The inside linebackers hammered away at the Tennessee offense all game long.
Mike Mohamed, Akeem Dent and Justin Tuggle played splendidly in the 30-16 win over the Titans, as they were a key reason Tennessee was able to muster just 36 rushing yards. And they impressed their sidelined leader Brian Cushing.
"They did a tremendous job," Cushing said. "They were all over the field. I think they did a great job on all downs and in all situations of run, pass, blitzing and all of that. They were everywhere today."
Mohamed finished with a team-best eight tackles, while Dent logged four. Tuggle chipped in with
three. Mohamed delivered the hit of the day when he drilled and de-cleated Dexter McCluster on a third down pass play.
After the game, Mohamed downplayed the stick.
"I just was dropping back into my coverage, reading the quarterback, and saw the guy coming across the middle," Mohamed. "I was just in the right place at the right time."
Dent, who'd been a key special teams contributor in the seven games prior to Week 8, started in place of Cushing. He picked up a good chunk of defensive reps, as he was on the field for 22 plays.
"Me, Mohamed, Tuggle, we did a good job of preparing," Dent said. "We had a chance to get out there and just tried to be active. Tried to make a couple of plays."
Head coach Bill O'Brien was pleased with what he saw, and cited it as another example of taking advantage of opportunity in the NFL.
"You have injuries happen and so the next guy has to be able to step up and play," O'Brien said. "I think Mike Mohamed, Akeem Dent, those are good examples of guys that came in there and did a good job for us today."
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