Zach Ertz and Marcus Peters show how clutch Pac-12 NFL athletes are
Unfortunately, Week 14 was not like last week’s edition of the Best Pac-12 NFL Players. We didn’t see the special teams and defensive touchdowns like we were afforded. Nonetheless, there was still great representation from our conference in Week 14.
The Big List of Pac-12 NFL Performers, College by College
Arizona
Will Parks – Denver Broncos
Down 38-24, with 23 seconds left, Will Parks picked off Deshaun Watson to seal the game. Granted, this was garbage time, but it was still a nice moment for Broncos fans.
Against the Texans, Parks and the Broncos defense played an exceptional game. They racked up three turnovers and helped get the Broncos a 38-3 lead. During this win, Parks totaled five tackles, one pass break-up and one interception.
Arizona State
Damarious Randall – Cleveland Browns
Thankfully, Damarious Randall and Freddie Kitchens are back on good terms. After staying home while the rest of the team went to Pittsburgh, Randall once again got the start.
In this game, his 100-percent snap-share displays that Kitchens and the team worked things out with Randall. On the season, Randall has 40 tackles, 4 pass break-ups, 2 sacks and owns a 70.0 PFF Grade. He’s a great defensive asset.
With his five tackles and coverage play, Randall helped the Browns stay in the playoff hunt.
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Cal
Jared Goff – Los Angeles Rams
In the lights of Sunday Night, Jared Goff played well. Though he wasn’t perfect, throwing two interceptions (and one pick-six) to Quandre Diggs, Goff got that W.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks were the favorite and led the division. However, Goff threw for 293 yards, while leading the Rams to four touchdowns. They protected Goff and he paid off with a modest, nonetheless critical, 95.2 Passer Rating.
Colorado
David Bakhtiari – Green Bay Packers
Yes, the Packers gave up four sacks against Washington and Rodgers only mustered 195 passing yards. However, David Bakhtiari and the Packers offensive line also blocked for 174 rushing yards.
Aaron Jones took 16 carries for a season-high 134 yards, while Jamaal Williams added 24 and Rodgers 16. Bakhtiari is a fan-favorite and he’s a staple of the Packers offense.
Oregon
Troy Hill – Los Angeles Rams
Currently, Troy Hill is in great form. His 77.9 PFF Grade displays his upside and why he was a smart extension by the Rams. He’s made big plays and helped the Rams win three of their last four games.
In their Sunday night win against the Seahawks, Troy Hill stepped up bigtime as a Pac-12 NFL athlete. He broke up two passes, totaled three tackles and came down with an interception. It was a great day to be a Rams fan.
Oregon State
Jordan Poyer
If there’s one thing Jordan Poyer is, it’s a sure-tackler. Poyer takes players down. Even though the Bills lost to the Ravens, it was still a close game.
Poyer and the Bills defense held Lamar Jackson’s offense to just 24 points. Somehow, against the number one team in the league, the Bills lost by just one touchdown. It’s a statement to Buffalo’s defense right now.
Stanford
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, it was against the 11 and 2 Giants. But still, Zach Ertz came up big. It’s why he earned a top-spot on Unafraidshow’s Pac-12 NFL list.
On a night where the Eagles were completely depleted at wide receiver, Ertz stepped up. He caught 9 of 13 targets for 91 yards and two critical touchdowns.
However, we still can’t ignore this laughable moment from Zach Ertz.
UCLA
Kenny Clark – Green Bay Packers
Geez. Kenny Clark is an animal. So strong, powerful. An absolute force to be reckoned with.
At 6-foot-3, 314lbs, it’s impressive how much he can move. He threw Washington lineman aside like dolls and earned 1.5 sacks.
USC
Robert Woods – Los Angeles Rams
Back-to-back-to-back-to-back big weeks for Robert Woods. In his last four games, Woods has at least 6 receptions and 95 receiving yards. His four-week streak includes:
- 33 Receptions
- 462 Receiving Yards
- 29 Rushing Yards
- 23 First Downs
- One well-deserved touchdown
Thank goodness Woods finally found the paydirt. And at the Coliseum, too! What better way to please the Pac-12 NFL fanatics than a USC-alumni touchdown at the Coliseum?
Robert Woods continues to stay hot as the Rams fight their way back to relevance.
Utah
Sam Tevi – Los Angeles Chargers
45 to 10. Dominant.
At Jacksonville, the Chargers completely controlled the game. During their big win, Sam Tevi played 90-percent of snaps. He was a big contributor to their 195 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. Additionally, they only let Jacksonville sack Rivers once. Tevi had himself a great game.
Washington
Marcus Peters – Baltimore Ravens
Big-time players make plays in clutch moments. That’s exactly who and what Marcus Peters is… Clutch.
Even though the Rams gave him away to the Ravens, he is playing elite football. Every Pac-12 NFL fan see his level of play. His 85.1 PFF Grade on the season and three pass break-ups against the Bills display this. Peters is right at home on the Ravens. Their secondary is the best in the league and the Rams management have to regret that trade.
Washington State
Gardner Minshew – Jacksonville Jaguars
In a blowout loss, Minshew threw for a humble (very humble) 162 yards and one touchdown. But, it certainly wasn’t enough to combat the Chargers’ offense and the Jaguars’ defensive woes.
Honestly, to those that watched the game, it felt like the Jaguars defense phoned this one in. The Chargers ran and passed all over the Jaguars. Jacksonville didn’t have their heart in the game.
Granted, that’s much easier to say coming from the comfort of my own home, while not actually playing football. And we know players like Gardner Minshew gave it their all. It’s just too much on Minshew’s shoulders. He’s shown excellent upside this season, but with injured pass-catchers and a porous defense, it’s too much.
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