Wolverine Watch: NFL Week 4

When former Michigan defensive stud Jabrill Peppers was traded to the New York Giants in March, he did not garner many headlines. The player heading in the opposite direction to the Browns, Odell Beckham Jr. drew all the shine. While Peppers may not have the Q score of Beckham, he certainly made some headlines on Sunday in the Giants 24-3 win over Washington.

Late in the third quarter Sunday, Peppers intercepted a pass from Washington rookie QB Dwayne Haskins returning it 32 yards for his first career pick six. The big play was the G-Men’s final score of the day, and netted Peppers a spot on the back cover of Monday’s New York Daily News. Peppers also earned one of this week’s Wolverine Watch helmet stickers for a performance that saw him tally six tackles, two pass breakups, and the pick six above. The 2016 Heisman Finalist is the team’s second leading tackler (27) behind defensive backfield mate Antoine Bethea, who has 29 stops on the year.

Peppers wasn’t the only former Michigan LB to have a strong outing. Devin Bush Jr. continued his stalwart rookie campaign for the Steelers. He notched his first career sack in the first quarter, storming his way untouched through the Bengals offensive line for a sack of Andy Dalton.

While Bush finished second on the team in tackles in week 4, he finished with nine total tackles and the sack in a dominating defensive effort by Pittsburgh during the Steelers 27-3 victory.

Zach Gentry played in his second game for the Steelers in their Monday night win over Cincinnati. While Gentry did not catch any passes, he provided a key block on Jaylen Samuels’ two yard touchdown run in the third quarter to extend the black and gold’s lead.

Up the road from Pittsburgh in Buffalo, it was a game to forget for Tom Brady. His Patriots were challenged by the division rival Bills but New England prevailed 16-10. Brady threw an interception at the goal line late in the second quarter, part of a lackluster afternoon that saw him go 18 for 39 for 150 yards. Brady’s 45.9 QB rating Sunday was his lowest in a regular season outing since a loss to the Colts in 2006 (34.0)

Chase Winovich had a quiet game defensively for the Pats, but his one tackle resulted in the second solo sack of his career.

Remaining in the AFC East, Taco Charlton collected his second sack in as many games as Dolphin, taking down Chargers QB Phillip Rivers in the third quarter after blowing by TE Sean Culkin, who stood no chance blocking on the play.

Despite the Dolphins 0-4 start, Charlton has been a strong presence on Miami’s defensive line.

Former Michigan OL did have a solid day at the office. Michael Schofield started for the Chargers in their win in Miami. Mason Cole and Patrick Omameh both saw action for the Cardinals and Saints respectively, but neither started.

Per Pro Football Focus, Lions guard Graham Glasgow is now the top-rated run blocking guard in the NFL, and the third best guard in the league with a PFF score of 82.6. For reference, Eagles guard Brandon Brooks is the best at the position with a score of 85.6. Glasgow and the Lions fell just short against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 34-30 loss in Detroit. For his exploits, Glasgow earns another WW helmet sticker on the week.

Switching to the other side of the trenches, it was a bounce back game for Eagles DE Brandon Graham. After a quiet week against the Lions, Graham had two total tackles, one going for a loss and a fumble recovery in Philly’s 34-27 win at Green Bay. For the Packers, Rashan Gary logged one tackle in the loss.

Chris Wormley had one tackle and defended one pass in the Ravens 40-25 loss to the Browns. Frank Clark notched two tackles in the Chiefs win over the Lions in what was a busy and tiring day for Kansas City’s defense.

Ben Gedeon returned to action for the Vikings defense after missing Minnesota’s week 3 win over Oakland. Gedeon had five tackles in the Purple People’s 16-6 road loss to the Bears.

Jarrod Wilson continues to be a tackling machine for the Minshew Mania fueled Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson had a team-high eight tackles for the Jags as their mustachioed QB led them to a 26-24 win in Denver. Wilson ranks third on the Jaguars with 25 total tackles on the season.

Seahawks safety Lano Hill logged two tackles in Seattle’s 27-10 win over NFC West foe Arizona.

Inactives/DNP/No Stats

Jake Butt (Knee) - Denver Broncos

Devin Funchess (Clavicle) - Indianapolis Colts

Ryan Glasgow (Thigh) - Cincinnati Bengals

Maurice Hurst - Oakland Raiders. Hurst did not record any stats in the Raiders 31-24 road win over the Colts

Jourdan Lewis - Dallas Cowboys. Lewis did not crack the stat sheet in the Cowboys 12-10 loss in New Orleans

David Long (Healthy Scratch) - Los Angeles Rams

Transactions: The Seattle Seahawks released DL Bryan Mone but added him to their practice squad.

WW Helmet Sticker Count:

Offense:

G. Glasgow - 2

Defense:

J. Peppers - 2

C. Winovich - 1

R. Gary - 1