UNC Tar Heels in the NFL: Week 8 Preview
Carolina Panthers(1-5) @ Chicago Bears(5-1) 1:00 ET FOX
Currently the Chicago Bears defense ranks sixth in the NFL allowing just under 300 total yards a game to opponents. The only Tar Heel in this match-up, Julius Peppers, will battle the franchise that drafted him second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers comes in with 3.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries on the season thus far. Last season the Bears gave up over 540 total yards of offense to Carolina in a win.
Miami Dolphins(3-3) @ New York Jets(3-4) 1:00 ET CBS
Quinton Coples and the Jets defense will host their division rival Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Coples has 13 total tackles and is tied for the team-high with 2 sacks on the season. The Jets beat Miami 23-20 week three in their first match-up.
San Diego Chargers(3-3) @ Cleveland Browns(1-6) 1:00 ET CBS
This match-up at Cleveland Browns Stadium will include two former Tar Heels. For the home team Browns, WR Greg Little has emerged as a top target for rookie QB Brandon Weeden throughout the beginning of the season. Little has 20 receptions for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns in 7 games this season. San Diego’s UNC representative is defensive tackle Cam Thomas. Thomas has just three total tackles on the season.
October 14, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Shaun Draughn (20) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brandon McDonald (33) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Indianapolis Colts(3-3) @ Tennessee Titans(3-4) 1:00 ET CBS
Rookie LB Brown and the Titans defense have had a hard time stopping opposing offenses this season giving up the most points per-game with 34. Brown has still had a productive season starting for Tennessee with 37 total tackles. The former Tar Heel also has one forced fumble and one sack on the season.New England Patriots(4-3) @ St. Louis Rams(3-4) 1:00 ET CBS
This game will be played in London at Wembley Stadium with the Rams technically the home team. Defensive end Robert Quinn is looking to continue his dominance as of late against opposing offensive lineman after recording 4 sacks in the Rams last three games. Quinn has 16 total tackles, 7 sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars(1-5) @ Green Bay Packers(4-3) 1:00 ET CBS
Center Jeff Saturday and tight-end Ryan Taylor will be the only two former Tar Heels in this match-up. Saturday and Taylor both play for the Packers and have contributed from a blocking standpoint to QB Aaron Rodgers league leading 109.6 quarterback rating. Ryan Taylor is still looking for his first reception of the season as a tight-end but from his time on Special Teams he has two tackles on the season.
Atlanta Falcons(6-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles(3-3) 1:00 ET FOX
The only Tar Heel that will suit up in this match-up is Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds. Reynolds and the Falcons offensive line have been a big reason why they are still undefeated as a team and why QB Matt Ryan has been playing MVP caliber football through six games. Reynolds is currently listed as questionable for the game after having limited participation in practice during the week due to an ankle injury he suffered in week five.
Washington Redskins(3-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers(3-3) 1:00 ET FOX
Steelers Long-snapper Greg Warren will play in his 108th career game on Sunday for Pittsburgh. Warren will be the only former UNC player to take the field in this match-up.
Oakland Raiders(2-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs(1-5) 4:05 ET CBS
Running back Shaun Draughn will be the only Tar Heel in the battle of divisional opponents. Draughn has been somewhat of a spark in an otherwise dismal Chiefs season thus far. He has 45 rushing attempts for 170 yards and one touchdown. Draughn also has 14 receptions for 112 yards and has been the Chiefs most productive kick returner with a team-high 24.4 yards-per-return average.
New York Giants(5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys(3-3) 4:25 ET FOX
Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is Probable for this game after a full week of practice. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin is another former Tar Heel who will suit up for the Giants in this match-up. Linebacker Bruce Carter and free-safety Gerald Sensabaugh will be the two Tar Heel representatives for the home team Dallas Cowboys.
San Francisco 49ers(5-2) @ Arizona Cardinals(4-3) 8:30 ET ESPN Monday Night Football
This Monday Night match-up will be another divisional game that includes at-least one former Tar Heel on a depth chart. Defensive end Vonnie Holliday is in his 15th season out of UNC and will take the field for a Cardinals defense allowing just 16.9 points a game to opponents. Holliday has just nine total tackles on the season.