| NEW YORK — Oct. 30, 2025 — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddye Buchanan are the NFL Rookies of the Month for October (Weeks 5-8).
OFFENSE: QB JAXSON DART, NEW YORK GIANTS
DEFENSE: LB TEDDYE BUCHANAN, BALTIMORE RAVENS
|
| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
Jaxson Dart & Teddye Buchanan Named October Rookies of the Month
College Football’s Never-Ending Coaching Carousel
Three teams had their sights on the College Football Playoffs since the early offseason, but underdogs and upsets have left these national powerhouses speechless and coachless. Their next question to answer – who do we hire now? Not many people are happy in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Penn State began the season ranked second, only behind Texas, when Oregon gave them their first loss of the season in week 4. Losing yet another top 10 matchup, head coach James Franklin was reminded he struggles to win the biggest games of the season.
Photo Cred: Mike Farrell Sports
The following week, the Nittany Lions traveled out west to visit the 0-4 UCLA Bruins, who had just fired their head coach and made Jerry Neuheisel, the tight ends coach, their new offensive coordinator just two days before the game. And with hardly anyone in the stands to watch, UCLA jumped to a commanding 27-7 lead, and held on until the final whistle. And to top things off, Penn State then hosts Northwestern the following week and starting quarterback Drew Allar goes down with an injury. Losing to the Wildcats, and losing 3 consecutive games shattered national championship dreams and Franklin was promptly fired after 12 seasons.
Down south, the struggles are alive and well. In Gainesville, Florida, the Gators were looking for their first playoff appearance. But the trials began before they entered conference play when they were upset in week 2 against the South Florida Bulls. Then dropping the next two games to LSU and Miami, they found a glimmer of hope when they beat Texas. Then a week later they fell to 2-4 after getting boatraced by Texas A&M. That seemed to be the final straw but the head coach Billy Napier was fired the next week after beating Mississippi State.
And in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LSU head coach Brian Kelly got all the praise for beating Clemson in the first game of the year. Starting the year 4-0, the Tigers stumbled for the first time after losing to Ole Miss. Two weeks later, they were upset by Vanderbilt. And hosting Texas A&M, at night, was supposed to be a season defining win but quickly turned into an embarrassment. The day after losing 49-25, Kelly was fired and said his final goodbyes after 3 full seasons.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
And the most important decision for each school is deciding who is up next. A lot of eyes turned to Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. He has an impressive coaching career across the nation and has won in many different settings. The attraction of either LSU or Florida is appealing; both schools are desperate for a coach that can salvage what’s left and keep the program at its highest level.
Another name being thrown around is Clark Lea at Vanderbilt. It’s been a very long time since Vanderbilt has been this high in the AP Poll and it’s all because of him. Many are wondering what he can do with a team with more prestige, better recruiting, and more funding.
Finally, another SEC coach is Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri. He has established a winning culture at a school that has been down for a while and is making the push to keep Mizzou as a highly competitive team that can hang with anyone. And again, the questions are about what he can do if he gets more resources to work with.
What To Look For – Week 9
NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Below are the players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season, including:
- QB Josh Allen
- QB Patrick Mahomes
- QB Drake Maye
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- QB Matthew Stafford
- RB Jonathan Taylor
- WR Ja’Marr Chase
- WR Tee Higgins
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- TE Trey McBride
- TE Travis Kelce
- LB Byron Young
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen had three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) last week, his 46th career game with both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown, surpassing Cam Newton (45 games) for the most such games in NFL history.
Allen has five rushing touchdowns in 2025 and on Sunday against Kansas City (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the first quarterback and fourth player ever with at least six rushing touchdowns in each of his first eight career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Additionally, with a rushing touchdown, Allen can become the first quarterback and sixth player ever with at least six rushing touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk (10 consecutive seasons from 1994-2004), LaDainian Tomlinson (10 from 2001-10), Jim Brown (nine from 1957-65) and Thurman Thomas (eight from 1989-96) as well as Derrick Henry (eight from 2018-25).
The players with the most consecutive seasons with at least six rushing touchdowns in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Marshall Faulk HOF | Indianapolis, St. Louis Rams | 10 (1994-2004) |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers, N.Y. Jets | 10 (2001-10) |
| Jim Brown HOF | Cleveland | 9 (1957-65) |
| Derrick Henry | Tennessee, Baltimore | 8 (2018-25) |
| Thurman Thomas HOF | Buffalo | 8 (1989-96) |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 7* (2018-24) |
| *has five rushing touchdowns in 2025 | ||
PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns with a 104.9 passer rating last week, his third straight game with at least three touchdown passes.
Mahomes has 46 career games with at least three touchdown passes and at Buffalo on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (46 games) for the most such games by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history.
With a passer rating of 100-or-higher on Sunday, Mahomes can surpass Matt Ryan (61 games) for the third-most games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in his first nine career seasons, trailing only Russell Wilson (74 games) and Dak Prescott (63).
The players with the most games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in their first nine seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 74 |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 63 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 61* |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 61 |
| *in ninth season | ||
Mahomes has 49 career games with at least 300 passing yards, the most by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history. With his next 300-yard performance, he can become the sixth quarterback all-time with at least 50 such games in his first 12 career seasons.
The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first 12 seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 67 |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 64 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 56 |
| Kurt Warner HOF | St. Louis Rams, Arizona | 52 |
| Kirk Cousins | Washington, Minnesota | 50 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 49* |
| *in ninth season | ||
DRAKE MAYE
New England quarterback Drake Maye is the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five of his team’s first eight games of a season and has at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in each of his past seven starts.
With at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in Week 8, Maye can become the first player under the age of 24 and fourth player in NFL history to record at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in eight consecutive games, joining Aaron Rodgers (12 consecutive games in 2011 and eight in 2020), Tom Brady (eight in 2007) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight in 2004)
The players with at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating 100-or-higher in the most consecutive games within a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 12 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2007 | 8 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 2004 | 8 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2020 | 8 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2018 | 7 |
| Drake Maye | New England | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
AARON RODGERS
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is tied for third in the NFL with 16 touchdown passes, including five games with multiple touchdown passes this season.
With two touchdown passes on Sunday against Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (165 games) for the third-most games with multiple touchdown passes in NFL history. Only Tom Brady (204 games) and Drew Brees (173) have more.
The players with the most games with at least two touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 204 |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 173 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 165 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh | 165 |
MATTHEW STAFFORD
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, in Week 7 before the team’s Week 8 bye, recorded his fifth career game with five touchdown passes and ranks tied for first with 17 touchdown passes this season.
On Sunday against New Orleans (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), Stafford – who has only thrown two interceptions in 2025 – can become the fifth different player with at least 20 touchdown passes and three-or-fewer interceptions in his first eight games of a season, joining Tom Brady (2007 and 2015), Patrick Mahomes (2020), Aaron Rodgers (2011 and 2020) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle (1963).
The players with at least 20 touchdown passes and three-or-fewer interceptions in their first eight games of a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS TDs | INTs |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2020 | 21 | 1 |
| Aaron Rodgers MVP | Green Bay | 2020 | 24 | 2 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2015 | 22 | 2 |
| Aaron Rodgers MVP | Green Bay | 2011 | 24 | 3 |
| Tom Brady MVP | New England | 2007 | 30 | 2 |
| Y.A. Tittle MVP / HOF | N.Y. Giants | 1963 | 23 | 3 |
| Matthew Stafford | L.A. Rams | 2025 | 17* | 2* |
| *in first seven games | ||||
JONATHAN TAYLOR
Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor totaled 174 scrimmage yards (153 rushing, 21 receiving) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) last week and joined Gene ‘Choo-Choo’ Roberts (1949 with the New York Giants) as the only players all-time with three touchdowns in four of his first eight games of a season.
Taylor can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least three touchdowns in five games in a single season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (six games in 2006) and Marshall Faulk (five in 2000) as well as Chuck Foreman (five in 1975).
Taylor leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards and 14 scrimmage touchdowns this season and on Sunday at Pittsburgh (1 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the sixth player since 1990 and first since 2006 (Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson) with at least 900 rushing yards and 15 scrimmage touchdowns in his first nine games of a season.
The players with at least 900 rushing yards and 15 scrimmage touchdowns in their first nine games of a season since 1990:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RUSH YARDS | SCRIMMAGE TDs |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers | 2006 | 932 | 18 |
| Shaun Alexander | Seattle | 2005 | 1,114 | 17 |
| Priest Holmes | Kansas City | 2002 | 908 | 16 |
| Terrell Davis HOF | Denver | 1998 | 1,219 | 16 |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 1995 | 1,137 | 16 |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 2025 | 850* | 14* |
| *in first eight games | ||||
JA’MARR CHASE
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 70 receptions and has 38 receptions in his past three games, tied with Michael Thomas (38 receptions from Weeks 1-3 in 2018 with New Orleans) for the most receptions in a three-game span in NFL history.
On Sunday against Chicago (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Chase – who had 10 receptions in Week 6, 16 receptions in Week 7 and 12 receptions in Week 8 – can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson (Weeks 13-16, 2012 with Detroit) as the only players in NFL history with at least 10 receptions in four consecutive games.
Additionally, Chase can become the fourth player ever with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in 20 games in his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Lance Alworth (24 games), Randy Moss (24) and Jerry Rice (21).
Chase has 15 career games with at least 125 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2021 and with 125 receiving yards in Week 9, can tie Odell Beckham Jr. (16 games) and A.J. Brown (16) for the fourth-most such games by a player in his first five seasons in the Super Bowl era.
The players with the most games with at least 125 receiving yards in their first five seasons in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 23 |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 17 |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 17 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | 16 |
| A.J. Brown | Tennessee, Philadelphia | 16 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 15* |
| *in fifth season | ||
TEE HIGGINS
Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins had his fourth touchdown reception of the season last week and since Week 5 of the 2024 season, has at least one touchdown reception in eight consecutive home games.
On Sunday against Chicago (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Higgins can become the third player all-time with a touchdown reception in nine consecutive home games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Cris Carter (10 consecutive home games with Minnesota from 2000-01) and Jerry Rice (nine with San Francisco from 1989-90).
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba – at 23 years old – leads the NFL with 819 receiving yards and has at least 75 receiving yards in each of his seven games this season.
With 81 receiving yards on Sunday Night Football at Washington (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Smith-Njigba can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce (938 receiving yards in 1995) as the only players under the age of 24 with at least 900 receiving yards in their first eight games of a season in NFL history.
Additionally, with 75 receiving yards in Week 9, Smith-Njigba can become the fifth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 receiving yards in each of his first eight games of a season, joining Antonio Brown (first nine games in 2014), Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin (first nine in 1995), Dwight Clark (first eight in 1982) and Adam Thielen (first eight in 2018).
The players with at least 75 receiving yards in the most consecutive games to begin a season in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 2014 | 9 |
| Michael Irvin HOF | Dallas | 1995 | 9 |
| Dwight Clark | San Francisco | 1982 | 8 |
| Adam Thielen | Minnesota | 2018 | 8 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
TREY MCBRIDE
Arizona tight end Trey McBride, in Week 7 before the team’s Week 8 bye, recorded his sixth career game with at least 10 receptions, the most such games by a tight end in his first four seasons in NFL history. This season, he ranks second among tight ends with 47 receptions and since Week 17 last season, has at least five receptions in nine consecutive games.
On Monday Night Football at Dallas (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), McBride can become the third tight end in NFL history with at least five receptions in 10 consecutive games, joining Travis Kelce (15 consecutive games in 2018 and 11 from 2020-21) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (13 from 2008-09),
The tight ends with the most consecutive games with at least five receptions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 2018 | 15 |
| Tony Gonzalez HOF | Kansas City, Atlanta | 2008-09 | 13 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 2020-21 | 11 |
| Trey McBride | Arizona | 2024-25 | 9* |
| Jason Witten | Dallas | 2012 | 9 |
| *active streak | |||
TRAVIS KELCE
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce had 99 receiving yards and his 100th career touchdown reception (including the postseason) last week, one of four tight ends all-time with at least 100 career touchdown receptions, including the playoffs.
Kelce ranks second among tight ends with 474 receiving yards this season and with 26 receiving yards at Buffalo in Week 9 (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the fourth tight end all-time with at least 500 receiving yards in 12 career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez (16 consecutive seasons) and Antonio Gates (13) as well as Jason Witten (15).
The tight ends with the most seasons with at least 500 receiving yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Tony Gonzalez HOF | Kansas City, Atlanta | 16 |
| Jason Witten | Dallas | 15 |
| Antonio Gates HOF | San Diego Chargers | 13 |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England | 11 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 11* |
| Shannon Sharpe HOF | Denver, Baltimore | 11 |
| *has 474 receiving yards in 2025 | ||
BYRON YOUNG
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young ranks third in the NFL with a career-high nine sacks this season and since Week 17 last season, has at least a half sack in nine consecutive games.
With a half sack on Sunday against New Orleans (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), Young can become the sixth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least half a sack in each of his first eight games of a season.
The players with at least half a sack in the most consecutive games to begin a season since 1982:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Jared Allen HOF | Minnesota | 2011 | 9 |
| Everson Griffen | Minnesota | 2017 | 8 |
| Dwight Freeney HOF | Indianapolis | 2009 | 8 |
| Robert Mathis | Indianapolis | 2005 | 8 |
| Shaun Ellis | N.Y. Jets | 2003 | 8 |
| Byron Young | L.A. Rams | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com
Jonathan Taylor: RB1 Then, Now, and Always
The Right Decision
When Jonathan Taylor committed to the University of Wisconsin on November 1st, 2016, Badger fans around the country were excited to see the next great Wisconsin running back. Not only did Wisconsin get a top-20 running back recruit, but he committed after breaking his verbal commitment to home-state Rutgers University. After visiting Madison October 15th, Taylor removed all Rutgers from his socials, and later officially decommitted on October 29th. Days later he was a Badger.
As a freshman, Taylor went beyond expectations early, rushing for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns in his second ever game in a 31-14 win against Florida Atlantic. Taylor would go on to run for 175+ rushing yards three times in Big Ten play, finishing the season with 1977 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His sophomore season was as good as a sophomore jump that you could have asked for, leading the country in rushing yards, ending the season with 2194 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Photo Cred: Bleacher Report
Entering Taylor’s junior season and eyeing potentially declaring for the NFL draft, Taylor knew he had to have his best season yet. He worked the offseason working on his receiving skills, to become a dual-threat back, and it all paid off. Taylor led the Badgers to a ten win season and a Rose Bowl appearance. He ended the season with 2003 rushing yards and a career high 21 touchdowns, but also added 252 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He ended the season 5th in Heisman votes, and was a unanimous All-American. A couple days after the Rose Bowl, Taylor declared for the NFL draft by no surprise to fans.
The Perfect Situation
To a surprise, Taylor wasn’t the first running back selected, and wasn’t even selected in the first round. After watching two running backs go before him, Jonathan Taylor heard his name called 41st by the Indianapolis Colts, hoping to be the franchise running back for years to come. He joined a team that had the second best run blocking grade of any offensive line the season before, headlined by superstar guard Quentin Nelson.
From the jump, the pairing seemed like a home run hit, rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns, being named First Team All Rookie. But more was expected, and Taylor entered his second season ready to avoid a sophomore slump. Taylor broke out, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,811 yards, while also leading with 18 rushing touchdowns. He was subsequently named a Pro Bowler and a First-team All-Pro. He tied the NFL record for consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown with 8, and broke the record of youngest players with 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in a season. Everything was in line for Jonathan Taylor to repeat his success and push for an Offensive Player of The Year award, but that didn’t happen.
Photo Cred: CNN
Injuries Suck
Taylor started his 2022 campaign strong with 161 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. But late in the fourth quarter of week 4 against the Titans somebody landed on Taylor’s ankle, which forced him to miss his first NFL game of his career. In Week 15 he reinjured the same ankle, spraining it and ultimately being put on the IR, ending his season. He ended with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eleven games.
On August 29th, 2023, Taylor was placed on the physically unable to perform list with complications from his ankle. During this period, it was reported that the standoff with his contract worsened, with Taylor requesting a trade after meeting with the Colts owner Jim Irsay. Taylor was unhappy with his contract and either wanted it fixed or a change of scenery. After four weeks of stalled negotiations, Taylor was activated off the PUP list and signed a three-year, 42 million dollar extension. He also injured his thumb which required surgery, and forced him to miss weeks 13-15. In the season finale however, he rushed for a season high 188 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. He finished the season with 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
The Resurgence
Entering 2024, Jonathan Taylor was ready to make his comeback. After struggling with injuries after signing a massive extension, he needed to remind fans why they paid that money. Jonathan Taylor had his best season since the 2021 season, rushing for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, and being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career. Still, Taylor missed games with an ankle injury stemming back to the previous seasons. The offseason was about getting that ankle right.
“I know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
The 2025 offseason was a big one for the Indianapolis Colts that saw change. The biggest addition was Daniel Jones from Minnesota to be their starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson. The Colts entered the season as heavy favorites, -400, to win the AFC South.
So far, the Colts have been the talk of the league. They opened Week 1 with a 33-8 domination over the Dolphins, and followed it with wins in Weeks 2 & 3 with Taylor having a combined 338 yards and three touchdowns in the 3-0 start. Since then, the Colts as a team have been elite. They have started the season going 7-1 in large parts to Taylor’s performances including the game winning touchdown against the Cardinals and five total touchdowns in two games versus Tennessee. Jonathan Taylor is currently leading the NFL in rushing yards with 850, while also leading with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Looking ahead of the Colts schedule, they do not play very many teams that have good run stopping defenses. The Colts already have the best record in the NFL, and there is a real possibility that they win 6-8 of their remaining games with Taylor leading the way. He is on pace for over 1700 yards and over 25 touchdowns, which is putting him really close to the all-time season mark of 28 held my LaDanian Tomlinson.
Jonathan Taylor has managed to prove to the entire NFL he is, and has been the best running back in the NFL. Injuries stop most players, specifically running backs from having long careers, and with running backs being the most replaceable position, it is hard to fight your way back. Taylor has proven his work ethic will not let him down and he is the face of running backs in the league and is continuing to be for the rest of his career.
Jordan Love, Anthony Nelson & Chase McLaughlin Named Week 8 NFC Players of the Week
| NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, and a pair of Tampa Bay Buccaneers – linebacker Anthony Nelson and kicker Chase McLaughlin – are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 8 (October 23, 26-27).
OFFENSE: QB JORDAN LOVE, GREEN BAY PACKERS
DEFENSE: LB ANTHONY NELSON, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K CHASE MCLAUGHLIN, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
|
| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
James Cook, Jordyn Brooks & Isaiah Williams Named Week 8 AFC Players of the Week
| NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks and New York Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 8 (October 23, 26-27).
OFFENSE: RB JAMES COOK, BUFFALO BILLS
DEFENSE: LB JORDYN BROOKS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
SPECIAL TEAMS: WR ISAIAH WILLIAMS, NEW YORK JETS
|
| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
Bama Survives Scare in Columbia: Tide Show Resilience
Going into the game, many fans believed that this game would end up being one of the easier ones for the Alabama Tide, but they were in for a very rude awakening. The Tide barely escaped Williams-Brice Stadium with the victory. The Gamecocks started off on offense and drove down the field on a drive that consisted of 15-plays to get a field goal.
Bama’s offense would then go three and out, and the defense decided to take scoring the team’s first points into their own hands. After LaNorris Sellers’s pass is bobbled and picked off by DaShawn Jones who would then return it for a pick six. Both teams would proceed to go three and out. South Carolina would attempt a 47-yard field goal but would end up missing it.
Photo Cred: Alabama
Bama’s offensive struggles would continue as Ty Simpson would end up getting stripped on a sack by Vicari Swain that would be recovered by the Gamecocks and turn into a field goal on the other end, bringing the score to 7-6. Bama’s offense would then put together a drive that saw running back Daniel Hill catch a pass along the sideline that was good for 41 yards. Bama would finish the drive with a touchdown after Simpson hit tight end Josh Cuevas with a pass on 4th down. The half would end with the Tide winning 14-6.
Coming out of halftime, the tide changed drastically for Alabama. On their first drive they would turn the ball over after Ryan Williams dropped a pass on 4th down, leading directly to a one play 54-yard passing touchdown from the Gamecock’s offense after Sellers found receiver Nyck Harbor behind the Tide’s coverage. Bama’s offense would continue to struggle after the Gamecocks would continue to force three and outs. South Carolina would then put together an 11-play drive that would end in a field goal and result in them taking the lead 15-14.
Bama would go on to punt again, and their misfortunes would continue to the special teams after South Carolina is forced to punt on their next drive. The punt takes an odd bounce and hits a Bama player on the leg and would be recovered by the Gamecocks. This mistake would lead to a touchdown for the Gamecocks after Sellers would run in for a touchdown, making it an 8-point game.
At this point ESPN gave the Tide an 18% chance of winning the game, the same percentage that South Carolina had to win going into the game. The Bama offense would then put together an eight-minute drive that would end after Simpson threw a pass to Germie Bernard for the touchdown and would run a trick play that freed up Cuevas for the two-point conversion, this tied the score at 22-22.
South Carolina would receive the ball with about two minutes left on the clock looking to drive down the field and score a late game score to take the lead and upset the Tide, but the Tide defense had other plans. On a designed QB run, Sellers is wrapped up by Tim Keenan III and Deontae Lawson would make the heads up play and strip Sellers of the football, and it would end up being recovered by the Tide. Bama would then drain some of the clock and find themselves facing a 3rd and 10, they would then run a direct snap to Bernard who would run past the defense for a late touchdown bringing the lead up to 29-22 and ending the game.
During Kalen DeBoer’s opening statement in the post-game interview, he brought up what it took his team to win this game when he said, “the story of the game is resiliency, doesn’t matter how you win and it ain’t going to be pretty all the time, especially when you go on the road in a SEC game.”
The Tide will have a bye next week and prepare to take on the LSU Tigers at home. They hope to have a game like the matchup that took place last year when the Tide went into Death Valley and slayed the Tigers in front of their home crowd in a game that ended with a score of 42-13.
Auburn’s Atkins is Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
DALLAS (FWAA) – Linebacker Xavier Atkins led Auburn’s defense with a career-high 13 tackles Saturday, including a pair of sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss as the Tigers came from behind to take a 33-24 win at Arkansas. For his play leading the Tigers in tackles for a fifth straight SEC game, Atkins earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for the weekend of Oct. 25 by the Football Writers Association of America.
Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. This is the first time since 2006 for an Auburn player to earn the weekly award and third time overall.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those finalists who are part of the 2025 FWAA All-America Team and presented with the trophy at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Players may be added or removed from the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list during the season. If a player isn’t already on the preseason watch list, including Atkins this week, each week’s honored player is added at that time.
Atkins, a 6-0, 210-pound sophomore from Houston, had a command performance against Arkansas as the Tigers’ defense held firm in the second half to allow the comeback. Atkins’ 13 tackles were the most by an Auburn player in just over three seasons since Owen Pappoe had 16 against Ole Miss on Oct. 15, 2022.
Auburn’s 17-0 scoring margin in the fourth quarter sealed the game at the end of a 23-3 rally in the second half. With Atkins leading the way, Auburn’s defense held the Hogs to only five first downs and 28 rushing yards in the second half.
It was a continuance of a torrid defensive streak for the inside linebacker in his first season at Auburn after playing his freshman season at LSU. Atkins leads the SEC with 13.0 TFL’s and is tied for second in the league with 61 tackles and 7.0 sacks. He has 4.0 sacks in the last two games.
In five SEC games, Atkins leads the league with 9.0 TFL (2.5 more than any other player) and ranks second in tackles (49) and third in sacks (5.0).
It is also Atkins’ second game with 4.0 tackles for loss this season, marking him as the first Tiger since 2005 (Stanley McClover) to have multiple games with 4.0+ TFL in a season. Two of the SEC’s four defensive performances with 4.0 TFL’s now belong to Atkins.
Auburn has not had a Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner. Its last finalist was defensive tackle Derrick Brown in 2019, with Nick Fairly (DT, 2010) and Carlos Rogers (CB, 2004) as other former finalists. The Tigers’ last weekly honoree was defensive end Quentin Groves on Oct. 14, 2006, following a 27-17 win over Florida.
The Tigers host Kentucky on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on the SEC Network.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, North Carolina region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a sponsor team of more than (80) companies. The Club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding Citizenship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship, and Leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through individual and corporate support, more than $3,000,000 has been raised and donated to benefit the Touchdown Club’s scholarship efforts.
Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Our purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence and to grow profitably. For over 121 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia, to approximately 60 million consumers. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE”. More information about the Company is available at cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coca-Cola Consolidated on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
Iowa’s Jones is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
DALLAS (FWAA) – Iowa dominated Minnesota early on and continued to pound the ball throughout its 41-3 win over their Big Ten rival. In the middle of the offensive line that graded as the country’s best last weekend is center Logan Jones. For his role in keeping the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy in Iowa for another season, Jones is the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 25, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
This is the third season for the FWAA to select an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week as part of the NCFAA’s weekly national honors from 12 awards. The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 21, 2026.
The weekly winners are added to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list going forward. Jones is already a member of the 2025 watch list.
The home state-grown Jones, a 6-3, 302-pound center from Council Bluffs had the offensive line working well, and fast. The Hawkeyes (6-2) had a 128-12 advantage in total yards in the first quarter and 186-44 by halftime. Iowa scored on its opening drive for the first time since Week 3, and its 31 first-half points were the most it has scored in a half since 2021.
Jones, a graduate student starting his 46th career game who has been a game captain each week this season, helped the Hawkeyes allow only one pressure against a Minnesota defense that registered nine sacks against Nebraska in its previous game.
Iowa’s offensive line earned the highest grade in the FBS by Pro Football Focus from the game, and Jones is the No. 1-rated center by the service. With Jones in the middle, all five Hawkeye offensive linemen who played at least 40 snaps earned pass blocking grades above 80 percent against Minnesota.
The Hawkeyes have outrushed their opponents in seven of the team’s eight games and have 200 or more rushing yards in four of their eight games.
Jones’ protection along with the rest of the line has helped quarterback Mark Gronowski become a rushing threat. Gronowski rushed for a touchdown against Minnesota, marking an eighth straight games with a rushing score that is a Big Ten record for the most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown by a quarterback. His 11 rushing scores this season tie Wilburn Hollis for the most rushing touchdowns by an Iowa quarterback in program history.
Jones was recognized as an All-Big Ten lineman following the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Iowa has a proud history with the Outland Trophy with four former winners and two previous finalists. Its last finalist was the player Jones replaced as the starting center, Tyler Linderbaum in 2021. Hawkeyes defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon was also a finalist in 2020. Iowa’s last Outland Trophy winner was offensive tackle Brandon Scherff in 2014.
The Hawkeyes are idle this weekend. They will host Oregon on Sat., Nov. 8.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 80 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA, visit ncfaa.org.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. delivers superior truckload transportation and logistics services to customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 2022 revenues of $3.3 billion, an industry-leading modern truck and trailer fleet, more than 14,000 talented associates and our innovative Werner EDGE technology, we are an essential solutions provider for customers who value the integrity of their supply chain and require safe and exceptional on time service. Werner provides Dedicated and One-Way Truckload services as well as Logistics services that include 1truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final mile. As an industry leader, Werner is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Werner Enterprises common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WERN.” For further information about Werner, visit the company’s website at werner.com.
The Greater Omaha Sports Committee, founded in 1977, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, consisting of more than 1,300 men and women from the City of Omaha, the State of Nebraska, and others. The Committee serves to communicate, develop, initiate and promote sports activities in the Greater Omaha sports area. In addition to the Outland Trophy Award Events and Dinner, the Greater Omaha Sports Committee promotes high school, college, and professional sports in the Greater Omaha area and the Midwest. For more information contact Bob Mancuso Jr., Chairman at bmancuso@showofficeonline.com or see showofficeonline.com.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
Maxwell Award Player of the Week
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
