Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week 7
10/22/2024 9:52:00 AM | Football
Justin Strnad’s dominant defensive performance in primetime leads the way for Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In week seven of the 2024 NFL season, Pro Deacs were highlighted by Justin Strnad's dominant performance, as well as consistent performances by both NFL veterans and rookies.
Justin Strnad Leads Denver to Blowout Win in Primetime
Linebacker Justin Strnad continued his incredible season for the Denver Broncos, helping them secure a blowout 33-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Strnad, who made his fourth consecutive start for the Broncos, led the team in tackles, securing nine tackles, including six solo tackles. Strnad also picked up another sack against the Saints, bringing his total on the season to three.
After playing primarily on special teams the past two seasons, Strnad has become a constant presence for the Broncos defense and has returned to the production he had during his rookie season in 2021. Strnad has already matched his career high of 23 solo tackles and is only two tackles away from matching his 2021 total of 33 total tackles. Strnad also holds an 82.7 overall rating on PFF, which is the sixth highest amongst all NFL linebackers, while his 89.2 PFF rating for run defense ranks fourth.
Bachman Records First Career Catch, Earns Spot on Active Roster
Last week, wide receiver Alex Bachman's wait for his first career NFL catch came to an end against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bachman, who graduated from Wake Forest in 2018, recorded three catches for 31 yards in the Raiders' 32-13 loss. Bachman, who has primarily been a practice squad player during his career in the league, was called up from the practice squad against the Cleveland Browns in week four and has once again signed to the active roster following the Devante Adams trade to the New York Jets.
Light the Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch extended his reception streak to fourteen consecutive games on Monday Night Football, recording one catch for a touchdown to help the Arizona Cardinals squeeze past the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15. The touchdown reception was Dortch's first touchdown of the 2024 season and moved him up to 20 catches for 179 yards through the first seven games.
On the other side, Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor recorded one pass defense and a tackle for loss.
Multiple Deacs Continue to Put Up Consistent Numbers on Defense
Safety Jessie Bates III continued his solid 2024 campaign against the Seattle Seahawks as he tallied two solo tackles in a 34-14 loss at home. His two solo tackles brings his total to 29, which is tied for 38th in the league and 13th amongst safeties.
Safety Malik Mustapha continued his rookie season for the San Francisco 49ers, as he recorded two solo tackles in a 28-18 loss in a Super Bowl rematch to the Kansas City Chiefs. In his rookie season, Mustapha has recorded 25 total tackles and 13 solo tackles, which both rank inside the top-10 for the San Francisco defense.
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner also put together a solid performance in week seven, recording three tackles in the Los Angeles Rams' 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Turner, who was named a team captain in just his second season, has tallied 22 tackles, including 11 solo tackles, three sacks and forced a fumble on the year.
#ProDeacs Week Eight Slate (All times eastern)
Justin Strnad Leads Denver to Blowout Win in Primetime
Linebacker Justin Strnad continued his incredible season for the Denver Broncos, helping them secure a blowout 33-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Strnad, who made his fourth consecutive start for the Broncos, led the team in tackles, securing nine tackles, including six solo tackles. Strnad also picked up another sack against the Saints, bringing his total on the season to three.
After playing primarily on special teams the past two seasons, Strnad has become a constant presence for the Broncos defense and has returned to the production he had during his rookie season in 2021. Strnad has already matched his career high of 23 solo tackles and is only two tackles away from matching his 2021 total of 33 total tackles. Strnad also holds an 82.7 overall rating on PFF, which is the sixth highest amongst all NFL linebackers, while his 89.2 PFF rating for run defense ranks fourth.
Bachman Records First Career Catch, Earns Spot on Active Roster
Last week, wide receiver Alex Bachman's wait for his first career NFL catch came to an end against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bachman, who graduated from Wake Forest in 2018, recorded three catches for 31 yards in the Raiders' 32-13 loss. Bachman, who has primarily been a practice squad player during his career in the league, was called up from the practice squad against the Cleveland Browns in week four and has once again signed to the active roster following the Devante Adams trade to the New York Jets.
Light the Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch extended his reception streak to fourteen consecutive games on Monday Night Football, recording one catch for a touchdown to help the Arizona Cardinals squeeze past the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15. The touchdown reception was Dortch's first touchdown of the 2024 season and moved him up to 20 catches for 179 yards through the first seven games.
Someone order a Greg Dortch TD?
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
📺: #LACvsAZ on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hptgo4qY0f
On the other side, Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor recorded one pass defense and a tackle for loss.
Multiple Deacs Continue to Put Up Consistent Numbers on Defense
Safety Jessie Bates III continued his solid 2024 campaign against the Seattle Seahawks as he tallied two solo tackles in a 34-14 loss at home. His two solo tackles brings his total to 29, which is tied for 38th in the league and 13th amongst safeties.
Safety Malik Mustapha continued his rookie season for the San Francisco 49ers, as he recorded two solo tackles in a 28-18 loss in a Super Bowl rematch to the Kansas City Chiefs. In his rookie season, Mustapha has recorded 25 total tackles and 13 solo tackles, which both rank inside the top-10 for the San Francisco defense.
The Nigerian Missle 🇳🇬
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 20, 2024
pic.twitter.com/LNnxg7QJ8y
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner also put together a solid performance in week seven, recording three tackles in the Los Angeles Rams' 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Turner, who was named a team captain in just his second season, has tallied 22 tackles, including 11 solo tackles, three sacks and forced a fumble on the year.
#ProDeacs Week Eight Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 17 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 15
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sage Surratt (ARI - IR)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 17 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 15
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 34 defeated Atlanta Falcons 14
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 21 defeated Cleveland Browns 14
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- A.T. Perry (DEN - PS)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 33 defeated New Orleans Saints 10
- This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 33 defeated New Orleans Saints 10
- This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 24 defeated Houston Texans 22
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 17 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 15
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 20 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 15
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Luke Masterson (LV - IR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 20 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 15
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 20 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 15
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 31 defeated Minnesota Vikings 29
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Justin Herron (NO - IR)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 33 defeated New Orleans Saints 10
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. (NYG)
- Last Week: Philadelphia Eagles 28 defeated New York Giants 3
- This Week: New York Giants vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 28 defeated San Francisco 49ers 18
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 40 defeated Carolina Panthers 7
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
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