Tag: PFF

Que’Sean Brown and Ozzie Nicholas named to PFF Week 11 ACC Team of the Week

Following a big win over the NC State Wolfpack, two Duke football players earned a spot on the Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week.

Week 11 of the 2024 college football season saw the Duke Blue Devils notch another win, this time against in-state rival NC State. Two members of the team in particular starred en route to earning spots on the Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week.

Redshirt freshman [autotag]Que’Sean Brown[/autotag] earned one of two wide receiver spots on the conference squad while linebacker [autotag]Ozzie Nicholas[/autotag] worked his way onto the defensive side.

Brown finished the game with five receptions for 88 yards, leading the team in both categories. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound receiver also made the Pro Football Focus team after his 11-reception performance against Connecticut in Week 3, and he now has 31 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Nicholas, who transferred into the program from Princeton this offseason, recorded four solo tackles and two additional assists on the day. He also forced one fumble, the third turnover he’s created in the past four games. He played a major role in the team’s run defense, which held former Blue Devils star Jordan Waters to 25 yards on 11 attempts.

Nicholas earned ACC Linebacker of the Week earlier in the season after he forced a fumble and intercepted a pass on consecutive defensive plays against the Florida State Seminoles in Week 8.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 10 win over Titans

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Titans.

In Week 10, the Chargers defeated the Titans, 27-17.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert — 91.6

FB Tucker Fisk — 73.8

OL Zion Johnson — 72.8

TE Will Dissly — 72.6

OT Joe Alt — 72.0

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu — 71.2

EDGE Bud Dupree — 69.1

CB Cam Hart — 67.4

DT Poona Ford — 67.3

DT Morgan Fox — 67.1

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Quentin Johnston — 55.7

RB J.K. Dobbins — 52.8

WR Jalen Reagor — 50.9

OL Foster Sarell — 50.0

FB Scott Matlock — 49.6

Bottom 5 Defense

S Alohi Gilman — 57.3

LB Denzel Perryman — 52.7

EDGE Joey Bosa — 51.1

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 45.0

DT Teair Tart — 34.2

Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from loss vs. Chiefs

Bo Nix (72.6) received the third-best grade among the Broncos’ offensive players on Sunday. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 10 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 10 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE Lucas Krull: 78.6
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 73.3
  • QB Bo Nix: 72.6
  • OT Garet Bolles: 69.1
  • C Luke Wattenberg: 65.2

Despite the offense not scoring in the second half, it was a good performance from Nix (just ask Patrick Mahomes). Nix put the team in position to win at the end.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 74.4
  • DL D.J. Jones: 72.9
  • CB Pat Surtain: 72.8
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 70.5
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 70.5

A huge game for Denver’s defensive line and pass rush as outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman (69.8) received the sixth-best grade on defense. No Baron Browning, no problem. Inside linebacker Cody Barton (68.1) was seventh.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • OL Ben Powers: 46.8
  • FB Michael Burton: 51.7
  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 55.3
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 56.4
  • RB Javonte Williams: (57.6)

It looks like the Broncos are making a change at running back: Audric Estime (60.5) was ranked 10th on offense this week. Estime (26) led the backfield in snaps, followed by Williams (17) and McLaughlin (7).

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DB P.J. Locke: 38.9
  • DB Brandon Jones: 48.8
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 50.2
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 55.2
  • CB Riley Moss: 57.9

A day to forget for Denver’s safeties, although the illegal contact penalty called against Jones was highly controversial. Justin Strnad (59.0) was the sixth-worst defender. His snaps were declining with the emergence of Kwon Alexander from Weeks 7-9, but Alexander is out of practice squad elevations and he did not dress on Sunday. The Broncos should probably find a spot for Alexander on the active roster so he can play in the final seven games.

Special Teams 

  • ST Levelle Bailey: 68.9
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 43.0
  • R Marvin Mims: 59.7
  • K Wil Lutz: 56.4 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 59.8

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Georgia’s loss to Ole Miss

Georgia football’s PFF grades from the Ole Miss game have been announced.

The Georgia Bulldogs suffered a 28-10 loss against the Ole Miss Rebels.  A big culprit of that was the UGA offense. Carson Beck played more hesitantly due to his turnover issues in games against Texas and Florida. The offensive line let him down and allowed five sacks.

They were arguably worse in the run-blocking department. The running game only generated a total of 59 yards on 33 carries, good for only 1.8 yards per rushing attempt. Overall, it was just a poor offensive showing.

The defense tried to pick up the slack, but they allowed seven different drives to end in points. One reason was because the Georgia offense turned the ball over three times, which put the defense in some terrible situations.

Highest and lowest PFF grades from the Georgia offense and defense vs. Ole Miss

Offense

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Best Grades

Running Back Trevor Etienne: 70.4 overall grade, 61.6 receiving grade, 71.8 pass-blocking, 72.2 running game, 60.0 run-blocking grade

Left Guard Dylan Fairchild: 68.0 overall grade, 60.3 pass blocking grade, 70.1 run-blocking grade

Quarterback Carson Beck: 67.2 overall grade, 62.6 passing grade, 75.3 running grade

Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

Worst Grades

Wide Receiver Arian Smith: 46.0 overall grade, 50.6 receiving grade, 56.0 run blocking grade

Right Tackle Xavier Truss: 49.9 overall grade, 65,5 pass-blocking grade, 43.2 run-blocking grade

Right Guard Drew Bobo: 51.0 overall grade, 68.2 pass-blocking grade, 46.8 run-blocking grade

Defense

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Best Grades

Defensive Tackle Warren Brinson: 85.8 overall grade, 77.7 run-defense grade, 73.4 tackling grade, 79.8 pass-rushing grade; made All-SEC team

Nose Tackle Nasir Stackhouse: 76.6 overall grade, 77.0 run-defense grade, 75.2 tackling grade, 59.7 pass-rushing grade, 68.0 coverage grade

Right Defensive End Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: 73.4 overall grade, 80.4 run-defense grade, 73.6 tackling grade, 64.9 pass-rushing grade, 60.0 coverage grade

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Worst Grades:

Nose Tackle Jamaal Jarrett: 48.5 overall grade, 53.4 run-defense grade, 70.1 tackling grade, 60.0 pass-rush grade

Outside Linebacker Damon Wilson Jr.: 54.2 overall grade, 56.6 run-defense grade, 77.6 tackling grade, 62.5 pass-rush grade, 53.2 coverage grade

Slot Cornerback Joenel Aguero: 55.9 overall grade, 64.6 run-defense grade, 77.6 tackling grade, 60.0 pass-rush grade, 53.6 coverage grade

PFF stats for struggling Patriots rookie Ja’Lynn Polk are shockingly bad

Will Ja’Lynn Polk turn things around?

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is struggling in his rookie season, and there is statistical evidence to back up that statement.

The Washington product has recorded only 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown through nine weeks of the regular season. His lone touchdown came in the team’s season-opening victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

He recorded no receptions and was only targeted once last week against the Tennessee Titans. Pro Football Focus has Polk ranked last amongst 128 wide receivers with at least 10 targets on the season, per The Athletic’s Chad Graff.

Graff wrote:

“And the early returns from Polk? They rank him as the league’s worst wide receiver. Among 128 wide receivers with at least 10 targets, Polk is 128th in Pro Football Focus’ rankings, 128th in yards after the catch per reception, 127th in yards per route run and 126th (out of 126 receivers) at separation when targeted, per Next Gen Stats.”

The Patriots needed help at the wide receiver position heading into the 2024 NFL draft, and they selected Polk with the idea that he would be an important piece of the offense moving forward.

There is still time for him to turn things around, but the early returns have not been good.

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PFF Steelers teases big things for Russell Wilson’s new target, Mike Williams

Move over, George Pickens. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new contested target king in their latest wide receiver acquisition, Mike Williams.

Move over, George Pickens. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new contested target king in their latest wide receiver acquisition, Mike Williams.

Though Steelers Nation seemed mixed in their responses to the Williams trade, Pro Football Focus seems to think that Pittsburgh has a potential play-maker on its hands.

According to a tweet from PFF PIT, Williams has a 94.1 receiving grade (third), 91 receptions (second) and 1,495 yards (second) on contested targets since 2018

What should add to Williams’ contested targets success is his new quarterback, Russell Wilson.

Per Brooke Pryor, Steelers insider for ESPN, Wilson is tied with the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers for the most aggressive, tight-window throws (48) in the league since the stat started being tracked in 2016.

Wilson completed 4-of-11 tight-window attempts for a league-leading 112 yards and a touchdown to George Pickens in two games since returning to action.

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Steelers have toughest remaining Week 10-18 schedule, per PFF

According to Pro Football Focus, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL from Weeks 10 to 18.

After acquiring WR Mike Williams from the New York Jets and OLB Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers at the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers quickly shift their focus back onto their postseason aspirations.  Pittsburgh needed all the help it could get, however, as the team heads into what is shaping up to be an extremely difficult second half of the 2024 season.

Most Pittsburgh fans would shudder at the idea of hearing that their team would need to go head-to-head with what seems like five playoff contenders in nine weeks, and it appears the infamous and always polarizing Pro Football Focus would agree with them.

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PFF is correct in their assessment, as with nine tough matchups remaining, the Steelers will face the 7-2 Washington Commanders, the 6-3 Baltimore Ravens twice, the 4-5 Cincinnati Bengals twice, the 2-7 Cleveland Browns twice, the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles, and the undefeated 8-0 Kansas City Chiefs.

Can the newly upgraded Pittsburgh Steelers succeed in taking on this seemingly impossible second half gauntlet, or will the team come crashing back down to reality after an impressive first half start to the 2024 season?

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Best, worst PFF grades from Georgia vs Florida

Best, worst performing Georgia Bulldogs according to PFF from the Georgia-Florida matchup

The Georgia Bulldogs won an unimpressive game against the Florida Gators. Georgia had several solid performers that came out of the game. The defense, particularly the inside linebackers, were great in this game. Benjamin Yurosek had his best game in a Bulldog uniform so far. Tate Ratledge’s return was huge for the Georgia offensive line.

Even then, there were some massive holes that prevented Georgia from pulling away against Florida. Carson Beck had one of his worst games in his career. Malaki Starks was burnt on deep routes several times this game. The wide receiver room desperately misses Anthony Evans III and Colbie Young.

With that being said, here are the top three and bottom three PFF grades (subscription needed) from each side of the ball:

Offense

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Best Grades

Center Jared Wilson: 77.8 total, 84.7 pass-blocking grade, 72.3 run-blocking grade

Running Back Nate Frazier: 77.3 total, 76.8 running grade, 73.0 pass blocking grade

Running back Dwight Phillips Jr.: 75.2 total, 63.4 running grade

Worst Grades

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Tight End Lawson Luckie: 52.9 total, 58.1 receiving grade, 67.4 pass-blocking grade, 41.1 rush-blocking grade

Wide Receiver Sacovie White: 56.0 total, 57.5 receiving

Tight End Oscar Delp: 57.9 total, 68.5 receiving grade, 35.4 pass-blocking grade, 47.5 run-blocking grade

Defense

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Best Grades

Safety KJ Bolden: 83.3 total, 75.6 run defense grade, 82.6 tackling grade, 82.9 coverage grade

Linebacker C.J. Allen: 80.4 total, 72.2 run defense grade, 82.2 tackling grade, 60.5 pass rush grade, 80.5 coverage grade

Outside Linebacker Chaz Chambliss: 75.7 total, 74.5 run defense grade, 79.6 tackling grade, 68.5 pass rush game, 61.5 coverage grade

Worst Grades

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Safety Malaki Starks: 54.1 total, 69.9 run defense grade, 81.0 tackling grade, 47.3 coverage grade

Safety Kyron Jones: 54.7 total, 56.4 run defense grade, 61.0 coverage grade

Safety Joenel Aguero: 55.4 total, 61.0 run defense grade, 21.8 tackling grade, 54.3 coverage grade

Duke receiver Sahmir Hagans makes Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week in Week 10

Blue Devils wide receiver Sahmir Hagans was named to Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week for his 139-yard performance against Miami.

Week 10 of the college football regular season saw Duke fall to the Miami Hurricanes in a 53-31 shootout. However, despite the loss, wide receiver [autotag]Sahmir Hagans[/autotag] still worked his way to some national acclaim.

After a strong performance against the Hurricanes, Hagans earned one of two wide receiver spots on the Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week alongside Miami star Xavier Restrepo, who torched the Blue Devils’ defense all day long.

Hagans caught nine passes for 139 yards and one touchdown for the day, taking a 27-yard catch-and-run to the end zone that tied the game early in the second quarter.

The redshirt junior now has 32 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns on the season, third on the team in each category. Only Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol have been more productive.

Restrepo, on the other sideline, finished with eight receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

No other Blue Devils made the PFF team of the week, but running back Peyton Jones put together a strong day with 12 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 9 win over Browns

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Browns.

In Week 9, the Chargers defeated the Browns, 27-10.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater — 75.7

QB Justin Herbert — 74.7

WR Ladd McConkey — 72.6

WR Joshua Palmer — 70.8

WR Quentin Johnston — 70.1

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 89.0

LB Troy Dye — 86.9

S Derwin James — 85.7

S Alohi Gilman — 81.4

CB Tarheeb Still — 79.4

Bottom 5 Offense

OL Zion Johnson — 41.9

TE Will Dissly — 45.7

TE Eric Tomlinson — 51.5

RB Kimani Vidal — 51.9

WR Jalen Reagor — 53.8

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa — 46.0

CB Cam Hart — 47.6

DL Otito Ogbonnia — 48.0

LB Denzel Perryman — 53.3

EDGE Bud Dupree — 64.0