Former Mizzou cornerback E.J. Gaines may have been the player of the game Sunday as the St. Louis Rams took out the Tampa Bay Bucs, 19-17.

Gaines led the Rams with six tackles, added a half-sack and deflected Patrick Murray’s 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter along with T.J. McDonald.

Most other former Missouri players who made NFL contributions Sunday are defensive guys.

  • Detroit DL C.J. Mosley sacked Cam Newton twice, celebrating by mocking Newton’s Superman pose.
  • Offensive tackle Justin Britt started his second consecutive game for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, which lost to San Diego.
  • The Dallas Cowboys like what they see in Michael Sam as a developmental player. Sam, of course, is a member of the Cowboys practice squad.
  • San Francisco DT Justin Smith sacked Jay Cutler, but the 49ers lost to the Chicago Bears.
  • Atlanta safety William Moore (six tackles), Tennessee linebacker Zaviar Gooden (five tackles) and New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (four tackles) each made solid contributions.
  • Philadelphia WR Jeremy Maclin plays at Indianapolis tonight on Monday Night Football.