NFL teams
Cameron Wolfe, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

Who was that?! Unheralded ballers who made a difference in Week 11

We all know the NFL stars who generate SportsCenter highlights on a regular basis. Every week, though, some performances make us say, "Who was that?"

It could be the undrafted rookie receiver who catches a long touchdown pass, the backup quarterback who piles up stats or the journeyman linebacker who seals a win with a big play.

This is for them. Take a look at Week 11's unheralded ballers, starting with a trio of young lightly-known Saints receivers and Ravens powering toward a win in Lamar Jackson's first start with help from the "Gus the Bus:"

Tre'Quan Smith, Austin Carr and Keith Kirkwood, WRs, New Orleans Saints

WRs lit up the scoreboard in 48-7 win over Eagles

Why it matters: The Eagles double-teamed star WR Michael Thomas and challenged the other Saints young receivers to beat them man-to-man. And they were beaten, badly. Smith, a rookie third-round pick, was the star of the group, having his breakout game with 10 catches for 157 yards and making several "who was that" catches throughout the game. Carr made an impact in the red zone and had his first career TD catch. Kirkwood also played a key role with three catches for 33 yards in his second game since being called up from the practice squad. With Brandon Marshall's debut imminent, this trio of Saints receivers tried to prove why they are enough.

Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens

17 carries, 115 rushing yards, TD in 24-21 win over Bengals

Why it matters: Edwards, an undrafted rookie who began the season on the practice squad, made a strong case for why he should be the Ravens' lead back going forward. Edwards' performance was overshadowed by Jackson's first start, but the two became the first rookie QB-RB teammates to each rush for 100 yards each in a game in NFL history. It was only Edwards' fifth game of the year, but his performance should open the eyes of the Ravens and fantasy football owners.

Javon Hargrave, NT, Pittsburgh Steelers

Two sacks in 20-16 win over the Jaguars

Why it matters: The Steelers offense was shut out and shut down for nearly three quarters by the Jaguars, but their defense played well, notching six sacks (two from Hargrave) to set up the comeback. Hargrave, a 2016 third-round pick, typically goes unnoticed on the Steelers defense. But he's making a very visible impact with his pass-rush ability, and Sunday was an example of how that can change a game.

Marcell Ateman, WR, Oakland Raiders

Team-leading 50 receiving yards on four catches in 23-21 win over Cardinals

Why it matters: Ateman, a 2018 seventh-round pick making his NFL debut, hauled in a clutch, 32-yard pass from Derek Carr down the left sideline late in the fourth quarter to set up the Raiders' game-winning field goal. “A lot of people probably think, You’re crazy, man, he’s a rookie,” Carr said after the game. “But I trust him, you know? I really trust him." It was a good moment and gutty win for a Raiders team that hasn't had much good happen for them this season.

Colts offensive line

Allowed no sacks, no QB hits and just one pressure, per NextGen Stats, in 38-10 win over Titans

Why it matters: Andrew Luck looks like his old self, and a big reason why is because he has a lot of time to throw in the pocket. Indianapolis' offensive line, once a weakness, is now arguably their biggest strength. Luck has now gone five consecutive games without being sacked. Every QB envies that sort of protection. Led by rookie guard Quenton Nelson, the Colts' offensive line kept Luck clean all day Sunday and rushed for more than 100 yards, too.

NFL Nation reporters Mike Triplett, Jamison Hensley, Jeremy Fowler and Paul Gutierrez contributed to this story.

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