Across The Shield is Eleven Warriors’ weekly recap of the best and most notable performances from former Ohio State players throughout the NFL.
Cameron Heyward, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chase Young were among the league’s top performers in Week 14 while Denzel Ward earned some well-deserved recognition for his work in the community.
Two sacks for Cam
Cameron Heyward had a second straight dominant performance to help lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win over an AFC North rival from Ohio in Week 14.
Heyward had five total tackles with two tackles for loss for the second week in a row, following up his Week 13 performance against the Cincinnati Bengals with another such performance against the Cleveland Browns. All five of his tackles against the Browns came within four yards of the line of scrimmage, including two sacks against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.
Two more sacks for Cam Heyward on Sunday, who continues to be a top interior defender in the NFL. #ProBowlVote x @CamHeyward pic.twitter.com/IUiLA8dYjc
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) December 9, 2024
The 14-year NFL veteran, who seems to just keep getting better with time, has now recorded 55 total tackles with eight sacks in 2024. His second two-sack game of the season earned Heyward our Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer of the week.
| Week | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins | 10 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 4 yards |
| 2 | Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. | 4 catches, 130 yards, 2 TD |
| 3 | Commanders WR Terry McLaurin | 4 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD |
| 4 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR, 9 QB pressures |
| 5 | Seahawks LB Jerome Baker | 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF |
| 6 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 4 tackles, 2 QB hits, 14 QB pressures |
| 7 | Bengals DE Sam Hubbard | 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 QB hits |
| 8 | Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. | 6 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD |
| 9 | Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 7 catches, 180 yards, 2 TD |
| 10 | Saints DE Chase Young | 1 sack, 1 FF, 2 QB hits, 9 QB pressures |
| 11 | Browns CB Denzel Ward | 4 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 PBU |
| 12 | Ravens LB Malik Harrison | 13 tackles, 1 TFL |
| 13 | Browns CB Denzel Ward | 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU that forced an INT |
| 14 | Steelers DT Cameron Heyward | 5 tackles, 2 sacks |
Young racks up 10 pressures
No NFL pass rusher had more quarterback pressures in Week 14 than Chase Young, who racked up a whopping 10 pressures – including three quarterback hits – in the New Orleans Saints’ 14-11 win over the New York Giants.
Chase Young generated 10 pressures (tying a career high) on 36 pass rushes against the Giants, including 6 pressures in under 2.5 seconds.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 8, 2024
On the season, Young currently ranks 4th in the NFL in pressures (61) entering the rest of the Week 14 slate.#NOvsNYG | #Saints pic.twitter.com/qxThkmUmhQ
While Young’s traditional box score stats for the game didn’t stand out as he recorded one tackle with one pass breakup, he undeniably made a big impact on the Saints’ defensive efforts as they allowed the Giants to score just twice. He received an overall grade of 89.6 for the game from Pro Football Focus, the third-highest among all NFL defenders in Week 14.
A season-high for Wilson
Garrett Wilson had his most productive game of the season in terms of yardage in Week 14 as he caught seven passes for a season-high 114 yards in the New York Jets’ overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Wilson’s performance was highlighted by his two longest catches of the season to date as he hauled in a 42-yard deep ball from Aaron Rodgers and had a 35-yard catch-and-run earlier in the game. Both long gains set up touchdowns for the Jets.
Garrett being Garrett!!!#NYJvsMIA on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/fJYJRBztYx
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2024
G5 made it happen for a first down #NYJvsMIA on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/RnGJJ1iBjq
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2024
Wilson also got open deep over the middle for what could have potentially been a game-winning 32-yard touchdown in the final two minutes of regulation, but Aaron Rodgers never saw Wilson and ended up taking a sack instead.
This is the second-down sack on the Jets last possession of regulation. Garrett Wilson wide open over the middle. Look at the frustration. #Jets pic.twitter.com/1XdEDIiPbK
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 9, 2024
Nevertheless, Wilson still had his fourth 100-yard game of the season, bringing him to 877 receiving yards on the season, the eighth-most in the NFL this year. His 81 catches for the year are tied for the second-most in the league.
JSN scores touchdown, makes spectacular catch
The Seattle Seahawks won their fourth straight game in Week 14 with a 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to play a huge role in their success.
JSN was the Seahawks’ leading receiver for the sixth game in a row as he caught five passes for 82 yards in Arizona, including a 19-yard touchdown catch for his fifth score of the season.
Smith to Smith-Njigba for the score! pic.twitter.com/syvqbSRpHy
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 8, 2024
Later in the first half, Smith-Njigba made a spectacular fingertip catch as he hauled in a low throw over the middle of the field just before it hit the ground for a 24-yard gain.
Still can't believe JSN caught this pic.twitter.com/7J5SKAQ6w8
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 8, 2024
Smith-Njigba has now caught 75 passes for 911 yards, the sixth-most receiving yards among all NFL players this season.
Ward nominated for NFL Man of the Year
Three days after he paid tribute to his father with the cleats he wore during his standout performance on last week’s Monday Night Football as part of the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, Ward’s work to honor his father drew more recognition on Thursday when he was named as the Cleveland Browns’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
We are proud to announce that this year's Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee is Denzel Ward!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 5, 2024
Denzel and his mom, Nicole, have done amazing work with their @MTKYN_ Foundation to promote heart health.
Read more https://t.co/1t8V5Xe0OW@Nationwide | #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/PMJt2wd3x0
Ward was nominated for the award in recognition of his work with the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, which he started in 2019 in memory of his father, who died from sudden cardiac arrest in 2018. The Make Them Know Your Name Foundation seeks to prevent cardiac deaths through initiatives such as providing AEDs to local organizations in Cleveland and hosting community events where participants learn how to use AEDs and perform CPR.
If Ward wins the award, he would become the second straight NFL Man of the Year from Ohio State as Heyward won the award after last season.
Quick Hits
- Malik Hooker picked off his former Ohio State teammate Joe Burrow for his second interception of the season.
.@MalikHooker24 scoops it
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 10, 2024
: #CINvsDAL on ESPN
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/0tThquwQp8
- Johnathan Hankins recorded his first sack of the season in the Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals.
- Joey Bosa sacked Patrick Mahomes on Sunday Night Football for his fourth sack of the year.
Joey Bosa. With AUTHORITY.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 9, 2024
NFL
pic.twitter.com/IqgZpSbj58
- The Green Bay Packers added Michael Jordan to their practice squad after he was released by the New England Patriots.
- The Minnesota Vikings waived Jake McQuaide after four games as their long snapper. McQuaide was filling in for the Vikings’ regular long snapper, Andrew DePaola, who returned from injured reserve for their Week 14 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Week 14 Stats
The following table, compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge, includes statistics for this week and the entire 2024 season for every Buckeye who has played in at least one game this season. (Note: The table only includes players who finished their college careers at Ohio State.)
| PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM | WEEK 14 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | CHARGERS | Injured reserve (hamstring) | 2 tackles, 1 PD |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | TITANS | Inactive | 54 tackles, 1 sack (0 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | Played at S | 49 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 2 PD |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | 1 tackle, 1 sack (0 yards) | 16 tackles, 4 sacks (16 yards), 4 TFL, 10 QB hits |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | Inactive | 36 tackles, 7.0 sacks (40 yards), 10 TFL, 15 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COMMANDERS | Bye | 35 catches, 453 yards, 1 TD |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | CARDINALS | 2 tackles, 1 TFL | 14 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | EAGLES | Practice squad | 6 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | Bye | 49 tackles, 8 sacks (40 yards), 8 TFL, 14 QB hits, 1 FF |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | Inactive | 10 starts at LT |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | CHARGERS | Injured reserve (knee) | 158 carries, 766 yards, 8 TD; 23 catches, 123 yards |
| TOMMY EICHENBERG | LB | RAIDERS | Played on special teams | 11 tackles |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | 2 carries, 4 yards; 1 catch, 2 yards | 61 carries, 193 yards, 2 TD; 7 catches, 33 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | Played at TE | 9 catches, 55 yards; 1 tackle |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | STEELERS | Did not play | 106/161, 1,106 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT; 61 carries, 281 yards, 5 TD |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | PANTHERS | 3 tackles | 37 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FF |
| MIKE HALL JR. | DT | BROWNS | Injured reserve (knee) | 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hit |
| DAVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 5 tackles, 1 TFL | 45 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | SEAHAWKS | 1 tackle, 1 sack (8 yards) | 25 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 4 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 PD |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | Bye | 38 tackles, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 TFL |
| ZACH HARRISON | DL | FALCONS | 3 tackles, 1 PD | 16 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD |
| MARVIN HARRISON JR. | WR | CARDINALS | 4 catches, 49 yards | 45 catches, 655 yards, 7 TD |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | 5 tackles, 2 sacks (9 yards) | 55 tackles, 8 sacks (62 yards), 10 TFL, 19 QB hits, 8 PD |
| RONNIE HICKMAN | S | BROWNS | 3 tackles | 30 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 PD, 1 FR |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | COMMANDERS | Bye | 11 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 3 TFL, 2 QB hits |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | 7 tackles, 1 INT | 62 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 1 QB hit, 3 PD |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 1 tackle | 39 tackles, 2 sacks (6 yards), 3 TFL, 9 QB hits, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FF |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | RAMS | Did not play | 2 starts at C, 1 start at LG |
| PARIS JOHNSON JR. | OL | CARDINALS | Started at LT | 13 starts at LT |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | STEELERS | Injured reserve (knee) | 2 punts, 51.5 average, 1 inside 20 |
| DAWAND JONES | OT | BROWNS | Injured reserve (ankle) | 5 starts at RT, 3 starts at LT, 9 games played |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DE | SEAHAWKS | 1 tackle | 22 tackles, 4 sacks (35 yards), 6 TFL, 11 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FF |
| JAMARCO JONES | OT | LIONS | Practice squad | 2 games played |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PACKERS | Practice squad | 11 starts at LG, 1 FR, 12 games played |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | COMMANDERS | Bye | 30 tackles, 2 PD |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | Bye | 20 tackles, 1.5 sack (9.5 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits, 1 FF |
| TANNER McCALISTER | S | BRONCOS | Bye | 1 tackle |
| LIAM McCULLOUGH | LS | FALCONS | Played at LS | 13 games played |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | COMMANDERS | Bye | 61 catches, 906 yards, 9 TD; 2 carries, 2 yards; 1 FR |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | Bye | 45 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| JAKE McQUAIDE | LS | VIKINGS | Waived | 4 games played |
| THAYER MUNFORD | OT | RAIDERS | Played at OT | 4 starts at RT, 10 games played |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | Started at C | 12 starts at C |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | TEXANS | Bye | 4 tackles |
| CHRIS OLAVE | WR | SAINTS | Injured reserve (head) | 32 catches, 400 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 tackles |
| NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE | OT | TITANS | Started at RT | 8 starts at RT, 10 games played |
| ISAIAH PRINCE | OT | TITANS | Practice squad | 1 game played |
| JEREMY RUCKERT | TE | JETS | Played at TE | 14 catches, 76 yards; 1 tackle |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | BILLS | 2 catches, 15 yards; 1 carry, 1 yard | 23 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD; 5 carries, 14 yards |
| TREY SERMON | RB | COLTS | Bye | 47 carries, 131 yards, 2 TD; 12 catches, 75 yards |
| KENDALL SHEFFIELD | CB | JETS | Played on special teams | 3 tackles |
| JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA | WR | SEAHAWKS | 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 FR | 75 catches, 911 yards, 5 TD; 3 carries, 17 yards; 1/1 passing, 35 yards; 1 tackle, 1 FR |
| CADE STOVER | TE | TEXANS | Bye | 13 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD |
| C.J. STROUD | QB | TEXANS | Bye | 253/397, 2,885yards, 14 TD, 7 INT; 42 carries, 194 yards |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DT | TEXANS | Bye | 10 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 2 PD |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | TITANS | 1 catch, 4 yards | 13 catches, 94 yards, 2 TD |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | CHARGERS | Practice squad | Has not played |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 5 tackles | 33 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 2 INT, 18 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 6 tackles | 63 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PD |
| GARRETT WILSON | WR | JETS | 7 catches, 114 yards | 81 catches, 877 yards, 5 TD |
| LUKE WYPLER | C | BROWNS | Injured reserve (ankle) | Has not played |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | SAINTS | 1 tackle, 3 QB hits, 1 PD | 21 tackles, 3.5 sacks (20.5 yards), 6 TFL, 19 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF |
