Gators in the NFL: Gardner-Johnson, Miller Headline Week 3
Florida football’s reach extends far beyond Gainesville and Week 3 of the NFL season was another reminder of that.
Former Gators made plays across the league, from defensive stops to special teams contributions. Some filled up the stat sheet, while others made key plays that helped swing momentum for their respective team.
The Buffalo Bills (3-0) needed a stop in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson delivered. With Los Angeles driving down the field, Gardner-Johnson stepped in front of a pass from Justin Herbert in the end zone and returned it 41 yards. Buffalo capitalized on the turnover and added a touchdown on the following drive, giving the Bills their first lead of the game. Gardner-Johnson finished with five tackles, two pass breakups and his first interception of the season as Buffalo went on to win 24-16.
After the game, Gardner-Johnson made it clear that one interception was not enough.
“To be honest with you, I’m just chasing history right now,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I’m about to brag a little bit, but 21 picks in my career, I’m trying to get 30 by the end of the year.”
In Jacksonville, Ventrell Miller continued to be a dependable presence in the middle of the Jaguars’ defense. The former Gator finished with seven tackles, including four solo tackles and added a pass breakup in Jacksonville’s 35-6 win against New England. Miller has been immensely involved through the first three weeks of the season, playing an important role in the Jaguars’ defense. Miller sports a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.5, the highest of any linebacker in the league.
The Atlanta Falcons (1-2) dominated Thursday Night Football, beating Green Bay 35-14. One of the standout performances came from former Florida defensive back C.J. Henderson, who recorded eight solo tackles and three pass breakups. Henderson made plays on the ball throughout the game, helping the Falcons defense hold the Packers to its lowest point total this season..
Henderson’s defensive counterpart Gervon Dexter Jr. also continued his strong start to the season. The defensive tackle entered Thursday with 15 quarterback pressures, the most among all NFL interior defenders. He finished the night with two tackles — one solo and one assisted.
Despite Green Bay coming up short, former Gator Brenton Cox Jr. stayed active on defense for the Packers. Cox finished with four total tackles, giving him 10 through the first three games of the season.
On special teams, consistency continued to be the story for Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) kicker Evan McPherson. He connected on both of his field-goal attempts against Pittsburgh, including a 50-yarder and a 38-yarder that gave Cincinnati a fourth-quarter lead. While the Bengals fell short 30-27, McPherson remained reliable when his number was called. He moved to 8 for 8 in his sixth season as a pro.
Tommy Townsend also excelled on special teams. He added a strong outing for the Tennessee Titans with five punts for 239 yards. His boots averaged 47.8 yards each and he placed three kicks inside the 20-yard line. In a low-scoring loss against the Giants, Townsend helped the Titans in the field-position battle throughout the afternoon.
Tampa Bay’s linebackerAlex Anzalone recorded five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss in the Buccaneers’ loss, while Dolphins defensive back Jason Marshall Jr. finished with two solo tackles against Kansas City.
Chimere Dike also continued to contribute in multiple ways for Tennessee, catching one pass for three yards and totaling 92 yards between kickoff and punt returns. Rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks added an assisted tackle in Minnesota’s win against Tampa Bay, while Kyle Pitts finished with one catch for five yards in Atlanta’s Thursday night victory.
From Gardner-Johnson’s game-changing interception to strong defensive efforts and steady special teams performances, former Gators found different ways to make an impact in Week 3. As Florida products continue to contribute across the league, the Gators remain well represented on Sundays.
Category: Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Football, NFL
