Across The Shield: Justin Fields Scores First Touchdown, Terry McLaurin Makes Sick Snag, Parris Campbell Goes Deep and Jeff Okudah Has A Bad Day

Justin Fields, Terry McLaurin and Parris Campbell were among the Buckeyes who made big plays in Week 1 of the NFL season, and we've rounded up some of the highlights – and lowlights – for Ohio State players around the league in the year's first edition of Across The Shield, our weekly roundup of how former Ohio State players are performing around the league.

Justin Fields scores first TD

Fields didn't have to wait long for his first NFL completion to become a reality. Although he didn't start for the Chicago Bears in their season opener, Matt Nagy called Fields' number when the Bears faced a 2nd-and-10 from the Rams' 12-yard line. Fields calmly took the snap, looked to his right and fired a 9-yard strike to Marquise Goodwin.

First snap, check. First completion, check.

Justin Fields sighting #DaBears

: #CHIvsLAR on NBC
: https://t.co/43poz14yhK pic.twitter.com/a8RkHZM9Sr

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2021

Unfortunately for fans of the Bears, Andy Dalton returned to the game on the next play and two snaps later, he threw an interception to kill their first drive.

Fields returned to the game for several more individual plays throughout the game, though, and scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 3-yard run in the third quarter. The touchdown came on his first regular-season rushing attempt.

JUSTIN FIELDS RUSHING TOUCHDOWN #DaBears

: #CHIvsLAR on NBC
: https://t.co/43poz14yhK pic.twitter.com/2WSAkucVDH

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2021

Dalton remains the Bears' starting quarterback for now, but it should be only a matter of time before Fields takes the reins of their offense.

McLaurin makes spectacular catch

Terry McLaurin might have already made the catch of the year.

After fighting off a hold at the start of his route, McLaurin had the concentration to track a deep ball through the defensive back's arms and showcased incredible skill to make a downfield grab and drop his backside just inside the sideline for a 34-yard reception in the Washington Football Team's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

ACROBATIC from Terry McLaurin! #WashingtonFootball

: #LACvsWAS on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/dOLGjOLlhi

— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

McLaurin finished with four receptions for 62 yards in Washington's 20-16 loss.

Tough day for Okudah

Jeff Okudah had a day to forget to start his second NFL season. 

Around the midpoint of the third quarter of the Detroit Lions' season opener, with his team already down 31-10, the former All-American Ohio State cornerback got abused by Deebo Samuel. Okudah was sent sprawling down the sideline as Samuel beat him for a 79-yard touchdown to extend San Francisco's lead to 28 points.

Deebo vs. Okudah isnt fair pic.twitter.com/WZHJEcipEf

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 12, 2021

Earlier in the game, Okudah's position coach, Aubrey Pleasant, wasn't too ... pleasant with his words with Okudah.

Do not piss off Aubrey Pleasant. Not sure what Okudah did, but man, yikes. pic.twitter.com/TAwuoY7ZoJ

— Scott Warheit (@swarheit) September 12, 2021

The bad day for Okudah became worse, as he later suffered a torn Achilles that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

An MRI confirmed #Lions CB Jeff Okudah suffered a ruptured Achilles, source said. Season over for last year's No. 3 overall pick, who was coming off a strong camp.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 13, 2021

Campbell goes deep

Parris Campbell showed off his speed, hands and bravery in one play early in the second quarter of the Indianapolis Colts' season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. From the slot, Campbell avoided a re-route from a Seattle defender, then put on the after burners as he raced across the field to pull down a strike from Carson Wentz.

Wentz delivers a deep ball to Parris Campbell. #ForTheShoe

: #SEAvsIND on FOX
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/XAKKUB8EOJ

— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Big credit to Campbell for being able to hold onto the ball after Quandre Diggs lowered the boom on him. Targeted three times, this was Parris' only catch in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to Seattle.

Degenerate Miami fans get paid

Five days before the Dolphins faced the Patriots, fans of Miami were already laying claim on easy money. Jerome Baker's over-under for tackles for the game was set at 4.5.

The knowledgeable Dolphin fans knew the favorable history Baker has with New England and that he entered the game averaging 10 tackles per game against the Patriots. 

Jerome Baker needs one more tackle to hit his 4.5 O/U

AVG needs 2 to cover his.

— Jason Sarney (@Jason_Sarney) September 12, 2021

How did things turn out? Pay the people. Baker easily covered as he finished the day with 12 tackles.

Buckeye Brotherhood

Following the L.A. Rams' 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears, Jordan Fuller found time to meet up with Justin Fields. The Ohio State brotherhood is real and is often on display during pregame and after the final whistle has blown. 

.@OhioStateFB love! @j_fuller4 @justnfields pic.twitter.com/Hq0O9B4fVA

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 13, 2021