It was an exciting week in the NFL, with 12 of the 14 games played on Sunday decided by one score or less.
That’s the most such games on a single day in NFL history.
Here are my picks for the best NFL performances by former players from the region.
1. Talanoa Hufanga, S, Broncos/USC
The former Trojan was huge in Denver’s comeback win over the Rams. He finished the night with five tackles, one sack, and a pair of interceptions.
His first interception was a game-changing pick-six as he returned it 66 yards for the score, while the second one sealed the Denver win on the final snap of the game.
The two picks and the sack all happened in the fourth quarter, making him the first player in NFL history to record multiple interceptions, a sack, and a 50+ yard pick-six in a single quarter.
2. Drake London, WR, Falcons/USC
The former Trojan came up big for Atlanta in their Thursday Night win over the Packers.
London ended the night with nine receptions for a career-high 194 yards.
3. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets/Oregon
Sadiq had a excellent game for the Jets as they fell in a tight one to Detroit.
The former Duck TE caught seven passes while going over 100 yards receiving for the first time in his career.
He also hauled in a TD catch, the first receiving TD of his career.
4. Daiyan Henley, LB, Chargers/Washington State
The former Cougar did all he could for the Chargers in their loss to the Bills.
Henley led L.A. in tackles with 10 while also forcing a fumble and recovering two loose balls in the game.
5. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers/Cal
Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns for a 101.6 rating in the Steelers’ 30-27 win over Cincinnati.
The former Cal QB has 81 career games with at least three touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100 or higher, the second-most in NFL history.
6. Davante Adams, WR, Rams/Fresno State
Adams once again had a terrific game for the Rams on Sunday Night.
In the loss at Denver, the former Fresno State standout caught seven passes for 137 yards.
7. Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks/USC
Sam Darnold put up huge numbers in his return to the lineup for Seattle.
The former Trojan QB threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns in the loss to Washington.
He did have a pair of interceptions, including a late pick-six.
8. Marcus Mariota, QB, Commanders/Oregon
The former Oregon great is the starter while Jayden Daniels is out, and Mariota delivered a win for Washington over Seattle.
He threw for three TDs, a 110 rating, and 183 points.
9. Josh Allen, QB, Bills/Wyoming
The former Wyoming star threw for 204 yards and ran for 22 and a pair of scores.
He has now run for multiple scores in each game this season, the first quarterback in NFL history with multiple rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games.
His six rushing TDs already this season make him just the fourth player—at any position—ever with at least six rushing touchdowns in nine consecutive seasons.
10. DeForest Buckner, DL, Colts/Oregon
The veteran out of Oregon helped the Colts secure their first win of the season.
In the victory over Houston, Buckner recorded seven tackles and registered 1.5 sacks.
11. Fred Warner, LB, 49ers/BYU
The former BYU star made plays all over the field on Sunday.
In the Niners win over Arizona he collected 17 total stops with one tackle for loss and a QB hit.
The 17 combined tackles were a new career high for the nine-year vet.
12. Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings/USC
Addison caught five passes for 90 yards and a TD in the Vikings win over the Bucs.
The TD reception was the first for the former Trojan since week 11 of last season.
Other Notables (in no order)
Dillon Thieneman, DB, Bears/Oregon—6 tackles, 1 interception
Tui Tuipulotu, LB, Chargers/USC—6 tackles, 1.5 sacks
Kaden Elliss, LB, Saints/Idaho—9 tackles
