Week 15 in the NFL saw some phenomenal performances from players who played collegiately in the West.
Each week, we highlight the region’s best pro performances from the standout alumni veterans and rookies.
Here are my choices for the best of them.
Top NFL Performances
1. Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals/Colorado State
The former CSU Ram had 12 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals’ loss to Houston.Since Week 17 of the 2024 season, McBride has had at least five receptions in 16 consecutive games, the most consecutive games with at least five receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
He is the first tight end in NFL history with at least 100 receptions in consecutive seasons.
2. Bo Nix, QB, Broncos/Oregon
The former Duck threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns, earning a 134.7 rating in the Broncos’ 34-26 win over Green Bay.
Nix has 7,031 passing yards and 52 touchdown passes since entering the league in 2024, and is the sixth quarterback in NFL history with at least 7,000 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes in his first two seasons.
3. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Browns/UCLA (R)
Another week and another career high in tackles for the former UCLA star.
For the sixth straight week, Schwesinger reached double-digit tackle totals. In the loss to Chicago, he tallied 14 stops with one hit and a couple of hurries on Caleb Williams.
4. Puka Nacua, WR, Rams/BYU
The former BYU star hauled in nine receptions for 181 yards.
Nacua has 102 receptions and 1,367 receiving yards this season and is the fifth player all-time with at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in two of his first three seasons.
His 17 career games with at least 100 receiving yards is the fourth-most such games by a player in their first three seasons.
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions/USC
The former Trojan caught 13 passes for 163 yards with a pair of TDs.
St. Brown, who has 93 receptions this season, is the first player in NFL history with at least 90 receptions in each of their first five career seasons.
He is the sixth wide receiver all-time with at least 90 receptions in five consecutive seasons.
6. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders/Arizona (R)
The former Wildcat helped Washington knock off the Giants Sunday.
He ran for 96 yards on 18 carries in the win and found the end zone for the first time since Week 5, and had the most yards since that same game.
7. Jared Goff, QB, Lions/California
The Lions fell to the Rams in a shootout on Sunday in LA but the former Cal slinger did his part in lighting up the scoreboard.
Goff threw for a season high 338 yards and three TDs in the 41-34 loss.
8. Josh Allen, QB, Bills/Wyoming
Allen threw for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the Bills’ 35-31 comeback victory at New England.The former Wyoming star now has 37 combined passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns this season and is just the fourth player in NFL history with at least 35 combined TDs in six seasons.
Allen has 3,276 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes this season and is the fourth player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes in six of his first eight career seasons.
9. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers/Oregon
The former Oregon QB threw for 210 yards and a touchdown in LA’s 16-13 win at Kansas City.
Herbert, who has 3,191 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes this season, became the third player ever with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first six seasons.
He now has 24,284 passing yards since entering the league in 2020, the second-most passing yards by a player in their first six seasons in NFL history.
1o. Tuli Tuipulotu, LB, Chargers/USC
The former Trojan was a constant presence in the Kansas City backfield on Sunday.
Tuipulotu finished the day with four tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks as the Chargers eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention.
11. Jaylinn Hawkins, S, Patriots/California
The former Cal Bear was golden for the Patriots in their loss to the Bills.
Hawkins led New England with 11 tackles to match his career high. He was also credited with one pass defended.
12. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears/USC
Williams continues to shine, and the Bears continue to win.
The former Trojan threw for 242 yards and a couple of TDs in frigid conditions as Chicago has reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2018.
The QB added 13 yards on the ground.
13. Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos/Oregon
The former Duck caught six passes for 85 yards and ran for three more in the win over Green Bay.
Franklin’s TD reception in the third quarter gave the Broncos their first lead of the game.
14. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers/Stanford
A bit of a ho-hum afternoon for the former Stanford star.
McCaffrey picked up 73 yards and a TD on the ground while adding 14 yards on one reception in the Niners’ win over Tennessee.
