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Irish In The NFL: Claypool, Tuitt Lead Steelers To Win Over Eagles

I didn’t expect to write about the on-the-field success of Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool so soon, but his play over the weekend dictates that I do.

Prior to week four of the NFL season, the Steelers learned that their upcoming game with Tennessee was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Titans’ roster. This meant that instead of playing football, Claypool was forced to foot the bill on a rookie-sponsored dinner that, per his interview on The Pat McAfee Show, cost him upwards of $10,000.

So maybe he felt rested after a week off or was motivated to recoup his financial loss by boosting his brand Mapletron, but no matter the reason Claypool went off on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, a game which he dubbed as the Pennsylvania State Championship.

In a contest Pittsburgh won by nine points — 38-29 — Claypool accounted for four touchdowns and 116 all-purpose yards.

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This production came on seven catches (he was targeted seven times) for 110 yards and three touchdowns, plus three rushes for six yards and a touchdown. Additionally, six of his offensive touches came on third down and resulted in either the chains moving or a touchdown.

Of course, such a performance by a rookie put Claypool in rare company.

As a second-round pick, 10 other wide receivers were taken in the 2020 NFL Draft ahead of Claypool, and it’s safe to assume many of the general managers who made those selections are already starting to rethink their decisions.

“It is definitely a deep wide receiver class,” Claypool said. “Seeing those guys’ names get called before you, [with] me knowing what I was capable of, it’s not frustrating, because no matter where you get picked, you’re going to make an impact. You’re going to do well.

“So it’s only a matter of time before these other teams who passed on you started shaking their head, and I’m just happy I was able to do it sooner than later.”

Thus far, Claypool is the second-highest-graded rookie wide receiver in the NFL, behind only CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s worth noting that the gap between Claypool and Lamb is small.

Claypool is not the only former Notre Dame player to make a huge impact in the Steelers’ win over the Eagles. Since coming back from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in 2019, defensive end Stephon Tuitt has destroyed opposing offensive linemen, and Sunday was no different.

Tuitt finished the contest with five tackles, three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks, which included a game-saving play in crunch time.

In four games this season, Tuitt’s 25 pressures have him tied for fifth in the NFL. He has 11 hurries, 10 quarterback hits and 3.5 sacks. He is accomplished this in just four games, while a majority of NFL teams have already played in five contests.

The Steelers are currently one of five remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL and are in first place in the AFC North, which may end up being the most competitive division this season.

If Pittsburgh intends to make the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl, the franchise will need to rely on more stellar performances from Claypool and Tuitt.

Former Notre Dame Football Players In The NFL: Week Five Recap

• Josh Adams (Played at Notre Dame from 2015-17), RB, New York Jets: Was back on the practice squad for the 0-5 Jets and did not play in their 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Has three carries for eight yards and a touchdown in two games played this season.

• Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Chicago Bears: Came off the bench and played 49 percent of the offensive snaps (31 snaps) in the 4-1 Bears’ 20-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Asmar Bilal (2015-19), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Did not play in the 1-4 Chargers’ 30-27 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football due to a calf injury … Was placed on injured reserve after week two.

• Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Baltimore Ravens: Targeted twice but had no catches in the 4-1 Ravens’ 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … Has 10 receptions for 111 yards on the season.

• Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: In the 4-0 Steelers’ 38-29 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, had seven catches for 110 yards and three touchdowns ... Also carried the ball three times for six yards and a touchdown … On the season, he has 13 catches for 261 yards and four touchdowns, four carries for 14 yards and a score, and four special teams tackles.

• Sheldon Day (2012-15), DL, Indianapolis Colts: Did not play in the 3-2 Colts’ 32-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Came off of injured reserve two weeks ago and is practicing, so he could be in the rotation going forward.

• Tyler Eifert (2009-12), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Targeted seven times and made three catches for 16 yards in the 1-4 Jaguars’ 30-14 loss to the Houston Texans … On the season, he has 11 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

• Matthias Farley (2011-15), DB, New York Jets: Recorded two tackles on special teams in the 0-5 Jets’ loss to the Cardinals … Has recorded five tackles through five games.

• Will Fuller V (2013-15), WR, Houston Texans: Snagged four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in the 1-4 Texans’ win over the Jaguars … Has 22 grabs for 332 yards (21st in the NFL) and three touchdowns this season.

• Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers: Recorded one tackle in the 1-4 Chargers’ 30-27 overtime defeat at the hands of the Saints … He has two tackles on the season.

• J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Charlotte Panthers: Played special teams in the 3-2 Panthers’ 23-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

• Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DE, Cincinnati Bengals: Recorded one tackle in the 1-3-1 Bengals’ 27-3 loss to Ravens ... One the season, has four tackles.

• Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears: Played offense and special teams in the 4-1 Bears' 20-19 win over the Buccaneers ... On the season, he has one catch for 12 yards.

• Julian Love (2015-18), DB, New York Giants: Played special teams in 0-5 New York’s 37-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … On the season, he has 18 tackles (one for loss), one pass deflection and a pick.

• Nick Martin (2011-15), OL, Houston Texans: Played every offensive snap at center in the 1-4 Texans’ 30-14 win over the Jaguars.

• Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Started at right guard in the 2-3 Cowboys’ 37-34 win over the Giants.

• Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, San Francisco 49ers: Continued to start at right tackle in the 2-3 49ers’ 43-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

• Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Started at left guard in the 3-2 Colts’ 32-23 loss to the Browns.

• Julian Okwara (2016-19), DE, Detroit Lions: The 1-3 Lions had a bye in week five.

• Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions: The 1-3 Lions had a bye … On the season, he has 10 tackles (three for loss), two sacks and four quarterback hits.

• Troy Pride Jr. (2016-19), CB, Carolina Panthers: Played 97 percent of the defensive snaps and recorded six tackles in the 3-2 Panthers’ 23-16 win over the Falcons … On the season, has 19 tackles (one for loss).

• CJ Prosise (2012-15), RB, Houston Texans: Played on special teams in 1-4 Houston’s 30-14 win over the Jaguars … Has one carry for one yard on the season.

• Theo Riddick (2009-12), RB, Los Vegas Raiders: Returned to the practice squad prior to the 3-2 Raiders’ 40-32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs ... On the season, has two carries for 13 yards.

• Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DE, Los Angeles Chargers: Finished with five stops in the Chargers’ 30-27 overtime loss to the Saints … Has nine tackles on the season.

• Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Grabbed one reception for 10 yards in the 1-4 Vikings’ 27-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks … On the season, he has eight catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

• Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit in the 1-4 Vikings’ 27-26 loss to the Seahawks … On the season, he has 23 tackles (two for loss), two pass deflections, a quarterback hit and a pick.

• Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Recorded 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hits in the 2-3 Cowboys’ 37-34 win over the Giants … On the season, he has 53 tackles (tied for first in the NFL), five tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two pass deflections.

• Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Due to a knee injury, did not play in the 2-3 Dolphins’ 43-17 win over the 49ers … On the season, he has three receptions for 37 yards.

• Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Green Bay Packers: The 4-0 Packers had a bye … Was placed on injured reserve with an ankle issue following week one, but returned to the practice field this week.

• Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OL, Baltimore Ravens: After missing week four due to injury, returned to the starting lineup in the 4-1 Ravens’ 27-3 win over the Bengals and played 98 percent of the offensive snaps.

• Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, New York Giants: Was targeted five times and had four catches for 42 yards in the 0-5 Giants’ 37-34 loss to the Cowboys … On the season, he has 18 catches for 145 yards.

• Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DL, Los Angeles Chargers: Recorded two tackles in the 1-4 Chargers’ 30-17 overtime loss the Saints … On the season, he has nine total stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and five quarterback hits.

• Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Broke his ankle in week one and is out indefinitely … Has one tackle this season.

• Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers: Finished with five tackles (1.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits in the 4-0 Steelers’ 38-29 victory versus the Eagles … On the season, he has 11 tackles (two for loss), 3.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.

• Sam Young (2006-10), OT, Las Vegas Raiders: Played special teams in the 3-2 Raiders’ 40-32 win over the Chiefs … Has played in three games this season.

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