Alabama Football: Crimson Tide in the NFL Week 18
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As the Alabama Football season has officially ended all the attention will turn towards the Alabama Basketball team or rooting on alumni in the NFL. Week 18 was an important week for former Alabama Football players as they found themselves in playoff hunts or trying to hit contract incentives and career milestones.
DeMeco Ryans leads Texans to AFC South Championship
The Houston Texans have clinched the AFC South title in the first year with former Alabama Football player DeMeco Ryans as their head coach. Ryans did a fantastic job in his first season as the Texans head coach, taking a team from 3-13-1 to 10-7 and division champions. Saturday's win over the Colts was the best game in Christian Harris' NFL career as the linebacker made 12 tackles and a sack. Will Anderson Jr was quiet while he dealt with an ankle injury recording just one tackle. Henry To'oTo'o contributed by recovering a fumble. On the losing end, Ronnie Harrison Jr was all over the field for the Colts recording five tackles and a sack.
Najee Harris runs wild as the Steelers make the playoffs
On Saturday night, the Steelers needed a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. With the Ravens sitting key starters like Alabama Football alum Marlon Humphrey, Najee Harris and the Steelers' offense gritted out a win. Harris rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries adding 21 yards on five catches. Alabama Football alumni Minkah Fitzpatrick will be able to return for the Steelers in the postseason after missing nearly half the season with a knee injury. Fitzpatrick won the NFL's Bart Starr Award for outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on and off the field.
Najee Harris has been running DIFFERENT the second half of the season #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/knQ9RPWtk0
β Dallas DJ (@_djhowell) January 7, 2024
Bryce Young and the Panthers shutout in their final game of the season
Heading into week 18 the Panthers had nothing to play for being far eliminated from the playoffs and they've already clinched the worst record in the league. Bryce Young went 11/18 passing for 94 yards and added 24 yards on the ground. Young did lose a fumble in the game but, also made an incredible throw that should've resulted in a touchdown if not for a DJ Chark fumble. The Panthers will need to do all they can to improve the team around Young as they wasted a year of his development with a lack of talent on offense.
A great play by Bryce Young.
β John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) January 7, 2024
Doing all he can in his situation.
pic.twitter.com/edwCnWgO8b