Wake Forest Athletics

Pro Deacs: Week 8
10/29/2024 10:13:00 AM | Football
Defensive stars put on show to highlight this week of Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In week eight of the 2024 NFL season, Pro Deacs were highlighted by multiple defensive stars having impactful performances in their respective games this past week.
Kobie Turner Leads Rams to Win in Primetime
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner had one of his best games of the 2024 season, leading the Los Angeles Rams in tackles in their 30-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. Turner led the Rams with six tackles (three solo), which is tied for his best tackling performance on the year. Turner also recorded a tackle for loss, bringing his season total to 2.5.
Turner, who was named a team captain in just his second season, currently has 17 solo tackles on the season, which is tied for seventh among defensive tackles. Turner's three sacks also ranks tied for 11th among defensive tackles and is tied for the most on the Rams.
Jessie Bates III Stars in Divisional Contest
Safety Jessie Bates III continued his great start to the 2024 season, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 31-26 win over NFC South rival Tampa Bay. In the win over the Buccaneers, Bates III forced his third fumble of the season by stripping running back Rashad White on the second play of the game. With that forced fumble, Bates III now ranks second in the league.
Bates III finished the game with five total tackles, three of which were solo tackles, as well as pass defense. Bates III also finished with a 90.9 PFF player rating, which was the highest rating amongst all Falcon defenders. On the year, Bates III has continued to be one of the best safeties in the league, currently holding a 75.7 PFF rating on the year to go along with his 34 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Strnad Stays Dominant in Denver
Linebacker Justin Strnad continued his dominant season for the Denver Broncos on Sunday, helping the Broncos move to 5-3 after a 28-14 win over the visiting Carolina Panthers. Strnad, who made his fifth consecutive start for Denver, finished the game with seven tackles, including five solo tackles, which both ranked second on the team. Strnad also tallied another tackle for loss, marking the fifth consecutive game that he had at least one TFL.
Strnad has become a major impact player for the Broncos, who are now 4-1 since he was moved into the starting lineup. With his seven tackles and five solo tackles, Strnad has now reached a new career high with 38 tackles and 28 solo tackles on the season. Strnad has also become one of the best linebackers in the NFL, holding an 81.6 PFF rating on the year, which is ranked 11th amongst all eligible linebackers.
Malik Mustapha Makes Crucial Breakup Against Dallas
Safety Malik Mustapha once again had an impressive performance for the San Francisco 49ers, highlighted by a crucial breakup to help the 49ers secure a 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. With the Cowboys driving late in the second-quarter, Mustapha made a last second breakup to prevent a would-be touchdown pass to help hold Dallas to a field goal. The 49ers would use some of that momentum in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered on their way to a much needed win to move to 4-4 on the young season.
Mustapha has impressed through the first eight games of his rookie season. Along with his breakup, Mustapha finished the game with five tackles, moving him to 30 tackles on the year. Mustapha has also only allowed four receptions on 11 targets this season while holding a 62.2 PFF rating, including a 70.2 PFF rush defense rating.
Ja'Sir Taylor Locks Down Saints
Cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor played lockdown defense on Sunday for the Los Angeles Chargers, who dismantled the New Orleans Saints 26-8. Taylor led the team with two pass breakups as the Chargers held the Chargers to 249 yards passing.
On the season, Taylor has recorded three pass breakups and holds a 78.6 PFF rating. Taylor has also been one of the best coverage corners in the NFL this season, ranking sixth among corners with an 84.6 PFF coverage rating.
#ProDeacs Week Nine Slate (All times eastern)
Kobie Turner Leads Rams to Win in Primetime
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner had one of his best games of the 2024 season, leading the Los Angeles Rams in tackles in their 30-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. Turner led the Rams with six tackles (three solo), which is tied for his best tackling performance on the year. Turner also recorded a tackle for loss, bringing his season total to 2.5.
Turner, who was named a team captain in just his second season, currently has 17 solo tackles on the season, which is tied for seventh among defensive tackles. Turner's three sacks also ranks tied for 11th among defensive tackles and is tied for the most on the Rams.
Jessie Bates III Stars in Divisional Contest
Safety Jessie Bates III continued his great start to the 2024 season, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 31-26 win over NFC South rival Tampa Bay. In the win over the Buccaneers, Bates III forced his third fumble of the season by stripping running back Rashad White on the second play of the game. With that forced fumble, Bates III now ranks second in the league.
.@jlbiii3 coming in HOT
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 27, 2024
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/Umh3TxlUST
JBIII doing his thing again, @jlbiii3 🎩
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 27, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGEABo pic.twitter.com/ntZSKaTnFO
Bates III finished the game with five total tackles, three of which were solo tackles, as well as pass defense. Bates III also finished with a 90.9 PFF player rating, which was the highest rating amongst all Falcon defenders. On the year, Bates III has continued to be one of the best safeties in the league, currently holding a 75.7 PFF rating on the year to go along with his 34 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Strnad Stays Dominant in Denver
Linebacker Justin Strnad continued his dominant season for the Denver Broncos on Sunday, helping the Broncos move to 5-3 after a 28-14 win over the visiting Carolina Panthers. Strnad, who made his fifth consecutive start for Denver, finished the game with seven tackles, including five solo tackles, which both ranked second on the team. Strnad also tallied another tackle for loss, marking the fifth consecutive game that he had at least one TFL.
Meet em at the line, @jsgarbs 👊
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 27, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGF8qW pic.twitter.com/kJIhFljlIT
Strnad has become a major impact player for the Broncos, who are now 4-1 since he was moved into the starting lineup. With his seven tackles and five solo tackles, Strnad has now reached a new career high with 38 tackles and 28 solo tackles on the season. Strnad has also become one of the best linebackers in the NFL, holding an 81.6 PFF rating on the year, which is ranked 11th amongst all eligible linebackers.
Malik Mustapha Makes Crucial Breakup Against Dallas
Safety Malik Mustapha once again had an impressive performance for the San Francisco 49ers, highlighted by a crucial breakup to help the 49ers secure a 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. With the Cowboys driving late in the second-quarter, Mustapha made a last second breakup to prevent a would-be touchdown pass to help hold Dallas to a field goal. The 49ers would use some of that momentum in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered on their way to a much needed win to move to 4-4 on the young season.
Malik Mustapha's incredible pass breakup was easily one of the best plays of the night. He took 4 points way from Dallas and kept this a one score game at the time 🔒 pic.twitter.com/lV7XoaTzZ8
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 28, 2024
Mustapha has impressed through the first eight games of his rookie season. Along with his breakup, Mustapha finished the game with five tackles, moving him to 30 tackles on the year. Mustapha has also only allowed four receptions on 11 targets this season while holding a 62.2 PFF rating, including a 70.2 PFF rush defense rating.
Ja'Sir Taylor Locks Down Saints
Cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor played lockdown defense on Sunday for the Los Angeles Chargers, who dismantled the New Orleans Saints 26-8. Taylor led the team with two pass breakups as the Chargers held the Chargers to 249 yards passing.
On the season, Taylor has recorded three pass breakups and holds a 78.6 PFF rating. Taylor has also been one of the best coverage corners in the NFL this season, ranking sixth among corners with an 84.6 PFF coverage rating.
#ProDeacs Week Nine Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 28 defeated Miami Dolphins 27
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Sage Surratt (ARI - IR)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 28 defeated Miami Dolphins 27
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 31 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 29 defeated Baltimore Ravens 24
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 30 defeated Dallas Cowboys 24
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- A.T. Perry (DEN - PS)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 28 defeated Carolina Panthers 14
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 28 defeated Carolina Panthers 14
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 30 defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 27
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 8
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 30 defeated Minnesota Vikings 20
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Luke Masterson (LV - IR)
- Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 27 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 20
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 27 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 20
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 30 defeated Minnesota Vikings 20
- This Week: Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Herron (NO - IR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 8
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. (NYG - PS)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 26 defeated New York Giants 18
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 30 defeated Dallas Cowboys 24
- This Week: Bye Week
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 18 defeated Chicago Bears 15
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
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