Former Hawkeye football defenders have proved Iowa is a defensive powerhouse across the fourth week of NFL action.
Jewell, a Carolina Panthers linebacker, continues to show he’s one of the better linebackers in the league, logging three solo tackles and four assisted tackles in the 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Additionally, the Denver Broncos’ defense is the sole reason for the team’s 10-9 victory over the New York Jets. Broncos safety Riley Moss finished with seven solo tackles, one solo tackle, and one deflected pass.
Linebacker Jack Campbell helped hold off a flowing Seattle Seahawks offense by furnishing six solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble in the 42-29 win for the Lions.
Jack Campbell punches it out 🤜#SEAvsDET | 📺 ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/w8mv28bq1t
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 1, 2024
The Tennessee Titans secured their first win of the season over the Miami Dolphins, 31-12. Titans safety Amani Hooker accumulated three solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and one deflected pass in the win.
Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness’ three solo tackles wasn’t enough to help Green Bay complete the comeback, suffering a 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Linebacker Anthony Nelson logged an all-around performance of three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit in the Bucs’ 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
But the Buffalo Bills had no answers for the Baltimore Ravens on both sides of the ball, more specifically on defense, in the 35-10 loss. Linebacker AJ Epenesa finished with one solo tackle.
Iowa tight end matchup
Former Iowa tight ends in the Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta and Seattle Seahawks’ Noah Fant went head-to-head during primetime football Monday night.
LaPorta’s lack of extreme production continued as he furnished four catches for just 53 yards, while Fant saw limited production too with two catches for 26 yards.
Still, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle reeled in an absurd touchdown catch over three New England Patriots defenders as a part of his four catches for 45 yards in the 30-13 win.
George Kittle… MOSSSSS… GIMME THAT
Iowa Legend went and snatched that.. what a tud
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 29, 2024
Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. logged his third-straight game with exactly four catches on four targets, this time going for 28 yards in the win.
Big men dealing
Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum was as important as any lineman in Week 4, with running back Derrick Henry going for 199 yards and two touchdowns on the Bills.
Linderbaum made key blocks on both touchdown runs, opening the hole for Henry to hit the gap and dash off to the end zone.
Tyler Linderbaum blocked his guy 15 yards down the field, flipped over him, then didn’t even watch as Derrick Henry raced toward the end zone.
An NFL center’s no-look shot. 😂 pic.twitter.com/WIz5ujGABh
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 30, 2024
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson played a part in running back Kyren Williams’ fourth-straight game with a touchdown too. Despite that, though, the Rams still suffered a 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears.
The Jacksonville Jaguars dropped to 0-4 on the season after the 24-20 loss to the Houston Texans.
According to PFF, Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff was the second-highest ranked player for his team at 81.5 and guided the team to 158 rushing yards on the day.
Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs continues to shine on a week-in, week-out basis for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Posting an 82.3 rating, the Bucs amassed 111 rushing yards and a whopping 347 passing yards in the blowout win.
But in worse news — Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels tore his achilles in the 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season. He’s now the third Steelers offensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury.
2023 Hawkeyes stand out
Chicago Bears punter Tory Taylor stole the show in the 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams — the same way he did when he was at Iowa last season.
He kicked five punts, averaging 55.4 yards, including three punts going for more than 60 yards.
Five punts averaging 55.4 yards – 51, 64, 61, 66, 35 (from the LAR 43). Throw out the last one and he averaged 60.5.
Tory Taylor is as valuable as anybody for the Chicago Bears. pic.twitter.com/cdhWh2qasW
— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) September 29, 2024
And the Philadelphia Eagles finally used Cooper DeJean as a punt returner in the game against Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, his one punt return resulted in a fumble, but this won’t be the last time DeJean will see opportunities as a return man.
Per Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, DeJean is “closing in” on earning a starting cornerback spot. He’s expected to make his first appearance after the team’s Week 5 bye.