South Carolina in NFL: Jared Cook’s brilliant catch highlights a record performance

It was a relatively quiet weekend for former Gamecocks in the National Football League, with stars like Jadeveon Clowney and Johnathan Joseph on bye and Alshon Jeffery and D.J. Swearinger having to wait until Monday night to square off.

But while Sunday was slow, Thursday night marked a career night for former Gamecock tight end Jared Cook. After a relatively quiet start in his first season with the Oakland Raiders, Cook exploded on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes on seven targets for 107 yards. That receiving total marks his best performance since September 2014.

Most crucially, Cook came up big as the Raiders scrambled on their last drive of the game. On fourth down with less than a minute to play, he caught a pass to keep Oakland’s hopes alive. Then, three plays later, quarterback Derek Carr lofted a pass from the 28-yard line that Cook lept to catch along the sideline.

He then appeared to roll into the endzone for a touchdown, which would have tied the game. After a review, it was determined that Cook was downed at the 1-yard line.

While Cook’s catch ended up not going for a touchdown, which would have been his second on the season, fans on social media still expressed awe at his athleticism.

After the catch, Cook also drew a defensive holding penalty in the endzone that extended the game and helped the Raiders to clinch the win.

Cook is now the first tight end in NFL history to record a game with at least 100 receiving yards for four different teams: the Raiders, the Green Bay Packers, the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans.

Former USC kicker Ryan Succop enjoyed a productive Sunday, accounting for all 12 of the Titans’ points during a 12-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns, including a game-winning kick in overtime. Succop also extended his record for most consecutive field goals made from inside 50 yards: 55.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman A.J. Cann made his 36th straight start with the franchise Sunday and graded out as the team’s best pass blocker on the day, allowing no quarterback pressures, according to analysis from Pro Football Focus. Cann has become an integral part of a Jaguars’ line that is third in the AFC in sacks allowed and leads the league in rushing yards.

USC

Jerell Adams, WR, New York Giants: Appeared in his seventh straight game, recorded no stats

Damiere Byrd, WR, Carolina Panthers: DNP, injured reserve

A.J. Cann, G, Jacksonville Jaguars: Graded by ProFootballFocus as the Jaguars’ top pass-blocker in Week 7.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Houston Texans: Bye week

Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders: 6 catches on 7 targets for 107 yards

Pharoh Cooper, WR, Los Angeles Rams: 1 kickoff return for 18 yards, 3 punt returns for 30 yards

Patrick DiMarco, FB, Buffalo Bills: Appeared in his sixth game this season, recorded no stats

Bruce Ellington, WR, Houston Texans: Bye week

Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots: DNP with a concussion for the second consecutive week

Melvin Ingram, LB, Los Angeles Chargers: 3 tackles, 1 sack, penalized for a big hit many thought was legal

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Yet to play

T.J. Johnson, C, Cincinnati Bengals: Did not start coming off a bye week after recording four straight starts

Johnathan Joseph, CB, Houston Texans: Bye week

Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Carolina Panthers: 1 tackle, 1 sack

Corey Robinson, OT, Detroit Lions: DNP, injured reserve

Brandon Shell, OT, New York Jets: Started but left the game early with a neck injury

Darian Stewart, S, Denver Broncos: 1 tackle

Ryan Succop, K, Tennesee Titans: 4-for-5 on field goals, including game-winning kick in overtime from 47 yards

D.J. Swearinger, S, Washington Redskins: Yet to play