Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The eighth week of the NFL season concluded this past Monday, wrapping up a week that saw unexpected endings and blowout wins across three days of competition. Former Hokies continue to take the field for their teams and prove to be valuable assets on both offensive and defensive fronts. In this edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola, we look at some of the league’s most outstanding Hokie performances and preview some noteworthy matchups in Week 9.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Chicago linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was the leader of the Bears’ defense this past Sunday. Against the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field, Edmunds tallied a team-high 10 tackles. Sunday’s contest was the second time this season that the seventh-year vet reached double-digit tackles, the other being an 11-tackle outing against the Houston Texans in Week 2. Edmunds was one of five defensive players to play 100% of the 74 defensive snaps against the Commanders, a feat the Danville, Virginia native has now achieved in two of his last four games. For his efforts last Sunday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) awarded Edmunds with a 72.1 run defense grade, his third-highest total of the year in the category. While the Bears went on to lose in a heartbreaking last-second defeat, Edmunds’s efforts on defense were a highlight.
DT Tim Settle
On the heels of his best performance of the season in Week 7, defensive tackle Tim Settle delivered yet another strong showing for the Texans defense on Sunday. The seventh-year veteran posted three total tackles against the Indianapolis Colts offense, all of which were solo endeavors, alongside one TFL, a sack and two quarterback hits. Settle’s involvement across the stat sheet earned him a 73.7 defensive rating from PFF, his second highest on the year. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania product’s work in the trenches would be a key part in the eventual 23-20 victory for the Texans and the securing of a perfect 4-0 home record through eight games.
LB Divine Deablo
The Raiders secondary was to be tested against Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, yet linebacker Divine Deablo answered the call. In the 131st matchup between the two teams, Deablo posted seven tackles against a Chiefs offense that has the seventh-highest points per game (24.7). The former Hokie’s seven tackles ranked third highest among the Raiders defense and was the third time the linebacker has recorded more than five tackles in a game this season. PFF granted Deablo an 80.3 tackle grade for his work against the Chiefs, his highest tackle grade of the season.
S Chamarri Conner
Former Hokie Chamarri Conner continued to be a key contributor to the Chiefs defense on Sunday. Over 27 snaps at safety, the Jacksonville, Florida native tallied three tackles on the day, two of which were solo efforts against a Raiders team that has lost three of their last five games by less than 10 points. For his efforts on gameday, Conner earned a 76.8 tackling grade from PFF, his third highest ranking in the category over seven games.
Notable Week 9 Matchups
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals: Sunday, Nov. 3 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
When the Bears visit the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, eyes will likely be focused on each team’s star rookies. Caleb Williams, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, and Marvin Harrison Jr., wide receiver for the Cardinals, will both be in action for their respective squads and will look to build on their impressive professional debuts thus far. Former Hokies will also be in the mix as running back Khalil Herbert and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds suit up for Chicago. Fans should tune in to see if Edmunds and the Bears secondary will be able to stop the shifty Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense that scores 22.3 points per game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs: Monday, Nov. 4 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
Tampa Bay will travel to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to conclude Week 9 on Monday night against the Chiefs. The matchup is a rematch of Super Bowl LV, and while the Chiefs’ roster remains relatively unchanged from its 2022 championship loss, the Buccaneers have a new quarterback with Baker Mayfield at the helm. Fans should tune in to see how last week’s loss of Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin will impact a Buccaneers offense that has the fourth-highest scoring offense in the league (29.4 points per game). Former Hokie Chamarri Conner will suit up for the Chiefs once more at safety, providing coverage for a Kansas City team that remains undefeated through seven games.