Gators in the NFL Week 8: Former Florida Standouts Play Pivotal Roles
Week 8 in the NFL featured a game with a winning team throwing zero passing yards, a game with 79 combined points and one with a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter. And Florida Gators were in the middle of it all.
On a cloudy afternoon in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers silenced the Atlanta Falcons 16-0. However, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Bucs did not complete a pass in the game, only making three attempts. The rushing game carried the offensive attack, with Mayfield and tailbacks Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell, combining for 324 yards on the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball, former UF linebacker Alex Anzalone had a field day against Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Anzalone made two interceptions, six tackles and two passes defended throughout his career day. His performance, along with that of the rest of his Buccaneers’ teammates, kept Penix Jr. to 8-for-24 passing and a QBR of 8.2.
The Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals also played in the early window of Sunday’s slate, a contest in which defense was optional. The Bengals outlasted the Titans 43-36 in an overtime thriller.
Although 1-7, the Titans put up their best offensive performance since they scored 37 on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 10, 2021.
As part of this offensive explosion, former UF standout Chimere Dike had his best performance of the season. The second-year receiver pulled in five catches for 71 yards and a huge fourth-quarter touchdown to put the Titans up before a Bengals comeback.
Week 8 featured another overtime game between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals, down 14 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, came back to win 33-30 in overtime behind late-game magic from quarterback Gardner Minshew Ⅱ.
Although on the losing side, former Gators linebacker Shemar James had a stellar performance for Dallas. He recorded an interception off Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, another former UF player, in the first quarter, adding nine total tackles and a pass deflection.
Although Thursday Night Football between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers was not as chaotic of a contest, Florida Gators still made their impact. In a 27-19 Packers win, former UF defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. helped stifle the Panthers with a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
However, former Florida kicker Trey Smack did not have a great outing once again. He missed his first extra-point attempt before making his next three. Smack has gone 16-for-19 on extra points and 11-for-16 in field goals this season, a reason for concern for his future with Green Bay.
Category: Former Gators, Gators Football, NFL
