Wolverines in the NFL: Tom Brady engineers comeback victory, Rashan Gary with a monster game
Former Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Tom Brady led another comeback win — the 42nd fourth-quarter come-from-behind victory of his career and the fourth against the New York Jets. Brady, nicknamed the ‘Comeback Kid,’ led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a 93-yard scoring drive — which was capped off by a touchdown pass to wideout Cyril Grayson —to secure the 28-24 victory and improve to 12-4 on the season with one week remaining.
Brady has now thrown for 40 touchdown passes, which is tied with his mark last season that set the franchise record for most scoring tosses in a season. With one regular-season week remaining — versus the Carolina Panthers — Brady is in solid position to break his own record.
Elsewhere in the NFL, former Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary continues to put together a stellar season as one of the Green Bay Packers’ key pieces. The club clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a blowout win over the Minnesota Vikings this past weekend, with Gary registering two tackles for loss, one sack and four hits on the quarterback in the triumph. He’s now racked up three sacks in the last two games and totaled 9.5 for the season — which leads the team and ranks 15th in the league.
Here is an update on every former Michigan player in the NFL for Week 16:
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former Michigan quarterback completed 34 of his 50 pass attempts for 410 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in a 28-24 comeback victory over the New York Jets … Connected on 66.9 percent of his passes for a league-high 40 touchdowns and NFL-best 4,990 yards while starting all 16 contests for the 12-4 Buccaneers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Saw time off the bench in the Giants’ 29-3 loss to the Chicago Bears, totaling 32 snaps … Started one of his seven appearances for the 4-12 Giants, posting a 63.6 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed the team’s last two games — including Sunday night’s 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns — on the Reserve/COVID list … Compiled 66 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 13 starts for the 8-7-1 Steelers.
Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played off the bench but did not record any statistics in a 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Made 18 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits on the year, starting one of his 10 appearances for the 8-7-1 Steelers.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team
Snapped on kicks and punts in all 15 games for the 6-10 Football Team, which lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-16.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Registered two tackles, one sack and one quarterback hit in a 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Has recorded a sack in two-straight games and 3.5 over the last six … Tallied 21 tackles, three stops for loss, 4.5 sacks (second on team), two forced fumbles and 17 quarterback hits in 13 starts and tilts for the 11-5 Chiefs.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings
Placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury Dec. 24 … Made 14 appearances for the 7-9 Vikings, with a 69.5 overall PFF rating.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Hauled in two catches for 35 yards in a 23-7 setback to the San Francisco 49ers … Opened seven of his 13 contests for the 4-12 Texans, recording 30 catches for 379 yards and one score.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Made one quarterback hit in a 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Started six of his 16 games for the 11-5 Chiefs, with three sacks (third on team), 25 tackles, three stops for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan running back saw nine snaps (two offense, seven special teams) in a 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the AFC North title … Made 13 appearances off the bench for the 10-6 Bengals, notching 11 receptions for 127 yards and one score, while also rushing 10 times for 42 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Registered two tackles for loss, one sack and four hits on the quarterback in a 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday night … His 9.5 sacks lead the team and are tied for “15th in the league … Also totaled 44 tackles, eight stops for loss and 28 quarterback hits while starting 15 contests for the 13-3 Packers, who have locked up the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Opened the game and made one reception for zero yards in a 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Started in 11 of his 16 contests, hauling in 15 receptions for 128 yards for the 8-7-1 Steelers.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started seven of nine games, but is out for the season with an ankle fracture.
Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Played 17 special teams snaps in a 23-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Made 11 appearances for the 9-7 Colts, with the bulk of his action coming on special teams … Recorded six tackles.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end is out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 … Compiled two tackles, including one stop for loss, before the injury.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Played in four games off the bench for the 11-5 Chiefs … Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards on the year.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team
Out with a sprained ankle … Made 12 appearances with one start for the 6-10 Football Team, generating nine tackles and one quarterback hit while mostly playing special teams.
Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Missed time on injured reserve with a calf ailment, has since been activated but hasn’t played since Week 5 … Made two tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, for the 9-6 49ers.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Returned after missing the prior game with a minor back injury … Started and played every offensive snap in a 34-3 blowout of the Miami Dolphins to clinch the AFC South title … The Titans are currently positioned to be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs … Started 12 outings for the 11-5 Titans, posting a 73.0 overall PFF grade with four sacks allowed.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Started and notched five tackles in a 25-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Began 12 games in his 15 appearances for the 11-5 Cowboys, totaling three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, 58 tackles, one stop for loss and three quarterback hits.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Came off the bench to record two tackles in a 20-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens … Started five of his 14 games for the 12-4 Rams, with 37 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons
Started in a 29-15 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Opened all 16 tilts for the 7-9 Falcons and has a 48.9 overall PFF rating with 11 sacks allowed and nine penalties committed.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots
The Patriots opted not to elevate the former Michigan linebacker to the active roster after he returned from the injured reserve following Week 14, making him ineligible for the remainder of the season.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Saw 18 snaps off the bench in a 25-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Began two of his eight outings after returning from injury … Compiled four receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown for the 11-5 Cowboys.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety recorded one tackle in a 37-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Competed on special teams and saw a handful of defensive snaps in 15 games for the 7-9 Vikings, tallying seven tackles for the season.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Contributed three tackles and one pass breakup in a 51-29 win over the Detroit Lions … Started four of his 13 games, producing 34 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three quarterback hits and one pass defended for the 5-10 Seahawks.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Played in half of the team’s offensive snaps in a 50-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Began eight of his 15 appearances for the 10-6 Patriots, generating an 87.2 overall PFF mark with one sack allowed.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Began the game and produced three tackles, two quarterback hits and one sack in a 23-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Started all 14 of his appearances for the 9-7 Colts, registering 27 tackles, three stops for loss, four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Started his fourth-straight game and made three receptions for 76 yards while returning four punts for 29 yards in a 26-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Opened eight of his 13 contests and racked up 31 catches for 559 yards and three touchdowns for the 7-9 Browns, with eight punt returns for 87 yards.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants
Suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7, after beginning five of six appearances and recording 30 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one sack and one pass breakup, while returning nine punts for 58 yards.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Played every offensive snap in an 18-10 win over the Carolina Panthers … Started all 16 clashes for the 7-9 Saints and has a 56.9 overall PFF rating with five sacks allowed.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started in a 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Began 15 of his 16 games for the 13-3 Packers, earning a 65.1 overall PFF grade with two sacks yielded.
Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers
Started a 34-13 victory over the Denver Broncos … Opened 11 of his 14 tilts for the 9-7 Chargers, recording a 67.9 overall PFF grade with one sack given up.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Started four-straight contests, including this past weekend’s 23-7 win over the Houston Texans … Made four tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup … Started four games and has appeared in 11 … Registered 23 tackles and six pass breakups for the 9-7 49ers.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Came off the bench but did not record any statistics in a 50-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Totaled 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and three sacks in 11 tilts off the bench for the 10-6 Patriots.
Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, San Francisco 49ers
Saw time off the bench but did not post any statistics in a 23-7 win over the Houston Texans … Picked up by the 9-7 San Francisco 49ers Dec. 9 and has recorded three tackles in four appearances.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots
Made three tackles while appearing off the bench in a 50-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Appeared in 12 games in a backup role for the 10-6 Patriots, producing 11 tackles and one quarterback hit.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed his second straight contest with a groin injury … Opened 13 of his 14 games for the 8-7-1 Steelers, with 44 tackles, 6.0 sacks (third on team), five stops behind the line of scrimmage, nine quarterback hits, one forced fumble and two passes defended.
