Bo Nix's woes highlight disappointing week for Auburn Tigers in the NFL

The recent week in the NFL was tough for former Auburn players. Real tough.

Bo Nix's winning streak hit a major bump. The former star Auburn quarterback, now playing for the Denver Broncos, experienced a frustrating loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and other AU alumni like Tank Bigsby and Jamel Dean also had challenging performances.

Here's a detailed look at how this past week unfolded for these Auburn Tigers in the NFL.

Bo Nix’s rollercoaster performance against the Chargers

Nix has been riding a strong wave of performances since his transition into the NFL, but this week, the quarterback’s consistency faltered, leading to a painful 27-21 loss for the Denver Broncos against the Chargers.

In the first half, Nix struggled mightily. His decision-making issues led to missed throws and a dismal zero passer rating before halftime. This shaky start left the Broncos with a steep uphill battle for the remainder of the game. Nix’s accuracy was off, and despite showing moments of promise, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

However, Nix displayed his resilience in the second half, completing 19 of 33 passes for 216 yards, throwing two touchdowns, and rushing for 61 yards on six carries. A notable highlight was his electrifying 21-yard scramble in the third quarter, showcasing the dual-threat ability he was known for during his Auburn days. Unfortunately, his late-game push, though valiant, came too late to alter the outcome.

Despite the late resurgence, this game exposed areas where Nix still needs development. His early struggles in high-pressure situations showed that consistency and decision-making will be key for him moving forward in the NFL.

Tank Bigsby's limited impact in Jaguars' London loss

Bigsby also had a rough outing during the Jacksonville Jaguars' 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears in London. With an opportunity to make a larger impact after starting running back Travis Etienne exited the game in the third quarter due to injury, Bigsby’s performance fell short of expectations.

Bigsby rushed for a mere 24 yards on seven carries and returned three kickoffs for 102 yards. Despite having a clear path to contribute more with Etienne sidelined, the Jaguars found themselves down early, shifting away from the run game in the second half.

This was particularly disappointing for Bigsby, who had been performing well in the previous two weeks, with 191 yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries. His diminished role in this game, coupled with a critical fumble, raised concerns about his ability to seize the lead-back position moving forward.

Bigsby will need to rebound quickly and prove that this underwhelming performance was just a bump in the road if he wants to continue his push for a larger role in the Jaguars’ offense.

Darius Slayton exits with injury in Giants' loss to Bengals

Former Auburn WR Darius Slayton had a brief but impactful presence in the New York Giants’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which ended in a 17-7 loss. Slayton drew a pass interference penalty in the third quarter that helped push the Giants into the red zone, but he was forced to exit the game shortly afterward due to an apparent injury.

While the Giants have not released full details, Slayton’s absence was noticeable as the Giants struggled to move the ball consistently. His return will be key for a team that is currently looking for offensive playmakers to step up.

Jamel Dean injured during Buccaneers' instant-classic matchup with Saints

In another blow for the Auburn Tigers alumni, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean was forced out of the game against the New Orleans Saints due to a hamstring injury. The Buccaneers' defence struggled in Dean's absence, eventually falling 24-17 to the Saints.

Dean’s injury will be closely monitored, as the Buccaneers are already thin at the cornerback position. His absence was a significant factor in Tampa Bay’s inability to stop the Saints' passing attack in the second half.

Owen Pappoe’s key play nullified in Cardinals' loss

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe briefly gave his team a glimmer of hope in a tough 34-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Pappoe, a former Auburn standout, recovered a fumble after his teammate Zach Pascal forced it on a punt return, seemingly shifting momentum in Arizona’s favor. However, the play was nullified due to offsetting penalties, including a horse-collar tackle attempt by another player.

The Cardinals’ overall struggles were evident throughout the game, as turnovers and penalties continued to derail any chance of a comeback. Pappoe’s near-highlight, although promising, ultimately did little to change the course of the game.