Wake Forest Athletics
10/27/2026 3:52:00 PM | Football
Safety Jessie Bates III records first interception of the season in Atlanta’s upset win over safety Malik Mustapha and San Francisco to headline this week of ProDeacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – ProDeacs returned once again during Week Seven of the 2026 NFL season, highlighted by safety Jessie Bates III and the Atlanta Falcons facing off against safety Malik Mustapha and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, linebacker Justin Strnad continuing his solid start to the season and running back Kenneth Walker III making his return to Seattle.
Bates III, Mustapha Battle in Atlanta
Week seven of the 2026 NFL season featured another matchup between two former Demon Deacons, as safety Jessie Bates III and the Atlanta Falcons welcomed safety Malik Mustapha and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Ultimately, Bates and the Falcons snapped the 49ers undefeated start, earning a 29-20 win.
Bates was stellar in the win, totaling nine tackles with two solo efforts, two pass breakups and two forced turnovers. Additionally, Bates recorded his first interception of the season as he made a diving play to stop the 49ers deep in Falcon territory. He also forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Dirty Birds.
Currently in his ninth season in the league and his fourth with the Falcons, Bates has totaled 40 tackles with 19 solo efforts, four pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Additionally, with his interception on Sunday, Bates has now logged at least one interception in every season he has been in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Mustapha continued to shine for the 49ers, finishing the game with eight tackles, including three solo efforts. Mustapha has provided a major spark this season, tallying 28 tackles with 16 solo efforts, as well as three pass defenses.
Strnad Records Another Solid Performance for Red-Hot Broncos
Linebacker Justin Strnad added another solid defensive performance this past week, helping the Denver Broncos defeat the Arizona Cardinals for their third consecutive win. Strnad recorded six tackles against the Cardinals, bringing his season total to 37.
Walker III Returns to Seattle in Primetime
Running back Kenneth Walker III squared off against his former team as he and the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Walker ended the game with 36 rushing yards, as well as four catches for 21 yards. Overall, the fifth-year pro ranks second in the NFL with 701 yards on the ground this season.
#Pro Deacs Week Eight Slate (All times eastern)
Bates III, Mustapha Battle in Atlanta
Week seven of the 2026 NFL season featured another matchup between two former Demon Deacons, as safety Jessie Bates III and the Atlanta Falcons welcomed safety Malik Mustapha and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Ultimately, Bates and the Falcons snapped the 49ers undefeated start, earning a 29-20 win.
Bates was stellar in the win, totaling nine tackles with two solo efforts, two pass breakups and two forced turnovers. Additionally, Bates recorded his first interception of the season as he made a diving play to stop the 49ers deep in Falcon territory. He also forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Dirty Birds.
JB3 in his own league 🔥 FOX | NFL+ https://t.co/1mdXYHdXKY
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 25, 2026
Currently in his ninth season in the league and his fourth with the Falcons, Bates has totaled 40 tackles with 19 solo efforts, four pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Additionally, with his interception on Sunday, Bates has now logged at least one interception in every season he has been in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Mustapha continued to shine for the 49ers, finishing the game with eight tackles, including three solo efforts. Mustapha has provided a major spark this season, tallying 28 tackles with 16 solo efforts, as well as three pass defenses.
Strnad Records Another Solid Performance for Red-Hot Broncos
Linebacker Justin Strnad added another solid defensive performance this past week, helping the Denver Broncos defeat the Arizona Cardinals for their third consecutive win. Strnad recorded six tackles against the Cardinals, bringing his season total to 37.
Walker III Returns to Seattle in Primetime
Running back Kenneth Walker III squared off against his former team as he and the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Walker ended the game with 36 rushing yards, as well as four catches for 21 yards. Overall, the fifth-year pro ranks second in the NFL with 701 yards on the ground this season.
#Pro Deacs Week Eight Slate (All times eastern)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 29 defeated San Francisco 49ers 20
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Lardarius Webb Jr. (BAL - PS)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 35 defeated Baltimore Ravens 13
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Greg Dortch (BUF - PS)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Jayden Loving (CHI)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 30 defeated New England Patriots 24
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (CIN - IR)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 35 defeated Baltimore Ravens 13
- This Week: Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (CIN)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 35 defeated Baltimore Ravens 13
- This Week: Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 27 defeated Tennessee Titans 24
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 38 defeated Philadelphia Eagles 21
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 30 defeated Arizona Cardinals 16
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Bako-Bewele (GB - IR)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 20 defeated Green Bay Packers 17
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Branson Combs (JAX)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Kenneth Walker III (KC)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 20 defeated Kansas City Chiefs 3
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Nick Andersen (LAR - PS)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 35 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 21
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LAR - PS)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 35 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 21
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 35 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 21
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Demond Claiborne (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 16 defeated Indianapolis Colts 10
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jergens (MIN - IR)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 16 defeated Indianapolis Colts 10
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Karon Prunty (NE)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 30 defeated New England Patriots 24
- This Week: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 29 defeated San Francisco 49ers 20
- This Week: Bye Week
- Matt Gulbin (WAS)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWednesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 27
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 25