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NFLSU Week 5: Hunter gets back in a groove for the Vikings

Former LSU and now Minnesota Vikings defensive star Danielle Hunter (99) sacks Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields in the Vikings' 29-22 win Sunday.
Former LSU and now Minnesota Vikings defensive star Danielle Hunter (99) sacks Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields in the Vikings' 29-22 win Sunday. (Brad Rempel-USA Today)

Danielle Hunter was a solid defensive end in his three-year LSU career from 2012 to 2014.

He started 23 straight games, had 142 career tackles including 21 for losses of 79 yards and entered the 2015 NFL Draft after his junior year and was picked in the third round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Hunter has absolutely blossomed as a pro. Now in his seventh season as a defensive end, he has been twice selected to the Pro Bowl, has started every game in which he has been healthy since 2017 (now 60 of 60) and has 61½ career sacks, 75 tackles for loss and 91 quarterback hits.

After the first four games this season, there had been some concern about Hunter’s slow start of 14 tackles (8 solo) with 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection and 1 quarterback hit.

Earlier this week, Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said Hunter’s low numbers is because he had to transition from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense this season.

“Every guy that has ever made this transition, his first month looks a lot like that,” Donatell explained. "There's a getting used to this role. It's very, very normal.”

In Minnesota’s 29-22 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Hunter got back on track with 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit.

Here’s a look at the rest of NFLSU Week 5:

Thursday night

Indianapolis Colts 12, Denver Broncos 9 (in overtime)

Broncos: C Lloyd Cushenberry III started for an offense that produced 375 yards and allowed 4 sacks.

Sunday morning

New York Giants 27, Green Bay Packers 22

Giants: CB Cor’Dale Flott (inactive list). Packers: QB Danny Etling (practice squad).

Sunday afternoon

Buffalo Bills 38, Pittsburgh Steelers 3

Bills: LS Reid Ferguson snapped on 2 punts, 1 of 2 field goals and 5 of 5 extra points. CB Tre’Davious White (reserve/physically unable to perform).

Former LSU and now Houston Texans rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. celebrates the first interception of his pro career in the Texans' 13-6 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. He immediately ran off the field and handed the ball to his father sitting in a front row seat in the stands.
Former LSU and now Houston Texans rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. celebrates the first interception of his pro career in the Texans' 13-6 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. He immediately ran off the field and handed the ball to his father sitting in a front row seat in the stands. (Photo courtesy of Houston Texans twitter)
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Houston Texans 13, Jacksonville Jaguars 6

Texans: CB Derek Stingley Jr. 7 tackles (6 solo), 2 PD, 1 interception, OL Austin Deculus (inactive list). Jaguars: DE Arden Key 1 PD, DE/OLB K’Lavon Chaisson no stats.

Los Angeles Chargers 30, Cleveland Browns 28

Chargers: C/OG Will Clapp was a reserve for an offensive line that helped produce 465 yards and allowed 1 sacks, DL Breiden Fehoko (practice squad). Browns: PK Cade York 0 of 2 field goals, 4 of 4 extra points, S Grant Delpit 9 tackles (6 solo), LB Jacob Phillips 10 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL, 1 sack, C Ethan Pocic started for an offensive line that helped produce 443 yards and allowed 0 sacks, CB Greedy Williams (injured reserve).

Minnesota Vikings 29, Chicago Bears 22

Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson 12 catches (13 targets) for 154 yards, 1 of 1 passing for 23 yards, CB Patrick Peterson 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 PBU, LB Danielle Hunter 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QBH, OG Ed Ingram started on an offensive line that helped produce 429 yards and allowed 1 sack.

New England Patriots 29, Detroit Lions 0

Lions: DE Michael Brockers no stats, WR DJ Chark (inactive list). Patriots: DT Davon Godchaux 4 tackles (1 solo), OL Chasen Hines was a reserve right guard for an offensive line that helped produce 364 yards and allowed 0 sacks, CB Jalen Mills (inactive list).

New Orleans Saints 39, Seattle Seahawks 32

Seahawks: OG Damien Lewis started for an offensive line that helped produce 396 yards and allowed 3 sacks, DT Al Woods 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QBH, SS Jamal Adams (out for the season torn quad muscle). Saints: CB Tyrann Mathieu 5 tackles (4 solo) 1 PBU, WR Jarvis Landry (inactive list).

New York Jets 40, Miami Dolphins 17

Dolphins: LS Blake Ferguson snapped on 3 punts, 1 of 2 field goals and 2 of 2 extra points, LB Duke Riley 1 tackle (1 solo). Jets: LB Kwon Alexander 10 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette celebrates his second TD of the day in Tampa Bay's 21-15 win over Atlanta on Sunday .
Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette celebrates his second TD of the day in Tampa Bay's 21-15 win over Atlanta on Sunday . (Kim Klement-USA Today)

Tampa Bay Bucs 21, Atlanta Falcons 15

Falcons: LB Deion Jones (injured reserve). Bucs: RB Leonard Fournette 56 yards rushing and 1 TD on 14 attempts, 10 catches (11 targets) for 83 yards and 1 TD, LB Devin White 5 tackles (3 solo) 1 TFL, 2 QBH, WR Russell Gage 2 catches (6 targets) for 20 yards.

Tennessee Titans 21, Washington Commanders 17

Titans: CB Kristian Fulton 4 tackles (3 solo), FB/ST Tory Carter no stats, WR Racey McMath (injured reserve). Commanders: OG Trai Turner was a starter and OT Saahdi Charles a reserve for an offensive line that helped produce 385 yards and allowed 3 sacks.

San Francisco 49ers, 37 Carolina Panthers 15

49ers: RB Ty Davis-Price has a high ankle sprain, out for several weeks. Panthers: CB Donte Jackson 4 tackles (3 solo); TE WR Terrace Marshall Jr. 4 catches (4 targets) for 30 yards, Stephen Sullivan (inactive list),

Philadelphia Eagles 20, Arizona Cardinals 17

Cardinals: RB Darrel Williams 9 yards rushing on 3 carries, DT Rashard Lawrence (inactive list).

Dallas Cowboys 22, Los Angeles Rams 10

Cowboys: LB Jabril Cox (inactive list).

Sunday night

Baltimore Ravens 19, Cincinnati Bengals 17

Bengals: QB Joe Burrow 24 of 35 for 217 yards passing with 1 TD and 1 interception, 6 yards rushing and 1 TD on 3 attempts WR Ja’Marr Chase 7 catches (12 targets) for 50 yards, OT La’el Collins started for an offensive line that helped produce 291 yards and allowed 2 sacks, DT Tyler Shelvin no stats. Ravens: LB Patrick Queen 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 interception, 1 PD

Monday night

Kansas City Chiefs 30, Las Vegas Raiders 29

Raiders: DE Tashawn Bowers (inactive list), TE Foster Moreau (Inactive list), DL Neil Farrell Jr. 1 tackle (0 solo) Chiefs: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire 15 rushing yards on 9 carries, 3 catches (10 targets) for 20 yards.

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