NFL Hokies: Week 7 recap

BLACKSBURG – The seventh week of the NFL season concluded this past Monday, finishing a week of exciting action, including some standout performances from Tech alumni. Former Hokies continued to demonstrate their skills on the gridiron last weekend and made great strides for their respective teams. In this edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola, we look at some outstanding Hokie performances from Week 7 and forecast some headline-worthy matchups in Week 8.  

DT Tim Settle 
Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle logged a strong performance on the defensive end Sunday. The former Hokie totaled four tackles, all of which were solo, alongside a sack, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit in a 24-22 loss to the Packers. Settle was one of three players with a sack, joining fellow defensive linemen Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. in the festivities. Now sitting third in sacks among Texans defensive linemen with three on the year, Settle earned himself an 81.5 defensive grade and a 71.1 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), both of which are season highs.

LT Christian Darrisaw 
Darrisaw continues to be worth every penny of his 4-year, $113-million contract that was signed in the offseason. Against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Darrisaw didn’t allow a single sack, quarterback hit, quarterback hurry over 60 offensive snaps. The fourth-year vet has played 100% of the offensive snaps in five of six games for the Vikings this season. For his work against the Lion, Darrisaw earned an 85.8 pass-blocking grade from PFF. While the game ultimately handed the red-hot Vikings their first loss, Darrisaw’s 85.8 blocking grade is the best of his season thus far.

LB Divine Deablo 
Coming off an impressive defensive effort against the Steelers in Week 6, linebacker Divine Deablo continued to be an important piece in the Las Vegas Raiders defense. Against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Deablo posted four total tackles, three of which were solo. The former Hokie’s four tackles landed him fourth among defensive players on the Raiders during Sunday’s contest and raised his tackle total to 12 on the year. PFF granted Deablo 78.7 run defense and 76.5 tackling grades for his work on the gridiron at Sofi Stadium.

CB Kendall Fuller 
Kendall Fuller’s performance in the Miami Dolphins secondary was a highlight in a disappointing 10-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In 62 snaps at cornerback, Fuller racked up seven tackles and a pass breakup at Lucas Oil Stadium. For his efforts on gameday, the former Hokie earned an 80.5 tackling rating from PFF, his highest of the season and fifth highest among all Miami defensive players in Week 7. Fuller was also only one of five defensive players to play 100% of all defensive snaps in the contest.  

Notable Week 8 Matchups 

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS 
The Chiefs will travel to Allegiant Stadium for a contest against AFC West division rival Las 
Vegas Raiders this Sunday. The contest will be the 131st matchup between the two teams, the most recent matchup resulting in a Christmas Day 20-14 victory for the Raiders. Both teams wield former Hokies on their respective defenses, the Chiefs’ safety Chamarri Conner and the Raiders with linebacker Divine Deablo. 

New York Jets at New England Patriots: Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS 
The Chiefs and Raiders aren’t the only divisional matchup being played during Week 8. The Jets, who lost their last matchup 37-15 even with the addition of wide receiver Davante Adams, will travel to Gillette Stadium for a contest against the Patriots. The two teams sit in third and fourth place within the AFC East, New England occupying the last-place spot at 1-6 while the Jets stand at 2-5. Jets safety and former Hokie Chuck Clark was recently placed on injured reserve, sidelining the only active Tech alumni in the contest besides Patriots kicker Joey Slye.