Wolverines in the NFL: Ronnie Bell scores touchdown, trio of Lions clinch division for first time since 1993
The Baltimore Ravens put the NFL on notice in a Christmas night standalone game, beating NFC favorite San Francisco at their own place, 33-19. The contest was more lopsided than the final score said, too. While the 49ers were being routed on their home field and the backups in the game, though, former Michigan Wolverines football wide receiver Ronnie Bell received an opportunity and made the most of it.
Bell caught a 12-yard touchdown pass on a post route from backup quarterback Sam Darnold. That made it a two-score game and cut the deficit to 33-19 with just over six minutes to play at Levi’s Stadium.
The former Michigan wideout has now caught 2 touchdown passes on the season, with the first coming in a 30-12 win over the New York Giants Sept. 21. He’s made 5 total catches. Bell has also served as the 49ers’ punt returner in recent weeks, with 8 attempts for 53 yards.
The 49ers’ loss made things interesting in the chase for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. San Francisco, Philadelphia and Detroit all sit at 11-4 with two weeks to go in the regular season.
With a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions clinched the NFC North, marking their first division title since 1993, when the grouping was called the ‘NFC Central.’ The Lions will now host a playoff game for the first time since January 1994, and the top seed in the NFC is still within reach. They’ll take on the Cowboys (road) and Vikings (home) to round out the regular-season slate.
In the locker room after the win over Minnesota, third-year head coach Dan Campbell honored the organization’s ‘old guard,’ which includes former Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, a starter at right guard. Glasgow is in his first year of his second stint with the Lions, after being drafted by the team in 2016 and playing four seasons with it until signing with the Denver Broncos in 2020.
Former Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022, is part of the new guard that has helped put the Lions over the top and capture the NFC North. Hutchinson also spearheaded a turnaround with the Wolverines, leading them to their first Big Ten title since 2004 in his senior season.
“To be a part of this kind of rebirth of this organization, it’s very special — very special — and all the guys in here are very excited,” Hutchinson said last week.
Former Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who was traded from the Cleveland Browns midseason, is also a Lion, another hometown product like Hutchinson.
Here’s a breakdown of how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 16:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
The rookie caught his second career touchdown pass, a 12-yard reception, to bring his team within 14 points late in a 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Hauled in 5 catches for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns with 8 punt returns for 53 yards in 15 games off the bench for the 11-4 49ers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
Started at right guard in a 33-25 setback to the Philadelphia Eagles … Opened all 14 games in which he’s played for the 5-10 Giants.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Started for the second time this season and posted 6 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans … Saw action in 11 contests with two starts, totaling 13 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan and UCLA running back rushed twice for no yards and caught 1 pass for a loss of 4 yards in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans … Accumulated 428 rushing yards and 1 score on 101 attempts and 142 receiving yards on 26 catches in 14 games with two starts for the 8-7 Seahawks.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Inactive with an illness in a 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans … Has seen time just twice over the last five games for the 8-7 Seahawks … Made 8 tackles on the season, playing two games for the Denver Broncos and six with the Seahawks.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan lineman started at center in a 34-11 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals … Posted a 71.7 overall PFF grade with 1 pressure given up … Opened all 15 outings for the 8-7 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Grabbed 4 receptions for 18 yards and his 7th touchdown of the season in a 36-22 setback to the Cleveland Browns … Leads the 8-7 Texans in catches (64) and receiving yards (1,022) and is tied atop the group with 7 touchdown grabs.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan defensive end started and made 2 tackles and a pass breakup in a 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … The Raiders scored two defensive touchdowns, and the Chiefs only gave up 48 passing yards and 157 rushing yards … Danna has opened all 15 outings for the 9-6 Chiefs, tallying 48 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 3 pass breakups.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Been inactive for the last five games … Rushed twice for 12 yards and caught 1 pass for minus-1 yard in eight appearances for the 8-7 Bengals.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan pass rusher started and made 2 tackles with 1 quarterback hit in a 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers … Totaled 49 tackles, 6 for loss, 9 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 15 games with 12 starts for the 7-8 Packers … His 51 pressures rank tied for 32nd in the league, per PFF.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Led the Lions with a 93.2 overall PFF grade and 92.4 run-blocking rating, and allowed 2 pressures on 44 pass-blocking snaps, in a 30-24 NFC North-clinching victory over the Minnesota Vikings … Appeared in 15 games with 13 starts for the 11-4 Lions.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Did not record any statistics in a 33-25 win over the New York Giants … Totaled 12 tackles, 3 stops for loss, 3 sacks, 6 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup in 15 appearances off the bench for the 11-4 Eagles.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back started and posted 7 tackles in a 34-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Opened all 15 tilts, tallying 99 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Started for the third straight week in a 36-22 win over the Houston Texans … Allowed a team-worst 8 pressures and 1 sack at right tackle … Played in 14 games with five starts for the 10-5 Browns.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan defender has opened the last three games and now made six starts for the season … Made a career-high 15 tackles, adding 2 pass breakups, in a 30-28 loss to the New York Jets … Totaled a whopping 28 tackles in the last two games, both losses … Accumulated 50 tackles, 2 stops for loss, a sack, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups in 15 appearances, mostly on special teams, this season.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Suffered a pectoral injury in Week 15 and is out for the season … Notched 5 multi-tackle games and totaled 22 stops, including 4 for loss, to go along with 1.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups in 13 clashes for the 10-5 Browns.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan Heisman Trophy runner-up made 4 tackles and a pass breakup in a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Only has 1 sack in the last five games and totaled 6.5 for the season but ranks second in the NFL with 87 pressures on the year … Started all 15 outings for the 11-4 Lions, contributing 42 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 7 pass breakups with 2 forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback tallied 5 tackles, including 1 behind the line, in a 22-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Competed in 14 games with six starts for the 10-5 Cowboys, totaling 43 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Green Bay Packers
Played eight special teams snaps in a 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers … Played in two games since being added by the Packers, after stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and Panthers earlier this season.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Saw time on special teams but did not register any statistics in a 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Totaled 3 tackles in 11 appearances for the 8-7 Colts.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety posted a season-high 10 tackles, including 1 behind the line, in a 30-24 setback to the Detroit Lions … Made 103 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 1 interception and a fumble recovery while opening all 15 games and serving as defensive captain for the 7-8 Vikings.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Went 2-for-2 on extra points and drilled a 45-yard field goal to give his team a 5-0 lead in the first quarter of a 33-19 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, who now have the best record in the league at 12-3 … The 49ers dropped to 11-4 and are tied atop the NFC … Moody has made 55 consecutive extra points, continuing his NFL record he set last week, and is 19-of-22 on field goals this season.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Out for the season with a shoulder injury after playing one game.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a partially torn ACL, per head coach John Harbaugh Nov. 27.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan, Virginia and Air Force offensive lineman played on special teams in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans … Hasn’t played on offense since Week 6 but has appeared in 14 games, mostly competing on special teams, for the 8-7 Seahawks … Made one start, in a Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Started at right tackle in a 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos … Posted a 69.9 overall PFF rating and allowed 1 pressure … Started all 13 games in which he’s played for the 4-11 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Notched 2 tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit in a 29-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Ranks second on the 8-7 Colts with 8.5 sacks, 1 sack shy of the team leader, adding 47 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Detroit Lions
Started for the first time in seven weeks as a Detroit Lion, hauling in 1 catch for 11 yards in a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings to clinch the division and earn the right to host a playoff game … Made 11 catches for 130 yards in 13 games (seven with the Cleveland Browns before being traded, six with the Lions).
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist was inactive with a hamstring injury for a 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos … Played in the previous 14 games, starting all of them, totaling 76 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Punted 3 times with a 44-yard average in a 34-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Attempted 66 punts with a 44-yard average in 15 games for the season for the 8-7 Bengals.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Started at right guard, allowing 4 pressures and posting a 49.8 overall PFF grade in a 30-22 setback to the Los Angeles Rams … Opened all 14 games in which he’s played for the 7-8 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan lineman started at right guard but split time with backup Sean Rhyan in a 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers … Allowed the Packers’ lone sack given up in the game … Started all 15 games for the 7-8 Packers.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
The rookie and second-round draft pick made 1 catch for 4 yards in a 22-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Played in all 15 games off the bench with 8 catches for 65 yards and a pair of scores.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
The Michigan first-round draft pick has started the last two games, marking the first two starts of his career, and totaled 1 tackle in a 22-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins Christmas Eve … Made 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits in 15 outings on the season for the 10-5 Cowboys.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback started and made 4 tackles with a pass breakup in a 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Opened three of the 14 games he’s played, with 32 tackles, 1 interception, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery this year.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Started for the 11th straight game, making 3 tackles and a stop for loss with a pass breakup in a 34-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Racked up 46 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 6 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 15 clashes for the 8-7 Bengals.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Made his third sack of the season to go along with 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 pass breakup in a 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos … Tallied 3 sacks, 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hits in 13 tilts off the bench for the 4-11 Patriots.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB, Philadelphia Eagles
The undrafted rookie hadn’t played in a game until Week 9 and only made 2 tackles in his first six outings, before breaking out with his first career start and 6 tackles in a 33-25 win over the New York Giants Christmas Day.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Carolina Panthers
Inactive in a 33-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Saw time in four games this season, making 4 tackles.