Michigan NFL Alum Update: Tom Brady sets career passing TD record

The Patriots made headlines this past weekend, but for historically wrong reasons.

New England dropped a 34-33 decision at Miami after running back Kenyan Drake performed a Miami Miracle. He took a lateral and weaved through the secondary for a game-winning 69-yard touchdown as time expired.

Anytime the Patriots lose, it’s an event. Lost in the madness was Tom Brady torching yet another NFL record — this time for career passing touchdowns (including playoffs).

He connected on 27-of-43 throws for 358 yards and three scores, getting him to 582 touchdowns in his 19 years in New England. He passed Peyton Manning, who amassed 579 over 17 years in Indianapolis and Denver.

He’s totaled 3,700 yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight interceptions this season. Over the last three games, he’s kicked it up a notch, hitting 71-of-106 passes for 952 yards and six touchdowns.

The loss delayed New England’s shot at a 10th straight AFC East title. The only way Brady and the Patriots blow it is if they lose out over the next three weeks.

Monday Night Football featured a host of former Michigan Wolverines between the Vikings and Seahawks.

Ben Gedeon had his most productive night of 2018 for Minnesota, racking up nine tackles in a 21-7 loss. He now has 34 stops on the year.

His teammate Matt Wile punted five times for 213 yards (42.6 average). He landed one inside the 20-yard line, giving him 24 through 13 games (tied for seventh in the league).

On the other sideline, Seattle defensive end Frank Clark continued his weekly backfield harassment. He notched a sack and two quarterback hits to go with his four total tackles.

His takedown of Kirk Cousins gave him 11 this season — a career-high.

Clark also received negative buzz for an on-field altercation.

For reference, Brady Hoke kicked Clark off Michigan during his senior season in 2014. The details of his domestic violence resurfaced this week, and are detailed here.

OTHER NOTES

• Philadelphia defensive end Brandon Graham tallied three stops in a 29-23 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys. His reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are 6-7 and in danger of missing the playoffs.

He has 36 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery this year.

• The two former Wolverines turned Cowboys — corner Jourdan Lewis and defensive end Taco Charlton — both failed to make the stat sheet Sunday. The former was a coach’s decision, while the latter is dealing with criticism from management.

The second-year end is nursing a shoulder injury.

• Three other defenders contributed last weekend. Rams defensive back Blake Countess notched a tackle (six on the year), while Bronco safety Dymonte Thomas and Browns safety Jabrill Peppers both chipped in two.

Thomas has eight this season in reserve duty. Peppers is up to 62. The former Heisman finalist also returned a single punt for 19 yards in Cleveland’s 26-20 victory over the Panthers.

• In that same game, Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess potentially cost his team the win. A team-leader in receiving yards for most of this fall, he has fallen to third for Carolina after injuries, totaling 42 catches for 526 yards and four touchdowns.
• Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan garnered a ton of social media buzz for his antics in Thursday’s 30-9 blowout of Jacksonville.

• Oakland rookie phenom Maurice Hurst sat for Sunday’s upset win over Pittsburgh. He’s currently campaigning for a Pro Bowl spot after amassing 28 tackles and four sacks from his defensive tackle spot.

• Redskins receiver Jehu Chesson touched the ball for the first time this fall. It just so happened to be a lone handoff for a four-yard loss.
• Three alums are confirmed with season-ending injuries. Denver’s Jake Butt (ACL), Oakland’s Leon Hall (back) and Baltimore’s Willie Henry (hernia).