There was tons of action across the board from the Cougs this week. Cam Ward played well against the Chiefs and Gardner Minshew saw his career resurgence opportunity go down the drain. Kyle Williams scored another touchdown for the Patriots. Jalen Thompson did not play once again as he is still dealing with his hamstring injury.
Frankie Luvu – It was a bounce back week for Luvu, finishing with eight total tackles. In the passing game, the linebacker allowed two of three targets for 17 yards. It has been a down year from 2024 for Luvu but also the entire Commanders team. Injuries and regression have plagued them this season. With Bobby Wagner only getting older Dan Quinn will be relying on Luvu even more next season.
Abraham Lucas – Against the Rams, in the biggest game of the season, Lucas fared well. With Charles Cross not playing the Seahawks were more reliant on right tackle and Kenneth Walker took a run to the house due to the blocking on the right side of the O-line. In Week 11, the line struggled blocking for Sam Darnold. They did in this game too, but when it mattered most, they were able to hold and Lucas was able to contain the Rams left-end.
“Happy to be part of a great group of guys,” Lucas said.
Cam Ward – While the Chiefs offense is terrible, their defense still has many quality players. Ward played arguably his most efficient game of the season, finishing with 228 passing yards, two touchdowns and only seven incompletions. Ward has been warming up the last six games with a 63.8% completion rate, eight touchdown passes, one interception, a 90.3 passer rating and one rushing touchdown. Ward made quite the throw while rolling to his left and throwing off his back foot for a 30-yard sideline completion to receiver Chimere Dike.
Kyle Williams – It was a big week for Williams, after not receiving a target last week, and he bounced back. Williams had multiple catches for the first time all season, with a 37-yard touchdown and a 9-yard catch. Williams opens up an aspect of the Patriot offense they have yet to fully use. Williams is averaging over 25 yards a catch but only has seven catches on the season. Williams also had a key block downfield on a Rhamondre Stevenson run for a touchdown. Head coach Mike Vrabel is a big fan of wideouts blocking and something like he did on Sunday night will earn Williams more play time.
Gardner Minshew and Esa Pole – A Coug vs. Coug battle at QB between the Titans and Chiefs was short lived. Minshew Mania was grounded before it could ever take off when the Cougar suffered a torn ACL the same injury Patrick Mahomes suffered last week. Minshew finished with three completions for 15 yards and eight yards rushing. Minshew was not playing well before the injury but the final three games of the season was supposed to be an opportunity to show other teams he can still be a quality QB. Pole started last week after his impressive showing in Week 14 but it seems like his “Linsanity” run might be over as Pole struggled against a ferocious Titans D-line. Pole missed a block that led to a safety for the Chiefs. Head coach Andy Reid has mentioned that because there are no stakes on the line he wants to let younger guys like Pole develop to end the season.
Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson – Hicks played only 16 snaps as usual, however he finished with two tackles and gave up two completions for one yard. There does not seem to be a pathway for Hicks to receive more playing time even though the Chiefs cannot make the playoffs. Watson had a down week after playing very well last week, he finished with seven tackles and gave up three receptions for nearly 60 yards. The Titans do not have any real weapons on the outside, so giving up 60 yards is not ideal.
Chau Smith-Wade – In what was the Panthers’ game of the season thus far, Smith-Wade played mediocre. He finished with five total tackles and gave up 23 yards on three completions. The Panthers play a lot of zone defense and being in the nickel can be difficult. The Bucs made it tough for Smith-Wade targeting his zone many times and succeeding.
Daiyan Henley – Against the Cowboys’ stacked offense the Charger defense played well. Henley finished with six tackles and gave up two of four targets for 21 receiving yards. Henley will most likely not make the Pro Bowl but if he keeps up his progression, he may be an alternate for the roster like he was last season.
There was lots of good and a little bit of bad this week, but with playoffs around the corner, only five out of the nine Cougs will be in it. Ward and the Titans hopefully can keep building their connection and surround the 2025 No. 1 pick with some weapons.
