Three Miami Dolphins players -- Kenny Stills, Julius Thomas and Michael Thomas -- knelt during the national anthem Sunday before their game against the New Orleans Saints in Wembley Stadium in London.

The Saints, meanwhile, knelt together as a team before the anthem, then stood together during the anthem -- a planned show of unity after 10 players sat on the bench last week for the first time. Many players and coaches had their arms interlocked or their hands on shoulders.

Dolphins players kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Saints at Wembley Stadium. Henry Browne/Getty Images

A week ago, demonstrations were organized across the NFL in response to President Donald Trump's criticism of players who kneel during the national anthem.

This is the second straight week that Stills and Julius Thomas knelt in protest during the anthem. Michael Thomas knelt for the first time Sunday.

Most players stood and locked arms during the national anthem for the 1 p.m. ET games. A group of six Buffalo Bills players kneeled behind the rest of their teammates for the anthem in Atlanta: CB Shareece Wright, RB Mike Tolbert, DL Cedric Thornton, DL Jerel Worthy, RB Taiwan Jones and WR Kaelin Clay. In addition, CB Leonard Johnson stood for the anthem alongside the players kneeling.

Also, two members of the Detroit Lions -- Steve Longa and Jalen Reeves-Maybin -- knelt during the anthem, with Tahir Whitehead standing between them. Every other player stood and linked arms along with coach Jim Caldwell.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews wasn't on the field for the anthem and came out of the tunnel after it ended. Earlier this week he said he would continue to kneel until President Trump apologized for his comments.

The majority of players stood for the anthem in the games that started after 4 p.m. ET, however New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon took a knee.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced the Saints' plans earlier this week after team leaders got together and decided it would be "a way to show respect to all."

Brees has been steadfast in his belief that players should stand during the national anthem. However, Brees also disagreed with Trump's comments last week and said, "I don't blame the guys for feeling like they needed to do something as a reaction. ... Unfortunately, I think he put all athletes, all black athletes, minority athletes, he put 'em in a corner and forced them to take action."

Saints coach Sean Payton said there was no influence from Saints ownership on the players' decision.

Safety Kenny Vaccaro, one of the players who sat last Sunday, said he was good with the plan the team came up with.

"I think it's a good combination of showing unity and also paying tribute to the actual reason why everybody's taking a knee. It has nothing to do with disrespecting the flag, disrespecting the military," Vaccaro said.