Photo by: William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK
#FromStateToSundays: Week 14 Update
December 14, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Several former Mississippi State defenders had strong performances during Week 14 of the NFL season.
Green Bay's Preston Smith paved the way with a pair of sacks and ranked second in the NFL with 11 pressures against the Bears last week. One of Smith's sacks resulted in a fumble and now has seven sacks on the year and 47.5 for his career.
Smith wasn't the only Bulldog to reach the quarterback last week either. Tennessee's Denico Autry recorded a sack in a shutout over the Jaguars and Chris Jones of the Chiefs combined on a sack in a win over Las Vegas.
It was the sixth sack for Autry this season and No. 36.5 for his career.
Jeffery Simmons added a tackle for loss in the Titans' win and limited Jacksonville to a franchise-low eight rushing yards. It was Tennessee's first shutout since 2018. Simmons is still tied for the NFL sack lead among defensive tackles this season with 7.5.
Benardrick McKinney also recorded a stop behind the line of scrimmage for the Giants while Johnathan Abram led Las Vegas with 10 tackles. It was the third double-digit tackle game for Abram this season and tops all safeties across the league with 105 stops.
The tackles weren't just limited to defense either. J.T. Gray collected four stops on special teams for the Saints, three of which were on kickoff coverage.
Dak Prescott guided Dallas to its ninth victory of the year at Washington, throwing for 211 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper in the first quarter.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 57 TKL, 48 AST, 105 TT, 3.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1FR, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 6 AST, 10 TT at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
Season: 13 G, 11 GS, 16 TKL, 5 AST, 21 TT, 6.0 SK, 7.0 TFL, 15 QBH, 5 PD
Last Week: 2 TKL, 0 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 QBH vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 20-0)
Season: 12 G, 58 Punts, 2730 YDS, 47.1 AVG, LONG 68, 27 In-20
Last Week: 5 Punts, 225 YDS, 45.0 AVG, LONG 54.0, 3 In-20 at Tennessee Titans (L, 0-20)
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 18 TKL, 7 AST, 25 TT, 1.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD
Last Week: BYE
CAMERON DANTZLER | MINNESOTA VIKINGS – CB | AT MSU: 2016-19
Season: 11 G, 4 GS, 27 TKL, 3 AST, 30 TT, 1 PD, 1 ST TKL, 1 INT
Last Week: 1 AST, 1 TT, 1 PD, 1 ST TKL vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (W, 36-28)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Houston Texans (L, 13-33)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 8 GS, 21 TKL, 17 AST, 38 TT, 0.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 INT, 3 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 11 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 15 ST TKL, 1 ST AST
Last Week: 4 ST TKL at New York Jets (W, 30-9)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: BYE
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
KYLIN HILL (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 8 G, 10 RUSH, 24 YDS, 2.4 AVG, 1 REC, 5 YDS, 2.5 AVG, 10 KO RET, 199 YDS, 19.9 AVG, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 31 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at Houston Texans (W, 33-13)
ELGTON JENKINS (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed, 1 TKL
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
CHRIS JONES | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2013-15
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 12 TKL, 8 AST, 20 TT, 7.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 5 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
Season: 6 G, 1 GS, 15 TKL, 10 AST, 25 TT, 1.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G, 5 TKL, 5 TT, 1.0 TFL at Los Angeles Chargers (L, 21-37)
Season: 8 G, 11 TKL, 3 AST, 14 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (L, 22-24)
OSIRUS MITCHELL (PS) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Washington Football Team (W, 27-20)
TYRE PHILLIPS | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 8 G, 3 GS, 15 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed at Cleveland Browns (L, 22-24)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 309-455, 3381 YDS, 24 TD, 98.1 QBR, 37 RUSH, 106 YDS, LONG 21, 1 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 22-39, 211 YDS, 1 TD, 58.8 QBR, 7 RUSH, 15 YDS at Washington Football Team (W, 27-20)
Season: 3 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 38 TKL, 10 AST, 48 TT, 7.5 SK, 11.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD vs Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 20-0)
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 33 TKL, 10 AST, 43 TT, 4.0 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PD, 2 FR, 3 TD
Last Week: BYE
Season: 12 G, 11 GS, 18 TKL, 9 AST, 27 TT, 7.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 13 QBH, 1PD, 2 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 2 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QH, 1 FF vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs Detroit Lions (W, 38-10)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 TKL, 8 AST, 19 TT, 3.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 FF
Last Week: DNP vs. Dallas Cowboys (L 20-27)
DARRYL WILLIAMS (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – OT | AT MSU: 2015-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
K.J. WRIGHT | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 12 G, 4 GS, 17 TKL, 19 AST, 36 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
Green Bay's Preston Smith paved the way with a pair of sacks and ranked second in the NFL with 11 pressures against the Bears last week. One of Smith's sacks resulted in a fumble and now has seven sacks on the year and 47.5 for his career.
BALL IS OUT!@PrestonSmith94 😤 #ProBowlVote | #CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 13, 2021
📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/Uyg4k9aQAD
Smith wasn't the only Bulldog to reach the quarterback last week either. Tennessee's Denico Autry recorded a sack in a shutout over the Jaguars and Chris Jones of the Chiefs combined on a sack in a win over Las Vegas.
It was the sixth sack for Autry this season and No. 36.5 for his career.
Jeffery Simmons added a tackle for loss in the Titans' win and limited Jacksonville to a franchise-low eight rushing yards. It was Tennessee's first shutout since 2018. Simmons is still tied for the NFL sack lead among defensive tackles this season with 7.5.
LIVE: @PrestonSmith94 meets with the media following #CHIvsGB 🎥 https://t.co/rohl4jlGGK
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 13, 2021
Benardrick McKinney also recorded a stop behind the line of scrimmage for the Giants while Johnathan Abram led Las Vegas with 10 tackles. It was the third double-digit tackle game for Abram this season and tops all safeties across the league with 105 stops.
The tackles weren't just limited to defense either. J.T. Gray collected four stops on special teams for the Saints, three of which were on kickoff coverage.
Dak Prescott guided Dallas to its ninth victory of the year at Washington, throwing for 211 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper in the first quarter.
.@Dak to @AmariCooper9! #DallasCowboys
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2021
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/PMgsau3xxM
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 57 TKL, 48 AST, 105 TT, 3.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1FR, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 6 AST, 10 TT at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
- Leads all NFL safeties and ranks 14th in the league in total tackles this season
Season: 13 G, 11 GS, 16 TKL, 5 AST, 21 TT, 6.0 SK, 7.0 TFL, 15 QBH, 5 PD
Last Week: 2 TKL, 0 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 QBH vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 20-0)
- Helped record the 17th shutout in Tennessee franchise history and first since 2018
- Win secured a winning record for the six straight year, marking just the second six-year run of winning records in Titans history (1987-1993)
- Part of a defense that allowed just nine first downs, the fewest by a Tennessee opponent since allowing eight at Miami on Oct. 9, 2016
- Held Jacksonville to a Jaguars record-low of eight rushing yards on eight attempts and held the opposing quarterback to a 35.5 passer rating, which was the lowest since 2017
- Picked up a nine-yard sack in the first quarter, giving him six sacks in 2021 and 36.5 sacks in his career
- Recorded the third season of his career with at least six sacks.
Season: 12 G, 58 Punts, 2730 YDS, 47.1 AVG, LONG 68, 27 In-20
Last Week: 5 Punts, 225 YDS, 45.0 AVG, LONG 54.0, 3 In-20 at Tennessee Titans (L, 0-20)
- Third in the NFL in punts inside the 20 and second in net punting average (43.7)
- Holds the No. 2 punting grade in the league this season
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 18 TKL, 7 AST, 25 TT, 1.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD
Last Week: BYE
CAMERON DANTZLER | MINNESOTA VIKINGS – CB | AT MSU: 2016-19
Season: 11 G, 4 GS, 27 TKL, 3 AST, 30 TT, 1 PD, 1 ST TKL, 1 INT
Last Week: 1 AST, 1 TT, 1 PD, 1 ST TKL vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (W, 36-28)
- Holds the NFL's No. 5 run defense grade this season (90.2) per PFF
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Houston Texans (L, 13-33)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 9 G, 8 GS, 21 TKL, 17 AST, 38 TT, 0.5 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 INT, 3 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 11 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 15 ST TKL, 1 ST AST
Last Week: 4 ST TKL at New York Jets (W, 30-9)
- Made three tackles on kickoff coverage and one on a punt
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: BYE
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
KYLIN HILL (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 8 G, 10 RUSH, 24 YDS, 2.4 AVG, 1 REC, 5 YDS, 2.5 AVG, 10 KO RET, 199 YDS, 19.9 AVG, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 31 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at Houston Texans (W, 33-13)
ELGTON JENKINS (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 8 G, 8 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed, 1 TKL
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
CHRIS JONES | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2013-15
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 12 TKL, 8 AST, 20 TT, 7.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 5 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
- Ranked third in the NFL behind fellow Bulldog Preston Smith and Aaron Donald with 10 total pressures in Week 14 per PFF
- Split a sack on the Raiders' second drive of the game
- One of 15 players in the NFL with a pass rush grade of 90.0 or higher for the season
- Ranks eighth in the NFL with 56 total pressures per PFF and is tied for third with five batted passes
- Posted the NFL's second-highest pass rush grade (91.4) in Week 14
Season: 6 G, 1 GS, 15 TKL, 10 AST, 25 TT, 1.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G, 5 TKL, 5 TT, 1.0 TFL at Los Angeles Chargers (L, 21-37)
- Four of his five tackles were made within two yards of the line of scrimmage
Season: 8 G, 11 TKL, 3 AST, 14 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (L, 22-24)
OSIRUS MITCHELL (PS) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Washington Football Team (W, 27-20)
TYRE PHILLIPS | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 8 G, 3 GS, 15 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed at Cleveland Browns (L, 22-24)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 309-455, 3381 YDS, 24 TD, 98.1 QBR, 37 RUSH, 106 YDS, LONG 21, 1 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 22-39, 211 YDS, 1 TD, 58.8 QBR, 7 RUSH, 15 YDS at Washington Football Team (W, 27-20)
- Ranks eighth in the NFL in completion percentage
Season: 3 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 38 TKL, 10 AST, 48 TT, 7.5 SK, 11.0 TFL, 14 QBH, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD vs Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 20-0)
- Helped record the 17th shutout in Tennessee franchise history and first since 2018
- Win secured a winning record for the six straight year, marking just the second six-year run of winning records in Titans history (1987-1993)
- Part of a defense that allowed just nine first downs, the fewest by a Tennessee opponent since allowing eight at Miami on Oct. 9, 2016
- Held Jacksonville to a Jaguars record-low of eight rushing yards on eight attempts and held the opposing quarterback to a 35.5 passer rating, which was the lowest since 2017
- Currently tied for the NFL lead in sacks among defensive tackles (7.5) this season
Season: 12 G, 12 GS, 33 TKL, 10 AST, 43 TT, 4.0 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PD, 2 FR, 3 TD
Last Week: BYE
- One of 17 players in the NFL with a coverage grade of 85.0 or higher for the season
- Coverage grade of 85.6 ranks seventh among NFL cornerbacks and safeties with at least 400 snaps in coverage
- Holds the Eagles' highest overall defensive grade (83.0) this season
Season: 12 G, 11 GS, 18 TKL, 9 AST, 27 TT, 7.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 13 QBH, 1PD, 2 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 2 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QH, 1 FF vs. Chicago Bears (W, 45-30)
- Recorded a third-quarter strip sack and added an eight-yard sack in the fourth quarter
- Ranked second in the NFL with 11 total pressures in Week 14 per PFF
- Ranks third in the NFL among edge rushers in coverage grade
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs Detroit Lions (W, 38-10)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 TKL, 8 AST, 19 TT, 3.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 FF
Last Week: DNP vs. Dallas Cowboys (L 20-27)
DARRYL WILLIAMS (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – OT | AT MSU: 2015-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 48-9)
K.J. WRIGHT | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 12 G, 4 GS, 17 TKL, 19 AST, 36 TT, 2.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 9-48)
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