Glasgow, Lions destroy Dolphins, other NFL Week 7 Wolverine alumni updates

Since Barry Sanders retired in 2000, the Detroit Lions have hardly been known as a running team. Behind a powerful line led by Graham Glasgow at center, the narrative is changing.

The former Wolverine walk-on, now in his third season in the Motor City, first helped Kerryon Johnson to 101 yards against the New England Patriots. This broke the Lions’ 70-game drought without a 100-yard rusher.

Sunday in Miami, he teamed with rookie guard Frank Ragnow to obliterate the Dolphin front to the tune of 248 yards on 35 carries. Johnson paced all runners with 158 on 19 totes.

After a 32-21 road victory, Glasgow succinctly relayed his feelings on the effort to the media.

He also thrived at blocking in space.

The Lions are now tied for fourth in yards per attempt on the ground at 4.9.

In other Michigan linemen updates, rookie Cardinal center Mason Cole has established himself as the anchor on the Arizona front.

The Cardinals dropped a Thursday nightcap to the Denver Broncos 45-10. Cole actually made a tackle after Josh Rosen tossed one of his three picks.

In less savory news, Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan made headlines for the wrong reasons in a 20-19 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers.

There’s no getting around it. That is a late hit against a defenseless player.

In the context of the chippy behavior of this weekend’s Michigan State game, here’s a reminder of his extracurricular activity against the Spartans.

Former teammate Michael Schofield continues to start at right tackle for the Chargers. Other Michigan alumni on NFL fronts are Erik Magnuson in San Francisco and Patrick Omameh for the New York Giants.

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Devin Funchess contributed to Carolina’s 21-point fourth-quarter comeback against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.

The Panthers eventually triumphed 21-17 in the City of Brotherly Love.

Funchess remains on top of receiving charts for Carolina with 29 catches for 374 yards and three scores. Quarterback Cam Newton completed six passes to him for 62 yards.

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Vikings punter Matt Wile is booting the air out of the football in Minnesota. In a 37-17 win over the New York Jets, he kicked eight punts for 382 yards with a long of 66.

He averages 45.2 an attempt, and ranks in the top-10 in the league with 14 inside the 20-yard line.

OTHER UPDATES

• Tom Brady connected on 25-of-36 for 277 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field.

He has a 68 percent completion rate for 1,876 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. After falling to 1-2 after a Monday night debacle against the Lions, he has spearheaded a four-game winning streak for the Patriots.

• Cowboy nickelback Jourdan Lewis found a creative way onto the field for Dallas against the Redskins.

His only carry went for seven yards. He failed to record a tackle on defense.

Teammate Taco Charlton chipped in a lone takedown in a 20-17 loss.

• Baltimore Raven and former Michigan ends Chris Wormley and Willie Henry combined for four solo tackles in a 24-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
• Eagles end Brandon Graham tallied two tackles and a half-sack versus the Panthers.

Graham now has 40 sacks over his nine-year career.

• Blake Countess has found a consistent role on special teams for the 7-0 Los Angeles Rams. He earned a tackle on kick coverage and returned one kick for 24 yards.
• Lastly, Jabrill Peppers was en route to one of his best games of the year for the Cleveland Browns.

He racked up eight tackles from his box safety spot, reaching 31 on the year. In overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though, he made a critical mistake on a punt return.

His 32-yard return in the fourth quarter set up a game-tying score to set up overtime in the first place. Ohio partisans will likely only remember the fumble.

Not a reason to harass him, people.