Simmons boasted the top overall defensive grade in the NFL this week and the No. 2 coverage grade in the league.
Photo by: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
#FromStateToSundays: Week 9 Update
November 10, 2020 | Football
STARKVILLE – Jeffery Simmons was the highlight of former Mississippi State athletes in the NFL in Week 9. The Bulldog product boasted the top overall defensive grade (94.2) in the NFL this week according to PFF, while also posting the No. 2 coverage grade (91.6) in the league.
Tennessee's defensive lineman dominated the Bears' second drive of the third quarter. On second down, Simmons sacked Nick Foles for a loss of seven yards, but that play was erased by a Titans offside penalty. Two snaps later on third down, he hit the receiver in the backfield and forced a fumble that was recovered and returned 63 yards for a touchdown.
In the fourth quarter with a 24-3 lead, Simmons recorded a pass defense as he nearly intercepted a pass on first-and-goal from the six. On the Bears' next possession, he recovered another fumble.
Johnathan Abram was also a league leader. The Las Vegas safety recorded an NFL-best 86.3 tackling grade this week and added a career-high three special teams tackles.
A pair of Bulldogs helped anchor the Kansas City defense on the way to a two-point victory. Willie Gay Jr. recorded the Chiefs' highest grades in overall defense (78.6) and run defense (81.3), despite being credited with just one tackle. Gay made three additional tackles on plays that totaled a gain of two yards, but the plays were wiped out by penalties.
Chris Jones totaled seven pressures with five quarterback hits to lead Kansas City in pass rush grade. He was the Chiefs second-highest-graded overall defender behind Gay this week. Jones is now tied for 12th in the NFL with 5.5 sacks and ranks seventh in the league in pass rush grade for the season (91.8).
Two more Bulldogs made contributions that may have gone unnoticed for the Green Bay Packers. Preston Smith put pressure on the quarterback early in the second quarter, forcing a throw that was intercepted and resulted in a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Elgton Jenkins started at left guard on an offensive line that allowed just one sack. He then moved to left tackle and played the final four snaps of the game at center. Jenkins posted a 79.0 pass-blocking grade, which was second in the game, while seeing his first NFL action at center. He has allowed just eight pressures this season, which is tied for 14th in NFL among those with 500-plus snaps.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 31 TKL, 11 AST, 42 TT, 1 INT, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 4 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 4 AST, 10 TT, 1 PD at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
Season: 8 G, 7 GS, 12 TKL, 6 AST, 18 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH vs. Baltimore Ravens (L, 10-24)
HUNTER BRADLEY | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LS | AT MSU: 2012-17
Season: 8 G, 1 AST
Last Week: 1 G at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
FRED BROWN (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – WR | AT MSU 2010-15
Season: 1G
Last Week: DNP at Atlanta Falcons (L, 27-34)
DEION CALHOUN | CINCINNATI BENGALS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 GS, 1 G, 1 Pressure Allowed
Last Week: BYE
TOMMY CHAMPION (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Buffalo Bills (L, 34-44)
BRIAN COLE II (PS) | MIAMI DOLPHINS – S | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Arizona Cardinals (W, 34-31)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 8 G, 25 Punts, 1,141 Yds, 45.6 AVG, LONG 63, 10 In-20, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 5 Punts, 234 Yds, 3 In-20 vs. Houston Texans (L, 25-27)
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 14 TKL, 5 AST, 19 TT, 2.5 SK, 7.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: BYE
CAMERON DANTZLER | MINNESOTA VIKINGS – CB | AT MSU: 2016-19
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 22 TKL, 3 AST, 25 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: DNP vs. Detroit Lions (W, 34-20)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 4 GS, 12 TKL, 5 AST, 17 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 1 AST, 1 TT vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
Season: 7 G, 3 TKL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 38-3)
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Baltimore Ravens (L, 10-24)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
STEPHEN GUIDRY (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2018-19
Season: Opted Out
Last Week: DNP vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 19-24)
BRAXTON HOYETT (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
GABE JACKSON | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 1 TKL, 12 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 76.5 Pass Block Grade, 8 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 15 TKL, 9 AST, 24 TT, 5.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 2 FF, 17 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 5 QBH vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Washington Football Team (W, 23-20)
BENARDRICK MCKINNEY (IR) | HOUSTON TEXANS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 21 TKL, 17 AST, 38 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 27-25)
PERNELL MCPHEE | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2009-10
Season: 7 G, 6 GS, 14 TKL, 4 AST, 18 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 9 QBH
Last Week: 1 G, 3 TKL, 3 TT at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
TYRE PHILLIPS (IR) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 8 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: DNP at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
DAK PRESCOTT (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 151-222, 1,856 YDS, 9 TD, 99.6 QBR, 18 RUSH, 93 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: DNP vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 19-24)
MARTINAS RANKIN (IR) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – OT | AT MSU: 2015-17
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 7 G, 1 GS, 12 TKL, 7 AST, 19 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 11 AST, 28 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 1 FF, 2 FR, 3 PD, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR vs. Chicago Bears (W, 24-17)
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 33 TKL, 3 AST, 36 TT, 2 TFL, 3 PD
Last Week: BYE
PRESTON SMITH | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 12 TKL, 5 AST, 17 TT, 0.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 38-3)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 15 TKL, 7 AST, 22 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 13 QBH, 1 PD, 2 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT, 1 QBH, 1 PD vs. New York Giants (L, 20-23)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
K.J. WRIGHT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 29 TKL, 14 AST, 43 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 QBH, 1 INT, 4.0 TFL, 6 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 TFL, 1 QBH at Buffalo Bills (L, 34-44)
Season: 4 G, 2 REC, 29 YDS, 2 RUSH, 21 YDS
Last Week: DNP at New York Jets (W, 30-27)
Tennessee's defensive lineman dominated the Bears' second drive of the third quarter. On second down, Simmons sacked Nick Foles for a loss of seven yards, but that play was erased by a Titans offside penalty. Two snaps later on third down, he hit the receiver in the backfield and forced a fumble that was recovered and returned 63 yards for a touchdown.
In the fourth quarter with a 24-3 lead, Simmons recorded a pass defense as he nearly intercepted a pass on first-and-goal from the six. On the Bears' next possession, he recovered another fumble.
Johnathan Abram was also a league leader. The Las Vegas safety recorded an NFL-best 86.3 tackling grade this week and added a career-high three special teams tackles.
A pair of Bulldogs helped anchor the Kansas City defense on the way to a two-point victory. Willie Gay Jr. recorded the Chiefs' highest grades in overall defense (78.6) and run defense (81.3), despite being credited with just one tackle. Gay made three additional tackles on plays that totaled a gain of two yards, but the plays were wiped out by penalties.
Chris Jones totaled seven pressures with five quarterback hits to lead Kansas City in pass rush grade. He was the Chiefs second-highest-graded overall defender behind Gay this week. Jones is now tied for 12th in the NFL with 5.5 sacks and ranks seventh in the league in pass rush grade for the season (91.8).
Two more Bulldogs made contributions that may have gone unnoticed for the Green Bay Packers. Preston Smith put pressure on the quarterback early in the second quarter, forcing a throw that was intercepted and resulted in a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Elgton Jenkins started at left guard on an offensive line that allowed just one sack. He then moved to left tackle and played the final four snaps of the game at center. Jenkins posted a 79.0 pass-blocking grade, which was second in the game, while seeing his first NFL action at center. He has allowed just eight pressures this season, which is tied for 14th in NFL among those with 500-plus snaps.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 31 TKL, 11 AST, 42 TT, 1 INT, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 4 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 4 AST, 10 TT, 1 PD at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
- Posted a NFL-best 86.3 tackling grade per PFF
- Recorded a career-high in special teams tackles with three
Season: 8 G, 7 GS, 12 TKL, 6 AST, 18 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH vs. Baltimore Ravens (L, 10-24)
HUNTER BRADLEY | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LS | AT MSU: 2012-17
Season: 8 G, 1 AST
Last Week: 1 G at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
FRED BROWN (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – WR | AT MSU 2010-15
Season: 1G
Last Week: DNP at Atlanta Falcons (L, 27-34)
DEION CALHOUN | CINCINNATI BENGALS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 GS, 1 G, 1 Pressure Allowed
Last Week: BYE
TOMMY CHAMPION (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Buffalo Bills (L, 34-44)
BRIAN COLE II (PS) | MIAMI DOLPHINS – S | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Arizona Cardinals (W, 34-31)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 8 G, 25 Punts, 1,141 Yds, 45.6 AVG, LONG 63, 10 In-20, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 5 Punts, 234 Yds, 3 In-20 vs. Houston Texans (L, 25-27)
- Ranks sixth in the league in net punting average (43.1)
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 14 TKL, 5 AST, 19 TT, 2.5 SK, 7.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: BYE
CAMERON DANTZLER | MINNESOTA VIKINGS – CB | AT MSU: 2016-19
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 22 TKL, 3 AST, 25 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: DNP vs. Detroit Lions (W, 34-20)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 4 GS, 12 TKL, 5 AST, 17 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 1 AST, 1 TT vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
- Posted team-high grades for overall defense (78.6) and run defense (81.3) per PFF
- Made three additional tackles on plays that totaled a gain of two yards, but were wiped out by Chiefs penalties
Season: 7 G, 3 TKL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 38-3)
- Played 15 snaps on special teams, recording one tackle
- Was the Saints' second-highest-graded special teams player
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Baltimore Ravens (L, 10-24)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
STEPHEN GUIDRY (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2018-19
Season: Opted Out
Last Week: DNP vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 19-24)
BRAXTON HOYETT (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
GABE JACKSON | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 1 TKL, 12 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed at Los Angeles Chargers (W, 31-26)
- Played all 50 offensive snaps, allowing just one hurry
- Was the Raiders' highest-graded pass-blocker (79.8) according to PFF
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 76.5 Pass Block Grade, 8 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
- Played every snap as the Packers line allowed just one sack
- Filled in at three different positions in the game, starting at left guard before moving to left tackle and center
- Saw his first NFL action at center
- Posted a 79.0 pass-blocking grade, which was second in the game
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 15 TKL, 9 AST, 24 TT, 5.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 2 FF, 17 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 5 QBH vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
- Posted a team-high 79.4 pass rush grade with seven total pressures and five hits on the quarterback
- Was the Chiefs' second-highest-graded overall defender (75.7) per PFF
- Ranks seventh in the NFL this season with a 91.8 pass rush grade and ninth in total pressures (36)
- Tied for 12th in the NFL with 5.5 sacks
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Washington Football Team (W, 23-20)
BENARDRICK MCKINNEY (IR) | HOUSTON TEXANS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 21 TKL, 17 AST, 38 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 27-25)
PERNELL MCPHEE | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2009-10
Season: 7 G, 6 GS, 14 TKL, 4 AST, 18 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 9 QBH
Last Week: 1 G, 3 TKL, 3 TT at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
TYRE PHILLIPS (IR) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 8 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: DNP at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
DAK PRESCOTT (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 151-222, 1,856 YDS, 9 TD, 99.6 QBR, 18 RUSH, 93 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: DNP vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 19-24)
MARTINAS RANKIN (IR) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – OT | AT MSU: 2015-17
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 7 G, 1 GS, 12 TKL, 7 AST, 19 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 11 AST, 28 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 1 FF, 2 FR, 3 PD, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR vs. Chicago Bears (W, 24-17)
- Boasted the top overall defensive grade (94.2) in the NFL this week according to PFF
- Also posted the No. 2 coverage grade (91.6) in the league
- All three of his tackles were considered "stops" per PFF, which are tackles that constitute a failure for the offense
- Forced a fumble the Titans recovered and returned for a touchdown to take a 17-0 lead
- Recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter
- Tied for ninth in the league with a 90.1 overall defensive grade this season
- Tied for fourth in the NFL with three batted passes
- One of 16 total players with multiple fumble recoveries in 2020
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 33 TKL, 3 AST, 36 TT, 2 TFL, 3 PD
Last Week: BYE
PRESTON SMITH | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 12 TKL, 5 AST, 17 TT, 0.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD at San Francisco 49ers (W, 34-17)
- Totaled two pressures with two hits on the quarterback
- Put pressure on the quarterback early in the second quarter, forcing a throw that was intercepted and led to a Packers touchdown
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 38-3)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 15 TKL, 7 AST, 22 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 13 QBH, 1 PD, 2 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT, 1 QBH, 1 PD vs. New York Giants (L, 20-23)
- Batted a pass on New York's second drive of the game
- Ranks sixth in the NFL in sack yardage (50.0)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 33-31)
K.J. WRIGHT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 29 TKL, 14 AST, 43 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 QBH, 1 INT, 4.0 TFL, 6 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 TFL, 1 QBH at Buffalo Bills (L, 34-44)
- Totaled two pressures with a sack and a quarterback hit
- One of 16 total players with multiple fumble recoveries in 2020
Season: 4 G, 2 REC, 29 YDS, 2 RUSH, 21 YDS
Last Week: DNP at New York Jets (W, 30-27)
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