Michigan NFL Alumni Update: Jourdan Lewis seals Cowboy win with pick

It’s been a sophomore slump so far for Dallas nickel back Jourdan Lewis.

As a rookie, he racked up 54 tackles and notched a pick. Heading into last Thursday against the Saints, he had managed just four tackles in very limited snaps.

The Cowboys, however, needed all hands on deck to slow Drew Brees and the New Orleans pass attack. Deep into the fourth quarter, Lewis helped contain the Saints to just 10 points, and Brees just 128 yards through the air.

The former Michigander slammed the door on any comeback.

Lewis only saw the field for seven other snaps, usually to slow Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. He tacked on a tackle in addition to his late-game heroics.

On top of the individual moment, the interception sealed a one-game lead for Dallas in the NFC East.

Side note: His fellow Dallas teammate Taco Charlton is working his way back from a 4-game absence due to a shoulder injury.

One of the teams nipping at the Cowboys’ heels are the Philadelphia Eagles. Defensive end Brandon Graham helped fuel a defensive clampdown in a 28-13 Monday night victory over the Washington Redskins.

He nabbed a sack and two quarterback hits among his three tackles. It was one of three sacks and several pressures on Washington third-stringer Mark Sanchez.

While his numbers look pedestrian — 33 tackles and four sacks on the year— don’t be fooled. Graham is harassing opposing backfields, tallying more than 50 pressures.

Week 13 saw a few other Wolverine standouts on defense. In Cleveland’s 29-13 defeat to the Houston Texans, safety Jabrill Peppers accounted for eight total stops. This gives him 60 on the year. He also returned a kick for 27 yards.

Minnesota linebacker Ben Gedeon saw the field more in nickel packages to slow Tom Brady and the Patriots. Gedeon made four tackles in a 24-10 road loss, moving his season total to 16.

A pair of Seattle defenders contributed to a 43-16 rout over the 49ers. Rush end Frank Clark hit San Francisco’s Nick Mullens thrice, and added three other stops.

Safety Delano Hill saw extended action with three tackles of his own.

OTHER NOTES

• Tom Brady has New England one game away from clinching the AFC East for 10th straight time. He connected on 24-of-32 passes for 311 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

More shockingly, he hit a milestone with his legs, gaining five yards to cross the 1,000-yard threshold in his career.

The 41-year old is still chugging along, amassing 3,342 passing yards and 20 touchdowns through 13 weeks. He currently sits 499 yards away from 70,000 in his career.

• Vikings punter Matt Wile booted five punts for 228 yards (45.6 average) in the loss to the Patriots. He launched a long of 53. With two punts placed inside the 20, he’s tied for sixth in the league with 23 overall.
• Carolina receiver Devin Funchess returned from a back ailment to snag a 10-yard touchdown for the Panthers.

Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough in a 24-17 loss to Tampa Bay. In 2018, he’s third on the team with 42 catches for 526 yards, snagging four scores in the process.

• Oakland’s Maurice Hurst notched a lone tackle in a 40-33 home loss to rival Kansas City. His teammate Leon Hall is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a bad back.
• Baltimore defensive end Willie Henry is also done for the year.
• Denver safety Dymonte Thomas assisted on one tackle in a 24-10 triumph over Cincinnati.
• Ram defensive back Blake Countess made a pivotal special teams play in the 30-16 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Another specialist in Washington’s Jehu Chesson was activated, and made a single tackle as a gunner in punt coverage.

• The New York Jets promoted two former Wolverines in guard Ben Braden and safety Jeremy Clark to the 53-man roster last weekend. Neither recorded a statistic in a 26-22 defeat at Tennessee.
• The Browns similarly elevated guard Kyle Kalis, a former native of Lakewood, Ohio, to their active roster.
• For other injuries and roster moves, refer to last week’s update.