Gamecocks in the NFL: Damiere Byrd breaks out; Jadeveon Clowney, Pharoh Cooper make Pro Bowl

WR Damiere Byrd, Panthers: Byrd, who has been emerging for Carolina since rejoining the team off of injured reserve, enjoyed a breakout performance against Green Bay with three catches for 25 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns. Both scores were great, but the first in particular was a work of art because it came by virtue of what he called “butt drag swag”:

And Touchdown No. 2:

Look, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t really know what a catch is in the NFL anymore. But here’s the good thing about the NFL making it up as they go along: a guy can score a touchdown because of his butt. That was a legitimately great snag by Byrd, so why not just go with it?

WR Alshon Jeffery, Eagles: Jeffery notched four receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown as Philadelphia continued its dominance of the NFC East with a win against the New York Giants. While his touchdown wasn’t quite as nifty as Byrd’s, it’s sill impressive:

PR/KR Pharoh Cooper, Rams: Cooper logged two kick returns for 52 yards (with a long of 30) and seven punt returns for 128 yards (long of 53) as Los Angeles crushed Seattle. His punt return in the first quarter showed off his electric playmaking ability as he juuust missed the end zone. Cooper was named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday as the starting return specialist on the NFC roster.

DE Jadeveon Clowney, Texans: Clowney tallied four tackles and three quarterback hits for Houston in its big loss to Jacksonville. It’s not all bad for Clowney, though — he was named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster as a starting outside linebacker.

RB Mike Davis, Seahawks: Davis found tough sledding with six carries for 19 yards and two catches for 20 yards in Seattle’s blowout loss.

DB Johnathan Joseph, Texans: Joseph had two tackles and two passes defensed for Houston.

DE Melvin Ingram, Chargers: Ingram compiled five tackles, including one for loss and sack, and added a pass defensed for Los Angeles in its loss to Kansas City.

S D.J. Swearinger, Redskins: Swearinger had four tackles, including a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed for Washington as it edged Arizona.

CB Stephon Gilmore, Patriots: Gilmore led New England in tackles with eight and added a pass defensed in the Patriots’ controversial win over Pittsburgh.

S Darian Stewart, Broncos: Stewart was fourth on the team with four tackles and one pass defensed as Denver topped Indianapolis.

TE Jared Cook, Raiders: Cook had a quiet week for Oakland, logging just two catches for 17 yards in the Raiders’ loss to Dallas.

K Ryan Succop, Titans: Succop was a perfect 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards, and nailed both of his extra points.

FB Patrick DiMarco, Bills: DiMarco logged one catch for six yards against Miami.