Across The Shield: Vonn Bell Makes Two Interceptions, Nick Bosa Takes League Lead in Sacks and J.K. Dobbins Scores Twice in One Quarter

By Dan Hope on October 4, 2022 at 10:10 am
J.K. Dobbins
Mitch Stringer – USA TODAY Sports
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Ohio State’s top performers in Week 4 of the NFL season included a pair of Buckeyes scoring their first touchdowns of the year and a pair of Buckeyes recording their first interceptions of the year.

J.K. Dobbins scored his first two touchdowns of the season in just his second game back after tearing his ACL in 2021, while Chris Olave scored the first touchdown of his NFL career. Nick Bosa became the league leader in sacks with his second multi-sack game of the season. Denzel Ward picked off his first pass of the season just one week after scoring a defensive touchdown. But we start this week’s edition of Across The Shield with Vonn Bell, who had his first two interceptions of the year to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a win on Thursday Night Football.

Pro Buck of the Week: Vonn Bell grabs two picks

Going into Thursday night’s game between the Bengals and Miami Dolphins, Vonn Bell had recorded only two interceptions in 96 regular-season games as an NFL player. 

He doubled his career interception total in one night.

First, Bell picked off Tua Tagovailoa late in the first quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, after Tagovailoa was taken to the hospital with a head injury that has sparked renewed conversation about the NFL’s concussion protocols, Bell snagged his second interception of the game against Teddy Bridgewater, preserving the Bengals’ 20-15 lead in a game they would ultimately win by 12.

Bell, who also had four tackles in the Bengals’ 27-15 victory, earns our top performer honor among former Ohio State players this week for his two takeaways. But he wasn’t the only former Buckeye to have a big game for the Bengals’ defense against the Dolphins.

Sam Hubbard earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade (81.2) among all Bengals defenders in Week 4 after recording a whopping nine quarterback pressures – including three quarterback hits – and two tackles for loss among four total tackles as he dominated his matchup with Dolphins right tackle Greg Little.

Eli Apple made the game-sealing play for the Bengals when he got his hand on a pass that was intended for Tyreek Hill, who talked trash to Apple leading up to the game. While Hill had a big night individually against the Bengals, catching 10 passes for 160 yards, only one of those catches for seven yards came against Apple, according to PFF.

Nick Bosa takes league lead in sacks

No player in the NFL has recorded more sacks this season than Nick Bosa.

The former Ohio State defensive end took the league lead with six sacks in just four weeks after taking Matthew Stafford down twice in the San Francisco 49ers’ 24-9 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Bosa has now recorded at least one sack in all four of the 49ers’ games this season with a pair of two-sack games. He’s already tallied a whopping 16 quarterback hits – seven more than any other player in the league – after getting to Stafford five times on MNF.

Jordan Fuller had two tackles, including a forced fumble in kickoff coverage that was recovered by the 49ers, in a losing effort for the Rams.

Dobbins scores twice in one quarter

In just his second game back from the torn ACL that cost him the entire 2021 season, J.K. Dobbins scored two touchdowns.

His first touchdown since returning from his injury came on a shovel pass from one yard out of the end zone. His second touchdown came on a 4-yard run.

In the process, Dobbins became just the second Baltimore Raven to ever score a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same quarter, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

Dobbins’ two touchdowns led the Ravens to an early 14-3 lead over the Buffalo Bills, but they ultimately lost the game 23-20 after allowing the Bills to score 20 unanswered points. Dobbins finished the game with 63 total yards (41 rushing, 22 receiving) on 17 total touches.

Olave scores first touchdown

Ohio State’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns scored his first touchdown in an NFL regular-season game this weekend.

Chris Olave’s first touchdown as a pro came when he caught a 4-yard pass from Andy Dalton early in the second quarter of the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Fresh off of earning Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for September, Olave caught four passes for 67 yards during Sunday’s game in London, including a leaping 32-yard catch in the game’s final minute that gave the Saints a chance to send the game to overtime, though they came up just short when Wil Lutz’s 61-yard field goal attempt double-doinked off the goalpost and crossbar. 

Four weeks into the season, Olave leads all rookies and ranks ninth among all players in the league with 335 receiving yards – 80 more than his former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, who has the second-most receiving yards among rookies so far.

The Saints’ other Buckeye wideout, Michael Thomas, did not play in London after suffering a foot injury in Week 3. On the defensive side of the ball, Marshon Lattimore and Pete Werner led the Saints with 10 and nine tackles, respectively. Lattimore had a rough day in coverage, however, as he gave up seven catches for 93 yards to Justin Jefferson, including a 39-yard catch by Jefferson that set up the Vikings’ game-winning field goal.

Ward picks one off

Denzel Ward had the third-highest coverage grade (92.8) of any NFL cornerback during Week 4, according to PFF, as the Atlanta Falcons made no catches against his coverage on Sunday.

His performance was highlighted by what might have been the smoothest interception of the week as he ran stride-for-stride on a crossing route with Falcons receiver Drake London – the only receiver selected ahead of Wilson and Olave in the 2022 NFL draft – and picked off a pass by Marcus Mariota.

Ward was also credited with another pass breakup and had a tackle for loss against the Falcons. His day wasn’t perfect, however, as he was penalized for grabbing Olamide Zaccheaus’ facemask at the end of a 42-yard catch-and-run that set up Younghoe Koo’s game-winning field goal in Atlanta’s 23-20 win.

Strong seasons continue for Brown and Hooker

If there was an award for the most improved NFL player from Ohio State, the early favorite to win that award this season would be Noah Brown, who has already set career-highs in receptions (18) and receiving yards (274) just four weeks into the season. He caught three passes for 61 yards, highlighted by a 45-yard deep grab, in the Dallas Cowboys’ 25-10 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Brown wasn’t the only Buckeye who had a big day in the Big D on Sunday as Malik Hooker recorded a season-high eight tackles with a tackle for loss. Hooker’s performance against Washington continued a solid start to the season for the sixth-year NFL safety, who has recorded 20 tackles while giving up only two catches for five yards in coverage, per PFF.

Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys with 49 rushing yards on 19 carries and had a 31-yard gain as a receiver off a checkdown pass.

Joey Bosa will miss most of season

While his younger brother’s season is off to a spectacular start, Joey Bosa is facing the likelihood of being sidelined for most of the 2022 NFL season.

The Los Angeles Chargers placed the older Bosa on injured reserve this past week after the former Buckeye star suffered a groin tear during their Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bosa is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery.

Bosa’s surgery was performed by the same surgeon, William C. Meyers, who performed Nick’s surgery after he suffered a core muscle injury that ultimately ended his Ohio State career in 2018.

Joey Bosa isn’t the only former Ohio State defensive lineman dealing with an injury early this season. Cameron Heyward had to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the New York Jets on Sunday multiple times due to elbow and ankle injuries. Tyquan Lewis has already been ruled out of the Indianapolis Colts’ Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos this week after suffering a concussion in the Colts’ loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Chase Young remains sidelined as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in 2021 and is reportedly “targeting a midseason return,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Jake McQuaide out for season

While Sunday was a good day for most of the Cowboys’ Buckeyes, it was a bad day for former Ohio State long snapper Jake McQuaide, who suffered a triceps injury that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the 2022 season, according to multiple reports.

If McQuaide does in fact miss the rest of the season, it will be the first time he has ever been sidelined in his NFL career, as he has played in 181 straight games without ever missing a game since he began his career with the then-St. Louis Rams in 2011.

Quick hits

  • Justin Fields had another uneven performance in the Chicago Bears’ loss to the New York Giants, completing only 11 of his 22 passing attempts for 174 yards and running the ball seven times for 52 yards, but put his arm strength on display by uncorking a 56-yard deep bomb to Darnell Mooney.
  • After a strong start to the season against the likes of Terry McLaurin and Justin Jefferson, Jeff Okudah had the worst game of his third NFL season to date after he was beaten for five receptions for 124 yards – including a pair of long catches by DK Metcalf – in the Detroit Lions’ 48-45 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
  • Trey Sermon played for the first time this season and had two carries for 19 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 29-21 win over the Jaguars.
  • The Arizona Cardinals signed Billy Price, who had been on the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, to their 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Full statistics for Week 4 and the 2022 season for every Buckeye who has been on a 53-man roster for at least one game so far this year can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors’ Matt Gutridge.

Buckeyes Around the NFL
PLAYER POSITION TEAM WEEK 4 STATS SEASON STATS
ELI APPLE CB BENGALS 2 tackles 10 tackles, 1 PBU
JEROME BAKER LB DOLPHINS 7 tackles 28 tackles, 0.5 sack (0.5 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 PBU
VONN BELL S BENGALS 4 tackles, 2 INT 22 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 QB hit, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF
JOEY BOSA DE CHARGERS Injured reserve (groin) 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks (12.5 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits, 1 FF
NICK BOSA DE 49ERS 3 tackles, 2 sacks (10 yards), 5 QB hits 14 tackles, 6 sacks (41 yards), 6 TFL, 16 QB hits
NOAH BROWN WR COWBOYS 3 catches, 61 yards 18 catches, 274 yards, 1 TD
BARON BROWNING OLB BRONCOS 2 tackles 3 tackles, 1 TFL
PARRIS CAMPBELL WR COLTS 4 catches, 43 yards 9 catches, 90 yards
JONATHON COOPER OLB BRONCOS Inactive 1 tackle
WYATT DAVIS OG SAINTS Did not play Has not played
TAYLOR DECKER OT LIONS Started at LT 4 starts at LT
J.K. DOBBINS RB RAVENS 13 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD 20 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD; 6 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
PAT ELFLEIN C PANTHERS Started at C 4 starts at C
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT RB COWBOYS 19 carries, 49 yards; 2 catches, 32 yards 59 carries, 227 yards; 5 catches, 27 yards
LUKE FARRELL TE JAGUARS Played on special teams 4 games played
JUSTIN FIELDS QB BEARS 11/22 passing, 174 yards; 7 carries, 52 yards 34/67 passing, 471 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT; 34 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
JORDAN FULLER S RAMS 1 tackle, 1 FF 10 tackles, 1 FF
DaVON HAMILTON DT JAGUARS 5 tackles 8 tackles, 1 TFL
JOHNATHAN HANKINS DT RAIDERS 2 tackles 8 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 PBU
MALIK HARRISON LB RAVENS 1 tackle 8 tackles
CAMERON HEYWARD DT STEELERS 3 tackles 17 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits, 1 PBU, 1 FR
MALIK HOOKER S COWBOYS 8 tackles, 1 TFL 20 tackles, 1 TFL
SAM HUBBARD DE BENGALS 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 QB hits 14 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 4 TFL, 8 QB hits, 1 PBU
JONAH JACKSON OG LIONS Inactive 1 start at RG
CAMERON JOHNSTON P TEXANS 3 punts, 52.0 average, 1 inside 20 20 punts, 49.2 average, 11 inside 20
DRE’MONT JONES DE BRONCOS 4 tackles, 2 TFL 13 tackles, 2 sacks (14 yards), 3 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 FF
JAMARCO JONES OG TITANS Injured reserve (triceps) Has not played
MICHAEL JORDAN OG PANTHERS Played on special teams 4 games played
MARSHON LATTIMORE CB SAINTS 10 tackles 15 tackles, 1 PBU
TYQUAN LEWIS DE COLTS 3 tackles 6 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 PBU
COREY LINSLEY C CHARGERS Started at C 3 starts at C
LIAM McCULLOUGH LS FALCONS Played at LS 4 games played
TERRY McLAURIN WR COMMANDERS 2 catches, 15 yards 14 catches, 250 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 7 yards
RAEKWON McMILLAN LB PATRIOTS Played on special teams 5 tackles
JAKE McQUAIDE LS COWBOYS Played at LS 4 games played
THAYER MUNFORD OT RAIDERS Played at OT 1 start, 3 games played
JOSH MYERS C PACKERS Started at C 4 starts at C
ANDREW NORWELL OG COMMANDERS Started at LG 4 starts at LG
JEFF OKUDAH CB LIONS 5 tackles, 1 PBU 23 tackles, 3 PBU
CHRIS OLAVE WR SAINTS 4 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD 21 catches, 335 yards, 1 TD; 2-point conversion
NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE OT TITANS Started at RT 4 starts at RT
BRADLEY ROBY CB SAINTS 2 tackles, 1 TFL 16 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 FR
JEREMY RUCKERT TE JETS Played at TE 3 games played
CURTIS SAMUEL WR COMMANDERS 4 catches, 38 yards 26 catches, 219 yards, 2 TD; 5 carries, 38 yards
TREY SERMON RB EAGLES 2 carries, 19 yards 2 carries, 19 yards
MICHAEL THOMAS WR SAINTS Inactive 16 catches, 171 yards, 3 TD
TOMMY TOGIAI DT BROWNS Started at DT 2 tackles, 0.5 sack (4.5 yards), 1 QB hit
NICK VANNETT TE SAINTS Inactive 1 catch, 5 yards
SHAUN WADE CB PATRIOTS Did not play Has not played
DENZEL WARD CB BROWNS 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU 10 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 1 TD
PETE WERNER LB SAINTS 9 tackles 41 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
GARRETT WILSON WR JETS 2 catches, 41 yards 20 catches, 255 yards, 2 TD; 1 rush, -2 yards
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