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Pro Deacs: Week Nine
11/5/2025 6:38:00 AM | Football
Safety Jessie Bates III records his first interception of the season to lead Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs returned to action during week nine of the 2025 NFL season, highlighted by safety Jessie Bates III recording his first interception of the season, wide receiver Greg Dortch having an excellent game on Monday Night Football and multiple Pro Deac defenders playing pivotal roles in important victories over the weekend.
Bates Nabs First Interception in Narrow Loss
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded his first interception of the 2025 NFL season as he and the Atlanta Falcons dropped a close contest to the New England Patriots, 24-23. Bates III stepped in front of a pass from Drake Maye late in the third quarter before returning it 17 yards towards midfield. The interception ultimately led to an Atlanta field goal to put them within a touchdown. Overall, Bates ended the afternoon with two tackles with one solo effort and a pass defense.
With his interception on Sunday, Bates has now logged 25 interceptions over his eight-year career in the NFL and has totaled at least one in every season he has been in the league. In addition, Bates has now recorded 759 total tackles, 497 solo tackles, 65 pass defenses, 10 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a sack. This season, Bates has totaled 47 tackles to go along with his one interception.
Light The Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch continued to show out for the Arizona Cardinals as he played a significant role on special teams in the Cardinals' win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Dortch recorded 116 all purpose yards, including 102 yards across four kickoff returns.
Through the first nine weeks of the NFL season, Dortch has totaled 508 kickoff return yards, which ranks 11th in the NFL and only two yards outside of the top-10. Additionally, Dortch has continued to be a key contributor for the Cardinal offense, recording 15 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Mustapha and Strnad Shine in Pivotal Victories
Both safety Malik Mustapha and linebacker Justin Strnad shined this past week of NFL action as they helped their respective teams earn pivotal victories to keep pace in their fights for the playoffs and division titles.
Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers picked up a 34-24 victory over the New York Giants to improve to 6-3 on the season and move within half a game for the top spot in the NFC West. After missing a significant time due to injury, Mustapha has picked up right where he left off from his rookie season as he has totaled 24 tackles with 13 solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss in just four games.
Meanwhile, Justin Strnad recorded three tackles, including two solo efforts, to help the Denver Broncos defeat the Houston Texans, 18-15. With the victory, Strnad and the Broncos improved to 7-2 on the season to maintain their spot atop the AFC West and join the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots in a three-way tie for the first overall seed in the AFC. Following his performance on Sunday, Strnad has now logged 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception this season.
Walker Continues Solid Start in Sunday Night Blowout
Running back Kenneth Walker III continued his solid start to the 2025 season as he and the Seattle Seahawks destroyed the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football.
Walker ended the game with 61 all purpose yards, including 42 yards on the ground, as well as two catches for 19 yards. Thus far, Walker has recorded 472 rushing yards and three touchdowns while helping the Seahawks to a 6-2 record as they continue to battle in a tightly contested NFC West division.
#ProDeacs Week 10 Slate (All times eastern)
Bates Nabs First Interception in Narrow Loss
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded his first interception of the 2025 NFL season as he and the Atlanta Falcons dropped a close contest to the New England Patriots, 24-23. Bates III stepped in front of a pass from Drake Maye late in the third quarter before returning it 17 yards towards midfield. The interception ultimately led to an Atlanta field goal to put them within a touchdown. Overall, Bates ended the afternoon with two tackles with one solo effort and a pass defense.
PICKED OFF BY JB3 😤
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 2, 2025
CBS | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/RKvTuMlH3m
With his interception on Sunday, Bates has now logged 25 interceptions over his eight-year career in the NFL and has totaled at least one in every season he has been in the league. In addition, Bates has now recorded 759 total tackles, 497 solo tackles, 65 pass defenses, 10 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a sack. This season, Bates has totaled 47 tackles to go along with his one interception.
Light The Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch continued to show out for the Arizona Cardinals as he played a significant role on special teams in the Cardinals' win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Dortch recorded 116 all purpose yards, including 102 yards across four kickoff returns.
Through the first nine weeks of the NFL season, Dortch has totaled 508 kickoff return yards, which ranks 11th in the NFL and only two yards outside of the top-10. Additionally, Dortch has continued to be a key contributor for the Cardinal offense, recording 15 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Mustapha and Strnad Shine in Pivotal Victories
Both safety Malik Mustapha and linebacker Justin Strnad shined this past week of NFL action as they helped their respective teams earn pivotal victories to keep pace in their fights for the playoffs and division titles.
Mustapha and the San Francisco 49ers picked up a 34-24 victory over the New York Giants to improve to 6-3 on the season and move within half a game for the top spot in the NFC West. After missing a significant time due to injury, Mustapha has picked up right where he left off from his rookie season as he has totaled 24 tackles with 13 solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss in just four games.
Meanwhile, Justin Strnad recorded three tackles, including two solo efforts, to help the Denver Broncos defeat the Houston Texans, 18-15. With the victory, Strnad and the Broncos improved to 7-2 on the season to maintain their spot atop the AFC West and join the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots in a three-way tie for the first overall seed in the AFC. Following his performance on Sunday, Strnad has now logged 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception this season.
Walker Continues Solid Start in Sunday Night Blowout
Running back Kenneth Walker III continued his solid start to the 2025 season as he and the Seattle Seahawks destroyed the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football.
Walker ended the game with 61 all purpose yards, including 42 yards on the ground, as well as two catches for 19 yards. Thus far, Walker has recorded 472 rushing yards and three touchdowns while helping the Seahawks to a 6-2 record as they continue to battle in a tightly contested NFC West division.
#ProDeacs Week 10 Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 27 defeated Dallas Cowboys 17
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: New England Patriots 24 defeated Atlanta Falcons 23
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: New England Patriots 24 defeated Atlanta Falcons 23
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network)
- Boogie Basham (CAR- PS)
- Last Week: Carolina Panthers 16 defeated Green Bay Packers 13
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 27 defeated Dallas Cowboys 17
- This Week: Bye Week
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 18 defeated Houston Texans 15
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 27 defeated Detroit Lions 24
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Carolina Panthers 16 defeated Green Bay Packers 13
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 30 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 29 (OT)
- This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 30 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 29 (OT)
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 27 defeated Tennessee Titans 20
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 34 defeated New Orleans Saints 10
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 27 defeated Detroit Lions 24
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 27 defeated Indianapolis Colts 20
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 34 defeated New York Giants 24
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 38 defeated Washington Commanders 14
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 38 defeated Washington Commanders 14
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
Players Mentioned
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