Jeffery Simmons was the highest-graded defender (92.8) and pass rusher (92.3) between the Titans and the Vikings according to PFF.
Photo by: USA Today
#FromStateToSundays: Week 3 Update
September 29, 2020 | Football
Dawg Defenders Combine for Huge Weekend in the NFL
STARKVILLE – Chris Jones wasted no time. After making the first tackle of the game, Jones announced his presence on Monday Night Football, picking up his first of two strip sacks on the first play of Baltimore's second drive.
Before the half, Jones would again sack Lamar Jackson while forcing a fumble, this time seeing the ball recovered by the Kansas City defense. The former Mississippi State defensive tackle finished the night with five total tackles and an elite 93.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest in the NFL this week.
Jones was the top-graded defender in the game (90.6 overall), and he now leads the NFL in pass rush grade (91.5) for the season. The former Bulldog is tied for sixth in the NFL with six QB hits on the year.
Former Bulldog defensive linemen were disruptive across the league in Week 3. Washington's Montez Sweat picked up four tackles, 2.0 for a loss, including one sack for a loss of nine yards. Sweat is tied for fifth in the NFL with 4.0 tackles for loss this year.
Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons posted five tackles and a six-yard sack. Simmons was the highest-graded defender (92.8) and pass rusher (92.3) in his game and added seven total pressures. Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox registered three quarterback hits and one sack.
Behind the line, Houston's Bernardrick McKinney posted double-digit tackles for the second straight week. He is now tied for eighth in the NFL in total tackles (28) this season and owns 12 career games with double-digit tackles, which is the fifth-most in franchise history.
In the secondary, Las Vegas' Johnathan Abram intercepted the first pass of his career, and the Eagles' Darius Slay posted a season-high seven tackles.
Offensively, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott continues to lead the NFL in passing yardage (1,188), attempts (143) and completions (96), and Green Bay offensive guard Elgton Jenkins remains in the top 10 in the league in pass blocking grade. New England's Isaiah Zuber made his NFL debut on Sunday, rushing one time for a 13-yard gain.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 15 TKL, 5 AST, 20 TT, 1 INT, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD at New England Patriots (L, 20-36)
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1 QBH vs. New York Jets (W, 36-7)
Season: 3 G
Last Week: 1 G at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
FRED BROWN (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – WR | AT MSU 2010-15
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 10-28)
DEION CALHOUN | CINCINNATI BENGALS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 0 G, 0 GS
Last Week: DNP at Philadelphia Eagles (T, 23-23)
TOMMY CHAMPION (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 38-31)
BRIAN COLE II (PS) | MIAMI DOLPHINS – S | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 31-13)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 3 G, 8 Punts, 373 Yds, 46.6 AVG, LONG 63, 2 In-20, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 3 Punts, 157 Yds vs. Miami Dolphins (L, 13-31)
FLETCHER COX | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – DT | AT MSU: 2009-11
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 1 AST, 8 TT, 1 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QBH vs. Cincinnati Bengals (T, 23-23)
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 4 TKL, 4 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Tennessee Titans (L, 39-31)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT
Last Week: 1 G at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 FR, vs. Green Bay Packers (L, 30-37)
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Jets (W, 36-7)
STEPHEN GUIDRY (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2018-19
Season: Opted Out
Last Week: DNP at Seattle Seahawks (L, 31-38)
BRAXTON HOYETT | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
GABE JACKSON | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 1 TKL, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 Pressure Allowed at New England Patriots (L, 20-36)
ELGTON JENKINS | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 86.9 Pass Block Grade, 2 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 72.3 Pass Block Grade, 2 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 8 TKL, 4 AST, 12 TT, 3.5 SK, 2 FF, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 2.0 SK, 2 FF, 2 QBH at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 9-36)
BENARDRICK MCKINNEY | HOUSTON TEXANS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 16 TKL, 12 AST, 28 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 8 TKL, 3 AST, 11 TT at Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 21-28)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 6 TT, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 QBH vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 5 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 96-143, 1,188 YDS, 5 TD, 98.5 QBR, 14 RUSH, 74 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 37-57, 472 YDS, 3 TD, 93.6 QBR, 6 RUSH, 26 YDS at Seattle Seahawks (L, 31-38)
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (L, 20-34)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 3 G, 6 TKL, 2 AST, 8 TT, 1 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 5 AST, 12 TT, 1 SK, 2.0 TFL, 1 FR, 1 PD, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT, 1 SK, 2 TFL, 2 QBH at Minnesota Vikings (W, 31-30)
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 13 TKL, 2 AST, 15 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 7 TT, 1 PD vs. Cincinnati Bengals (T, 23-23)
Season: 3 GS, 3 TKL, 3 AST, 6 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Green Bay Packers (L, 30-37)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1 SK, 2 TFL, 4 QBH at Cleveland Browns (L, 20-34)
Season: 2 G
Last Week: 1 G vs. Detroit Lions (L, 23-26)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
K.J. WRIGHT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 10 TKL, 7 AST, 17 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 3 AST, 10 TT, 2 TFL vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 38-31)
ISAIAH ZUBER | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 13 YDS
Last Week: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 13 YDS vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 36-20)
Before the half, Jones would again sack Lamar Jackson while forcing a fumble, this time seeing the ball recovered by the Kansas City defense. The former Mississippi State defensive tackle finished the night with five total tackles and an elite 93.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest in the NFL this week.
Jones was the top-graded defender in the game (90.6 overall), and he now leads the NFL in pass rush grade (91.5) for the season. The former Bulldog is tied for sixth in the NFL with six QB hits on the year.
Former Bulldog defensive linemen were disruptive across the league in Week 3. Washington's Montez Sweat picked up four tackles, 2.0 for a loss, including one sack for a loss of nine yards. Sweat is tied for fifth in the NFL with 4.0 tackles for loss this year.
Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons posted five tackles and a six-yard sack. Simmons was the highest-graded defender (92.8) and pass rusher (92.3) in his game and added seven total pressures. Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox registered three quarterback hits and one sack.
Behind the line, Houston's Bernardrick McKinney posted double-digit tackles for the second straight week. He is now tied for eighth in the NFL in total tackles (28) this season and owns 12 career games with double-digit tackles, which is the fifth-most in franchise history.
In the secondary, Las Vegas' Johnathan Abram intercepted the first pass of his career, and the Eagles' Darius Slay posted a season-high seven tackles.
Offensively, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott continues to lead the NFL in passing yardage (1,188), attempts (143) and completions (96), and Green Bay offensive guard Elgton Jenkins remains in the top 10 in the league in pass blocking grade. New England's Isaiah Zuber made his NFL debut on Sunday, rushing one time for a 13-yard gain.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 15 TKL, 5 AST, 20 TT, 1 INT, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD at New England Patriots (L, 20-36)
- Recorded the first interception of his career that set up a Las Vegas field goal on the next drive
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1 QBH vs. New York Jets (W, 36-7)
- Registered three total pressures according to PFF
Season: 3 G
Last Week: 1 G at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
FRED BROWN (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – WR | AT MSU 2010-15
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 10-28)
DEION CALHOUN | CINCINNATI BENGALS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 0 G, 0 GS
Last Week: DNP at Philadelphia Eagles (T, 23-23)
TOMMY CHAMPION (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 38-31)
BRIAN COLE II (PS) | MIAMI DOLPHINS – S | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 31-13)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 3 G, 8 Punts, 373 Yds, 46.6 AVG, LONG 63, 2 In-20, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 3 Punts, 157 Yds vs. Miami Dolphins (L, 13-31)
FLETCHER COX | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – DT | AT MSU: 2009-11
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 1 AST, 8 TT, 1 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QBH vs. Cincinnati Bengals (T, 23-23)
- The second-highest graded defender in the game (86.2), according to PFF
- Added four pressures to produce an 85.7 pass rush grade
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 4 TKL, 4 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Tennessee Titans (L, 39-31)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT
Last Week: 1 G at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 3 G, 1 TKL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 FR, vs. Green Bay Packers (L, 30-37)
- Recovered a fumble while the Saints were returning their first kickoff
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Jets (W, 36-7)
STEPHEN GUIDRY (IR) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2018-19
Season: Opted Out
Last Week: DNP at Seattle Seahawks (L, 31-38)
BRAXTON HOYETT | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
GABE JACKSON | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 1 TKL, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 Pressure Allowed at New England Patriots (L, 20-36)
ELGTON JENKINS | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 86.9 Pass Block Grade, 2 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 72.3 Pass Block Grade, 2 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
- Ranks ninth in the NFL among offensive linemen in pass blocking grade (86.9) for the season
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 8 TKL, 4 AST, 12 TT, 3.5 SK, 2 FF, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 2.0 SK, 2 FF, 2 QBH at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
- Started early with a first-quarter strip sack, forcing a fumble out of bounds for a loss of nine yards
- Picked up another strip sack in the second quarter for a loss of seven yards
- Top-graded defender in the game with a 90.6 overall grade from PFF, which ranked eighth in the league in Week 3
- Posted an elite 93.3 pass rush grade that was the highest in the NFL this week
- Tied for sixth in the NFL with six QB hits on the year
- Leads the NFL in pass rush grade (91.5) for the season according to PFF
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 9-36)
BENARDRICK MCKINNEY | HOUSTON TEXANS – LB | AT MSU: 2011-14
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 16 TKL, 12 AST, 28 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 8 TKL, 3 AST, 11 TT at Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 21-28)
- Tied for eighth in the NFL in total tackles (28)
- Leads the AFC in total tackles since 2016 (458)
- Owns 12 career games with double-digit tackles, which is the fifth-most in franchise history
- Became the fourth player in franchise history with 25 total tackles, one pass defense and one tackle for loss in the first three games of a season
- Recorded consecutive games with at least 10 total tackles for the second time in his career
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 6 TT, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 QBH vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
- Brought three total pressures
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 5 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
- Played every snap, allowing one hurry
- Was Baltimore's second-highest-graded pass blocker (78.3) according to PFF
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 96-143, 1,188 YDS, 5 TD, 98.5 QBR, 14 RUSH, 74 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 37-57, 472 YDS, 3 TD, 93.6 QBR, 6 RUSH, 26 YDS at Seattle Seahawks (L, 31-38)
- Led the league in Week 3 with 472 passing yards and leads the league this season with 1,188 yards
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (L, 20-34)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 3 G, 6 TKL, 2 AST, 8 TT, 1 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 G, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 20-34)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 5 AST, 12 TT, 1 SK, 2.0 TFL, 1 FR, 1 PD, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT, 1 SK, 2 TFL, 2 QBH at Minnesota Vikings (W, 31-30)
- Picked up his first sack of the year in the first quarter for a loss of six yards
- The highest-graded defender (92.8) and pass rusher (92.3) in the game according to PFF
- Recorded seven total pressures, including three hurries
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 13 TKL, 2 AST, 15 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 7 TT, 1 PD vs. Cincinnati Bengals (T, 23-23)
- Put up a season-high seven tackles
- Was Philadelphia's fourth-highest-graded defender according to PFF (70.8)
Season: 3 GS, 3 TKL, 3 AST, 6 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT at New Orleans Saints (W, 37-30)
- Played 58 of 61 defensive snaps
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Green Bay Packers (L, 30-37)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1 SK, 2 TFL, 4 QBH at Cleveland Browns (L, 20-34)
- Tied for fifth in the NFL with 4.0 tackles for loss and tied for ninth in sack yardage (21)
- Totaled a game-high-tying five pressures according to PFF, including two hurries
Season: 2 G
Last Week: 1 G vs. Detroit Lions (L, 23-26)
- Arizona's second-highest graded special teams player (75.3)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Baltimore Ravens (W, 34-20)
K.J. WRIGHT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 3 G, 3 GS, 10 TKL, 7 AST, 17 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 3 AST, 10 TT, 2 TFL vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 38-31)
ISAIAH ZUBER | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 13 YDS
Last Week: 1 G, 1 RUSH, 13 YDS vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 36-20)
- Rushed for 13 yards on one attempt in his NFL debut to put the Patriots in the red zone for a game-tying field goal
Players Mentioned
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