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Wolverines in the NFL: Tom Brady has top odds to win MVP

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•11/09/21•

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Michigan football alum Tom Brady
Former Michigan football quarterback and NFL legend went out on a high note in 2022. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Former Michigan quarterback and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady got off to a hot start to his 22nd NFL season. He leads the league with 25 passing touchdowns and 331.3 yards per game through the air.

Now, exactly halfway through the season, Brady is the favorite to win MVP honors, with 10-1 odds according to Caesars Sportsbook.

If the seven-time Super Bowl champion is able to finish the deal, it would mark his fourth NFL regular-season MVP award.

Elsewhere in the NFL, former Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who missed the previous two contests with a groin injury, made a big play in the Cleveland Browns’ 41-`16 blowout of division rival Cincinnati. Peoples-Jones caught a deep ball in the middle of the field for a 60-yard score that gave his team a 21-7 edge early in the second quarter.

“We’ve needed to hit these deep shots for a while,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said after the win, adding that he wasn’t surprised it was Peoples-Jones on the receiving end. “Just opportunity presented itself. It’s not like he’s not capable of doing that.

“Donovan’s been a guy that we can rely on and continue to count on as you can see with two very, very critical catches in this game.”

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Here is a complete Week 9 update on Michigan Wolverines in the NFL:

Tom Brady (Played at U-M from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The 6-2 Buccaneers had a bye over the weekend … Starting all eight contests, he’s second in the the NFL in passing yards (2,650) and first in touchdowns (25), while completing 67.3 percent of his throws for an average of 7.7 yards per attempt.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants

Started one of his four games for the 3-6 Giants, posting a 43.7 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade … Did not play in his team’s 23-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders this past weekend.

Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Started and recorded three tackles and one pass breakup in a thrilling 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears Monday night … Starting seven games, Bush has 33 tackles, including two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defended for the 5-3 Steelers.

Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Picked up by the Steelers before Week 8 … Had three tackles in the team’s 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears Sunday night … Recorded three stops in two appearances.

Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team

Snapped on punts and placekicks 57 times in seven contests for the 2-6 Football Team, which had a Week 9 bye.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started and recorded two tackles, including one stop for loss, and three hits on the quarterback in the 5-4 Chiefs’ 13-7 win over the Green Bay Packers … Started all six contests in which he’s played, accumulating eight stops, two tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings

Started and played 100 percent of offensive snaps in the 3-5 Vikings’ 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Played in all eight games with one start, primarily competing on special teams but taking 58 offensive snaps.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Nabbed three catches for 25 yards in the 1-8 Texans’ 17-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins … In six contests with three starts, he’s racked up 15 receptions for 191 yards and is averaging 8.7 yards per target.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Opened and notched two tackles in the 5-4 Chiefs’ 13-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers … Started six of nine games, with 18 tackles, three sacks, seven quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one pass deflection.

Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Had one reception for 11 yards in the 5-4 Bengals’ 41-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Has seen action off the bench in eight contests, totaling nine receptions for 115 yards and one score, and four rushes for 18 yards.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

Began the game and registered two tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits in the 7-2 Packers’ 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Started all nine contests, with 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two stops for loss, 18 quarterback hits and one forced fumble.

Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Made his fourth straight start but did not record any statistics in the 5-3 Steelers’ 29-27 Monday night win over the Chicago Bears … Began five of his eight appearances, compiling six receptions for 60 yards.

Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos

The former Michigan center started seven of nine games, missing two contests with injury to this point, but left the 5-4 Broncos’ 30-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys with a season-ending ankle fracture.

Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Saw action on 19 special-teams snaps in the 4-5 Colts’ 45-30 win over the New York Jets … In four appearances, he has two 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

Did not play in the 5-4 Chiefs’ 13-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers … The 36-year-old’s lone appearance of the season came in Week 7, when he completed 11 of 16 passes for 82 yards.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team

Played on special teams in all eight outings and on defense in four, totaling five tackles and one quarterback hit … The 2-6 Football Team had a Week 9 bye.

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 3-4 49ers.

Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans

Was questionable going into the team’s Week 9 win over the Los Angeles Rams and available only in an emergency situation, but did not play … Started six outings, posting a 70.7 PFF grade with three sacks allowed and two penalties committed.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Opened and made a season-high seven tackles, with a half-sack and one quarterback hit, in the 6-2 Cowboys’ 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos … Opened five of his eight appearances, accumulating 28 tackles, a half-sack, three quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups and one interception.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Played three special teams snaps in the 7-2 Rams’ 28-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans Sunday night … Began the first four games of the season before playing a reserve role in the five most recent tilts … Registered 23 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.

Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons

Started the 4-4 Falcons’ 27-25 upset win over the New Orleans Saints … Began all eight contests this year and has a 42.4 overall PFF grade.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots

Recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his 2020 season at Michigan, McGrone remains on the reserve/non-football injury list and may miss the entirety of the campaign.

Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Returned from injured reserve to make his season debut in the 6-2 Cowboys’ 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos, but recorded no statistics.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

Saw action on two defensive downs and 21 special teams snaps in the 3-5 Vikings’ 34-31 setback to the Baltimore Ravens … Primarily playing on special teams, he’s accumulated three tackles in eight clashes.

Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks

Started the last three contests, racking up 19 stops in seven games … The 3-5 Seahawks had a bye over the weekend.

Quinn Nordin (2016-20), K, New England Patriots

On injured reserve with an abdomen injury and has not played during his rookie season.

Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Opened and played 100 percent of offensive snaps in the 5-4 Patriots’ 24-6 victory over the Carolina Panthers, marking his seventh start in eight tilts this year … Registered an 87.8 PFF rating for the season.

Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Started and notched two tackles, two quarterback hits and one pass breakup in the 4-5 Colts’ 45-30 win over the New York Jets … Missed two contests with a hamstring injury but has started seven games, generating 16 tackles, two quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns

Missed the previous two contests with a groin injury but made a big impact in the 5-4 Browns’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals, with two receptions for 86 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown … Has 15 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns in seven outings with three starts.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants

The former Michigan viper linebacker and safety suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7 … Began five of six appearances, missing one prior contest with a different injury … Recorded 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 all eight contests for the 5-3 Saints, including Sunday’s 27-25 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Generated a 58.7 PFF rating for the year, with two sacks allowed and one penalty.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers

Made his eighth straight start, after coming off the bench in the season opener, in the 7-2 Packers’ 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Has a 66.2 PFF grade for the season and has yielded two sacks.

Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers

Opened his third straight tilt in the 5-3 Chargers’ 27-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Began three of his six appearances after being picked up by the squad before Week 3 … Has a 60.9 PFF rating, with one sack allowed and two penalties.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

The former Michigan corner saw seven special-teams snaps in the 3-5 49ers’ 31-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Recorded three tackles and returned four punts for 40 yards in three appearances this season.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

Came off the bench and made one hit on the quarterback in the 5-4 Patriots’ 24-6 triumph over the Carolina Panthers … Played a backup role in all nine clashes, posting eight tackles, three sacks, four quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.

Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, New York Jets

Did not see any snaps in the 2-6 Jets’ 45-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … Began two of four games in which he’s appeared, totaling nine stops and one quarterback hit.

Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots

Placed on injured reserve with a hamstring ailment following Week 6 … Has seven tackles and one quarterback hit for the 4-4 Patriots.

Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Michigan defensive lineman made his seventh straight start in the 5-3 Steelers’ 29-27 victory over the Chicago Bears, and notched one tackle … In seven outings with six starts, he’s accumulated 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

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