The Alabama Crimson Tide had a massive week at the NFL level this past Sunday with dominant performances from former Alabama players across the league.
Every week in the National Football League, offensive players of the week and defensive players of the week are named in both the AFC and the NFC. Of the four total awards for the week, a staggering three of them went to former Alabama players.
Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week after a huge performance against Washington in which he had 24 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns, helping to lead his team to victory. Henry was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 45 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft after a stellar Alabama career that saw him win both the Heisman trophy and national championship in 2015.
On the defensive side of the ball in the AFC, the award went to Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans after he completely took over the game against the Patriots with eight tackles and three sacks leading to another win for Houston. Anderson Jr. is now in his second year in the league after three seasons at Alabama that saw him leave Tuscaloosa as arguably the best defensive player of the entire Nick Saban era and get drafted No. 3 overall.
In the NFC, the Tide showed out on defense as well with Brian Branch of the Detroit Lions winning the conference’s defensive player of the week award. Branch had a jaw dropping performance that ended with three total turnovers via two interceptions and a forced fumble. Branch was the No. 45 pick in 2023 after three years at Alabama and playing his best football in his final year with the team in 2022.
Congratulations to all the former Crimson Tiders on their strong performances and best of luck to all three as the season goes on.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
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