Crimson Tide in the NFL Spotlight: Week 6
10/16/2024 4:00:00 PM | Football
Former Alabama players make an impact in Week 6 of the NFL season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The National Football League concluded Week 6 of the regular season Monday evening. Below is a look at how former Alabama players performed on the gridiron last week.
Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith were instrumental in the Philadelphia Eagles' 20-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Hurts completed 16-of-25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns while adding 33 rushing yards. Smith hauled in three of those passes for 64 yards and a score in his return from injury. Detroit's Jameson Williams also excelled at wideout, leading his team in receiving with 76 yards on three catches, including a 37-yard score. Williams played a key role in the Lions' 47-9 thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys.
Two former Alabama running backs helped carry their teams to victory on Sunday. Derrick Henry continued his monstrous start for the Ravens, accumulating 132 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in Baltimore's 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders. It marked the third time this season that the NFL's leader in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns surpassed 130 yards on the ground. In Las Vegas, Pittsburgh tailback Najee Harris carried the ball 14 times for a season-high 106 yards and scored his first touchdown of the year. He also caught two passes for 16 yards in the Steelers' 32-13 win over the Raiders.
Will Anderson Jr. turned in the best statistical performance of his young career as part of Houston's 41-21 win over the New England Patriots. The second-year man totaled eight tackles, including four for loss and three sacks, while adding three quarterback hurries and a pass deflection. His performance on Sunday helped him become the second player in Texans history to combine for at least three sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass deflection in a single contest.
In the secondary, a duo of former Alabama defensive backs posted standout efforts in victories. Detroit's Brian Branch had a career day at the safety position, recording two interceptions and forcing a fumble while deflecting a pair of passes. The second-year man also posted six tackles, and a quarterback hit. Ravens' safety Marlon Humphrey accounted for nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection in the tilt between Beltway foes.
Linebackers Henry To'oTo'o and Mack Wilson highlighted the middle of the defense this week. To'oTo'o totaled seven stops for the Texans, marking the fourth time that he's accumulated at least seven tackles in a game this season. Wilson also racked up seven stops and added a pass deflection in the Arizona Cardinals' road loss at Green Bay.
