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At least one former Wisconsin Badger is on 19 NFL teams' rosters as of this weekend. A total of 26 former players who called Madison home are on active rosters, and their impacts are shown on a weekly basis.
Two showcased their talents on a national stage in Week 6. Houston Texans defensive end/"ManBearPig" J.J. Watt continued to show why he's the most dominant defensive player in the league, while safety and special teams guru Chris Maragos extended the Philadelphia Eagles' streak of blocking a punt in three consecutive games.
J.J. Watt shines despite Houston's 33-28 loss to Indianapolis
Watt did all he could in a Thursday night contest for his team, including scoring another defensive touchdown -- this time on a 45-yard fumble recovery. It was Watt's third touchdown this season, as he can add this score to his earlier score ON OFFENSE lined up as a tight end, along with an 80-yard pick six. Here's his touchdown dance from Thursday, once again, for your viewing pleasure (h/t @cjzero):
@JJWatt hit the nae nae lol that's what's up
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) October 10, 2014
Watt through six games for the 3-3 Texans: 26 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and three total touchdowns.
Chris Maragos shines on special teams again in Eagles win
Maragos was a part of the "Legion of Boom" for the Seattle Seahawks, but he's been a major contributor on special teams in Philadelphia this season for the 5-1 Eagles (our B5Q beer guru, Drew Hamm, is sobbing tears of joy as he reads this).
The Racine, Wis. native already has a touchdown of his own this season off of a blocked punt, and at one point, the special teams of the Eagles scored 28 straight points for the team -- not Lesean McCoy, Nick Foles or the Eagles' offense, but the special teams. Maragos blocked a punt Sunday evening and has become a favorite of many in the City of Brotherly Love.
Maragos got a piece of that punt. The guy is an absolute beast on special teams.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) October 13, 2014
Maragos has as been everything advertised and more on special teams
— BleedingGreenNation (@BleedingGreen) October 13, 2014
Maragos got a piece of that punt. Three blocked punts in 3 weeks. Eagles also blocked a FG this season. More on STs: http://t.co/swUwBN83CM
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) October 13, 2014
Did we mention Beau Allen's on the Eagles, too? The defense itself had six sacks on the night.
Frederick, Cowboys tame Wilson, Seahawks
Former Wisconsin center Travis Frederick has led a turnaround of the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line in the last two years. Many scoffed at the fact he was a first-round draft pick, but he's proven his worth and more. This season, the Cowboys are 5-1 and tied for the NFC East lead with the Eagles, and on Sunday, they defeated the defending Super the Seahawks 30-23 on the road.
Frederick opened up holes for DeMarco Murray, who had 115 yards rushing, while the Cowboys themselves rushed for 162 in the game against a characteristically stout Seahawks defense.
Russell Wilson, after having a day in Week 5 with passing for over 200 yards and rushing for 100 on Monday Night Football against the Washington Redskins, didn't fare as well at home on a short week. He went 14-of-28 for 126 yards and an interception with only 12 rushing yards.
Former Badgers defensive lineman Nick Hayden had two tackles for the Cowboys.
Notes:
- Deandre Levy had seven tackles as the Detroit Lions didn't allow a touchdown to the Minnesota Vikings in a 14-3 win.
- Hey, the Cleveland Browns are 3-2 after a 31-10 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just for good measure, we'll replay former Badgers Jim Leonhard and Joe Thomas dancing from last week's come-from-behind win against Tennessee: