Photo by: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#FromStateToSundays: Week 2 Update
September 20, 2022 | Football
STARKVILLE – Darius Slay prefers to be called "Big Play Slay" these days.
And Slay certainly lived up to that moniker in front of a national television audience on Monday Night Football. The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback snagged two red zone interceptions and defended five passes in a 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Slay is the only NFL player in the last three seasons with two picks and five pass defenses in the same game. It is also the fourth career multi-interception game for the 10-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler.
Slay shut down Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who only caught one of the six passes thrown his way leaving Kirk Cousins with a 0.0 passer rating in that matchup according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
But Slay was not the only former Bulldog defender that found success in Week 2. Chris Jones and Preston Smith racked up two sacks each while Denico Autry and Fletcher Cox were also credited with a sack apiece.
Jones now has 51.5 sacks for his career, the fifth-most in Kansas City Chiefs history, and currently ranks second in the NFL with an overall defensive grade of 92.5. Smith secured his eighth career multi-sack game and fifth with Green Bay. He also led the Packers with seven tackles in their 27-10 win over the Chicago Bears.
Autry's sack also came on Monday Night Football and gives the Tennessee Titans defensive end 40.5 for his career. Cox was credited with a strip sack, the 11th one of those the six-time Pro Bowler has had for Philadelphia.
Willie Gay Jr. led the Chiefs with 11 tackles, two of which came behind the line of scrimmage. The Starkville native also posted his personal-best pass rush grade at 89.8.
Cameron Dantzler also added four stops and a tackle for loss for the Vikings on Monday Night Football while rookie cornerback Martin Emerson notched four tackles and broke up a pass for the Cleveland Browns.
Offensive linemen Charles Cross and Elgton Jenkins played every offensive snap for the Seattle Seahawks and Packers respectively. For Jenkins, it was just his second career start at right tackle.
Last Thursday, Gerri Green joined Autry and Simmons on Tennessee's defensive line as a member of the Titans practice squad. Wide receiver Osirus Mitchell received an injury settlement and was waived by Green Bay on Sept. 19.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 15 TKL, 4 AST, 19 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT 1 PD vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 23-29)
Season: 2 G, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 TKL, 1 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD at Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
Season: 2 G, 8 Punts, 378 YDS, 47.3 AVG, LONG 61, 1 TB, 2 In-20, 41.6 NET AVG
Last Week: 5 Punts, 228 YDS, 45.6 AVG, LONG 55, 1 TB, 1 In-20, 41.0 NET AVG vs. Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-0)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 2 TKL, 3 AST, 5 TT, 1.5 SK, 3 QBH, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 QBH, 1 FF vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 24-7)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 9 TKL, 9 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 4 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 7-24)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 2 G, 8 TKL, 1 AST, 9 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: 4 TKL, 4 TT, 1 PD vs. New York Jets (L, 30-31)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 8 TKL, 8 AST, 16 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 5 AST, 11 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (W, 27-24)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 2 G, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 2 snaps vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 10-20)
KYLIN HILL (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: Physically Unable to Perform
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 Pressures Allowed at San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
ELGTON JENKINS | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (W, 27-24
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: DNP
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 19-16)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Miami Dolphins (L, 38-42)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 14-29, 134 YDS, 47.2 QBR, 2 RUSH, 11 YDS, LONG 12
Last Week: DNP vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W, 20-17)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 4 TKL, 2 AST, 6 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 PD vs. Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 TKL, 2 AST, 7 TT, 2 IN, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 TT, 2 INT, 5 PD vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 24-7)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 6 TKL, 4 AST, 10 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 5 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 SOLO TKL, 5 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 2 QBH at Detroit Lions (L, 27-36)
DARRYL WILLIAMS (PS) | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – OL | AT MSU: 2015-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-0)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 23-29)
And Slay certainly lived up to that moniker in front of a national television audience on Monday Night Football. The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback snagged two red zone interceptions and defended five passes in a 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
SLAY back makin' BIG PLAYS!
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2022
📺: #MINvsPHI on ABC pic.twitter.com/KwL2B0OrZ6
Slay is the only NFL player in the last three seasons with two picks and five pass defenses in the same game. It is also the fourth career multi-interception game for the 10-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler.
Slay shut down Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who only caught one of the six passes thrown his way leaving Kirk Cousins with a 0.0 passer rating in that matchup according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
.@bigplay24slay with his 2nd interception 🗣
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2022
📺: #MINvsPHI on ABC pic.twitter.com/KnV0evoizI
But Slay was not the only former Bulldog defender that found success in Week 2. Chris Jones and Preston Smith racked up two sacks each while Denico Autry and Fletcher Cox were also credited with a sack apiece.
Jones now has 51.5 sacks for his career, the fifth-most in Kansas City Chiefs history, and currently ranks second in the NFL with an overall defensive grade of 92.5. Smith secured his eighth career multi-sack game and fifth with Green Bay. He also led the Packers with seven tackles in their 27-10 win over the Chicago Bears.
THAT'S CHAIRMAN & CEO OF SACK NATION TO YOU 🫵
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 16, 2022
📺: #LACvsKC on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/reoiS59HOJ
Autry's sack also came on Monday Night Football and gives the Tennessee Titans defensive end 40.5 for his career. Cox was credited with a strip sack, the 11th one of those the six-time Pro Bowler has had for Philadelphia.
Willie Gay Jr. led the Chiefs with 11 tackles, two of which came behind the line of scrimmage. The Starkville native also posted his personal-best pass rush grade at 89.8.
.@PrestonSmith94 gets to the QB!
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 19, 2022
😤 😤 😤 😤 😤 #CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/t8sGa2Es7v
Cameron Dantzler also added four stops and a tackle for loss for the Vikings on Monday Night Football while rookie cornerback Martin Emerson notched four tackles and broke up a pass for the Cleveland Browns.
Offensive linemen Charles Cross and Elgton Jenkins played every offensive snap for the Seattle Seahawks and Packers respectively. For Jenkins, it was just his second career start at right tackle.
PRESTON. SMITH.
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 19, 2022
That's ✌️ sacks on the night! 💪@PrestonSmith94 | #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/W4Ix75pLfy
Last Thursday, Gerri Green joined Autry and Simmons on Tennessee's defensive line as a member of the Titans practice squad. Wide receiver Osirus Mitchell received an injury settlement and was waived by Green Bay on Sept. 19.
.@fcoxx_91 showin' em how it's done!
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2022
📺: #MINvsPHI on ABC pic.twitter.com/rmQkjs29LP
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 15 TKL, 4 AST, 19 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT 1 PD vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 23-29)
- Broke up a pass in the end zone on a 2nd-and-goal from the 3-yard line
Season: 2 G, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 TKL, 1 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD at Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
- Picked up a sack on first down in the fourth quarter
- First sack of the season gave him 40.5 for his career
- Batted a pass at the line on third down to force a field goal attempt
Season: 2 G, 8 Punts, 378 YDS, 47.3 AVG, LONG 61, 1 TB, 2 In-20, 41.6 NET AVG
Last Week: 5 Punts, 228 YDS, 45.6 AVG, LONG 55, 1 TB, 1 In-20, 41.0 NET AVG vs. Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-0)
- Landed a 40-yard punt on the Indianapolis 9-yard line
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 2 TKL, 3 AST, 5 TT, 1.5 SK, 3 QBH, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 QBH, 1 FF vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 24-7)
- Recorded a 9-yard strip sack in the fourth quarter
- Strip-sack was the 11th of his career
- The Philadelphia defense is now one of three in the league this season with 10 or more three-and-out drives
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
- Played every offensive snap
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 9 TKL, 9 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 4 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 7-24)
- Made all tackles within four yards of the line of scrimmage
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 2 G, 8 TKL, 1 AST, 9 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: 4 TKL, 4 TT, 1 PD vs. New York Jets (L, 30-31)
- Recorded first career pass breakup in the third quarter
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 8 TKL, 8 AST, 16 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 TKL, 5 AST, 11 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (W, 27-24)
- Led Kansas City in total tackles and pass defenses
- Finished with six "stops" per PFF, which are tackles that constitute a failure for the offense, which was tied for second in the NFL in Week 2
- Turned in a career-high pass rush grade (89.8) per PFF, which ranked No. 13 in the NFL for the week
- Made a tackle for a loss of three yards that helped hold Los Angeles to a field goal on its opening drive
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 2 G, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 2 snaps vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 10-20)
KYLIN HILL (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: Physically Unable to Perform
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 6 Pressures Allowed at San Francisco 49ers (L, 7-27)
ELGTON JENKINS | GREEN BAY PACKERS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
- Played every offensive snap in just his second career start at right tackle
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (W, 27-24
- Ranks second in the NFL in overall defensive grade (92.5) this season and is eighth in pass rush grade (91.1)
- Tied for eighth in the NFL with 2.0 sacks and tied for third with 12 pressures per PFF
- Posted the No. 4 pass rush grade (91.5) in the league in Week 2 per PFF and tallied six pressures, which was tied for sixth
- Recorded a sack on third down to force a punt at the two-minute warning of the first half
- Picked up a sack on the Los Angeles 2-yard line in the third quarter
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: DNP
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 19-16)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Miami Dolphins (L, 38-42)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 14-29, 134 YDS, 47.2 QBR, 2 RUSH, 11 YDS, LONG 12
Last Week: DNP vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W, 20-17)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 4 TKL, 2 AST, 6 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 PD vs. Buffalo Bills (L, 7-41)
- Ranks seventh in the NFL in overall defensive grade (91.5) and No. 6 in pass rush grade (91.2) this season
- Tied for eighth in the NFL with 2.0 sacks and sixth in sack yardage (19)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 TKL, 2 AST, 7 TT, 2 IN, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 TT, 2 INT, 5 PD vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 24-7)
- Turned in his fourth career multi-interception game and became the third Eagle since 1999 to record at least five pass defense and two interceptions in a single game (Lito Sheppard vs. Dallas, Oct. 8, 2006; Troy Vincent vs. New England, Dec. 19, 1999)
- Intercepted a pass on the goal line and a second in the end zone
- Returned first interception 19 yards
- Leads the NFL with five pass defenses
- The Philadelphia defense is now one of three in the league this season with 10 or more three-and-out drives
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 6 TKL, 4 AST, 10 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 5 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH vs. Chicago Bears (W, 27-10)
- Led Green Bay in total tackles, sacks and quarterback hits
- Posted his eighth career multi-sack game and fifth with Green Bay
- Recorded a 5-yard sack on Chicago's first drive of the second quarter
- Turned in a sack for 10 yards on the Bear's first drive of the fourth quarter
- Stuffed a fourth-down run on the goal line in the fourth quarter to preserve a then-10-point lead
- Tied for third in the NFL with five QB hits and tied for eighth with 2.0 sacks
- Tied for sixth in the NFL with 11 pressures per PFF
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 5 SOLO TKL, 5 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 2 QBH at Detroit Lions (L, 27-36)
DARRYL WILLIAMS (PS) | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – OL | AT MSU: 2015-19
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Indianapolis Colts (W, 24-0)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 23-29)
Players Mentioned
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