Wolverine Watch: NFL Week 8

For Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Brandon Graham, his work ethic has always been his strong suit. Starting for two of the worst Michigan teams during the modern era (from 2008-09 under Rich Rodriguez), Graham was still a terror on the defensive line, getting drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

A Super Bowl ring and a second-team All Pro selection later and Graham is still producing. In the Eagles 31-13 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Graham tied for a team-high six tackles including two for a loss, a sack, and forced and recovered a fumble. Bills second year quarterback Josh Allen found himself being rushed by a former Michigan pass rusher for the second straight week.

Graham’s effort Sunday in Buffalo earns him his second Wolverine Watch Helmet Sticker of the season.

Our other Helmet Sticker recipient earned his based on body of work more so than individual performance. It was a bad start to 2019 for Taco Charlton. The Dallas Cowboys did not play him in their first two games while seeking to trade the 2017 first round pick. Charlton was waived, joined the Miami Dolphins, and has been a consistent performer along the defensive line. With a sack and forced fumble against the Steelers Monday night, Charlton now has four sacks in five games as a Dolphin, and has sacks in his last two games.

After throwing only one touchdown over his last two games, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a fine return to form against the Browns in New England’s 27-13 win in Foxborough. Brady was 20-for-36 with 259 passing yards and two touchdowns as the Pats improved to 8-0 for the first time since 2015 and the third time overall during Brady’s career.

Graham Glasgow started against the Giants in the Lions 31-26 victory on Sunday, but did exit in the fourth quarter due to a “minor” injury according to Detroit coach Matt Patricia. Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan continued his strong play in Tennessee’s 27-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did have to exit late with an injury, one that he cleared up during his postgame interview. Chargers lineman Michael Schofield III started and surrendered no sacks and committed no penalties in the Chargers 17-16 win over the Bears.

After a two-game absence due to being in the concussion protocol, Ben Gedeon returned to game action for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. The 2017 fourth-round pick collected three total tackles in Minnesota’s 19-9 win over Washington. Rashan Gary had just one quarterback hit in the Packers 31-24 win in Kansas City over the Chiefs. Fellow rookie Chase Winovich was quiet, yet impactful in the Pats win over the Browns. Winovich’s one tackle was a half sack of Baker Mayfield with Adam Butler in the fourth quarter. Winovich also logged several hurries. Across eight games played, Winovich has 4.5 sacks, 9 tackles for a loss and a special-teams touchdown while just playing 32 percent of the Patriots defensive snaps. Once unleashed fully, Winovich could be even more productive.

Devin Bush came off his bye week picking back up where he left off as he chases the Defensive Rookie of the Year. On Monday Night Football, the Steelers linebacker tied for the team lead in tackles with six. Per Joe Tessitore on the broadcast, Bush is tied for the NFL lead with six takeaways, having forced four fumbles and nabbing two interceptions through seven career games. The Steelers defeated the Dolphins 27-14.

It was a quiet day for Wolverines in the defensive backfield. Jabrill Peppers collected only five tackles in the Giants loss at Detroit. Fellow safety Jarrod Wilson had just four tackles in the Jaguars 29-15 win over the Jets.

Inactives/DNP/No Stats

Jake Butt (Knee) - Denver Broncos

Devin Funchess (Clavicle) - Indianapolis Colts

Frank Clark (neck) - Kansas City Chiefs

Mason Cole - Arizona Cardinals - Cole did not see any snaps in the Cardinals loss at New Orleans.

Zach Gentry (Healthy Scratch) - Pittsburgh Steelers

Ryan Glasgow - Cincinnati Bengals - Glasgow did not record any stats in the Bengals loss to the Rams in London as Cincinnati fell to 0-8 on the year.

Delano Hill (Healthy Scratch) - Seattle Seahawks

Maurice Hurst - Oakland Raiders. Hurst did not make the stat sheet for a second straight week as the Raiders fell to the Texans in Houston.

David Long - Los Angeles Rams - After making his NFL debut in Atlanta last week, Long did not see many snaps in the Rams 24-10 win over the Bengals in London.

Patrick Omameh - New Orleans Saints. Omameh did not take the field in the Saints win over Arizona at home.

Bye Weeks:

Jourdan Lewis - Dallas Cowboys

Chris Wormley - Baltimore Ravens

WW Helmet Sticker Count:

Offense:

G. Glasgow- 2

Defense:

D. Bush - 2

B. Graham - 2

J. Peppers - 2

C. Winovich - 2

T. Charlton - 1

F. Clark - 1

R. Gary - 1

J. Lewis - 1