BBNFL Week 8: Za'Darius Smith leads the league in sacks

Za’Darius Smith? More like Sack‘Darius Smith, am I right? No? Okay.

Anyway, Za’Darius Smith was the former Kentucky player who made the most noise this weekend in the NFL, as he served as a one-man wrecking ball on defense. He finished the game with three sacks and four tackles-for-a-loss for the Minnesota Vikings, which added up to his seven total tackles on the day. He also had a pass deflection and three more QB hits.

Smith now has 8.5 sacks on the year through the Vikings’ first seven games, which ties him for best in the league alongside Matt Judon of the New England Patriots. Ever since getting shunned by the Green Bay Packers last season, Smith has been on a revenge tour, wreaking havoc in opponents’ backfields all season.

Sunday was a defensive party in general for the Vikings, as they inducted Minnesota legend, Jared Allen, into their Ring of Honor. Allen came out onto the field riding a horse and wearing a cowboy hat and Smith took notes. Paying homage to his predecessor, Smith celebrated his first sack by mimicking Allen’s patented hogtie move, much to the delight of Viking fans everywhere.

Minnesota beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-26 to move to 6-1 on the year.

📍 The Quarterback@zadariussmith

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/ImbSu5UAXc

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 30, 2022

Jamin Davis keeps getting better

After being drafted in the first round last year, Washington football fans had high hopes for the former Kentucky player. This season has produced mixed results, but Jamin Davis had a solid outing on Sunday, helping the Commanders get the win over the Indianapolis Colts 17-16.

Davis finished with six tackles (five solo), but none more important than the tackle-for-a-loss on Johnathan Taylor at the goal line on third down. This stop held the Colts to a field goal and may have saved the game.

Big stop by Jamin Davis 🤝 pic.twitter.com/WacRYcZBrX

— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) October 30, 2022

Mike Edwards had another double-digit tackle day, recording 11 (eight solo) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, but it was mostly a quiet Sunday for former Kentucky defensemen.

Josh Allen, who is rumored to be on the trading block, had two tackles (two solo) for the Jacksonville Jaguars; Bud Dupree had two tackles for the Tennessee Titans; and Josh Paschal, who made his NFL debut last week, had two tackles for the Detroit Lions.

Rounding out the Kentucky alumni, Quinton Bohanna (DAL), Kelvin Joseph (DAL), and Lonnie Johnson (TEN) each had a tackle on the day.

A quiet day for former Kentucky players on offense

With Randall Cobb still out with an ankle sprain for the Packers, Wan’Dale Robinson was the only former Kentucky skill-position player to see action on Sunday. He posted a modest stat line of two catches on three targets for 15 yards in the New York Giants’ 27-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. This was Robinson’s third game back from injury, and the Giants have made him a key focus in their offense, as he was on the field for 69% of the team’s snaps.

To show even further confidence in their rookie, New York traded Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Toney would have played a similar role as Robinson and the front office made it clear who they preferred in that position battle.

Also continuing to impress his team is Luke Fortner, who once again played every offensive snap of the game for the Jaguars. However, for Logan Stenberg of the Detroit Lions and Benny Snell of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was another week of special teams-only duties.

On to Week 9.