Week 1 ended with 14 Maryland football alumni taking the field, and the biggest headline belonged to DJ Moore.
In his Buffalo Bills debut after the March 11 trade from the Chicago Bears, Moore wasted no time showing why Buffalo wanted him. The veteran wideout finished a 36-31 win over the Houston Texans with five catches on eight targets for 100 yards and a touchdown, giving the Bills a jolt in a game they needed every bit of offense for.
The touchdown was the kind of play that turns a debut into a statement. Josh Allen fired a tight sideline throw around midfield, Moore took it in stride, turned up the boundary and outran everyone else for a 43-yard score. It was the 29-year-old’s 41st career touchdown.
“A little nervewracking, but at the same time it’s football, so you just got to go out there and do your job,” Moore told CBS pregame, speaking on his debut with Buffalo. “Even though it’s on a new team, I’m just going to do everything I can.”
Moore’s afternoon didn’t start fast. He was held without a catch as halftime approached, then got rolling after an 18-yard grab late in the second quarter.
First year head coach Joe Brady moved him all over the formation, using him in the slot, backfield and out wide. Pro Football Focus gave Moore a 79 in the pass attack.
“He opens it up for everybody.. with big play opportunities, he made them,” said Brady. “That shot in the endzone [a 46-yard pass interference on Texans corner Kamari Lassiter], never shows up in a statbook but it was a huge completion, so he opens it up for us.
We’re so much better with him. You can tell the connection [Josh Allen] and him have.”
Moore also made it through a scary moment in the fourth quarter. After diving for a James Cook fumble, he was rolled up on and spent a brief stretch in the blue medical tent with three minutes left before returning.
Even with the early quiet stretch and the late scare, Sunday marked Moore’s 23rd 100-yard game.
He’ll be back on the field Thursday night, when the Bills host the Detroit Lions in Buffalo’s first regular season game inside the new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium.
Elsewhere, several other Maryland alumni were active in Week 1.
Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross made eight tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles, while wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught four of nine targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo added two catches for 16 yards before leaving in the second half with a hamstring injury.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips finished with four tackles against the Las Vegas Raiders, and safety Dante Trader Jr. posted three tackles, a pass deflection and the first interception of his career.
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks made four tackles and broke up two passes against the Dallas Cowboys. He did allow a touchdown to CeeDee Lamb, but surrendered just 23 yards in coverage.
On the other side of the ball, Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still had three tackles against the Arizona Cardinals, while Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland went 4 for 5 on field goals with a long of 49 yards and made both extra points.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods recorded one tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Corey Bullock played nine snaps against the Chicago Bears after stepping in for guard Damien Lewis, who left with a leg injury.
There were also snap counts and blocking grades to track. Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman DJ Glaze received a 60% overall grade in blocking from Pro Football Focus against the Dolphins.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson played 67 snaps and was given a 55.2 blocking grade by PFF against the Falcons. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton played three snaps against the Green Bay Packers.
A few Terps were inactive or stayed on the fringes of the roster picture. Bills running back Ty Johnson did not play against the Texans because of a hamstring injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jalen Huskey was a healthy scratch against the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Alan Herron remained on the practice squad.
The practice squad and injured reserve list also included Washington defensive tackle Byron Cowart, Miami offensive lineman Gottlieb Ayedze, and Chargers offensive lineman Josh Kaltenberger. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu remained on injured reserve after foot surgery, with the team hoping for a late-season return.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett stayed on injured reserve with a knee injury and is eligible to return in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II remained on injured reserve after shoulder surgery and cannot play unless he reaches an injury settlement with Chicago.