NFL Week 16: Former Gators Shine Bright in Crucial Wins Across the League
As the NFL regular season barrels toward its conclusion, a handful of former Florida Gators made their presence felt in Week 16 - and in a big way. From clutch touchdowns to game-sealing picks, these Gators-turned-pros delivered when it mattered most, helping their teams notch key victories down the stretch.
Let’s break down the standout performances from a few familiar faces who once lit up The Swamp and are now making noise on Sundays.
Kyle Pitts - TE, Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts is heating up at just the right time.
Fresh off being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, the Falcons’ tight end kept his foot on the gas with another strong showing. Pitts hauled in seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown - his fourth score in the last two games. That ties a franchise record for most touchdowns by a Falcons tight end in a two-game span.
His latest end zone trip came in the final seconds of the first half, a critical momentum swing that tied the game heading into the break. Pitts continues to be a matchup nightmare, and Atlanta is leaning into his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches over the middle. If he keeps this up, he could be a major X-factor in the Falcons' playoff push.
Demarcus Robinson - WR, San Francisco 49ers
Demarcus Robinson wasted no time making his mark in the Bay.
The veteran wideout scored his first touchdown as a 49er, hauling in a 22-yard strike in the first quarter to set the tone for a dominant 48-27 win over the Colts. It was a textbook route and a confident grab in traffic - the kind of play that shows why San Francisco added him to their already-loaded offense.
Robinson’s experience and reliability give the 49ers yet another weapon in a system that thrives on versatility. With the postseason looming, don’t be surprised if he becomes a trusted target in big moments.
C.J. Henderson - CB, Atlanta Falcons
Talk about seizing the moment.
C.J. Henderson wasn’t even on Atlanta’s active roster until the day before the game.
By the final whistle, he was the hero. The former first-round pick came up with a game-sealing interception on the Cardinals’ final drive, shutting down a potential comeback and locking in the Falcons’ win.
It was Henderson’s first pick since 2022, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. In just his second game with Atlanta, he showed why he still has the tools to be a difference-maker in the secondary.
Gervon Dexter Sr. - DL, Chicago Bears
In a gritty NFC North showdown, Gervon Dexter Sr. stood tall in the trenches.
The third-year defensive lineman was a key cog in Chicago’s overtime win over the Packers, finishing with three tackles (two solo) and a quarterback hit. Dexter’s presence helped clog running lanes and push the pocket - exactly what you want from your interior lineman in a physical divisional matchup.
With the win, the Bears tightened their grip on first place in the division, and Dexter’s steady play up front was a big part of that.
Evan McPherson - K, Cincinnati Bengals
Evan McPherson continues to be money.
The Bengals’ kicker drilled a 45-yard field goal that doinked off the upright and in - the kind of bounce that only seems to happen when you’re in a groove. He also went a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points in Cincinnati’s 45-point outburst against the Dolphins.
McPherson’s consistency remains a huge asset for a Bengals team that’s been firing on all cylinders offensively.
Chimere Dike - WR/KR, Tennessee Titans
Chimere Dike is putting together a rookie season to remember.
The Titans’ return man turned wide receiver did a little bit of everything in Week 16. On special teams, he piled up 122 kick return yards and 23 punt return yards - enough to break the franchise’s single-season record for kickoff return yards, now sitting at 1,535. That performance earned him a Pro Bowl nod as a kick returner, making him the first Titans rookie to receive that honor since 2010.
But Dike wasn’t done. He also chipped in offensively, catching three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Two of those grabs came on the same drive, including a toe-dragging sideline catch that set up his one-yard score. That touchdown was his sixth of the season, putting him in rare company as just the fourth Titans rookie since 1999 to hit that mark.
Tennessee has found a gem - and they’re letting him shine in every phase of the game.
From game-changing plays to record-breaking performances, these former Gators proved once again that Gainesville breeds NFL-ready talent. With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, expect more big moments from this group as the playoff picture starts to take shape.