Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week Three
9/24/2025 2:25:00 PM | Football
Kenneth Walker’s multi-touchdown performance and Michael Jurgens making his first career start highlights Pro Deacs during the third week of the 2025 NFL season.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs made its return during week three of the 2025 NFL season, highlighted by Kenneth Walker III's multi-touchdown game in a blowout win, Michael Jurgens earning his first career start, and some other solid performances from around the league.
Walker Shines in Blowout Win
Running back Kenneth Walker III added another stellar performance on Sunday afternoon to help the Seattle Seahawks secure a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, 44-13. Walker III finished the game with 38 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as well as one reception for 12 yards, to help put the game out of reach early.
With his two rushing scores on Sunday, Walker has now recorded three touchdowns this season, which is tied for the third most in the NFL this season and is only one away from the league leaders in Buffalo's James Cook and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. In addition, Walker has rushed for 163 yards on just 39 carries this season. Through the first three games, Walker holds the second-best offensive grade by PFF among all running backs at 84.2, while his 82.7 rushing grade ranks fifth.
Jurgens Earns First Career Start in Statement Victory
After seeing significant playing time during week two, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Michael Jurgens earned his first career start during Minnesota's 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Jurgens played a career-high 60 offensive snaps while earning a 67.4 PFF pass blocking grade and a 63.0 run blocking grade.
Strnad and Bates Continue Strong Starts to the Season
Despite coming out on the wrong side of their respective matchups, both linebacker Justin Strnad and safety Jessie Bates III continued their strong starts to the season on Sunday. First, Strnad and the Denver Broncos came up just short against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West showdown, 23-20. Strnad notched five tackles and one pass breakup, resulting in him earning a team-high 81.5 defensive grade by PFF. Through the first three games, Strnad has logged 15 tackles with five solo efforts and two sacks. He also ranks inside the top-10 among all linebackers for run defense, as his 83.8 run defense grade sits in ninth-place among eligible linebackers.
Meanwhile, Bates and the Atlanta Falcons fell to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 30-0. Bates tied his season-high with seven tackles, including four solo efforts, in the loss. With his seven tackle performance, Bates has totaled 17 tackles with 11 solo efforts, helping him earn an 88.8 tackling grade by PFF, the third-highest grade among eligible safeties.
#ProDeacs Week Four Slate (All times eastern)
Walker Shines in Blowout Win
Running back Kenneth Walker III added another stellar performance on Sunday afternoon to help the Seattle Seahawks secure a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, 44-13. Walker III finished the game with 38 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as well as one reception for 12 yards, to help put the game out of reach early.
With his two rushing scores on Sunday, Walker has now recorded three touchdowns this season, which is tied for the third most in the NFL this season and is only one away from the league leaders in Buffalo's James Cook and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. In addition, Walker has rushed for 163 yards on just 39 carries this season. Through the first three games, Walker holds the second-best offensive grade by PFF among all running backs at 84.2, while his 82.7 rushing grade ranks fifth.
Jurgens Earns First Career Start in Statement Victory
After seeing significant playing time during week two, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Michael Jurgens earned his first career start during Minnesota's 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Jurgens played a career-high 60 offensive snaps while earning a 67.4 PFF pass blocking grade and a 63.0 run blocking grade.
Strnad and Bates Continue Strong Starts to the Season
Despite coming out on the wrong side of their respective matchups, both linebacker Justin Strnad and safety Jessie Bates III continued their strong starts to the season on Sunday. First, Strnad and the Denver Broncos came up just short against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West showdown, 23-20. Strnad notched five tackles and one pass breakup, resulting in him earning a team-high 81.5 defensive grade by PFF. Through the first three games, Strnad has logged 15 tackles with five solo efforts and two sacks. He also ranks inside the top-10 among all linebackers for run defense, as his 83.8 run defense grade sits in ninth-place among eligible linebackers.
Meanwhile, Bates and the Atlanta Falcons fell to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 30-0. Bates tied his season-high with seven tackles, including four solo efforts, in the loss. With his seven tackle performance, Bates has totaled 17 tackles with 11 solo efforts, helping him earn an 88.8 tackling grade by PFF, the third-highest grade among eligible safeties.
#ProDeacs Week Four Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 16 defeated Arizona Cardinals 15
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Carolina Panthers 30 defeated Atlanta Falcons 0
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: Carolina Panthers 30 defeated Atlanta Falcons 0
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Boogie Basham (CAR- PS)
- Last Week: Carolina Panthers 30 defeated Atlanta Falcons 0
- This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 13 defeated Green Bay Packers 10
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 13 defeated Green Bay Packers 10
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 31 defeated Dallas Cowboys 14
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 23 defeated Denver Broncos 20
- This Week: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ABC)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 38 defeated Baltimore Ravens 30
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Zach Tom (GB - IR)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 13 defeated Green Bay Packers 10
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 17 defeated Houston Texans 10
- This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 41 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 24
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 23 defeated Denver Broncos 20
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Philadelphia Eagles 33 defeated Los Angeles Rams 26
- This Week: Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 48 defeated Cincinnati Bengals 10
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT - PS)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 21 defeated New England Patriots 14
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network)
- Malik Mustapha (SF - IR)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 16 defeated Arizona Cardinals 15
- This Week: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 44 defeated New Orleans Saints 13
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29 defeated New York Jets 27
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 41 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 24
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
Players Mentioned
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