Former LSU stars delivered touchdowns, sacks, explosive returns and several of the NFL’s most productive individual performances over the weekend.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase rekindled their championship chemistry in Miami. Jayden Daniels returned to Washington’s lineup and immediately reminded the league why he remains one of its most dangerous dual threat quarterbacks. Malik Nabers commanded a staggering 20 targets, while Justin Jefferson helped Minnesota remain undefeated.
It was another impressive weekend for NFLSU.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase Take Over Miami
Burrow produced the weekend’s biggest NFLSU performance by throwing four touchdown passes in Cincinnati’s 31 to 24 victory over Miami.
The Bengals quarterback completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards without an interception. He distributed his four touchdowns among four different receivers and helped Cincinnati build a 28 to 10 lead before Miami attempted a late comeback.
Chase led the Bengals with six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. His score came on a spectacular 45 yard reception late in the third quarter.
The touchdown was the 58th of Chase’s NFL career and his fourth this season. He also passed Bengals legend Isaac Curtis for third place on the franchise’s career receiving yardage list.
Burrow and Chase have produced bigger yardage totals together, but this was another example of their efficiency in critical situations. When Cincinnati needed touchdowns, the former LSU national champions delivered.
Jayden Daniels Runs Wild in His Return
Daniels returned to Washington’s lineup and accounted for 302 total yards in the Commanders’ 27 to 27 overtime tie with the New York Giants.
The former Heisman Trophy winner completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards. He did not throw an interception and finished with a 91.9 passer rating.
Daniels was even more dangerous on the ground. He rushed nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.4 yards per attempt.
His 38 yard touchdown run provided another reminder that defensive discipline can disappear in a hurry when Daniels escapes the pocket. He became the weekend’s leading rusher among NFL quarterbacks and nearly carried Washington to a victory despite being sacked five times.
The final result was frustrating for the Commanders, but Daniels looked healthy, explosive and fully capable of changing a game with his legs.
Malik Nabers Commands the Spotlight
Nabers delivered his best performance of the season during the same game.
The Giants receiver caught 11 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. He was targeted a career high 20 times and became the focal point of New York’s offense during its second half comeback.
Nabers had only two receptions for 27 yards at halftime before taking control after the break. He consistently created separation, gained yards after the catch and made a touchdown reception that helped the Giants force overtime.
His 11 receptions and 121 receiving yards were both season highs. The enormous target total also demonstrated how much confidence the Giants have in their former LSU star.
When New York needed a completion, the football repeatedly went toward No. 1.
Justin Jefferson Helps Keep Minnesota Perfect
Jefferson caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown as Minnesota defeated New Orleans 23 to 13.
He caught six of his seven targets and led the Vikings in receiving yards. His touchdown gave him four scores through Minnesota’s first five games.
Jefferson’s production helped the Vikings improve to 5 and 0. Minnesota has dealt with changes at quarterback and injuries throughout its receiving corps, but Jefferson remains the constant that holds the passing game together.
Even when defenses build their coverage around stopping him, Jefferson continues to create space, move the chains and find the end zone.
Danielle Hunter Helps Houston Dominate
Hunter played an important role in Houston’s 26 to 3 victory over Tennessee.
The veteran edge defender recorded three tackles and one sack as the Texans held the Titans to 187 total yards and prevented them from scoring a touchdown.
Hunter’s pressure helped Houston control the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon. Tennessee struggled to sustain drives, and the Texans’ defense repeatedly forced the Titans off the field.
The sack increased Hunter’s season total to three and his career total to 117.5. He remains one of the most consistently productive pass rushers LSU has ever sent to the NFL.
Kayshon Boutte Makes a Critical Catch
Boutte finished Houston’s victory with three receptions for 38 yards, but his most important contribution came on third and 11 during the third quarter.
Boutte made a difficult 23 yard sideline reception to extend a drive that eventually consumed 17 plays, covered 74 yards and ended with Houston’s first touchdown.
It was not a massive statistical performance, but it was a winning play. Boutte delivered when the Texans needed him and helped Houston take control of the game.
Zavion Thomas Provides a Special Teams Spark
Chicago struggled during its 31 to 7 loss at Green Bay, but Thomas supplied one of the Bears’ few bright spots.
The former LSU return specialist produced 192 yards on six kickoff returns, averaging 32 yards per return with a long of 61 yards. He also caught one pass for 11 yards and added another 11 yards on one rushing attempt.
Thomas finished with 214 combined return and scrimmage yards. His explosiveness repeatedly gave Chicago improved field position, even though the Bears were unable to convert those opportunities into enough points.
His performance showed exactly why LSU valued his versatility as a receiver and return specialist.
More NFLSU Contributions
Several other former Tigers made their presence felt across the league.
Patrick Queen recorded seven tackles as Pittsburgh defeated Indianapolis 34 to 22.
Grant Delpit contributed five tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended during Cleveland’s 17 to 12 loss to the New York Jets.
Mason Taylor caught three passes for 24 yards in the Jets’ victory over Cleveland.
Harold Perkins Jr. recorded three tackles for Atlanta against Baltimore.
Omar Speights finished with four tackles during the Los Angeles Rams’ 37 to 34 overtime loss to Buffalo on Monday night.
Several former LSU offensive linemen also helped their teams earn victories. Will Campbell started for New England during its 45 to 17 win over Las Vegas. Emery Jones Jr. appeared for Baltimore in its 30 to 23 overtime victory over Atlanta, while Miles Frazier was part of Detroit’s 45 to 21 win over Arizona.
The NFLSU Bottom Line
Burrow threw four touchdowns. Daniels surpassed 100 rushing yards. Nabers broke the 100 yard receiving mark. Chase and Jefferson reached the end zone. Hunter added another sack to one of the most productive careers ever assembled by a former LSU defender.
From established superstars to young players earning larger roles, LSU’s influence could be found across nearly every NFL time slot.
NFLSU was not simply represented this weekend. It was responsible for some of the league’s most important plays.
Sources
- LSU Athletics, 2026 to 2027 Tigers in the NFL roster.
- Cincinnati Bengals, Bengals defeat Dolphins, postgame recap and statistics.
- NFL, Jayden Daniels game log.
- NFL and Pro Football Reference, Malik Nabers game statistics.
- Pro Football Reference, Justin Jefferson game log.
- NFL and Houston game reporting, Kayshon Boutte and Danielle Hunter statistics.
- Chicago Bears and Windy City Gridiron, Zavion Thomas game statistics.
- NFL player logs for Patrick Queen, Grant Delpit, Mason Taylor, Harold Perkins Jr. and Omar Speights.
