draughn plays on special teams, as well.

It is safe to say that Draughn has drawn a great deal of attention in San Francisco. Expect to see him playing more for the 49ers.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looses the ball as he is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the first half of a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Quinn – Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams rebounded from a 28-0 shutout in Week One to the San Francisco 49ers to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 9-3. This game was a tale of defenses and kickers.

Los Angeles’ defense is led by former Tar Heel Quinn. Quinn finished the game with two tackles including one sack on Seattle’s Russell Wilson.

Quinn’s sack may not seem a big deal, but it is. His sack caused Wilson to fumble the ball.

How’s that for UNC versus N.C. State!

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