We’re past the trade deadline, and Week 9 brought a little bit of everything for the former Hawks: a revived running back, a safety on the move, and another injury scare on defense.
Kaleb Johnson was the headline act in Green Bay. After a rough first season in Pittsburgh that left him with almost no touches, his career looked stuck before the Packers traded for him in August.
That move is paying off. With Josh Jacobs sidelined by injury, Johnson helped spark what might have been Green Bay’s best rushing performance of the season in New England.
He ran 14 times for 68 yards and scored his first career touchdown. He also ripped off a 34-yard run, the Packers’ longest from scrimmage this season.
The bigger picture on Johnson is still pretty modest, but there’s clearly something there. He now has 42 carries for 172 yards and that touchdown on the year.
Nick Niemann was right there in the same game making his own case. Forced into action because of injury, he played every snap on defense and special teams in Green Bay’s win over New England and finished with 7 tackles.
Matt LaFleur handed him the game ball afterward. It was a strong day for both guys.
Amani Hooker’s name belongs in the conversation too, even though he was on bye. Tennessee was busy before the deadline, first dealing Jeffery Simmons to the Bears and then sending Hooker to the Bills on Tuesday.
The Titans get a second-rounder back in the deal, while they also send a 5th to Buffalo with Hooker. He’ll join Geno Stone in Buffalo, and Stone was on the field for the Bills’ Monday night win over Minnesota but didn’t record any stats.
After the trade, Stone had this to tweet:
Hell yeah.
Hooker gives Buffalo exactly what it needs in the secondary, and he arrives with serious production behind him. He’s tied for the league lead in interceptions with 5 through 8 games.
The roughest update came with Riley Moss. Denver had things under control in Charlotte, up 10-0 on the Panthers, when Moss came up to tackle Trevor Etienne and took a knee to the head.
He didn’t go into the fencing pose, but the hit clearly concussed him. Moss did not return, and he finished the game with 2 tackles and 1 pass defended in Denver’s 26-21 win.
The tight end group, meanwhile, kept things low-key. Sam LaPorta caught 4 passes for 32 yards in Detroit’s 19-9 win over Miami.
Noah Fant had 1 catch for 12 yards in the Saints’ 23-22 overtime win over Cleveland. George Kittle posted 4 receptions for 58 yards in San Francisco’s 38-17 win over Las Vegas.
TJ Hockenson added 4 catches for 33 yards in Minnesota’s Monday night loss to Buffalo. Like I said - kinda quiet.
In Other News...
Iowa Defense Has A Purdue Chance Fans Will Instantly Recognize
The takeaway from Iowas defense this fall has been familiar in some ways and a little quieter in others. The Hawkeyes have only six interceptions through nine games, a dip from their usual turnover pace, but they have still been getting hands on plenty of passes with 34 breakups. Veteran cornerback Deshaun Lee has been the main ballhawk so far, leading the team with three picks and giving the secondary a chance to keep one of the programs most recognizable defensive traditions alive.
What is hanging in the balance now is an 18-year streak of returning an interception for a touchdown, a run that has become part of Iowas defensive identity. Purdue is the next opportunity, and Lee stands out as the most likely player to keep that line moving. For a defense that has spent the season creating disruption without always cashing in, this is the kind of moment Hawkeye fans know to watch for. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Basketball Just Brought A New Look To The Court
Iowa mens basketball is adding a new detail to its uniforms this season, with Iowa Athletics announcing Brava Roof Tile as the programs first official jersey patch partner. The companys logo will sit above the Big Ten conference emblem, giving the Hawkeyes a fresh look when the patch debuts Nov. 10 against Virginia Tech.
Bravas deal goes beyond the jersey, too, with student-athlete influencer marketing opportunities built into the partnership and featuring Iowa basketball players. It is another sign of how college programs continue to expand the business side of the sport, while also giving the Hawkeyes a new branding element fans will notice right away once the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas First Loss Exposed A Problem This Team Cant Ignore
For most of the night, Iowa had enough offense to keep pace with Virginia Tech, even after the game stretched into overtime. Cooper Koch led the way with 26 points, TyReek Coleman added 20, and Isaia Howard turned in a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, giving the Hawkeyes plenty to work with on the scoreboard.
But the first loss of the season also laid bare a problem Iowa cant brush aside. Virginia Tech shot 54% from the field, and the Hawkeyes left too many points at the line by missing 16 free throws, two issues that can undo a good offensive showing in a hurry. For a team trying to build on an unbeaten start, the margin for error just got a lot smaller. [Read more 🡒]