Wolverines in the NFL: Tom Brady, Chris Evans score game-winning touchdowns
Former Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Tom Brady — widely considered the greatest player in the sport’s history — did it again. His Tampa Bay Buccaneers were down 13 points (16-3) to division rival New Orleans with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter Monday night, but Brady led his team back for the victory.
Nicknamed the ‘Comeback Kid’ during his time at Michigan, Brady engineered two-straight touchdown-scoring drives, including throwing the game-winning pass to running back Rachaad White with three seconds to go. That marked his latest game-winning touchdown throw in his career.
Brady has the NFL record with 56 game-winning drives, having passed Peyton Manning (54) earlier this season with a win over the Los Angeles Rams. This game was his 44th career fourth-quarter comeback, breaking a tie with Manning for the most in recorded history of the statistics (since 1960).
Another former Michigan player scored a game-winning touchdown over the weekend, with Cincinnati Bengals’ second-year running back Chris Evans catching an 8-yard scoring pass from quarterback Joe Burrow to take a 27-24 lead with nine minutes to play. That wound up being the final score due to stops from the defense down the stretch.
Evans’ catch was just his third of the season and 18th of his career. That was his fourth career touchdown (all receiving).
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL fared in Week 13.
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Connected on 36 of his season-high 54 pass attempts for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns — including the game-winner with three seconds remaining — and 1 interception in the 6-6 Buccaneers’ 17-16 comeback victory over the New Orleans Saints … Started all 12 games and completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 3,332 yards and 16 touchdowns with 3 picks.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan linebacker started and notched 3 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in the 5-7 Steelers’ second-straight victory, a 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Totaled 65 stops, including 1 tackle for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups while opening all 12 outings this season.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped in all 13 games for the 7-5-1 Washington Commanders, including 11 times in a 20-20 tie to the New York Giants over the weekend.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Opened the game and recorded 3 tackles in a 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Started all 10 games in which he’s appeared for the 9-3 Chiefs, who have a three-game lead in the AFC East, with 26 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 9 quarterback hits and 3 sacks.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and played every offensive snap at center in the 5-7 Steelers’ 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Has a 67.9 overall PFF rating for the season with 16 pressures and 2 sacks given up.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Came off the bench, was targeted 10 times and made 3 receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown in the 1-10-1 Texans’ 27-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns … His score was his second of the season, a 6-yard strike.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Played 37 defensive snaps off the bench but did not record any statistics in the 9-3 Chiefs’ 27-24 setback to the Cincinnati Bengals … The former Michigan defensive end has recorded 17 tackles, 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hits in eight games.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Caught an 8-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass from Joe Burrow that put the 8-4 Bengals’ up 27-24 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter of a win over the Kansas City Chiefs … That was just his third reception and first touchdown of the season … Appeared in 11 games, mostly as a kick returner, with 3 catches for 38 yards and 1 touchdown and 10 kick returns with a 21.1-yard average.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and hauled in 1 catch for 8 yards in the 5-7 Steelers’ 19-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons … The former Michigan tight end has opened nine of 12 games this season, posting 16 grabs for 104 yards.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started at center in the 3-9 Broncos’ 10-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Has started eight of his 12 appearances for the season, with a 56.0 overall PFF grade and 9 pressures (1 sack) given up.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Recorded 1 sack along with 2 tackles, 1 stop for loss and a quarterback hit in the 11-1 Eagles’ 35-10 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans … Played in all 12 games off the bench, with 23 tackles, 6 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup and 1 forced fumble.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Missed the 7-5 Titans’ 35-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a hip injury believed to be suffered in practice … Has 13 special teams tackles, rushed 10 times for 42 times and caught 3 passes for 7 yards in 12 games on the season … Returned 19 kicks for 414 yards.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan quarterback has played in two contests during mop-up duty for the 9-3 Chiefs.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back made 1 tackle in the 8-4 Bengals’ 27-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs … Totaled 4 stops and 1 quarterback hit in 11 games with one start.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Played 29 special teams snaps but did not record any statistics in the 7-5-1 Commanders’ 20-20 tie with the New York Giants … Has appeared in nine games, mostly on special teams, recording 2 tackles.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Up to 6 sacks on the season after notching a half-sack in the 5-7 Lions’ 40-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Added 2 tackles, 1 quarterback hit and a team-high 4 pressures … Leads all rookie edge rushers in sacks and with 37 pressures on the season … Has 10 more pressures than the next-best Detroit Lions defender.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Started for a second straight week and made 2 tackles in the 3-9 Rams’ 27-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks … Played in nine games with four starts, accumulating 21 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
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Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Made 1 tackle while playing offense and special teams in the 9-3 Cowboys’ 54-19 drubbing of the Indianapolis Colts … Appeared in eight contests as a backup, with 2 receptions for 11 yards.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety recorded 2 tackles in the 10-2 Vikings’ 27-22 victory over the New York Jets … Has started one of his 12 games with 26 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 2 pass breakups.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Registered 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup in the 7-5 Seahawks’ 27-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams … Played in 11 games with two starts, recording 20 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 1 pass breakup and 1 quarterback hit.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Began practicing with the team Nov. 2 after being activated to the roster the prior day, following a torn Achilles he suffered at Michigan’s pro day in March … Has been available the last three weeks but hasn’t made his debut.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in the 6-6 Patriots’ 24-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Opened all 12 games this season, with an 81.6 overall PFF grade (ranks third on the Patriots offense) and only 8 pressures (no sacks) given up.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Returned after missing two-straight games with an ankle injury and notched 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hit in the 4-8-1 Colts’ 54-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … Started all eight games in which he’s appeared, with 33 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 5 sacks and 7 quarterback hits.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan wideout started and hauled in 3 catches for 44 yards while adding a 76-yard punt return touchdown to take a 7-5 second-quarter lead in the 5-7 Browns’ 27-14 win over the Houston Texans … His punt return touchdown was just the second by any player in the NFL this season … Made 45 receptions for 637 yards (both career highs) and 1 touchdown with 14 punt returns for 193 yards and 1 score in 12 games with 10 starts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Recorded 4 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, in the 6-6 Patriots’ 24-10 setback to the Buffalo Bills … Totaled 42 tackles, 2 stops for loss and 1 fumble recovery while appearing in all 12 games with three starts.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
The former Michigan offensive lineman has opened all 13 games at right guard for the 4-9 Saints, including Monday night’s 17-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Has a 56.8 overall PFF grade with 13 pressures and 2 sacks allowed.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started at right guard in the 5-8 Packers’ 28-19 win over the Chicago Bears … Has opened all 13 games this year — six at left guard and seven at right guard — with a 64.6 overall PFF rating … Given up 11 pressures and 2 sacks.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Played on special teams with no statistics in the 8-4 49ers’ 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins … Totaled 7 tackles in 11 appearances off the bench.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Recorded his second multi-sack game in the 6-6 Patriots’ 24-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, adding 7 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery … Tallied 29 tackles, 7 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 7 quarterback hits and 1 forced fumble in 10 games off the bench.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan defensive lineman recorded 2 tackles in the 5-7 Steelers’ 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Started 1 of 12 games and registered 26 tackles, including 3 for loss, and 1 fumble recovery on the year.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Packers OLB Rashan Gary
• Giants OL Ben Bredeson
• Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis
• Titans OL Taylor Lewan
• Patriots K Quinn Nordin
• Patriots OL Andrew Stueber
• Cowboys TE Ian Bunting
• Ravens LB Josh Ross
• Falcons OL Jalen Mayfield
• Browns DE Chase Winovich
Practice squad
The following are former Michigan players on NFL practice squads:
• WR Daylen Baldwin — Browns
• DE Taco Charlton — Saints
• CB Vincent Gray — Sainrts
• DB Brad Hawkins — Patriots
• LB Carlo Kemp — Chargers
• LB Cameron McGrone — Patriots
