UNC Tar Heels in the NFL: Week 6 Preview

Kansas City Chiefs(1-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1-3)  1:00 CBS

Shaun Draughn is a backup running back on the Chiefs depth chart but throughout this season he has shown he can be productive anytime he touches the ball. Draughn is averaging 24.4 yards each kick return, 4.7 yards per rushing attempt, and 9.1 yards a reception through 5 games. The other former Tar Heel in this match-up will be Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth. Barth will looking to extend his own franchise-record of 25 consecutive field goals made.

Sep 16, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) takes off down the sideline after reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Indianapolis Colts(2-2) @ New York Jets(2-3)  1:00 ET CBS

Defensive end Quinton Coples will be the only former Tar Heel to take the field in this AFC battle. Coples is still trying to record his first career NFL sack for a defense that has only 5 total sacks on the season. The Jets defense can’t stop much on the ground either, ranking second to last in the league allowing 172 yards a game rushing to opponents.

Cincinnati Bengals(3-2) @ Cleveland Browns(0-5) 1:00 ET CBS

Two former Tar Heel wide receivers will suit up for both sides in this divisional match-up of Ohio. Greg Little and the Browns will be fighting for their first win of the season. Little has been inconsistent thus far with only 11 receptions on 27 targets, which is the second most on the team. On the other sideline for the Bengals will be Brandon Tate. Tate leads Cincinnati in yards-per-reception at 18.5.

Oakland Raiders(1-2) @ Atlanta Falcons(5-0) 1:00 ET CBS

Former Tar Heel offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds will block for Matt Ryan and the undefeated Falcons in this home game at the Georgia Dome. Reynolds and the entire Atlanta o-line could be the un-mentioned reason behind their starting quarterbacks MVP caliber season.

St. Louis Rams(3-2) @ Miami Dolphins(2-3) 1:00 ET FOX

Robert Quinn is off to a spectacular start for the Rams defense through five weeks. The former Tar Heel Quinn is currently tied for third in the NFL with 6 sacks on the season. St. Louis will hope to build on their momentum from a week five upset win over Arizona, who at the time was undefeated.

Dallas Cowboys(2-2) @ Baltimore Ravens(4-1) 1:00 ET FOX

Linebacker Bruce Carter and free-safety Gerald Sensabaugh will take the field for a Dallas defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in total yards-per-game allowed. Carter has excelled in this his first season as a starter with the second most total tackles(22) on the team through four games. Sensabaugh will be playing in his second straight game after missing some time due to a calf injury he suffered early in the season.

Buffalo Bills(2-3) @ Arizona Cardinals(4-1) 4:05 ET CBS

Da’Norris Searcy and the Buffalo Bills travel to Arizona after being mugged in San Francisco 45-3 a week ago. Defensive end Vonnie Holliday will be the only other former Tar Heel in this match-up and will lineup for a Cardinals defense allowing just 15.6 points-per-game.

New York Giants(3-2) @ San Francisco 49ers(4-1) 4:25 ET FOX

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks made the cross-country flight with the team after limited practice throughout the week. Nicks in currently a game time decision but all signs point to him playing in this NFC Championship rematch of a year ago. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin will also be playing for the Giants in this match-up against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

Green Bay Packers(2-3) @ Houston Texans(5-0) 8:20 ET NBC

Center Jeff Saturday and tight-end Ryan Taylor of Green Bay will be the only two former Tar Heels in this game. Saturday and the Green Bay offensive line will have to step it up against a talented Houston pass rush and the defensive MVP of the NFL through 5 weeks in J.J. Watt. Look for Taylor on Special Teams where he has two tackles on the season thus far.

Denver Broncos(2-3) @ San Diego Chargers(3-2) 8:30 ET ESPN Monday Night Football

Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas is the lonesome former Tar Heel in this Monday Night prime-time battle. Thomas is coming off of the bench and has only 2 tackles on the season so far, but , with Thomas on the field for most rushing plays, he is helping the Chargers defense allow just 74 yards rushing per-game to opponents, which is 5th in the NFL.

Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints are all on their Bye Week.