AGGIES IN THE NFL: WEEK 6

We are done with one-third of the NFL regular season. That is it; that is the lead.

There has been enough action in the league that fans and analysts can start getting an honest look at what 2019 really is for most teams. And, boy, is it weird.

And in the weirdness of it all there are the Aggies, many of them, in starting jobs. Lord save us.

Kyler Fackrell, Linebacker

Green Bay Packers

Fackrell had a solid night on primetime TV in the Packers’ dramatic 23-22 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. The backup linebacker contributed three tackles and split a third-down sack with another defender. The first tackle for Fackrell was a second-down stop just outside the end zone, although Detroit scored on the next play. On Detroit’s first possession of the second half, Fackrell broke through the defense and combined on a nine-yard sack on third-down.

Tyler Larsen, Center

Carolina Panthers

Larsen and the Carolina offensive line did not have to facilitate much to ensure a 37-26 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Playing on short, interception-facilitated possessions, the offensive line rushed for only 59 yards and allowed two sacks.

Donald Penn, Left Tackle

Washington Redskins

Penn and his teammates won their outing against the Miami Dolphins, 17-16. The offensive line facilitated an impressive 145 rushing yards, including a 118-yard performance by Adrian Peterson.

Nick Vigil, Linebacker

Cincinnati Bengals

Vigil cannot be blamed for the Bengals being 0-6 right now. The starting linebacker was all over the field in Cincy’s 23-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Vigil finished with a team-high 13 tackles, 10 of them solo. Vigil also recovered a fumble last in the first half and returned it for seven yards.

Bobby Wagner, Linebacker

Seattle Seahawks

Wagner had himself a day against the Cleveland Browns in a 32-28 win. Despite not getting involved in the flurry of turnovers the Hawks generated, he led the team in tackles for another consecutive week, notching seven total, including a tackle for a two-yard loss.

Wagner made a big play in the fourth quarter when the Browns threatened at the one-yard line to take the lead back. The veteran linebacker stuffed receiver Jarvis Landry short of the goal line on fourth down and forced a fumble. The fumble was recovered by Cleveland, and a flag flew, signaling a defensive penalty and allowing the Browns to repeat fourth down. They still did not score.

Watch out for our Week 7 “Aggies in the NFL” analysis next week in The Utah Statesman.