Crimson Tide in the NFL Spotlight: Week 1
9/15/2022 2:24:00 PM | Football
Former Alabama players make an impact in Week 1 of NFL season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The National Football League concluded Week 1 of the regular season Monday evening. Below is a look at how former Alabama players excelled on the gridiron last week.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick shined against the reigning AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran scored the first touchdown of the NFL season with a 31-yard pick-six on the Bengals second offensive play of the game. Those points proved invaluable, as the game went into overtime with Pittsburgh nailing a field goal as time expired. Fitzpatrick finished with 14 tackles and a blocked field goal to go with his pick-six on the way to earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Fellow safety Eddie Jackson played an integral part in the Chicago Bears' 19-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson recorded an interception, which he returned 26 yards, and added three tackles on the day. His interception led to a second-half touchdown for Chicago to help put the game out of reach.
Two former Alabama defensive linemen helped Washington to a 28-22 win over Jacksonville. Jonathan Allen and Da'Ron Payne each tallied three tackles and a sack against the Jaguars. Allen added two tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure, while Payne posted three quarterback hurries and two passes defended in the Commanders' win.
The Dolphins quarterback-receiver duo of Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle led Miami to a 20-7 victory over the New England Patriots. Tagovailoa completed 23-of-33 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown. Waddle was on the receiving end of Tagovailoa's score, with the touchdown reception coming as part of the wideout's four catches for 69 yards.
Tight end O.J. Howard made his two receptions count for the Houston Texans. The newly signed veteran combined for 38 yards and two scores on his pair of catches. Broncos' receiver Jerry Jeudy led Denver's receiving core in their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Jeudy totaled four receptions for a team-high 102 yards and one touchdown in a Monday Night Football thriller.
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