Pro MACtion Update: Miller’s career performance leads Buccaneers past Chargers

In last week’s Pro MACtion Update column, we focused on the trenches, highlighting the best offensive and defensive linemen performances around the NFL in Week 3. In this edition, we move toward the skill positions and feature four players who combined for four touchdowns in Week 4.

Scotty Miller, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bowling Green — 2015-18

It’s Miller time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two Pro Bowl receivers from 2019 in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but the second-year receiver out of Bowling Green is the team’s leader in receiving yards with 250. When Tampa Bay had to overcome a 24-21 deficit in the late third quarter, Miller stepped up and took over the game. First, he flew past two Chargers defenders to catch a 44-yard bomb from Tom Brady. The following play, Miller ran a slant from the slot and hauled in a 19-yard touchdown reception — his first of the season and second of his career.

The former sixth round pick has established himself as a viable deep threat. Averaging 16.7 yards per reception, Miller ranks 13th in the category and has three receptions of greater than 35 yards in 2020.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns

Toledo — 2013-16

Hunt has been no stranger to success at any level of football. He’s third all-time in MAC rushing yards after an illustrious career at Toledo and he won the NFL rushing title as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. Hunt has been an excellent addition to the Cleveland Browns offense, a unit which obliterated the Cowboys with 49 points on Sunday.

Hunt was a major contributor to the scoring effort. The powerful runner was forced to elevate his production due to a knee injury suffered by Browns’ feature back Nick Chubb, and Cleveland’s offense didn’t miss a beat. Hunt scored two touchdowns on 71 yards rushing — his third 70+ yard game of 2020. The former Toledo star has five total touchdowns through four games this season, well on pace to break his previous career-high of 14 scores set in 2018 with Kansas City.

Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions

Northern Illinois — 2015-16

Golladay missed the first two games of the 2020 season with a hamstring injury, but the ex-Huskie is back to his 2019 levels of success. The reigning NFL touchdown receptions leader already has one in each game since his return to play. Golladay scored on an incredible leaping grab in a win over the Cardinals in Week 3 and struck with an early first quarter touchdown against the Saints this past weekend. He set a season-high 62 yards in a 4-reception performance in the battle with New Orleans. Despite his touchdown putting the Lions up 14-0 immediately, Detroit would allow 35 unanswered points and fall 35-29. It’s no coincidence the Lions’ top two scoring performances of the season are in their two games with Matthew Stafford’s No. 1 red zone option Golladay in the lineup.

Christian Blake, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Northern Illinois — 2014-17

Speaking of Northern Illinois receivers, one of Golladay’s counterparts from his collegiate days is defying the odds. Wide receiver Christian Blake was undrafted out of NIU in 2018 and spent the entirety of his rookie campaign fluctuating between waivers and the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons. In 2019, Blake managed 11 receptions and 91 yards in nine games, including three starts. Even with Julio Jones returning to the lineup, the former Huskie played a good portion of snaps for the first time in 2020 on Monday Night Football. In a 30-16 loss to the Packers, Blake caught three passes for 47 yards, ranking third on Atlanta in receiving yardage. He still awaits his first career touchdown reception, but that feat shouldn’t be too far into the future given the way he has performed when his number is called.