Boilersmakers in the NFL: Week 7

The most famous Purdue alumnus in the NFL was on bye this week but there was still plenty of Purdue to go around, which still always seems to be a surprise to everybody.

DE Cliff Avril @cliffavril (Seahawks) - Avril only had one contribution to the stat sheet Sunday, but it was a big one. Avril hit Carson Palmer during the second quarter, coming away with a sack and forced fumble.

QB Drew Brees @drewbrees (Saints) - Brees had a bye week, but in NCAA news, Brees did lose his record for most attempts in a game this weekend. Brees previously held the record with 83 tosses in a 1998 loss against Wisconsin, completing 55 passes. Washington State's Connor Halliday went 58 for 89 in the Cougars loss to Oregon on Saturday.

C Nick Hardwick @hardwina (Chargers) - The Chargers had another good week on the ground, rushing for 158 yards. Rivers was sacked one time.

TE Dustin Keller @DUSTINKELLER81 (Dolphins) - Injured Reserve

OT Dennis Kelly @DennisKelly67 (Eagles) - Kelly was inactive Sunday and still sits at zero played games this season. Kelly appeared to be healthy enough to play but didn't make the active roster.

OLB Ryan Kerrigan @RyanKerrigan91 (Redskins) - Kerrigan had another quiet week, recording just two tackles. Depending where you look, Kerrigan may have had a half sack, but according to the NFL's official website and ESPN, he was shutout.

LB Mike Neal @mneal96 (Packers) - According to Pro Football Focus, Mike Neal was the lowest graded Packer on defense this week. Then again, PFF had Vincent Jackson's 10 for 138 and two touchdown game as a negatively graded performance. For the second straight week though, Neal didn't do much. Two quarterback hits were the extent of Neal's box score. Neal was listed as questionable entering the game and didn't play much in the first half, but saw his snaps increase the last half of the game. The Packers are without Nick Perry and Clay Matthews for an extended period of time, so Neal will continue to see time.

DE Rob Ninkovich (Patriots) - For the second straight week Ninkovich played in every defensive snap, but last week's 66 snaps were nothing compared to the 93 he played against the Jets. With captains Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo out for the year, Ninkovich stepped into the second defensive captain spot opposite defensive back Devin McCourty. The Captain picked up six tackles in the Patriots overtime loss to the Jets.

G Uche Nwaneri @Chuckwu77 (Jaguars) - The Jaguars fell to 0-7 this week and head overseas next week where luckily they don't know the difference between good and bad football. They head to Wembley Stadium to take on the 49ers in the NFL's second game in London this season. You can watch Nwaneri's interview with the UK's Daily Mail here.

QB Kyle Orton (Cowboys) - With the trade deadline coming up October 29, Orton's name might start popping up in possible talks. The Rams and Bears both have large holes at quarterback with the injuries to Sam Bradford (out for season) and Jay Cutler (out at least 4 weeks). Orton can provide a veteran stopgap and is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, and unlike someone along the lines of Kirk Cousins, Orton wouldn't cost a team much.

T Michael Otto @amishwizard66 (Titans) - I assume if I can't find any information on Otto, he's still maintaining the status quo.

QB Curtis Painter (Giants) - While watching Monday night's game, the "bench Eli?" question was brought up once or twice early on by Gruden and Tirico, but again, Curtis Painter. Eli actually ended up having himself a decent game and distanced himself from the looming Painter.

DE Shaun Phillips @ShaunPhillips95 (Broncos) - Von Miller made his much awaited return Sunday against the Colts, but Phillips was still the Broncos best pass rusher, sacking Andrew Luck once. 41% of Phillips' tackles have been sacks and he sits at 7th in the league with 6.5.

DB Bernard Pollard @Crushboy31 (Titans) - Pollard only picked up three tackles but it wasn't an uneventful game for the former Boiler. Pollard had an second quarter interception called off after an unnecessary roughness penalty was called on the Titans, then found himself in the middle of a Joe Staley and Jim Harbaugh sandwich.

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HB Kory Sheets @Sheets24K (Saskatchewan Roughriders) - Sheets had 148 yards on 25 carries, but a season that showed early promise of being a record breaking one has tailed off dramatically. After a knee injury kept him out, Sheets lost pace in his race for the CFL's single season rushing record. Now, Sheets isn't even likely to win the league's Most Outstanding Player. That award looks to be headed to Jon Cornish.

DT Kawann Short @kk_mr93 (Panthers) - Short continues to make an impact in Carolina, recovering a fumble and recording three tackles, including two for a loss. The second rounder Short and first rounder Star Lotulelei have combined to be a menace on the Panther's defensive front.

DE Anthony Spencer (Cowboys) - Injured Reserve