Week 10 was filled with close games, and with the trade deadline in the past, every team will have to work with what they’ve got for the remainder of the season. Let’s take a look at how some of the Oregon alumni did.
Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers improved to 6-3 on the season with a 27-17 win at home over the Tennessee Titans. In the game, 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert went 14/18 passing and threw for 164 yards and one touchdown. He did not have a sack or an interception. Herbert has adjusted very well to the Chargers’ new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is looking to lead the team back to the playoffs.
Bo Nix, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
After being the last quarterback taken in the first round, Bo Nix is certainly making a case for himself as a rookie. The Broncos have not been in the playoffs since 2015 when Peyton Manning led them to a Super Bowl 50 win in his final season. Since then, they have gone through 13 different quarterbacks, but the 14th just might be a charm.
Denver currently sits at 5-5, and despite a heartbreaking, last-second loss to defending back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, Nix still had a strong game. He had a 22/30 day while throwing for 215 yards and no interceptions. The future looks bright in the Mile High City.
Bucky Irving, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite falling short to the defending NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers, Bucky Irving’s performance was not one that will go unnoticed in Tampa. Irving rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries; more than anyone else on the team, and scored the only rushing touchdown.
Bucs fans throughout Raymond James Stadium could be heard chanting “Bucky! Bucky!” at various points in the game as the rookie makes a case for himself to become the No. 1 running back on the Buccaneers’ offense.
Arik Armstead, Defensive Lineman, Jacksonville Jaguars
Armstead has faced some struggles in his first season in Jacksonville. As a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he was a part of four playoff teams and two Super Bowl teams. The Jaguars currently sit at 2-8 after a very defensive 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Armstead currently has 17 tackles on the season, which is similar to the numbers he posted in San Francisco, but on a roster with much less talent, it’s going to take some major changes to turn things around.
Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, New England Patriots
After missing a good chunk of last season due to injury, the second year defensive back has been ready to work. Gonzalez has 42 tackles and an interception so far this season, which is more than double what he did last year.
In the Patriots’ last game, Gonzalez recorded a couple tackles as the defense kept the Chicago Bears out of the end zone the entire game on their way to a 19-3 win. The Patriots organization hopes he is the first big piece to their rebuilding process.
