Top LSU, Louisiana performers from NFL Wild Card Weekend
In an NFL Playoffs opening weekend full of eye-catching performances, a pair of former LSU stars helped provide two of the best.
The football world was abuzz back-to-back nights over one recent Heisman winner for the Tigers and another playmaker that a notable national voice posed has the talent to have won the award under different circumstances.
Here’s a look at 10 of the most notable showings by former Tigers and Louisiana natives (six and four, respectively).
Jayden Daniels (LSU)
The 2023 Heisman winner continued his historic rookie campaign and the Commanders’ impressive turnaround with another efficient and clutch performance in the biggest game of his young career. Daniels completed 24 of his 35 passes (68.6%) for 268 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 23-20 defeat of Tampa Bay and rushed 13 times for another 36 yards. And his fourth-down touchdown for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter and a pair of third-down conversions on the final game-winning drive. The playoff victory was Washington’s first in just over 19 years, and Daniels became just the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first playoff game on the road.
Derek Stingley Jr. (Dunham, LSU)
The All-Pro cornerback helped highlight the Texans’ 32-12 defeat of the Chargers with his opportunistic, high-impact playmaking on defense. Stingley snatched a pair of interceptions as Houston forced a career-high four interceptions in all from Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert. And the former Dunham and LSU star finished with four solo tackles, five passes defended a forced fumbles and 70 yards in interception returns. His coverage grade was the highest of the weekend, according to Pro Football Focus, and his overall defensive grade was second.
Danielle Hunter (LSU)
Houston’s disruptive play up front had a big hand in Herbert’s frustrating evening Saturday. And while Hunter wasn’t one of the Texans able to wrap up the Chargers’ quarterback for one of four sacks, he was once again one of the league’s most active rushers overall with one hit and four more hurries. The former LSU standout tied for fourth in the league in total pressures (5) and fifth on his team with three tackles.
Deion Jones (Jesuit, LSU)
The veteran linebacker hadn’t played a single defensive snap all regular season and came up big for Tampa Bay in 18 snaps down the stretch that at one point helped the home team preserve a late lead and remain well-positioned to win. “Debo” finished with two tackles and a third-down pass breakup in the end zone that highlight a defensive stand with the Buccaneers leading, 17-13. But Tampa’s offense fumbled four plays later, and Daniels and the Commanders scored on both their final possessions to steal away the win.
Justin Jefferson (Destrehan, LSU)
The All-Pro receivers’ 1,500-yard season came to an end Monday in another tough week for the Vikings’ offense overall. Jefferson caught five of the eight throws his way for 58 yards with no drops. But Minnesota struggled to protect quarterback Sam Darnold from the Rams’ franchise playoff record-tying nine-sack pass rush or to find much of a rhythm overall in the eventual 27-9 loss.
Patrick Queen (Livonia, LSU)
The Steelers ultimately couldn’t slow down Baltimore’s two-headed monster of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry enough to beat their AFC North rivals in the teams’ third meeting of the season. But Queen was among the leaders for not only Pittsburgh, but the entire league, with his 10 tackles — tied for fourth among all players this weekend — plus a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry.
Ar’Darius Washington (Evangel Christian)
On the other side of the AFC North rematch, the Ravens’ safety from Shreveport helped lead the team’s stingy defensive effort with seven tackles, including five solo stops. The total came in just 45 plays as Baltimore got off the field consistently enough on defense and kept drives alive consistently enough on offense that the defense faced a season-low numbers of snaps.
Kevin Dotson (Plaquemine)
While the Rams’ pass-rush dominated the line of scrimmage Monday, their offensive line wasn’t half bad in its own right — including their right guard from Plaquemine High. Dotson looked largely solid on the night, continuing his career resurgence in Los Angeles the past two years and his particularly strong back half of this season. The Vikings defense had its moments throughout the contest. And PFF dinged Dotson for a late sack, by which point the game was well in hand, as his only pressure allowed in the contest. But he appeared effective the bulk of the evening, and the Rams advanced to face Philadelphia next week.
DeVonta Smith (Amite)
Philadelphia largely rode its defense and special teams to its 22-10 victory Sunday outside of one long touchdown drive late in the third quarter that provided some much-needed insurance points. Smith caught back-to-back passes for 28 and 9 yards — including a third-down conversion — on that possession to help set up the score. The 2021 Heisman winner caught all four of his targets for a game-high 55 yards.
Edgerrin Cooper (Covington)
The Packers’ rookie linebacker had a solid playoff debut in the loss. Cooper finished with six tackles, including two solo stops, and a quarterback hit to wrap up his strong first professional season and particularly strong past month. The former Covington star, out of Texas A&M, finished the season with Green Bay’s top grades in overall defense and run defense, second in pass-rushing and third in coverage.
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