Buckeyes in the NFL – Week 10

Michael Thomas: MVP?

Saints WR Michael Thomas put together another ridiculous performance in Sunday’s 26-9 loss to Atlanta further solidifies his title as best receiver in the league. Thomas got targeted 14 times and caught 13 passes for 152 yards. Through nine games this season, he leads the league in receiving yards. He’s established the fastest start to a season AND a career at the position. He’s vying to become the only WR to ever win league MVP. Should we keep going … ? (Image courtesy: neworleanssaints.com)

Now Mike Thomas that is just FILTHY #Saints #Saints #Saints pic.twitter.com/UcNfMyvOrE

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 10, 2019

Saints WR Michael Thomas is now up to 81 catches this season, the most by any player through 9 games in NFL history. It’s the middle of the third quarter.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 10, 2019

Most receptions, first 4 years of a career
Michael Thomas – 407
Jarvis Landry – 400
Anquan Boldin – 342
Larry Fitzgerald – 330
A.J. Green – 329

The man has 7 games left in his 4th season.

— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) November 11, 2019

Current MVP candidates: Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Christian McCaffrey, Michael Thomas.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 4, 2019

BIA in the Big Easy

The Saints and Falcons combined to put four former Buckeyes in the secondary when the teams met on Sunday. Between them, they registered 19 tackles. For New Orleans, SAF Vonn Bell was the second-leading tackler with seven. CB Eli Apple wasn’t far behind after he notched five tackles, and CB Marshon Lattimore had two on the afternoon. Lattimore also nicely broke up a pass. On the victorious Atlanta’s side, CB Kendall Sheffield scored himself five total tackles and a pass breakup. (Image courtesy: neworleanssaints.com)

Rookie CB Kendall Sheffield had the best game of his young career yesterday. He recorded a coverage grade of 89.9 on 53 coverage snaps.

Sheffield was targeted 7 times and allowed 5 receptions for only 28 yards and 0 First Downs or Touchdowns.

— PFF ATL Falcons (@PFF_Falcons) November 11, 2019

These defenders are ELITE defending the run! pic.twitter.com/O1ClTlXLpA

— PFF (@PFF) November 10, 2019

Marshon Lattimore was having none of it @shonrp2 pic.twitter.com/7jXWf9UssZ

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 10, 2019

In the Middle in Miami

Speaking of tackles, Miami LB Jerome Baker is proving no other current Dolphin can rack them up as well as he can. The team’s leading tackler recorded eight more and came up with a big sack on Sunday to help propel Miami to its second-straight win, this time a 16-12 W over the Colts. Baker’s partner in crime, LB Raekwon McMillan, also had a significant stat-line, posting five solo tackles and breaking up a pass. (Image courtesy: dolphins.com)

Jerome Baker untouched #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/QsIrrvJ3a0

— Greg Likens (@GregLikens) November 10, 2019

#Dolphins LB Jerome Baker: Two wins in a row feels ‘amazing’ | VIDEO https://t.co/QodAsmOGd4

— SunSentinel Dolphins (@SSMiamiDolphins) November 11, 2019

That @OhioStateFB connection

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 8, 2019

Cam, The Man

The Steelers won their fourth straight game with a 17-12 victory over the Rams in large part due to their defense. The defense is playing the way it is in large part due to the impact of guys like DT Cam Heyward. The veteran contributed three total tackles, two passes batted at the line of scrimmage, one sack and one tackle for loss, and feels good about his leadership on a dominant defense. (Image courtesy: steelers.com)

Cam Heyward creates so much leverage with his body lean I don’t know how linemen can prevent the pocket from being collapsed.

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 10, 2019

That’s a W. On to the next one… https://t.co/rD2QH1zCkf

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) November 11, 2019

“We rotated a little bit, but whoo, that was a heck of a game.” — Cam Heyward’s on his rising snap counthttps://t.co/LpTPI6oTio

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 11, 2019

Samuel Still Shining

In his Panthers’ 24-16 nail-biting loss, WR Curtis Samuel continued to shine. His early TD catch provided two of his 35 yards on the day, and one of his four receptions. In the last four games, Samuel has scored four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing), and is giving an impressive Carolina offense plenty of opportunities for firepower. (Image courtesy: panthers.com)

Kyle Allen Curtis Samuel#CARvsGB

(via @NFL)

pic.twitter.com/W570hsWD2a

— PFF (@PFF) November 10, 2019

Such a simple route, but Curtis Samuel executes it perfectly. Made for an easy completion that ate up a lot of yards late in the game yesterday.

pic.twitter.com/9st0nZj5H4

— Crown Sports Charlotte (@CrownSportsCHA) November 11, 2019

Return of Denzel Ward

Want evidence Denzel Ward is returning to form coming off his injury? Look no further than Cleveland’s 19-16 win over the Bills on Sunday. Back in his No. 1 CB role, Ward broke up two passes and allowed three catches on 10 targets. He also registered four total tackles in a seemingly must-win game for his hometown Browns. (Image courtesy: browns.com)

I thought Denzel Ward was awesome for the Browns today.

— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) November 10, 2019

Great coverage by Denzel Ward! Forces a 3 and out.

— Everything Cleveland (@EverythingCLE_) November 10, 2019

#Browns CB Denzel Ward in coverage this past Sunday vs. #GoBills (PFF):

• 82.6 coverage grade
• 3 receptions on 10 targets
• 39.6 passer rating

He has returned to 2018 form since returning from injury in Week 8.

You love to see it.

— Cody Suek (@WFNYCody) November 12, 2019

Dwayne’s the Future in DC

Washington’s recent bye week consisted of rest, reevaluation, and a big reveal. The Redskins announced Sunday that QB Dwayne Haskins has been named the start for the rest of the season. The 15th overall pick has started one game this season, against Buffalo, and he completed 15 of his 22 passes for 144 yards. He also ran the ball three times and gained 14 yards. Safe to say those numbers should start to improve with more quality snaps as QB1. (Image courtesy: redskins.com)

Thank you God #TMC #HTTR https://t.co/jJjsar5dAn

— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) November 11, 2019

36 hours after an ugly loss in Minnesota, Bill Callahan got a surprise visit from Dwayne Haskins. The rookie had one question: “How do I get better?” https://t.co/Vhl88umOs3

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 12, 2019