Across the Shield: Michael Thomas Goes Off, Joey Bosa Lives the Shrug Life & Donte Whitner Makes a Comeback

#Shhhhh

While the current Buckeye receivers struggled to get any separation Saturday night, Michael Thomas was absolutely unguardable on Sunday (hence the Twitter handle @cantguardmike).

Thomas had his his first career 100-yard performance in the Saints' game against the Chiefs. He had 10 receptions for 130 yards on 13 targets – all career highs for the former Buckeye.

All that we need... is a rude awakening to know that "we're" good enough! #shhhh #thankyouGod #iwantmore #whodat pic.twitter.com/mWdxwQdzPt

— Mike Thomas (@Cantguardmike) October 23, 2016

"If my number's called, I'm going to make the play," Thomas said after the game.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said he was going to contribute early, and he wasn't wrong. On the season, Thomas has 36 catches for 437 yards, good for second and third among rookies, respectively.

"He's getting better and better," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "(We're) continuing to open the playbook for him and find ways to utilize him."

Shrug Life

San Diego seems to have made a wise choice in drafting Joey Bosa third overall.

Saturday, Bosa's two sack performance helped lift the Chargers past the Falcons 33-30 in overtime.

Through just three games, Bosa already has 11 tackles, four sacks and five tackles for a loss. But even those incredible numbers don't paint an accurate picture of just how dominant he's been when he's on the field. 

Bosa has 20 quarterback pressures so far this season; only 23 other edge rushers have more. Here's the thing – he's only played in three games on 25 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps. To put up those sorts of numbers on such few opportunities, he'd have to be in the backfield basically every snap he plays – and he is.

It's not crazy to say San Diego could be 6-1 if they hadn't completely botched the Joey Bosa situation

— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) October 23, 2016

His two sacks against Atlanta gives him two multi-sack performances in three games. Basically, Bosa has turned in multi-sack games twice as often as he hasn't, which is good. 

Could former Ohio State roommates Ezekiel Elliott and Joey Bosa sweep the NFL Rookie of the Year Awards this season? It seems like we're heading swiftly in that direction.

Hitner Returns

Donte Whitner started the season as a free-agent and many presumed the former Buckeye had played his last down in an NFL uniform. Last week, however, the Washington Redskins added the hard-hitting safety to their roster giving his career new life.

Whitner didn't make much impact in his 2016 debut last week, recording just four total tackles. Sunday, however, he played heavy minutes in the Redskins' game against the Lions and led the team in total tackles with eight.

A couple of practice videos show that he hasn't lost a step in coverage, either.

31 years old and still making plays – tip of the cap to Hitner.

Play of the Week

With so many Buckeyes on bye weeks and out with injuries, there really is no play of the week this week. However, you won't go away totally empty handed! Instead, I give you a fantastic picture of Terrelle Pryor in a suit:

#GoBrowns ! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5j0KMjec5K

— Terrelle Pryor SR (@TerrellePryor) October 22, 2016

As well as Ezekiel Elliott being a quality human being:

This little girl would not stop hugging her new little puppy and Zeke could not get over how precious she was pic.twitter.com/lxQNmzg3TU

— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) October 17, 2016

In addition to sponsoring the $21 pet adoption day Ezekiel Elliott donated $10,000 to @spcaoftexas pic.twitter.com/kkBRse4Xk6

— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) October 17, 2016

If this doesn't satisfy you, I do apologize and will forward your complaint on to all of the former Buckeyes who active on NFL rosters this coming week.

Ohio Against the World

Last week, I warned you this wasn't going to be pretty – I was right.

The Cowboys were off this week along with the Panthers, Carlos Hyde was out with an injury and Terrelle Pryor was limited with a hamstring injury. 

I maintain that I'm going to win a game this season, it was just never going to be this week (barring a 42-point performance from Braxton Miller, of course). 

***Player listed as "Injured/Physically Unable to Perform"