Hawkeyes in the NFL Week 8: Tristan Wirfs Rock Solid for Bucs

Tampa Bay waited patiently for an offensive tackle to fall during April’s NFL Draft and jumped up to the 13th overall pick when the one it liked did. It ended up being Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. Three players at the position already had been chosen.

If early returns are any indication, the Buccaneers received the best of a talented bunch. Wirfs has taken just about every snap at right tackle for them in a 6-2 start. He, legendary quarterback Tomy Brady and a talented roster knocked off the Giants in New York, 25-23, Monday night.

Wirfs entered this week’s action with a 72.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, making him the No. 32-rated tackle in the league. That also made him the highest-ranked rookie at the position. He’s been particularly good at protecting Brady.

Highest-graded rookie OTs
1. Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers – 72.0
2. Mekhi Becton, Jets – 70.4 pic.twitter.com/kE6RELiFsr

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 28, 2020

In 482 snaps going into Monday’s action, Wirfs had allowed just one sack (301 pass block snaps) and was called for three penalties. His 76.1 PFF pass blocking grade ranked 25th among all NFL tackles this season.

Linebacker/edge Anthony Nelson contributed a quarterback hit in Monday’s Tampa Bay win. Giants long snapper Casey Kreiter logged seven snaps in the contest.

Other weekend performances from former Iowa players in the NFL:

Minnesota pulled off an upset, 28-22, against the rival Packers. Defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson chipped in four tackles (three solo) for the Vikings, while teammate Riley Reiff helped pave the way for a strong offensive output from his left tackle spot.

Josh Jackson started at cornerback and logged 45 of 52 defensive snaps for Green Bay. He recorded five tackles (four solo).

Super Bowl champion Kansas City rolled over the hapless Jets, 35-9. Linebacker Ben Niemann recorded two tackles (one solo) during 23 (41 percent) defensive snaps and 23 (82 percent) more on special teams. Fellow Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens saw 33 snaps (59 percent) but did not register any statistics.

Cincinnati picked up a 31-20 home win against previously once-beaten Tennessee. Tackle Mike Daniels contributed a solo tackle during 35 (56 percent) defensive snaps in the triumph. Safety Amani Hooker recorded two assisted tackles for the Titans.

Denver slipped by the visiting Chargers, 31-30, on a last-second score. Linebacker Josey Jewell delivered 10 tackles (six solo), while rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia contributed four stops (three solo) in the win. Broncos tight end Noah Fant secured seven of nine targets for 47 yards.

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga returned to the lineup for Los Angeles after missing three games with an injured back. His teammate, Desmond King, was inactive for the contest and then traded to Tennessee on Monday.

Titans trading for CB Desmond King for a 6th round pick. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/ZYYwjoRj9O

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— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2020

Buffalo pulled out a 24-21 home victory against New England. Offensive guard Ike Boettger logged 48 snaps (83 percent) for the winners. Bills’ safety Micah Hyde sat out the win with a concussion, while rookie defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa was a healthy scratch.

Carl Davis was inactive for the Patriots. Lineman James Ferentz was lifted from the COVID-19 list earlier in the week but did not see any snaps on offense.

San Francisco fell, 37-27, at Seattle. Quarterback C.J. Beathard was inactive for the 49ers. Tight end George Kittle caught two of four targets for 39 yards and left the game with an injury. We found out on Monday that he would be out for awhile.

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BREAKING: George Kittle reportedly is out eight weeks with a fractured foothttps://t.co/RykfylfJzC pic.twitter.com/grvPyNc3lK

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 2, 2020

The Rams came up short, losing 28-17 in Miami. Los Angeles center Austin Blythe logged an amazing 95 snaps (100 percent) in the loss.

Defensive end Adrian Clayborn played 21 snaps in Cleveland’s 16-6 loss against visiting Las Vegas. He was credited with three tackles (one solo).

Detroit dropped a 41-21 decision against visiting Indianapolis. Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson hauled in seven of 10 targets for 65 yards but failed to find the end zone for the first time in four games. Tackle Matt Nelson did not see any offensive snaps but played four (13 percent) on special teams in the setback.

Baltimore came up short against visiting Pittsburgh, 28-24. Ravens rookie linebacker Kristian Welch did not play any defensive snaps but showed up on 17 (63 percent) for the special teams.