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November 28, 2016
By Peter King
Each week, in conjunction with Pro Football Focus, I’ll point out three players who played well but were under the radar. Paul Zimmerman would have loved this section. This week’s trio:
1. Bucs LB Lavonte David. The upstart Buccaneers suddenly have a winning record, and Lavonte David’s performance Sunday is a big reason. David was so good on Sunday that his 93.9 overall grade was the highest of any player at any position in Week 12. In coverage, David allowed only one catch for three yards, and his 96.5 coverage grade ranked first among all defensive players in Week 12. Russell Wilson’s QB rating when throwing into David’s coverage was 56.3, and David also harassed Wilson with one hit and one hurry on nine pass-rush snaps.
2. Saints TE Josh Hill. Hill might not be the first Saints tight end who comes to mind, but his blocks were the key to some of New Orleans’ bigger runs in the demolition of the Rams’ defense. Hill’s run-blocking grade of 88.8 ranked second among all offensive players in Week 12. Hill was also a productive in the pass game, with six receptions on six targets and 51 yards after the catch. Drew Brees’s QB rating when throwing at Hill was 118.1.
3. Lions OT Riley Reiff. Matthew Stafford gave thanks for Reiff on Thursday. Reiff didn’t allow a single sack, hit or hurry of Matthew Stafford on 45 pass-blocking snaps, and Reiff’s 86.6 pass block grade ranked second among all tackles in Week 12. Reiff was also a solid contributor to the run game as well, with a 73.6 run-block grade in a big NFC North divisional win.
