Two Nigerian-born players, Bobby Okereke and Azeez Ojulari, were the stars of the New York Giants’ season-ending 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Other African players, such as YaYa Diaby of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Levi Onwuzurike of the Detroit Lions, and Charles Omenihu of the Kansas City Chiefs, had pivotal moments at the end of the regular season.
For the most part, Africa’s NFL players had a quiet week; many probably used it to protect themselves before the playoffs, but when they did make crucial plays, those sequences of play were some of the most significant of the whole campaign.
This week’s African player of the week is New York Giants’ Bobby Okereke.
The livewire linebacker made it extremely tough for the Eagles offence to operate, even though not all of his defensive intensity during the Giants’ victory over the Eagles is reflected on the stat sheet.
With eight stops, a sack on Jalen Hurts in the second quarter, and a blocked throw, Okereke concluded a season that has seen him go from being a highly regarded signing to a beloved player at MetLife Stadium.
Ojulari contributed two sacks and a fumble recovery to the Giants’ victory. The two sons of Nigerian immigrants faced off in the African Player of the Week competition, but Okereke prevailed only due to his unwavering performance over an extended stretch of play, making it evident that he is a player with something to prove following his exclusion from the Pro Bowl.
Hurts and Marcus Mariota both made fruitless attempts to design routes through the Nigerian pair’s defence, but the quarterbacks’ statistics illustrate just how tough Okereke, Ojulari, and company made it for the Eagles.
Mariota performed just slightly better, throwing 13/20 for 148 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception; Hurts finished with 7/16 for 55 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Hurts scored 4 and Mariota 46 yards on the ground.
This week’s African moment: YaYa Diaby of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even if there is no postseason reward for a rebuilding team like the New York Giants, a victory over the Eagles can boost team spirit; nonetheless, it is not as significant as a victory that secures a division title.
The Buccaneers wrapped up the NFC South in that game, despite the New Orleans Saints’ thrilling 48-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Diaby’s sack of Bryce Young was the reason he received Moment of the Week over the Giants tandem.
With an eight-yard sack to end the Panthers’ opening series, Diaby set the tone for the Bucs’ 9-0 victory.
After being selected 82nd overall out of Louisville, the linebacker with Guinean ancestry had an outstanding rookie campaign, recording 7.5 regular season sacks. Throughout the campaign, his importance has expanded, and the Buccaneers will need all of his assistance in their wild card matchup against the Eagles.
Honourable mentions: The Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30–20 to cap off an incredible regular season. Levi Onwuzurike was awarded a sack.
Charles Omenihu, a fellow Nigerian-American, scored a point for the Kansas City Chiefs during their close 13–12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs finished third in the AFC to earn a date with the Lions, who ended as the third seed in the NFC and advanced to face the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round.
The NFL’s African-born players had a quiet week, however Other African players, such as YaYa Diaby of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Levi Onwuzurike of the Detroit Lions, and Charles Omenihu of the Kansas City Chiefs, had pivotal moments at the end of the regular season. of the Atlanta Falcons had a great game even though the team lost 48–17 to the New Orleans Saints.
In a season that was pivotal for his career, Landman, a former Colorado Buffaloes star, finished with 110 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and an interception. Landman also had 10 tackles and one forced fumble.
Watch the NFL postseason on partner broadcasters and ESPN’s stations in Africa (DStv 218 and 219).
