BBNFL Week 7: Chris Rodriguez tops Commanders in rush yards
It was an offensive slug during the Washington Commanders’ 14-7 loss to the New York Giants this weekend, but former Kentucky running back, Chris Rodriguez Jr., was one of the few bright spots on the field. The Washington backfield only managed 60 total rushing yards, but over half of them came from C-Rod. In just seven attempts, Rodriguez rushed for 31 yards and amazingly, though not surprisingly, all 31 of those yards came after contact.
The run share in Washington’s committee approach to the ground game has been tilting more toward C-Rod’s way in the previous two games. Last week, he ran for 23 yards but his 5.8 yards per touch were the best amongst the Commanders’ three backs. With the rest of the offense sputtering, head coach Ron Rivera gave the rookie some more chances.
The Commanders are overall a below-average football team, but many fans are taking solace in the fact they got a good one in Chris Rodriguez.
Za’Darius Smith secures game-sealing sack for the Browns
A week after Jamin Davis ended the game with his first career interception, another former Kentucky defenseman ended an NFL game with a big play. Browns’ defender Za’Darius Smith got to Gardner Minshew in the closing seconds for a strip sack, ruining the Colts’ chance at a miracle comeback.
Some questionable officiating late in the game led to the go-ahead touchdown for the Browns, but a win is a win and Smith, who was recently notified of a $10,977 fine for a fairly egregious facemask on Christian McCaffrey during Week 6, will gladly take his first sack of the season.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Josh Allen topped all former Kentucky players in PFF grades, earning a score of 87.8. Though he did not record a sack, Allen finished with an incredible 10 QB pressures.
Finally, shoutout to Josh Paschal who returned to the Lions after spending the last five weeks on the injured reserve list. He played 17 snaps in his first game back and picked up three tackles.
BBNFL snap counts, PFF player grades for Week 7
PFF grades reflect the players’ respective offensive or defensive grades unless the first snap count listed is special teams.
| Player | Pos | Stats | PFF Grade |
| Josh Allen (JAX) | LB | 72 snaps, 2 tackles, 10 pressures | 87.8 |
| Lonnie Johnson Jr. (NO) | S | 1 snap, 25 ST snaps | 70.2 |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) | RB | 9 snaps, 7 rushes, 31 yards, 19 ST snaps | 65.3 |
| Mike Edwards (KC) | S | 31 snaps, 1 pass breakup | 63.5 |
| Josh Paschal (DET) | DE | 17 snaps, 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 pressure | 62.8 |
| Jamin Davis (WAS) | LB | 67 snaps, 3 tackles, 4 assists | 61.6 |
| Luke Fortner (JAX) | C | 56 snaps, 0 pressures allowed | 58 |
| Za’Darius Smith (CLE) | DE | 51 snaps, 3 tackles, 3 pressures, 1 sack | 58 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) | WR | 41 snaps, 2 targets, 1 rec, 22 yards | 57.9 |
| Lynn Bowden (NO) | WR | 13 snaps, 0 targets, 6 ST snaps | 53.5 |
| Carrington Valentine (GB) | CB | 59 snaps, 8 tackles | 49.2 |
| Bud Dupree (ATL) | LB | 48 snaps, 1 assist, 1 pressure | 37.9 |
| Randall Cobb (NYJ) | WR | Bye Week | |
| Will Levis (TEN) | QB | Bye Week | |
| Brandin Echols (NYJ) | CB | Bye Week | |
| Landon Young (NO) | OT | Inactive | |
| Kelvin Joseph (MIA) | CB | Inactive | |
| Josh Ali (ATL) | WR | Injured Reserve |
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