Malik Mustapha

Pro Deacs: Week Eight

10/28/2025 12:31:00 PM | Football

Malik Mustapha matched a career-high with 12 tackles on Sunday afternoon to highlight this week’s edition of Pro Deacs.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs returned for another action packed week during Week Eight of the 2025 NFL season, highlighted by Malik Mustapha matching a career-best performance, Justin Strnad recording another solid defensive effort and Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers picking up a win on Sunday Night Football.
 
Mustapha Matches Career-High Against Houston
Safety Malik Mustapha had one of his best games in his short professional career on Sunday as he and the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Houston Texans. Despite coming out on the wrong side of a 26-15 result, Mustapha matched his career-high with 12 tackles and six solo efforts, including a tackle for loss. This marked just the second time Mustapha has notched 10 or more tackles in a game, having totaled a career-best 12 tackles against Kansas City last season.
 
Despite missing the first five weeks of the season, Mustapha has quickly returned to the form he had during his incredible rookie season, where he totaled 72 tackles, 32 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. Through his first three games this season, Mustapha has totaled 20 tackles with 10 solo efforts and a TFL.
 
Strnad Continues Solid Start in Win
Linebacker Justin Strnad continued his solid start to his 2025 campaign on Sunday, as he and the Denver Broncos came away with a statement victory over the Dallas Cowboys, 44-24. Strnad totaled four tackles and a tackle for loss in the win. Strnad also recorded an 82.4 coverage grade and a 79.4 tackling grade by PFF for his efforts.
 
After having a career-best season last year, Strnad is currently on pace for another standout season, having totaled 34 tackles with 12 solo efforts and seven tackles for loss, a career-high 3.5 sacks, and an interception. He also holds a 70.6 PFF defensive grade, which ranks inside the top-50 among all linebackers this season.
 
Tom Helps Lead Green Bay to Primetime Victory
Zach Tom had one of his best games of the season as he helped the Green Bay Packers earn a 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Tom recorded a season-high 80.9 PFF grade, including a 94.8 run block grade, after helping the Packers total 454 total yards of offense. So far this season, Tom ranks inside the top-10 among tackles with an 80.9 PFF grade, as well as fifth among tackles with an 87.0 run block grade. Tom has also not allowed a single sack  and has only been called for one penalty this season.
 
#ProDeacs Week Nine Slate (All times eastern)
  • Greg Dortch (ARI)
    • Last Week: Bye Week
    • This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
  • Jessie Bates III (ATL)
    • Last Week: Miami Dolphins 34 defeated Atlanta Falcons 10
    • This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
  • Casey Washington (ATL)
    • Last Week: Miami Dolphins 34 defeated Atlanta Falcons 10
    • This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
  • Boogie Basham (CAR- PS)
    • Last Week: Buffalo Bills 40 defeated Carolina Panthers 9
    • This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
  • Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
    • Last Week: New England Patriots 32 defeated Cleveland Browns 13
    • This Week: Bye Week
  • Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
    • Last Week: New England Patriots 32 defeated Cleveland Browns 13
    • This Week: Bye Week
  • Caelen Carson (DAL - IR)
    • Last Week: Denver Broncos 44 defeated Dallas Cowboys 24
    • This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
  • Justin Strnad (DEN)
    • Last Week: Denver Broncos 44 defeated Dallas Cowboys 24
    • This Week: Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
  • Justin Herron (DET - IR)
    • Last Week: Bye Week 
    • This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
  • Zach Tom (GB)
    • Last Week: Green Bay Packers 35 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 25
    • This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
  • Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
    • Last Week: Bye Week
    • This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
  • Alex Bachman (LV)
    • Last Week: Bye Week
    • This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
  • Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
    • Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 37 defeated Minnesota Vikings 10
    • This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
  • Kobie Turner (LAR)
    • Last Week: Bye Week
    • This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
  • Michael Jurgens (MIN)
    • Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 37 defeated Minnesota Vikings 10
    • This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
  • Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT)
    • Last Week: Green Bay Packers 35 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 25
    • This Week: Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
  • Malik Mustapha (SF)
    • Last Week: Houston Texans 26 defeated San Francisco 49ers 15
    • This Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
  • Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
    • Last Week: Bye Week
    • This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
  • J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
    • Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 defeated New Orleans Saints 3
    • This Week: Bye Week
  • Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
    • Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 28 defeated Washington Commanders 7
    • This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
Wake Forest Football vs SMU | Cinematic Recap
Wednesday, October 29
Wake Forest Head Football Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference (10/27/2025)
Monday, October 27
Wake Forest Defensive Back Davaughn Patterson Postgame vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25
Wake Forest Wide Receiver Chris Barnes Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25