Photo courtesy of Gabriel Christus /Denver Broncos Media Services Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) tackles St. Louis Rams’ running back Tre Mason (27) during the Sunday, Nov. 16 showdown. The Rams pulled one of the biggest upsets of the season, winning 22-9.
by Chris Boline
1. Brandon M.Marshall
Linebacker, Denver Broncos
Marshall had his best game as a pro, even though the Broncos were upset by the Rams on the road. The linebacker was all over the field on Sunday and racked up a career-high 15 tackles. The third-year pro has combined for 33 tackles in the last three weeks and was even covered in a piece by ESPN.com about how he is breaking away from being confused with Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall. If the Las Vegas native keeps this up, only a fool would confuse the potential Pro Bowler with the Bears’ wideout.
2. Colin Kaepernick
Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
The former Wolf Pack signal-caller wasn’t spectacular, but he played just well enough for the 49ers to seal a victory over the woeful Giants on the frigid field at MetLife Stadium. Kaepernick combined for 217 total yards (193 passing and 24 rushing), and while it was not his best performance statistically, it got the job done. San Francisco may have benefitted more from Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning throwing five interceptions than Kap’s performance, but the quarterback’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree was impressive. However, a win is a win and with some in the media saying that San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh’s job is hanging in the balance due to team dissention, this victory is came at a critical time.
3. Josh Mauga
Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
In the Chiefs’ biggest win of the season, Mauga played an integral part in limiting quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense in Kansas City’s 24-20 win. Mauga outpaced current Chiefs teammate and fellow Wolf Pack alumnus James-Michael Johnson in combined tackles, four to three. The linebacker now has 62 tackles on the season and is still Kansas City’s leader in that statistical category.
Honorable Mention
Duke Williams
Safety, Buffalo Bills
Williams had his strongest game statistically since Oct. 19th against Minnesota by notching three tackles, but the Bills nonetheless fell to the Dolphins, 22-9. The second-year pro from Hug High School now has 41 combined tackles on the season which places Williams sixth on the team. With fellow safety Da’Norris Searcy improving (he had seven tackles and a forced fumble against the Dolphins) Williams’ playing time might be dwindling. However, Nevada fans know that the scrappy defensive back isn’t one to back down from a challenge.
Chris Boline can be reached at cboline@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @CDBoline.