Gators in the NFL: Alex Anzalone, Van Jefferson Highlight Week 9
A familiar opponent and an errant pass gave two former UF players opportunities to make their presence felt in NFL Week 9.
Van Jefferson found the end zone against his former team, while Alex Anzalone intercepted Caleb Williams, as Florida products continue to contribute on both sides of the ball across the league.
Anzalone is keeping his productive first season going with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6), recording his fourth interception in Sunday night’s 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears (7-2). The veteran linebacker has four picks in his nine seasons in the NFL, and has already matched the total through his first nine games with the Bucs. He has been a key contributor to a Tampa Bay defense that ranks fourth in the NFL, allowing 292.9 total yards per game through Week 9.
“I know this is one of the best defenses I’ve been on in my career,” Anzalone said. “So, I’m proud of that.”
His latest interception came after cornerback Jacob Parrish deflected a pass intended for Chicago receiver Luther Burden III, allowing Anzalone to secure the loose ball. It marked his third interception in two games after picking off two passes against Atlanta in Week 8, a performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Anzalone is tied with defensive back Zyon McCollum as the team’s interception leaders. Anzalone’s four picks lead all NFL linebackers.
Jefferson, the Washington Commanders (2-5-1) wide receiver, took advantage of an expanded role in the receiving room against the Los Angeles Rams (5-4). With Terry McLaurin on injured reserve and Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks ruled out, Jefferson finished with five receptions for a team-high 58 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s 20-13 loss.
Facing the franchise that selected him in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels in the second quarter for Washington’s only trip to the end zone. The performance marked his first reception and touchdown of the season.
Second-year linebacker Shemar James contributed to the Dallas Cowboys’ (4-5) 27-23 victory against the Indianapolis Colts (2-7). He recorded five tackles, including four solo stops, and recovered a Jonathan Taylor fumble as Dallas held Indianapolis to 271 total yards.
Ventrell Miller also made his presence felt in the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) 33-10 victory at the Baltimore Ravens (4-5) on Thursday Night Football. Miller finished with seven tackles and a pass breakup when Jacksonville held its opponent to 10 or fewer points for the second consecutive game, maintaining its commanding lead in the AFC South.
Jonathan Greenard recorded his first sack of the season in the Philadelphia Eagles’ (2-7) 19-11 loss to the New York Giants. The former Florida end finished with three tackles, including the sack that resulted in a 10-yard loss for New York, marking his most productive performance of the season after dealing with limited playing time earlier in the year.
Former Florida kickers Evan McPherson and Trey Smack finished out the week with perfect performances.
Cincinnati’s McPherson converted both field-goal attempts, connecting from 57 and 43 yards, and made all four extra points in the Bengals’ (6-2) 34-17 victory against Atlanta in Madrid.
Smack accounted for 13 points in the Green Bay Packers’ (6-3) 45-27 win against New England, converting all three field-goal attempts and all four extra points. Both finished the week without missing a kick.
Category: Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Football, NFL
