Northwestern in the NFL: Blowout losses for both the LA and Cleveland alumni centers

While the Northwestern Wildcats won a conference game for the first time this season on Saturday, many of their alumni in the pros faced a more unfortunate fate in Week 6 of the NFL season. Here’s this week’s edition of Northwestern in the NFL:

Rashawn Slater: Los Angeles Chargers, OT

Slater faced another difficult task facing the Ravens. The rookie blocked mostly against Calais Campbell, Justin Houston and Tyus Bowser. Campbell and Houston have a combined 10 Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections under their belt. Regardless, Slater again was able to neutralize the pass rush on the left side of the line.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the offensive line. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was under heavy pressure from the Ravens all afternoon. Baltimore employs a lot of blitzing and holds a number of distinguished pass rushers that made LA’s life difficult the whole game.

Next week: BYE

Dean Lowry: Green Bay Packers, DE

In Green Bay’s contest against the rival Bears, Lowry earned his first full sack of the year on Chicago quarterback Justin Fields. The defensive end tacked on four more total tackles all while playing 75% of defensive snaps.

Lowry’s sack came right before the half as the Bears were driving into Packer territory. The hit was able to push Chicago out of field goal range and prevent a score before the end of the half. After his half sack last week, is Dean Lowry on a, dare I say... hot streak?

Next week: Versus the Washington Football Team (Oct. 24, 12:00 p.m.)

Greg Newsome II: Cleveland Browns, CB

Newsome II returned Sunday against the Cardinals on Sunday after missing the previous week with a calf injury. In an effort to not risk further injury, Newsome saw very limited snaps. The typical starting corner saw the field on just 28% of defensive snaps. In that shortened field time, he accumulated one solo tackle.

Next week: Versus the Denver Broncos (Oct. 21, 7:20 p.m.)

Anthony Walker Jr.: Cleveland Browns, MLB

Walker started his second game in a row for Cleveland on Sunday and contributed to a solid stat line, only overshadowed by the onslaught of points from the Cardinals. Walker finished with six solo tackles and nine combined, with a tackle for loss and pass deflected. He saw the field on 79% of defensive snaps.

Walker ended the game as the Browns’ leading tackler and has seemed to have further cemented his role as the starting middle linebacker in Cleveland.

Next week: Versus the Denver Broncos (Oct. 21, 7:20 p.m.)

Blake Hance: Cleveland Browns, OL

Hance started his second game in a row as a replacement for the injured Jedrick Wills Jr. “A guy named Blake” faced a daunting task in guarding JJ Watt. Hance tried to hold his own, but could only do so much against the three-time DPOY. He allowed a sack, a second quarterback hit and a forced fumble. A tough ask for a backup, but Hance must try to fend off the best in the league if he wants to stay on the depth chart.

Next week: Versus the Denver Broncos (Oct. 21, 7:20 p.m.)

Justin Jackson: Los Angeles Chargers, RB

JJTBC returned to the field on Sunday after dealing with a core injury the prior week in the Northwestern Bowl. Jackson did not get a carry in his return, but ended with one reception for seven yards.

The Chargers went down big early and only rushed the ball 12 times total. This did not allow for JJ to have many reps in the backfield, but could see an expanded role in the coming weeks if the Chargers offensive game plan remains intact.

Next week: BYE

Tyler Lancaster: Green Bay Packers, DE

Lancaster ended the game with two solo tackles on 31% of defensive snaps. The fourth-year defensive end saw his snap count increase after dips in on-field action in the two weeks prior.

Next week: Versus the Washington Football Team (Oct. 24, 12:00 p.m.)

Godwin Igwebuike: Detroit Lions, RB

Igwebuike saw no action as part of the offense, but did record a tackle and play 72% of snaps on special teams.

Next week: At the Los Angeles Rams (Oct. 24, 3:05 p.m.)

Ben Skowronek: Los Angeles Rams, WR

The Iowa City catch legend recorded two solo tackles on special teams. Skowronek played 67% of special team snaps and 17% of offensive snaps.

Next week: Versus the Detroit Lions (Oct. 24, 3:05 p.m.)

‘Cats that didn’t play or record any stats this week: Joe Gaziano, Los Angeles Chargers; Ifeadi Odenigbo, Cleveland Browns; Joe Jones, Tennessee Titans; Ibraheim Campbell, Indianapolis Colts; John Raine (BYE), Atlanta Falcons; Trevor Siemian (BYE), New Orleans Saints; Earnest Brown IV, Los Angeles Rams; Blake Gallagher, Baltimore Ravens.