Buckeyes in the NFL – Week 4

Showing Out Sunday Night

Former Buckeyes made up three of the four starters in the Saints secondary for Sunday Night Football against the Cowboys. Add two more on the offensive side, plus a pair of Dallas playmakers, and you get seven former Ohio State studs who played in this primetime game. (Image courtesy: @SNFonNBC Twitter)

Other Buckeyes on the field tonight: Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Devin Smith @OhioStateFB https://t.co/uTHBO0Vz7z

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 30, 2019

Saints March to a Win

On Sunday night, Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn, Jr. combined for 12 catches and 114 yards. In the process, Thomas became the third WR all-time with 300 catches and 4,000 receiving yards within his first 50 NFL games. Defensively, New Orleans’ DB trio of Vonn Bell, Marshon Lattimore, and Eli Apple combined for 14 tackles. Bell forced one fumble – punching it loose from fellow NFL Buckeye Ezekiel Elliott – and recovered two in the game. (Image courtesy: neworleanssaints.com)

Can’t guard Mike @Cantguardmike pic.twitter.com/o7YsmTpnmG

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 30, 2019

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Saints’ dominant defensive effort last night: seven defenders played 90% or more of the snaps:

Marcus Williams: 100% (58 of 58)
Vonn Bell: 98%
Cam Jordan: 98%
Eli Apple: 98%
Marshon Lattimore: 98%
A.J. Klein: 95%
Demario Davis: 91%

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) September 30, 2019

Here’s a look at the A.J. Klein forced fumble & Vonn Bell fumble recovery: pic.twitter.com/GzoPGkxcKk

— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) September 30, 2019

The #Saints Marshon Lattimore locked down Amari Cooper all night.
–
A Tremendous defensive performance by Lattimore & the #Saints all night!
–#Saints win 12 – 10 over the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/0vJpa52HbB

— Josh Lemoine (@LsuFBallTruth) September 30, 2019

Simon, Hidden Star

Patriots DE John Simon played a big role in his team’s remaining undefeated. The seventh-year pro recorded five tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss in New England’s narrow 16-10 divisional win over Buffalo. Simon also batted down a pass at the line on Sunday to give him three passes defended this season. (Image courtesy: patriots.com)

John Simon was one of the Patriots’ hidden stars in their 16-10 win over the Bills. https://t.co/jgkwrRRnNB pic.twitter.com/2WaLCXakYO

— NESN (@NESN) September 30, 2019

I thought John Simon was one of the best players on the field for the #Patriots today

He only had one sack, but he seemed to be around the quarterback just about every play

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 29, 2019

Dolphins LB Duo

Miami’s defense has seen impact and improvement from its young former Buckeye LBs, Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan. In Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Chargers, the two totaled nine tackles, and McMillan notched a tackle for loss. Through four weeks, Baker leads the Dolphins in tackles with 29 and McMillan is tied for third on the team with 19. (Image courtesy: dolphins.com)

Notable #Dolphins defensive snap counts from Week 4 (67 plays):

Taco Charlton – 48
Christian Wilkins – 41
Charles Harris – 26

Jerome Baker – 67
Sam Eguavoen – 49
Raekwon McMillan – 43

Xavien Howard – 67
Eric Rowe – 67
Reshad Jones – 66#LACvsMIA #FinsUp

— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) September 30, 2019

The Dolphins has Raekwon McMillan playing middle linebacker again and you could see he was in a groove. Miami might need to reconsider moving him back inside. McMillan played well in a limited role. pic.twitter.com/xMzaqGEo5V

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 30, 2019

Raekwon McMillan (52) is finding his lane in this defense. While his coverage skills still need work, McMillan is triggering much faster vs the run. We’re seeing progress being made. pic.twitter.com/0au3mtyTnl

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 30, 2019

Can’t Contain Cam

Despite leaving Monday night’s game early on, Steelers DT Cam Heyward returned to put up a stellar night rushing the quarterback. In a 27-3 win, Pittsburgh sacked Bengals QB Andy Dalton eight times. Heyward recorded 2.5 of those sacks, giving him his highest single-game total since 2016. The big man also had six total tackles and a tackle for loss. (Image courtesy: steelers.com)

Cam Heyward left the #Steelers‘ 27-3 win over the Bengals in the first quarter with a thigh injury.

But he came back. And dominated. @HunterAHomistek has the latest injury update from Heinz Field: https://t.co/6KKyzGEBr9

— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPghSports) October 1, 2019

Cam Heyward knocking over all the Bengals pic.twitter.com/SY6g7nQLnB

— Benstonium (@Benstonium) October 1, 2019

27-3 with 3 mins left and Cam Heyward is busting tail 20 yards downfield to chase down a screen and set up 4th down

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 1, 2019