BBNFL Week 14: Brandin Echols records career-high 10 tackles for the Jets

Former Kentucky cornerback, Brandin Echols, had one of the best outings in his professional football career on Sunday. Echols recorded a career-high 10 tackles, nine of which were solo, in the New York Jets’ 32-26 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The last time Echols had 10 or more tackles in a game was as a Wildcat in 2019, when he did it against Mississippi State.

Echols has been all over the map in terms of playing time for the beleaguered Jets this year. He has had some incredible interceptions in multiple games only to be relegated to special teams the next week.

In Week 14, Echols played all 77 defensive snaps for New York and made the most of his playing time, as he normally does. On top of the double-digit tackles, Echols’ man was targeted a team-high 11 times, yet he only allowed seven receptions for 76 yards. He also had one pass breakup.

Echols can now say he has recorded at least 10 tackles in both the NFL and college. Not a bad résumé.

All Brandin Echols does is show up and make plays when given an opportunity. That's why he was a "keep" for myself and @DTereman last week. pic.twitter.com/UylxRoaEC7

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) December 8, 2024

Josh Hines-Allen (further) injures Will Levis

What was that famous Sandra Bullock movie quote? “Protect the quarterback’s blindside!” Yeah, that’s it. Well, the Titans’ offensive line must have missed that one. In some true Cat-on-Cat crime, Josh Hines-Allen absolutely drilled Will Levis from behind, injuring his shoulder, forcing a fumble, and thwarting Tennessee’s drive in a game void of much offense.

On the bright side, the timing worked out so that Levis could return to the game. The hit came right before halftime, giving the former Kentucky gunslinger time to recover in the locker room with the help of an anesthetic.

After the game, Levis talked about coming back after the vicious hit and its impact on a lingering injury:

“I have a sprained AC joint. I’ve been playing through it all year. I made it worse after that hit, shot it up, played through it. I’m still able to play but it’s not fun. I was just going to be more cautious with throwing the ball away and not trying to extend plays and not putting myself in harm’s way trying to take hits. I knew I could still make the throws. Just trying to be a little more careful.”

Will Levis | Nashville Tennessean

Levis finished 19-32 for 168 yards and zero touchdowns. He also rushed once for three yards. The Jaguars beat the Titans 10-6, moving both teams to a whopping 3-10 record.

Will Levis took a HUGE shot from Josh Hines-Allen.

Ouch. pic.twitter.com/85K2v8YJcT

— KSR (@KSRonX) December 8, 2024

Other BBNFL Notes:

• Overall, it was a quiet week for former Kentucky players. Chris Rodriguez, who scored his first touchdown of the season last week, was on a bye. Meanwhile, Josh Paschal and Andru Phillips sat out with knee injury and shoulder injury, respectively.

• The Bills scored 42 points but almost exclusively used the passing game. Buffalo only rushed the ball six times with a running back and those carries all went to starter James Cook, meaning former ‘Cat Ray Davis didn’t get any touches in his team’s high-scoring loss to the LA Rams.

• Za’Darius Smith got back in the sack column for his new team, the Detroit Lions, as they continue to roll over every team they face. Could this seriously be Detroit’s year? Could Big Z get a ring? They’re my personal Super Bowl favorite, but there’s still a lot of football to play.

BBNFL snap counts and stats for Week 14

(ST): Special Teams snaps; player did not play on offense or defense.

Player	POS	Snaps	Stats
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)	WR	77	9 targets, 4 rec, 38 yards
Brandin Echols (NYJ)	DB	77	10 tackles, 1 pass breakup
Will Levis (TEN)	QB	64	19/32 passing, 168 yards, 1 rush, 3 yards
Josh Hines-Allen (JAX)	LB	51	3 QB pressures, 1 sack, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble
Carrington Valentine (GB)	DB	46	1 tackle
Trevin Wallace (CAR)	LB	38	1 QB pressure, 4 tackles
Bud Dupree (LAC)	LB	22	2 QB pressures, 1 tackle, 1 assist
Za’Darius Smith (DET)	LB	21	3 QB pressures, 1 sack, 1 tackle
Ray Davis (BUF)	RB	13	0 rushes, 1 target, 0 rec
Bryce Oliver (TEN)	WR	6	1 target, 1 rec, 16 yards
Landon Young (NO)	OL	4 (ST)	No stats
Luke Fortner (JAX)	C	2 (ST)	No stats
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CAR)	DB	18 (ST)	0 tackles
Chris Rodriguez (WAS)	RB		Bye Week
Josh Pascal (DET)	DL		Inactive – Knee
Dru Phillips (NYG)	DB		Inactive – Shoulder
Darian Kinnard (PHI)	OL		Inactive – Healthy scratch