Week 4 was loaded with Alabama flavor across the NFL, and several former Crimson Tide standouts left their fingerprints all over Sunday’s action.
The biggest splash may have come in New York, where Minkah Fitzpatrick gave the Jets something they had not seen in a long time. In his first game back after an injury, the former Alabama defensive back picked off a pass for New York’s first interception since January of 2025. That one play snapped an NFL-record 20-game stretch without an interception, but it was not enough to change the final result in Chicago, where the Jets fell to 1-3 after a 23-12 loss.
Elsewhere in the AFC East, former Auburn defensive back Carlton Davis helped the Patriots survive a tight one in Buffalo. Needing a win badly, New England got five total tackles, including four solo stops, from Davis in a 29-26 victory that came down to the final minutes.
The Alabama pipeline also showed up in Minnesota’s 15-10 win over Miami. Former Alabama kicker Will Reichard handled all of the Vikings’ scoring, going 5 for 5 with a long of 50 yards.
It was the second time in four games this season that Reichard accounted for every point as Minnesota stayed undefeated in 2026. On the other side, former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis could not get Miami’s offense rolling and finished with 85 passing yards in the loss.
In Carolina, Bryce Young put together one of the day’s most productive outings. The Panthers quarterback completed 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday night’s 32-26 win over Detroit. Jahmyr Gibbs had a tougher night for the Lions, finishing with 46 yards on 15 carries but scoring once, while former Crimson Tide receiver Jameson Williams caught six passes for 102 yards in the loss.
The Ravens also got a steady day from a familiar face. Derrick Henry faced his former team for the first time and kept rolling in 2026, running 23 times for 73 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore’s 24-18 win over Tennessee. Former Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley had one catch for 13 yards for the Titans.
In Dallas, Dak Prescott threw for 335 yards as the Cowboys beat Houston 34-30. Former Hoover receiver George Pickens made a pair of catches for 75 yards, including a 53-yard grab that helped set up a touchdown. For the Texans, former Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. stayed in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation with five tackles and half a sack.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles looked in control for most of their matchup with the Rams before Los Angeles turned it late in a 24-20 win. Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards and no touchdowns, while Hurts finished with 93 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
The Giants got a wild one from Jameis Winston, who picked up back-to-back victories as New York’s starter by throwing three touchdown passes and piling up 250 passing yards in a 36-24 win over Arizona. Then came the knockout punch: with a chance to win, Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw an interception to Deonte Banks, who returned it 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired.
Jacksonville also took care of business, beating Cincinnati 22-17. The Bengals got field goals and extra points from Evan McPherson, but the Jaguars defense forced two Joe Burrow interceptions and moved to 3-1 on the season.
And in Denver, former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix was left searching for more after another slow start by the Broncos offense. He completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 loss to San Francisco. That touchdown went to former Crimson Tide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who caught his first as a Bronco.
In Other News...
Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
Alabama has spent the season leaning into a physical identity, and that reputation is starting to travel well beyond Tuscaloosa. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has repeatedly pointed to the strength of the defensive line and the groups effort as core traits for this team, a profile built as much on strain and toughness as it is on talent. That kind of image matters in a league where line play and grit usually decide whether a contender can hold up when the schedule gets heavy.
Kirby Smart reinforced that view this week ahead of Georgias meeting with Alabama, acknowledging the Crimson Tides size and physicality while also nodding to the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. Smart also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a notable compliment considering how closely these teams will be studying every edge. For Alabama, the recognition is useful, but it also serves as a reminder that its identity is now clear enough for a rival to see and respect. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Defense Keeps Giving Kane Wommack A Reason To Pay Up
Kane Wommack has built a small but telling tradition around Alabamas defense, rewarding the staff with a Sunday-night dinner whenever the unit finds the end zone or posts a shutout. It is a lighthearted perk, but it also speaks to how much the coordinator values the people around him and the work that goes into producing those kinds of game-changing moments.
The latest tab came after cornerback Dijon Lee turned an interception into a touchdown against Mississippi State, another reminder that Alabamas defense has been creating reasons for Wommack to keep reaching for the check. Wommack said he appreciates the staffs hard work and the chance to sit down together, which makes the gesture feel less like a gimmick and more like part of the programs rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama-Tennessee Just Got A Twist Fans Will Be Talking About
Alabamas next trip to Knoxville is already on the calendar, and the details around the 2026 matchup with Tennessee give the Third Saturday in October some added shape. The Tide are set to visit Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026, with a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and television information to be announced later, while the broader backdrop is the long-running history between the programs and the recent pattern of how their meetings have been handled.
What makes the scheduling note even more interesting is the jersey arrangement attached to the 2026 and 2027 games, a wrinkle fans will have plenty of time to circle. For now, though, Alabamas attention is on the present, with Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa for a home game that is expected to draw plenty of notable attendees, even as the future date with Tennessee starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]