Pitts gets in the endzone, defensive players lead there team to victory.
By: Austin McClain & Radek Shah
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Week 5 of the NFL season saw 46 former Gators on 21 rosters, with 35 being active. Two offensive players show up when their names are called, familiar defensive names arise in the game's biggest moments, and the second-year punter continues to put up big numbers with his leg. Kyle Pitts shines in primetime. Dameon Pierce sees his first action in London. Two star linebackers are the topic of discussion, once again, while Brenton Cox Jr. has his most prominent game of the young season. Jeremy Crawshaw is the lone special team's member of the week, punting over five times for the fourth time this year.
Each week of the 2026-27 season, FloridaGators.com will cover all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville.
Offense Kyle Pitts - TE - Atlanta Falcons
The former Mackey award winner brought in his first touchdown of the season with a five-yard reception late in the first half. Pitts hauled in five receptions for 42 yards on six targets, all season highs. The Falcons tight end had the second most receptions for Atlanta while seeing 43 total snaps which was his highest mark of the season. Pitts will look to build some momentum off this game as the Bears visit Atlanta this upcoming Sunday.
Pitts for 6️⃣ @BALvsATL on NBC/Peacock Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/Wq3xawlsX7
Dameon Pierce - RB - Philadelphia Eagles
From practice squad to production, the fifth-year running back made his season-debut in London on Sunday morning against the Jaguars. On the depth chart, Pierce was listed as the second option in the backfield, but when Will Shipley went down with an injury in the first-quarter, the former Gator got the nod for the remainder of the game. In the 48 offensive snaps seen, Pierce rushed the ball 11 times, a team high, for 14 yards. Barring the injuries, Pierce is anticipated to see more action while facing the Panthers next Sunday. Action Images via Reuters
Defense Alex Anzalone - LB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay captain called game on Thursday Night Football to give the Buccaneers their first win of the season. With just over a minute to go in a one possession game, Anzalone was able to intercept a tipped pass, allowing the Buccaneers to kneel it out and come out victorious. Along with his interception, Anzalone recorded five tackles and one PBU. His PFF tackling grade of 80.8 was the second highest on the Buccaneers defense and Tampa will look to build off their first win when they return home to face the Steelers on Sunday.
ALEX ANZALONE PICKS IT OFF! @TBvsDAL on Prime Video Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/DDN666VaJz
Brenton Cox Jr. - EDGE - Green Bay Packers
Everything just seemed to go right for the Packers defense on Sunday, and for Brenton Cox Jr., he had his most impactful game of the season. While facing the division rival Chicago Bears, Cox Jr. saw his most snaps of the season with 35, with 28 of those being pass-rush. Brenton's defensive PFF grade of 88.7 was the second highest on the defensive roster and sixth among qualified edges across the league for week five. His six total pressures on the day was tied for fourth across the league and he also recorded three total tackles.
Ventrell Miller - LB - Jacksonville Jaguars
Another week, another strong performance from the Jags linebacker. Miller recorded three tackles, two QBH and one PBU as the Jaguars won an electric game against the Eagles in London. Miller led the defense with a PFF grade of 92.6 and a coverage grade of 90.2, both of which were the second highest of all linebackers in Week 5. Miller's season-long defensive PFF grade is now a 91.8 which is the second highest in the NFL. Jacksonville will stay in London for another week as they prepare to play the Texans in Wembley Stadium.
Moments like these... Don't miss Round 2 this Sunday at @wembleystadium: https://t.co/w25tNlNgR3 https://t.co/9hjSB0ozTs
Special Teams Jeremy Crawshaw - P - Denver Broncos
The Broncos punter had another strong performance with five punts for 228 yards with a long of 58 and three punts downed inside the 20. Crawshaw now has punted 24 times on the season which is tied for the sixth most in the NFL and his 1,173 punt yards are sixth in the league. Crawshaw's three punts within the 20 were downed at the 18, 17, and three-yard line, moving his season total to 12 punts inside the 20 which is tied for the second most in the NFL. Denver will face off against the defending champions on Thursday Night Football as the Broncos face off against the Seahawks.
For a complete list of Gators in the NFL, see below.
Arizona Cardinals (ARI 21-45 DET)
90 - Zachary Carter - DT - 4 years (IR)
Atlanta Falcons (ATL 23-30 BAL)
39 - C.J. Henderson - CB - 6 years (2 TOT)
95 - Gervon Dexter Sr. - DT - 4 years (4 TOT, 2 TFL)
71 - Jawaan Taylor - OT - 8 years
8 - Kyle Pitts - TE - 6 years (5 REC, 42 Yards, 1 TD)
Buffalo Bills (BUF 37-34 LAR)
22 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson - S - 8 years (7 TOT)
64 - O'Cyrus Torrence - G - 4 years
39 - Tommy Doman - P - Rookie (1 Punt, 52 Yards, 1 IN20)
Carolina Panthers (BYE)
92 - Cam Jackson - DT - 2 years
73 - Stone Forsythe - OT - 6 years
56 - Jeremiah Moon - LB - 3 years (Practice Squad)
Cincinnati Bengals (CIN 31-24 MIA)
2 - Evan McPherson - K - 6 years (1/1 FG, Long of 26)
98 - T. J. Slaton - DL - 6 years (3 TOT, 1 QBH)
25 - Trikweze Bridges - CB - 2 years (Practice Squad)
Dallas Cowboys (DAL 16-24 TB)
90 - Jonathan Bullard - DE - 11 years
20 - Malik Davis - RB - 3 years (IR)
50 - Shemar James - LB - 2 years (3 TOT)
29 - Devin Moore - CB - Rookie (IR)
Denver Broncos (DEN 23-17 LAC)
16 - Jeremy Crawshaw - P - 2 years (5 Punts, 228 Yards, Long of 58, 3 IN20)
Green Bay Packers (GB 17-14 TB)
57 - Brenton Cox Jr. - DL - 4 years (3 TOT, 5 QBH)
87 - J. Michael Sturdivant - WR - Rookie (2 TOT)
28 - Trey Smack - K - Rookie (1/3 FG, Long of 35)
Houston Texans (HOU 26-3 TEN)
77 - Trent Brown - OT - 12 years
18 - Graham Mertz - QB - 2 years (IR)
Indianapolis Colts (IND 22-34 PIT)
5 - Anthony Richardson Sr. - QB - 4 years
52 - George Gumbs Jr. - DE - Rookie (2 TOT)
Jacksonville Jaguars (JAX 19-27 PHI)
51 - Ventrell Miller - LB - 4 years (3 TOT, 1 PBU, 2 QBH)
Las Vegas Raiders (LV 17-45 NE)
88 - Justin Shorter - WR - 4 years (IR)
Los Angeles Chargers (LAC 17-23 DEN)
66 - Jake Slaughter - C - Rookie
29 - Kaiir Elam - CB - 5 years (Practice Squad)
Miami Dolphins (MIA 24-31 CIN)
4 - Jason Marshall Jr. - CB - 2 years (4 TOT)
Philadelphia Eagles (PHI 20-24 LAR)
74 - Fred Johnson - OT - 8 years
52 - Jonathan Greenard - OLB - 7 years
41 - Rocco Underwood - LS - Rookie
39 - Dameon Pierce - RB - 5 years (11 CAR, 14 Yards, Long of 6)
San Francisco 49ers (SF 32-29 SEA)
11 - Demarcus Robisnon - WR - 11 years (IR)
18 - Eddy Piñeiro - K - 9 years (½ FG, Long of 44)
1 - Ricky Pearsall - WR - 3 years (IR)
Seattle Seahawks (SEA 29-32 SF )
56 - Dante Fowler Jr. - DE - 12 years
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB 24-16 DAL)
34 - Alex Anzalone - LB - 10 years (5 TOT, 1 INT)
Tennessee Titans (TEN 3-26 HOU)
78 - Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson - OT - 2 years
17 - Chimere Dike - WR - 2 years (3 REC, 28 Yards, 6 KR, 147 Yards, Long of 28)
3 - Tommy Townsend - P - 7 years (4 Punts, 188 Yards, 1 IN20, Long of 56)
Washington Commanders (WSH 27-27 NYG)
12 - Van Jefferson - WR - 7 years (Practice Squad)
