Saints vs. Bengals was loaded with Buckeyes in Week 10 of the NFL

We are now officially in the final stretch of the 2018 NFL regular season, and Buckeyes continue to make headlines through Week 10. From a game that saw 10 former Ohio State players on the sidelines, to a “Sunday Night Football” matchup in which Zeke was FED, there’s a lot to catch up on.

Here’s how former Buckeyes did in Week 10:

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Saints vs. Bengals = ALL. THE. BUCKEYES.

The Sunday matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals featured 10 Buckeyes on either the active roster or practice squads — not including Ted Ginn Jr. who is on New Orleans’ IR — and the Saints won on the road 51-14.

For the Saints, you’ve got Michael Thomas, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Kurt Coleman, Marshon Lattimore and J.T. Barrett (practice squad). For the Bengals, the Buckeyes include Sam Hubbard, Billy Price, Adolphus Washington and Chris Worley (practice squad).

Michael Thomas continues to set records, and set himself apart as one of the elite receivers in the game. With his performance Sunday, the Buckeye passed Odell Beckham Jr. (267) for most receptions in a player’s first 40 games in the NFL history with 274.

Against the Bengals, Thomas had eight catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, bookending the first half with the first score of the game and another trip to the end zone just before half.

On defense, Vonn Bell had two total tackles, Kurt Coleman and Marshon Lattimore both had one tackle, and Eli Apple continues to prove he was a valuable mid-season addition with three total tackles, two pass breakups and an interception that he returned for 29 yards.

It wasn’t a great home game for the Bengals, and it wasn’t all that more successful for the Buckeyes on roster. Sam Hubbard and Adolphus Washington both had two total tackles on the day, but Sunday also saw Billy Price’s return after missing the past seven weeks with a foot injury.

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“Sunday Night Football”

The weekend ended with another Buckeye filled matchup on Sunday night, when two NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles (Cameron Johnston, Malcolm Jenkins) and the Dallas Cowboys (Noah Brown, Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith) faced off.

Noah Brown has just returned from Dallas’ IR, where he spent the first half of the 2018 season, but was used in various packages throughout the game on Sunday. He was mainly used as a blocker, but did draw two penalties in the first half — and a little shade.

Ezekiel Elliott had a big game with 19 carries for 157 yards and a touchdown, in addition to six receptions for 36 yards and another score via the pass. Zeke found holes throughout the Eagles’ defense and was a big part of the Cowboys’ success on Sunday.

He also did this:

Another Dallas running back, and Buckeye, Rod Smith played a little part in the win — coming in on the few times that Zeke needed a breath — and had two carries for eight yards and one catch for 14.

For the Eagles, Buckeye safety Malcolm Jenkins had a good game with seven total tackles and a forced fumble, but Philadelphia’s cornerback situation grew even bleaker during the contest with three starters sidelined with injury.

Eagles punter Cam Johnston has been at the top of the league this season in yards per punt, and continued that streak on Sunday, averaging 44 yards on his two kicks against the Cowboys.

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Other notables

• This week’s “Monday Night Football” matchup features the San Francisco 49ers (Tyvis Powell) and the New York Giants.
• The Colts beat the Jaguars 29-26 on Sunday, with Indy’s Malik Hooker claiming four total tackles. For Jacksonville, Carlos Hyde had just three carries for five yards, and Andrew Norwell had his hands full on the offensive line.
• The Jets were absolutely demolished by the Bills 45-10 in Week 10, but Buckeye linebacker Darron Lee was one bright spot for New York with a season-high 11 total tackles. The Bills recently signed Terrelle Pryor Sr., but the receiver didn’t have any catches on Sunday.
• Miami is still struggling, but their linebacker corps is a bright spot, highlighted by Buckeyes Raekwon McMillan (seven total tackles on Sunday) and Jerome Baker (one tackle).
• For the Raiders, Buckeye Gareon Conley saw an uptick in snaps and made six tackles against the Chargers, and Johnathan Hankins had two tackles for Oakland.

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Plays of the Week

Cameron Heyward

The Buckeye defensive tackle had three total tackles on “Thursday Night Football” against the Panthers, but he also put a pounding on quarterback Cam Newton, collecting two sacks on the night.

Nick Vannett

Tight end Nick Vannett was quickly in on the action on Sunday and then impressively quiet. Vannett scored the first points of the game for the Seahawks on an eight-yard catch in the end zone, but it ended up being his only catch during the team’s 36-31 loss to the Rams. But, at least it was for a touchdown.

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And, the not-so-great play

Buckeye Taylor Decker learned a lesson from defensive bulldozer Khalil Mack.

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Injuries, Inactives and Bye Weeks

• Joey Bosa has been trending upwards with the recovery of his foot injury, but despite his effort was still inactive in Week 10 for the Chargers.
• There are four teams on bye this week, including the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos (Jeff Heuerman, Bradley Roby), Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings (Pat Elflein, Jalyn Holmes).