All articles tagged with #pff grades
Nebraska defeated Maryland 48-23 to reach 5-0, despite a sloppy first half and 16 penalties. Dwayne McDougle’s 81-yard pick-six shifted momentum, while the defense forced three turnovers. The Huskers now face Indiana.
Through two games, Miami’s upgraded O-line has failed to secure protection, surrendering nine sacks (league-leading) and posting poor pass-blocking grades for most blockers against the 49ers, with Austin Jackson singled out and others like Kadyn Proctor and Jonah Savaiinaea also graded poorly. Brewer was a relative bright spot in run blocking, while De’Von Achane’s output remained below his usual pace at about 3.5 yards per carry. Malik Willis showed efficiency when clean but struggled under pressure and facing blitzes. With Kansas City and Minnesota next, both blitz-happy teams, the Dolphins face urgent need for improvement and likely personnel moves, including possible long-term shifts for Jackson and Proctor, while Caedan Wallace saw increased rotational action.
Nebraska totaled 493 yards and 34 points against North Dakota’s 13th-ranked FCS defense. QB Anthony Colandrea went 15-for-21 for 195 yards with a touchdown and added 19 rushing yards and another rushing score, while the line allowed zero sacks or QB hits. The Huskers ran 45 times, averaging over six yards per carry, and 11 different receivers recorded a catch, led by Nyziah Hunter (3 receptions, 24 yards). Jamal Rule totaled 154 all-purpose yards and two scores, highlighting a deep and productive NU offense as Nebraska fed a versatile group through a balanced attack.
Rookie linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (14) and Chris Johnson (11) combined for double-digit tackles in their NFL debuts, a Dolphins rookie first since 1996, as Rodriguez showed strong pass coverage and Johnson contributed in run defense. The unit, however, had first-half run-defense issues and did not record a sack, while Taaffe and Trader Jr. notched interceptions. PFF grades were mixed across the defense, with some linemen praised for run defense and others rated poorly. Rodriguez and Johnson played all 68 defensive snaps; Kyle Louis was injured and is expected to miss the next game, as Miami prepares for the 49ers.
Bears defeated the Panthers 59-37 in the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and four total touchdowns, with Jalen Coker totaling 138 receiving yards and two scores. Pro Football Focus highlighted Young and Coker as bright spots for Carolina while noting other offensive struggles; on defense, Bobby Brown III and Jaelan Phillips produced pressure, but the Panthers allowed a franchise-record 59 points.
In Week 1, the Dolphins fell 27-13 to the Raiders in a game that exposed a mix of promise and blocking issues. Caleb Douglas starred with 94 receiving yards on five catches, Kadyn Proctor earned praise as a run blocker, and Aaron Brewer was the standout pass blocker, but the offensive line struggled in pass protection with multiple pressures and sacks. QB Willis posted a 66.9 passer rating (15-of-27, 220 yards, interception) while also rushing for 39 yards and a TD, yet the unit opened with a subpar run game as Achane gained 36 yards on 11 carries behind insufficient blocking. Washington and Bell contributed modestly, several rookies saw limited action, and overall the offense flashed potential but needs cleaner protection and more consistency to maximize its playmakers.
Michigan stunned No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 behind a dominant defensive effort and a more involved Bryce Underwood, who rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries and went 9-for-17 for 111 yards with a 38-yard touchdown run. PFF grades show the defense at 84.2 overall (elite pass rush and run defense) while the offense sits at 61.3; Underwood led the offense with a 72.0 overall grade and 68.1 rushing grade, aided by strong receiving play. Oklahoma was held to 289 total yards and 10 points on 3-for-13 on third down. The win improves Michigan to 2-0 and highlights ongoing progress, though the run game still has room to grow, particularly in blocking across the board.
San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 27-7 in Melbourne, with a strong offense and an improved defense. Pro Football Focus highlighted top performers like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa on defense, and a mix of high marks across the offense (including Deebo Samuel, Colton McKivitz, Jake Brendel, and Trent Williams) while some players such as Luke Farrell, Connor Colby, George Kittle, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Kyle Juszczyk posted lower grades. The overall performance reflects a three-phase win and progress under the new defensive staff.
In Rob Aurich’s first game as Nebraska’s defensive coordinator, 34 defenders rotated through a 49–21 win over Ohio, producing 303 total yards for the Bobcats with an 18‑man front and 17 pressures but only two sacks. The Huskers limited Ohio’s ground game (75 rushing yards on 13 runs) while receiving solid play from the secondary and linebackers; Victor Evans III topped the defense in overall grade, Rex Guthrie notched his first interception, and Owen Chambliss’ absence pushed Shavers into Green Dot duties, where he posted the highest defensive grade. The performance shows progress but also room to tighten pass rush and scramble containment for 2026.
Nebraska dominated Ohio 49-21 in Week 1, led by Anthony Colandrea’s standout debut (84.3 overall, 298 all-purpose yards, 4 TDs) and a balanced attack that piled up 523 rushing/receiving yards. Colandrea added seven scrambles/design runs with five converted first downs, and went 6-for-8 on third downs. The Huskers leaned on a deep backfield, led by Jamal Rule (169 all-purpose, 3 TDs) and Mekhi Nelson (64 rushing, 65 receiving), while receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Jacory Barney flashed playmaking ability. The offensive line allowed zero sacks and consistently protected, with 24 players recording snaps on offense. Overall, the unit showed strong depth and efficiency in the season opener according to PFF.
Green Bay rolled to a 33-13 victory over Denver in a preseason matchup, with Pro Football Focus grades highlighting a mix of standout and developing performances. Top offense included OL Josh Gesky (94.3), WR Matthew Golden (82.6), QB Jordan Love (81.7), OL Travis Glover (79.2) and RB MarShawn Lloyd (75.3). Top defense featured DL Jonathan Ford (92.5), LB Nick Niemann (91.6), S Mark Perry (84.5), LB Kristian Welch (82.0) and EDGE Brenton Cox Jr. (80.2). Bottom performers on offense included OL Brant Banks (39.8), OL Donovan Jennings (41.3), WR Kisean Johnson (43.4), QB Tyrod Taylor (44.9) and OL Anthony Belton (49.3); bottom defenders were Arden Walker (37.3), Xavier McKinney (42.1), Edgerrin Cooper (45.1), Nazir Stackhouse (49.7) and Jaylin Simpson (50.4). Special teams posted an 81.7, while Love led a scoring drive (5-of-7 passing, including a fourth-down conversion and a TD to MarShawn Lloyd) and Kyle McCord posted a solid 66.5. The Packers’ defense limited Stidham/Ehlinger to 93 yards on 11 completions, with Mark Perry intercepting a pass, signaling improved depth after the opener against the Steelers.
San Francisco rolled to a 41-17 preseason victory over Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, with De'Zhaun Stribling posting a game-high 90.5 offensive grade and rookie James Thompson Jr. leading the defense at 90.3; Brock Purdy was the top QB with a 64.1 offensive grade, while Adrian Martinez struggled (26.3) with two interceptions but a rushing TD. The 49ers allowed 17 pressures (mostly by the O-line), and the article highlights top performers and their snap counts across offense, defense, and special teams.
In Chicago's Week 1 preseason win over the Browns, undrafted rookie Theo Benedet posted the Bears' sixth-best offensive grade with a clean pass-pro line at right tackle, while sixth-round DT Jordan van den Berg showed elite athleticism with three pressures and a QB hit, signaling potential depth on the line even as he needs more discipline; other notable moments included Salvon Ahmed's TD and Beanie Bishop Jr.'s two interceptions.
PFF released the Rams’ first 2026 grades from their preseason win over the Chiefs, with Ty Simpson delivering a clean, efficient line (25 dropbacks, 21-for-25, 190 yards, 2 TDs; adjusted completion 91.3%) and ranking third among 2026 rookies at quarterback. Stetson Bennett finished last among 22 offensive players, with limited targets and a couple of misses. On offense, Austin Blaske led the group at left guard (80.9), Brennan Presley led receivers (79.6), followed by Simpson (78.1), Beaux Limmer (74.4), and Mark Redman (73.9). On defense, Zech McPhearson topped the unit (80.7), with Cam Lampkin (68.2), Alex Cook (64.5), Ty Hamilton (64.4), and Al’zillion Hamilton (63.9) completing the top five. The Rams won the preseason game, and more PFF grades will roll out after the next matchup.
In the Packers’ 28-9 preseason loss to the Steelers, Kyle McCord led the Packers’ offense with the top grade (85.3) as the standout passer, while Jordan Love and Tyrod Taylor were less impactful among Packers QBs; others on offense—Jordan Morgan, J. Michael Sturdivant, Donovan Jennings and Messiah Swinson—also posted solid marks. On defense, Jonathan Ford topped the unit with an 80.6, supported by Chris McClellan, Jaden Crumedy, Brandon Cisse and Benjamin St-Juste. The bottom tier featured OL Anthony Belton, Jaden Nixon, Jager Burton, Dillon Wade and Drake Dabney, plus weaker showings from Anthony Campbell, Kristian Welch, Kitan Oladapo and Keisean Nixon. Special teams impressed, led by Shemar Bartholomew and J. Michael Sturdivant, with Trey Smack perfect on kicks. Former Packer Tonyan dominated for Pittsburgh with a 93.5 grade. The game underscored Packers’ coverage struggles, and Rodgers didn’t play in the opener.