Former Ducks were on full display across the NFL and the world over the weekend. Bo Nix was in London, Dillon Gabriel got his second start in the NFL, Justin Herbert had a nail-biting final drive in Miami and Tez Johnson showcased his speed in Tampa Bay. 

Nix leads Broncos to international win

After Dillon Gabriel flew across the pond last week, another Duck in Bo Nix migrated to London to take on the winless New York Jets. Nix handed the Jets another loss after he led the Broncos to a 13-11 win early Sunday morning. 

The 25-year-old threw for 174 yards, one touchdown and had 24 rushing yards making him second on the team in rushing yards for the game. That sole touchdown was a 16 yard pass from Nix to tight end Nate Adkins at the very end of the first quarter. 

Nix targeted Ducks turned Broncos teammate wide receiver Troy Franklin four times throughout the game, completing all four of those passes. Although Franklin dropped the first reception, he finished with 19 yards on the day through his last three receptions. 

Gabriel falters in Pittsburgh

Back in the U.S., Dillon Gabriel, a week after being named the starting quarterback and replacing Joe Flacco, did not have as good a day as Nix. Gabriel went 29/52 for 221 passing yards. While he had more yards on the day than Nix, Gabriel and the Browns did not have a drive that resulted in a touchdown. The Browns would end up losing to the Steelers 23-9.

The stat line does not reflect the quality of Gabriel’s play. Many of the passes that Gabriel threw were on time, in little coverage and, if the Browns’ receivers could secure them, would have kept the Browns in the game. For his second career start, the rookie quarterback looked confident in his ability to perform and execute at a high level, even converting on fourth down.

Herbert handles the Dolphins

Down in Florida, the 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers took on the 1-4 Miami Dolphins. A hard fought battle with both teams trading scores throughout most of the game, the Chargers pulled away in the third quarter. A touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to wide receiverLadd McConkey put the Chargers up by three. An interception would lead to another Chargers touchdown, this time a pass to running back Kimani Vidal. 

Herbert led the Chargers down the field in the last 46 seconds, put them within field goal range and the Chargers walked out of Hard Rock Stadium with a 29-27 win. 

At day’s end, Herbert was 29/38, throwing for 264 yards and two passing touchdowns. On the defensive side, Troy Dye, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2020, would end the day with six total tackles, five of them solo, and a tackle for loss early in the second half. 

Johnson scores first NFL touchdown in Tampa Bay

Just over 270 miles away from Hard Rock Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers battled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers employ two of the most electric former Duck playmakers in Tez Johnson and Bucky Irving. However, Irving has been sidelined with injuries since before the Week 4 matchup between the Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. 

Johnson showed NFL fans what Oregon fans have known for years and grabbed his first NFL touchdown. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, on second and 11, heaved a 45-yard pass to Johnson on a go route. Johnson was open from the second he got past the defensive line. Using his speed and athleticism that Duck fans are accustomed to, Johnson then left his feet, soaring with both arms out to haul in the pass. Catching the ball in his finger tips, Johnson landed with his arms pointing to the ground, still fully extended. He took a step, reeled in his arms and flung himself into the endzone. 

Celebrating his achievement with a roundoff back handspring, Johnson was greeted with cheers from the crowd, and celebratory headbutts from teammates. The Buccaneers secured a 30-19 win against San Francisco thanks to Johnson’s touchdown in the waning stages of the third quarter. “Guys like him, Tez Johnson, young guys stepping up big time for us,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said, praising Johnson in an on field interview per CBS after the game.