Tag: Badgers in NFL

Former Wisconsin linebacker dominates in Eagles’ win over Cowboys

Former Wisconsin linebacker dominates in Eagles’ win over Cowboys

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zack Baun was a key force in the Philadelphia Eagles’ blowout win vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 10.

After registering 10 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception in the Eagles’ 28-23 win over Jacksonville last week, Baun recorded eight tackles, one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery vs. the struggling Cowboys on Sunday.

As he appears to be every week, Baun was everywhere for the Eagles on Sunday. The play that personified his day arrived early in the fourth quarter when Baun made a solo tackle against fellow UW alumnus Jake Ferguson in the open field.

Edwards lowered his shoulder and caused the sturdy tight end to fumble, resulting in a Reed Blankenship recovery and possession flip in favor of the Eagles. Philadelphia would capitalize with a field goal on the ensuing drive to pull ahead 34-6.

Baun addressed his versatility with media following the dominant victory at AT&T Stadium.

“During my time in New Orleans people said I was an on-ball linebacker, but I was putting in the time, putting in just the same amount of work as the starters were to prepare for a moment like this,” Baun told reporters after the game.

Through eight appearances with Philadelphia this season, Baun has recorded 87 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one three forced fumbles.

This dominant form arrives in his just first season with the Eagles. Baun played four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-23 before transitioning to a starting role at inside linebacker with the Eagles.

Baun compared the change from NFL franchises to his high school football tenure.

“I compare it a lot to the time I transferred high schools. I was kind of uncomfortable…and when I transferred, I felt like I could be myself, and be me,” Baun said. “That’s exactly how I feel with this team. They embrace me so much. Everyone just accepts me, and the people in the building made it really easy for me to transition.”

His Eagles return to the turf for another division match on Nov. 14, this time against the Washington Commanders.

Former Wisconsin linebacker blocks field goal to extend Chiefs’ record win streak

Former Wisconsin linebacker blocks field goal to extend Chiefs’ record win streak

This story was updated to add new information.

Former Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal clinched the Kansas City Chiefs’ 15th straight win with a blocked field goal on Sunday.

The play arrived on the final sequence of the game in Arrowhead Stadium. After Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix orchestrated a 43-yard drive in the final six minutes of play, kicker Will Lutz squared up for a 35-yard field goal attempt with just one second remaining on the clock.

Immediately after the ball was snapped and Lutz kicked the attempt, Chenal darted between two Broncos offensive tackles, leaped with both hands outstretched and blocked the field goal to secure the Chiefs’ victory.

The team’s ongoing 15-game win streak dating back to December 2023, including both regular season and playoffs, is the eighth-longest in NFL history. It is only three games shy of five teams that reached 18 straight wins, including the 2007 New England Patriots and 1989-90 San Francisco 49ers. The all-time record is 21 straight wins, held by the 2003-04 Patriots.

Outside of the blocked kick, Chenal tallied four tackles on the day. Through eight games this season, he has posted 33 total tackles, 22 solo tackles and three pass deflections.

Chenal has emerged as one of the more dependable playmakers in arguably the best defensive unit across the NFL this season. Kansas City now improves to 9-0 on the season in pursuit of the organization’s third straight Super Bowl.

Former Wisconsin linebacker impresses prominent media personality

Former Wisconsin linebacker impresses prominent TV personality

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zack Baun showcased his versatility in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The former Badger finished the contest with 10 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker and media personality at FS1 broke down Baun’s play vs. the Jaguars on Thursday morning.

On the first two defensive sequences for the Eagles, Baun can be seen breaking up a deep pass down the right sideline before squaring up parallel to the line of scrimmage and tackling running back Travis Etienne Jr.

The fourth play of the game features Baun making a difficult open-field tackle on Etienne Jr. once more.

Acho proceeds with the highlights and alludes to Baun’s ability to orchestrate perfect defensive positioning as a curl flat defender.

Here’s his full breakdown of Baun’s performance:

Through eight appearances with Philadelphia this season, Baun has recorded 79 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. That interception came during the highlighted performance.

Acho notably refers to Baun as a top five linebacker in the NFL up to this point of the 2024 season. With the way he’s playing, it’s hard to argue against the position.

Baun’s Eagles sit at 6-2 through eight games. They will next face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Former Wisconsin wide receiver records first career NFL catch

Former Wisconsin wide receiver records first career NFL catch

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor recorded his first career NFL catch with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

After being activated off the practice squad for Cincinnati’s ninth game of the 2024 season, Pryor joined wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin as patch-catchers during the team’s 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pryor’s big moment arrived early in the third quarter of the Bengals’ fourth scoring drive of the game. Quarterback Joe Burrow launched a nine-yard pass to Pryor, the third play of what would shape out to be a 10-play drive that pushed the Bengals ahead 24-13.

“It was a run play changed to a pass and Kendric gets his first NFL catch. … Kendric didn’t know he was playing until Saturday at noon,” Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor told media following Sunday’s win.

The catch also came on Pryor’s only target of the game. After entering three separate seasons as a member of several practice squads, including Jacksonville in 2022 and Cincinnati from 2023-24, the wait appeared worth it.

From 2016-2020 with Wisconsin, Pryor recorded 99 catches for 1,265 yards and seven touchdowns in 53 appearances.

Former Wisconsin linebacker grabs first interception of 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin linebacker grabs first interception of 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun snagged his first interception of the 2024 season in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The sequence came on a first-down play from the Jaguars’ 33-yard line. After quarterback Trevor Lawrence dropped back and completed a pass to running back Travis Etienne Jr. for a short gain, the ball popped up in the air and was corralled by a diving Baun near the 40-yard line.

The play prevented Jacksonville from driving down the field and chipping into its 10-0 deficit before the end of the second frame.

On Philadelphia’s ensuing drive, running back Saquon Barkley accelerated into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 16-0 in favor of the Eagles.

Here’s the full play:

On the day, Baun tallied a team-best 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, two deflections and the interception. Through eight games, the first-year Eagle has notched 79 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.

Baun’s 79 tackles are the 11th-most among qualified defenders this season. He is the only player in the top 11 who has played fewer than nine games.

Philadelphia is now 6-2 and will face Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Wisconsin legend wreaks havoc against Giants during ‘Monday Night Football’

Wisconsin legend wreaks havoc against Giants during Monday Night Football

Wisconsin great T.J. Watt notched another game-changing output in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-18 win over the New York Giants on Monday.

Roughly one week removed from a quiet performance against the New York Jets on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ Watt reminded onlookers of his defensive dominance before yet another national audience.

Watt registered five solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery against the Giants as the Steelers registered their sixth win of the season.

Watt’s most impactful sequence arrived in a crucial spot during the fourth quarter. With Daniel Jones and the Giants on the Steelers’ 19-yard line down just eight points, Watt sprinted past New York offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor to strip-sack Jones and flip possession.

Even though the Giants put together another possession in the fourth, the play essentially sealed the deal for Mike Tomlin’s squad. Watt now leads the league with four forced fumbles and remains the most dominant player on a defense many consider the NFL’s most elite unit.

Watt and company will be back in action against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10.

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads Steelers to Monday Night Football win

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads Steelers to Monday Night Football win

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win over the New York Giants to close Week 8 of the NFL season.

The former Badger threw for 278 yards and one touchdown in the Steelers’ 26-18 victory. That performance follows his 264-yard, two-touchdown debut as the Steelers starter in Week 7.

Wilson served as a game manager throughout the contest, but he made the most critical plays when it mattered most. In the fourth quarter, Wilson tossed a 29-yard dime to wide receiver Calvin Austin III for Pittsburgh’s first offensive touchdown of the evening.

Outside of that show-stopping play, Wilson also completed a 36-yard pass to Van Jefferson at the end of the third quarter and a 43-yard toss to wide receiver George Pickens in the fourth frame.

While head coach Mike Tomlin’s took a risk in sidelining quarterback Justin Fields in favor of Wilson, it appears to be working in the Steelers’ favor. Through two games, Wilson has thrown for over 500 yards and three touchdowns. Plus, he has yet to throw an interception.

Wilson projects to be at the helm once more when his squad squares off against the Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Former Wisconsin linebacker played role during Commanders game-winning Hail Mary

Former Wisconsin linebacker played big role during Commanders game-winning Hail Mary

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards appeared to serve as the ‘spy’ on Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels during the Commanders’ miraculous game-winning Hail Mary on Sunday.

Assigned to cover dynamic Washington quarterback Daniels during the play, Edwards is seen roaming the middle of the field to prevent the former Heisman Trophy winner from rushing in the game’s waning seconds.

The play ultimately resulted in an unlikely touchdown after Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tipped Daniel’s pass backward to wide receiver Noah Brown. Brown — who was positioned in the perfect place at the most opportune time. Brown caught the game-winning touchdown, wide open behind a pile of Commanders pass-catchers and Bears defenders.

While several talking heads and social media users may be debating whether Edwards’ role as the spying linebacker was essential or not, the play was predicated on luck. The odds of Edwards playing any type of role in a pass breakup play aren’t zero, but they’re low.

Edwards finished the game with six total tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack. The Bears next game is schedule for Sunday, Nov. 3 on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.

Wisconsin legend scores touchdown in return from injury

Wisconsin legend scores touchdown in return from injury

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reached the end zone in his first game in nearly a month on Sunday vs. the Houston Texans.

After being sidelined for three consecutive weeks with a high ankle injury, Taylor suited up for the Colts in the team’s eighth game of the year against division foe Houston at NRG Stadium.

The two-time Doak Walker Award winner took 20 carries for 105 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the Colts’ 23-20 loss.

Taylor’s score arrived at the 8:33-minute mark of the fourth quarter. With the ball at Houston’s one-yard line, quarterback Anthony Richardson handed the ball to Taylor. The Badger alumnus lowered his shoulder and powered into the end zone to cut the Texans’ lead to 23-19.

The Colts continued to fumble and punt on their final two possessions, failing to erase the three-point deficit.

Despite Taylor’s extensive injury history, his output this season is on par with what he produced in years prior. In just five games, Taylor has rushed 92 times for 454 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He has also reeled in seven passes for 89 yards.

Taylor and the Colts will face Minnesota Vikings in their next game of the 2024 season on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 7:20 p.m. CT in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WATCH: Badgers great Braelon Allen scores third touchdown of rookie season

WATCH: Badgers great Braelon Allen scores third touchdown of rookie season

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current New York Jets running back Braelon Allen reached the end zone for the third time in his young NFL career on Sunday.

The moment arrived with three minutes to spare in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ Week 8 contest against the New England Patriots. Down 17-16 at the Patriots’ two-yard line, Allen received a handoff from four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and powered through a pile of linemen to push New York ahead 22-17.

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett would lead New England down the field for a game-winning drive in the game’s final seconds. With the loss, New York fell to 2-6 on the year.

The score marked the first time the former Badger reached the end zone since his two-touchdown output in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. After failing to surpass 13 rushing yards over his previous three games, he rushed 12 times for 32 yards in the Jets’ 25-22 loss.

Allen has now rushed 49 times for 187 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He has also reeled in nine catches for 74 receiving yards and one touchdown.

The Jets will be back in action on Thursday, Oct. 31 against the Houston Texans.