Wolverines in the NFL: Tom Brady breaks all-time completions record, throws 700th TD pass, David Long Jr. redeems himself vs. Cardinals
Tom Brady is no longer in the AFC East, but he continues to haunt the Buffalo Bills. The former Michigan quarterback and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted his former division rival Buffalo Sunday afternoon, and led 24-3 at halftime. But the Bills fought back, tying the game at 27-27 late and forcing overtime, before Brady ripped the franchise’s hearts out for a 33rd time, which represents the most wins by any single player over a single team in NFL history.
The 22-year NFL veteran found wideout Breshad Perriman on a crossing route on the right side of the field, before the receiver ran all the way for a 58-yard touchdown to cap off the six-play, 94-yard game-winning drive. The pass was Brady’s 700th career touchdown toss including the regular season and playoffs.
Earlier in the game, Brady passed former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees for having the most completions in NFL history with 7,143. He finished the contest with 7,156 career connections.
Elsewhere in the NFL, former Michigan cornerback David Long Jr. stepped up in the absence of the Los Angeles Rams’ star at the position, Jalen Ramsey. The Rams’ 30-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals Monday night served as a full circle moment for Long, who finished with six tackles and one pass breakup.
Long began the first four games of the season, before struggling against the Cardinals in Week 4 and being relegated to a backup role. In the early-season loss to the division rival, Long gave up five catches on five targets for 89 yards, a TD for a perfect 158.3 QB rating against, and a +34.8 percent catch rate over expected against versus Arizona, per Next Gen Stats (NGS).
The third-year pro was much better in coverage this time around. He was targeted eight times Monday as the nearest defender, giving up just two receptions for 11 yards, a 39.6 QB rating, and a team-best -35.6 percent catch rate over expected, per NGS.
Here is an update on every former Michigan player in the NFL for Week 14:
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Tom Brady (Played at U-M from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Completed 31 of 46 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling 33-27 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills … His 700th career touchdown pass, including the playoffs, came on the game-winner in the extra session … Connected on 68.2 percent of his passes for a league-best 36 touchdowns and NFL-leading 4,134 yards while starting all 13 contests for the 10-3 Buccaneers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Played off the bench in the Giants’ 37-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers … Started one of his six appearances, posting a 51.4 overall PFF grade.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and registered eight tackles and two pass breakups in the Steelers’ 36-28 Thursday night loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Tallied 60 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 11 starts for the 6-6-1 Steelers.
Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Recorded four tackles and one quarterback hit in a 36-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Picked up by the club before Week 8 and has started in one of his seven appearances … Made 15 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team
Snapped on punts and kicks in all 13 games for the 5-7 Football Team, including a 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Began the game and notched one tackle, a half-sack and four quarterback hits in the Chiefs’ 48-9 blowout of the Las Vegas Raiders … Tallied 16 tackles, two stops for loss, 2.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 10 starts in as many tilts for the 9-4 Chiefs.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings
Started his sixth straight game in the Steelers’ 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Began six clashes and has made 13 appearances for the 6-7 Vikings, with a 75.7 overall PFF rating.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Started his third-straight game and made a career-high five catches for a career-best 69 yards in the Texans’ 33-13 setback to the Seattle Seahawks … Opened five of his 10 contests, recording 23 catches for 297 yards.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Made one tackle and one hit on the quarterback in the 9-4 Chiefs’ 48-9 beatdown of the Las Vegas Raiders … Started six of his 13 games, with three sacks (second on team), 23 tackles, three stops for loss, nine quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan running back is dealing with an ankle injury and did not play in the 7-5 Bengals’ 41-22 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers … Made 10 appearances off the bench, notching 11 receptions for 127 yards and one score, while also rushing nine times for 41 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Started and came up with three tackles and one fumble recovery in the Packers’ 45-30 win over the Chicago Bears … Team scored a touchdown on the next play following his recovery … Started 13 clashes for the 10-3 Packers, registering 37 stops, including three behind the line of scrimmage, 6.5 sacks (second on team) and 21 quarterback hits.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started but did not record any statistics in the Steelers’ 36-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Began eight of his 13 contests for the 6-6-1 Steelers, hauling in nine receptions for 80 yards.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
The former Michigan center started seven of nine games, but is now out for the season with an ankle fracture.
Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Had a bye over the weekend … Played in seven games for the 7-6 Colts, with the bulk of his snaps coming on special teams, and has recorded five tackles.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
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
The former Michigan quarterback saw four offensive snaps, rushing three times for -2 yards in the Chiefs’ 48-9 drubbing of the Las Vegas Raiders … Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards in three appearances on the season.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team
Made 12 appearances with one start, generating six tackles and one quarterback hit while mostly playing special teams … Sprained his ankle and was placed in injured reserve after Week 13.
Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Currently out with a calf injury … Began the season on injured reserve but played two games (weeks four and five) … Has two tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, for the 7-6 49ers.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Started in the team’s 20-0 destruction of the Jacksonville Jaguars … Opened all 10 of his outings for the 9-4 Titans, posting a 72.8 overall PFF grade.
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Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Began the Cowboys’ 27-20 triumph over the Washington Football Team, generating six tackles, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery … Began 10 of his 13 games for the 9-4 Cowboys, totaling two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, 52 tackles, one stop for loss, three quarterback hits and seven pass breakups.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
The former Michigan corner started and produced six tackles and one pass breakup in the 9-4 Rams’ 30-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Started five of his 12 games, with 32 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons
Started and played every offensive snap in the team’s 29-21 win over the Carolina Panthers … Began all 13 tilts for the 6-7 Falcons and has a 51.2 overall PFF rating with nine sacks allowed and five penalties committed.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots
Is still on the non-football injury list, but the team’s 21-day activation window will close this week, meaning a decision on whether or not he will join the 53-man roster is imminent.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Missed his second straight game with a neck injury, though he did practice some last week … Began two of his five outings after returning from injury in Week 9 … Compiled four receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Saw time off the bench on defense and on special teams in the 6-7 Vikings’ 36-28 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Played on special teams and seen a handful of defensive snaps in 12 games, tallying six tackles for the year.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Made an appearance but did not register any statistics in the 5-8 Seahawks’ 33-13 win over the Houston Texans … Started four of his 12 games, producing 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three quarterback hits.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Had a bye over the weekend … Began seven of his 12 appearances, generating an 88.1 overall PFF mark.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Colts had a Week 14 bye … Started all 11 of his contests, while registering 22 tackles, three stops for loss, three sacks, seven quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Made his fifth start of the campaign and tied his season high with five catches for 90 yards in the Browns’ 24-22 win over division rival Baltimore … Opened five of his 10 contests and racked up 23 catches for 430 yards and three touchdowns for the 7-6 Browns.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants
The former Michigan star suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7, after beginning five of six appearances, missing one prior contest with a different injury 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
Started and played every offensive snap in the team’s 30-9 triumph over the New York Jets … Started all 11 clashes for the 6-7 Saints and has a 59.6 overall PFF rating with five sacks allowed.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Came off the bench in the season opener but has started all 12 games since for the 10-3 Packers, including this past weekend’s 45-30 win over the Chicago Bears, posting a 62.4 overall PFF grade with two sacks yielded for the year.
Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers
Made his seventh straight start in the 8-5 Chargers’ 37-21 win over the New York Giants … Picked up by the organization ahead of Week 3 and has started in eight of his 11 tilts, recording a 61.0 overall PFF grade with one sack given up.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback made his first career start in the 7-6 49ers’ 26-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, contributing six tackles … Appeared in eight outings with one start … Returned four kicks for 70 yards and made 16 tackles.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Missed three contests but has returned to practice this week … Registered 10 tackles, three sacks, four quarterback hits and one fumble recovery in nine games off the bench for the 9-4 Patriots, who had a bye over the weekend.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots
Had a Week 14 bye … Appeared in nine games in a backup role, producing seven tackles and one quarterback hit.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan D-lineman started and made two tackles in the 6-6-1 Steelers’ 36-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Opened 12 of his 13 games, with 39 tackles, 5.0 sacks, two stops behind the line of scrimmage, six quarterback hits, one forced fumble and two passes defended.
