Week 4 of the NFL season saw the first career start for Daniel Faalele and saw him shut down one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Boye Mafe has his best game as a pro for Seattle, and it was just typical ho-hum days for some of the other ex-Gophers starts on defense in the NFL. Here is a recap of how the rest of the former Gophers faired in Week 4 and a look ahead to Week 5.
Week 4 vs Kansas City Chiefs (SNF)
Week 5 vs Atlanta Falcons
Winfield was on the field for all 80 defensive snaps as KC took it to the Buccaneers on Sunday night football down in Tampa. He recorded five tackles with three of them solo.
Ko Kieft saw just 9 offensive snaps and another 17 on special teams, but he made the most of his opportunities. Just like we saw from him on the Gophers on occasion, Ko can catch when his number is called.
KO KIEFT CAN CATCH https://t.co/UMLNBM9lJd
— The Daily Gopher (@TheDailyGopher) October 3, 2022
His first NFL catch went for 19 yards and set up a Tampa Bay touchdown. He also is makin his presence known on special teams as well. No tackles this week, but you don’t want to be downhill of him.
You may technically block #41 Ko Kieft, but you will certainly feel it pic.twitter.com/WSdZYRN3Vq
— Commissioner Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 3, 2022
Week 4 vs Los Angeles Chargers
Week 5 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Murray continued to see limited action playing just three defensive snaps and 24 special teams snaps while not recording a stat.
Johnson dressed for the first time as a Texan last week and saw just four snaps on offense. He didn’t record a stat.
Cashman played 5 defensive snaps and 8 special teams snaps for the Texans, and made the most of them recording three tackles, one for a loss and added a pass defense. Unfortunately that pass defense was a drop of a sure interception that Justen Herbert gifted him. Unfortunately part 2, he did leave the game after suffering a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion. His status for this week in Jacksonville is unknown.
Week 4 vs Buffalo Bills
Week 5 vs Cincinnati Bengals (SNF)
Bateman played 31 snaps on offense for Baltimore and was limited by the play of the Bills defense. Bateman recorded three catches for 17 yards on six targets from Lamar Jackson.
Faalele earned his first NFL start at left tackle for Baltimore and played all 70 offensive snaps. He played great and shut down one of the best defensive end’s in the league in Von Miller.
Daniel Faalele has never started at left tackle in college or NFL prior to Sunday.
— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) October 5, 2022
Late the fourth quarter he had a one on one with future first ballot HOFer Von Miller. Miller tried to cross chop him.
Faalele stayed patient with his hands, reset them, and stuffed him. Wow. pic.twitter.com/Cv8hN61q1Y
Daniel Faalele in his first NFL start:
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 3, 2022
• 43 pass blocking snaps
• 0 sacks allowed
Not bad for a rookie going up against Von Miller in his first start pic.twitter.com/5UHs5xmkpJ
Week 4 vs Arizona Cardinals
Week 5 vs San Francisco 49ers
Wilson played 17 defensive snaps and 10 special teams snaps in the Panthers loss to Arizona. He recorded four tackles, one of them solo.
Week 4 vs New Orleans Saints (London)
Week 5 vs Chicago Bears
Ezezi was inactive for the fourth consecutive week.
Week 4 vs New England Patriots
Week 5 vs New York Giants (London)
Campbell played all 58 defensive snaps for Green Bay and added six special teams snaps in their hanging on for dear live OT win over New England and something called Bailey Zappe. He make seven tackles with six of them solo in the win.
Week4 @ Dallas Cowboys
Week 5 vs Tennessee Titans
St. Juste played 43 defensive snaps in the Commanders loss to the Cowboys. He recorded two tackles, one of them solo.
Week 4 @ Detroit Lions
Week 5 @ New Orleans Saints
Mafe played the most snaps of his NFL career this far in the shootout with Detroit. Boye played 32 defensive snaps and eight on special teams snaps in the Seahawks win. He had six tackles, four of them solo.
Week 4 vs Chicago Bears
Week 5 vs Green Bay Packers (London)
Coughlin did not play any defensive snaps for the Giants but played 25 on special teams in the Giants win over the Bears. He recorded one tackle.
Week 4 @ Carolina Panthers
Week 5 vs Philadelphia Eagles
Williams saw his most action of the season playing 23 offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps in the win over Carolina. He did not record a stat however.
