Top LSU, Louisiana performers in NFL Week 14

Former LSU standouts and Louisiana natives saved the best performances for last in Week 14 of NFL action.

The Tigers’ former national championship duo in Cincinnati put league-best numbers on display in a Monday Night Football victory, making yet another week on which they topped this list.

Here’s a look as a dozen particularly notable efforts around the NFL slate.

Joe Burrow (LSU) and Ja’Marr Chase (Rummel, LSU)

The two most familiar faces on these weekly lists once again took the forefront in Week 14. The former national championship duo had another huge Monday Night Football performance to lift the Bengals to a 27-20 defeat of the Dallas Cowboys. Burrow completed 33 of his 44 passes for 369 yards — the most among all quarterbacks this weekend and his third-highest total of the season — and three touchdowns and interception. Chase meanwhile led all receivers with 177 yards on a season-high 14 catches and two touchdowns. The former Rummel star has been on a touchdown tear in recent weeks with eight scores in his past four games, including the 40-yard score from Burrow with 1:01 remaining Monday to secure the victory.

Cade York (LSU)

Also notable from the Bengals’ win, their newest LSU connection after signing last week made a steady debut in the kicking game with his 3-for-3 extra-point and 2-for-2 field-goal performance with a 37-yarder before halftime and a 29-yarder to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Justin Jefferson (Destrehan, LSU)

Jefferson joined Chase among the league’s top receivers with his particularly efficient showing in the Vikings’ 42-21 defeat of the Falcons. The former Destrehan and LSU star caught all seven of his targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Patrick Queen (Livonia, LSU)

The Steelers’ linebacker was among the league’s leading tacklers with 10 stops in a 27-14 defeat of AFC North rival Cleveland. That total tied for his second-highest in his first season in Pittsburgh to help highlight his top performance of the season, according to Pro Football Focus grades. The well-rounded effort also included two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up — also contributing to his second-highest pass-rush and highest coverage PFF marks of 2024.

K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU)

The former star LSU edge rusher had the second-highest graded of his four-year career with a well-rounded performance for Las Vegas with four tackles, half a sack and a deflected pass he then managed to corral for his first career interception.

Brian Thomas Jr. (Walker, LSU)

The Jaguars’ rookie had his biggest game in more than a month and a half with a season-high eight catches for 86 yards in a 10-6 road win at Tennessee.

Malik Nabers (Comeaux/Southside, LSU)

LSU’s other first-round rookie receiver had his biggest game since missing Weeks 5 and 6 with injury. Nabers caught five passes for 79 yards against the home-state New Orleans Saints.

Kristian Fulton (Rummel, LSU)

Fulton had one of the top games of his first season with the Chargers as he allowed just two receptions for a combined 6 yards on four targets and wrapped up four total tackles. His coverage and tackling grades from Pro Football Focus were both his third-highest of the season, including his coverage number making his best since Week 3.

Travis Etienne Jr. (Jennings)

The former Jennings and Clemson star had his Jaguars’ most yards from scrimmage, with four catches for 50 yards and four rushes for 20 yards, in their 10-6 defeat of Tennessee. The combined 70 yards marked his second-highest total of the season and highest since Week 3.

Derius Davis (West Feliciana)

Davis led all players with 106 yards on four kick returns for the Chargers on the road at Kansas City. He also muffed a punt early in the second quarter, but was able to safely recover.

Tyjae Spears (Plaquemine, Tulane)

Similar to Etienne on the other side of the contest, the Titans’ young running back showed versatility as he chipped in big gains in variety of roles. Spears made his biggest impact in the return game with 58 yards on his two kick opportunities and also rushed six times for 21 yards and caught a quick 2-yard pass in the low-scoring affair.