By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
The NFL sure likes to keep things tight.
This week, there were seven teams that won with a game-winning score in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
Altogether, there have been 31 games with a game-winning score in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime this season, the most such games through Week 6 in NFL history.
No lead seems safe this season either, as there have been 12 games on the year in which a team has overcome a deficit of 10-or-more points in the second half to win.
Only three seasons have had more such comebacks through Week 6 all time.
Here are my selections for the best NFL performances this week by players from schools in the West.
1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Jaguars/Colorado
The former Colorado Heisman winner had three tackles and an interception in the endzone to deny a score.
On the other side of the ball, he had four receptions for 59 yards and a TD.
Hunter is the third player since 1970 with a touchdown reception and an interception in the same game.
2. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears/USC
The former Trojan returned from injury in fine fashion, completing 30-of-36 for 305 yards and a TD.
The TD pass was his 50th of the season, with just 14 interceptions.
Williams is the third quarterback in NFL history with fewer than 15 interceptions at the time of his 50th career touchdown pass.
3. Michael Penix, QB, Falcons/Washington
The former Washington signal caller bounced back from his injury last week with a nice outing against Chicago.
Penix threw for 225 and three TDs as the Falcons’ frantic fourth-quarter comeback fell just short.
4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers/Cal
The former Cal QB led the Steelers back for a win over Tampa Bay with 253 passing yards and two TDs.
He now has 255 career games with a touchdown pass, including the playoffs, the fourth most of any player in NFL history.
5. Bobby Okerekee, LB, Panthers/Stanford
The former Stanford backer helped lead the Panthers to a win on Sunday.
Against the Eagles, he tallied eight tackles with one sack, three tackles for loss and a pair of passes defended in coverage.
6. Puka Nacua, WR, Rams/BYU
Puka Nacua had six receptions for 80 yards in Week 6.
Nacua has 350 receptions in 48 career games and surpassed Michael Thomas (346) for the most receptions by a player in his first 50 career games in NFL history.
7. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Browns/UCLA
Schwessinger continues his good run of play in 2026.
The former Bruin came up with 13 tackles and forced a fumble in the Browns’ victory over Baltimore.
8. Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals/Colorado State
McBride had seven receptions for 53 yards in the Cardinals’ 18-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The former CSU star is the first player in NFL history with at least seven receptions in each of his team’s first six games of a season.
He joins Travis Kelce as the only tight end all-time with at least seven receptions in eight consecutive games.
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9. Tetarioa McMillan, WR, Panthers/Arizona
The former Arizona pass-catcher continued his strong start to the season.
McMillan helped lead Carolina to a win over Philadelphia with six catches for 86 yards.
10. Keenan Allen, WR, Colts/Cal
The former Golden Bear had his most productive day as a Colt in his fifth game with the team.
Allen had season highs in both catches and yards with eight receptions for 82 yards as Indianapolis laid a huge egg at home against Tennessee.
11. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers/Stanford
The 49ers continue to roll, and the former Stanford star keeps putting up numbers.
San Francisco ran their record to 6-0 Monday night, and McCaffrey found the end zone twice while totaling 117 scrimmage yards in the win.
12. Jordan Love, QB, Packers/Utah State
The Packers picked up a big win Sunday Night over the Cowboys and got production from both the arm and legs of the former Aggie.
Love threw for 276 yards and a touchdown in the win while adding another score and 12 yards on four carries.
Other Notables (in no order)
Evan Williams, S, Packers/Oregon—6 tackles, 1 interception
Budda Baker, S, Cardinals/Washington—6 tackles, 1 sack
Jaylinn Hawkins, CB, Ravens/Cal—8 tackles
Cole Bishop, S, Bills/Utah—7 tackles, 2 Passes defended
Devin Lloyd, LB, Panthers/Utah—4 tackles, 1 sack
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
