The first thing that stood out to me about Keldric Faulk is the frame. The Auburn defensive lineman is 6'6 and 276 pounds, which already looks like an NFL defensive end before he even steps onto the field. The Cowboys are trying to build a more physical front, and Faulk fits that perfectly. During his Auburn career, he recorded 109 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks across 37 games.
I found that Murdock wins with instincts, angles, and physicality. He reads plays quickly, stays square, and finishes tackles. One thing I noticed is he doesn't overrun the ball or guess his way into trouble, he plays within the structure of the defense and does his job snap after snap. What really stood out to me is how he creates turnovers. Murdock finished his college career as the all-time FBS leader in forced fumbles, and that's not just luck.
Presumably, Eric Kendricks will take over after his three-game onboarding since a Nov. 26 arrival. Curtis Robinson started the previous three games there but hasn't suited up since then. With Dee Winters (ankle) also suspect and Nick Martin (concussion) on injured reserve, the 49ers are adding eighth-year veteran Kyzir White to their practice squad, where they could also call up Jalen Graham.
Jaxson Dart is the captain now, and he has a firm grip on the starting job. Dart has flashed immense promise and, while not perfect, has helped put the Giants in position to win games... right before his defense gives up the lead. Sound familiar? Containing Dart and his ability to improvise outside of the pocket is key to limiting his effectiveness.
Bain Jr. is Miami's built-in chaos button off the edge, playing with low pads, heavy hands, and a first step that jolts tackles before they settle, with enough size to kick inside and handle guards on passing downs. He wins with leverage, torque, and a relentless motor that turns pressures into drive-killers, and he sets a sturdy edge for a guy his size.
Washington managed to keep its Week 17 contest much more competitive than anybody would have expected after it was announced that Josh Johnson would be getting the start at quarterback. The offensive supporting cast stepped up, but so did the Commanders' pass rush, sacking Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott six times. Three of those sacks belonged to second-year defensive tackle Johnny Newton, who had a wildly up-and-down day.
As a unit, the defensive line is at 39% in Pass Rush Win Rate (12th) and 32% Run Stop Win Rate (6th), so the plan is to push the middle of the pocket and make every Justin Herbert dropback feel crowded. Individually, the star power inside has been Quinnen Williams, who is number one in Run Stop Win Rate (46%) among inside defensive linemen, while Osa Odighizuwa is also top-10 (39%).
When the Dolphins run: Miami's speedy 1,000-yard rusher, De'Von Achane, sustained a rib injury last Sunday, but he has a positive outlook toward playing after an X-ray and MRI came back clean. Even after he and his 92 rushing yards exited in the win against the New York Jets, second-year tailback Jaylen Wright had a career afternoon with his first 100-yard rushing game and first NFL touchdown.
The Cowboys run defense was one of the worst, if not the worst, in the league prior to the trade that brought Quinnen Williams to Dallas. His addition to their defensive line has been the catalyst that has dramatically improved the run defense for the better. Since Williams' arrival opponents have only rushed for 204 yards, averaging 68 yards per game. While it's definitely encouraging, they haven't faced a RB duo like Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
His "contact courage" has been noted by coaches and teammates as an often overlooked but critical ingredient to the Patriots' defensive success. A third-quarter play in a Week 11 win over the New York Jets -- when 6-foot-1, 205-pound Gonzalez jacked up receiver Tyler Johnson, leading receiver Isaiah Williams to run into Johnson's back on a sweep -- is one notable example of Gonzalez's recent success in that area.
Philadelphia allowed just 89 rushing yards in that game, the fewest they had allowed all season. From that game on, the Eagles have been one of the league's best at stopping the run. Over their last four games, Philadelphia has allowed an average of just 83 rushing yards a game. They also lead the league in defensive rush EPA (-0.264) by a wide margin, showing just how dominant they have been against the run.
"It was crazy, not just to see a living legend but somebody that played at a high level in the league," Verse said. "To be able to meet him and sit down with him, it was cool."
Asked what it will take to upset the Cardinals (7-1, 4-1), Cal coach Justin Wilcox offered no magic formula. Block and tackle. I know that's going to seem like coach-talk and over-simplification but it's true, he said. We have to block and we have to tackle. Without that, we have no chance. I don't care what scheme you have. You just have a dry-erase marker at that point.
