Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season was a strong one for former Oregon Ducks, as each of the first-round rookies in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman got their feet wet while other established pro Ducks lived up to expectations as stars in the league.
But the pro Ducks were just getting started, as Week 2 was even better — and it didn't matter whether you started watching on Thursday night, when left tackle Penei Sewell helped the Detroit Lions top 30 points, or Monday night when both safety Jevon Holland and tight end had standout games.
And of course, Sunday was one to remember. Former Ducks were making plays all across the NFL, whether it be on offense, defense or special teams. With Week 2 in the league now coming to a close, let's
check out some of the most notable performances from pro Ducks, starting with a quarterback who led his team to an impressive comeback victory to avoid a vaunted 0-2 start to the year.
QB Bo Nix — Denver Broncos
Facing a 13-3 deficit midway through the third quarter, Bo Nix led the Denver Broncos on one of his patented comebacks that became so familiar during the 2025 season. With Nix ultimately completing 22-of-31 passes for 288 yards, 1 touchdown and an interception, the Broncos scored the final 17 points of the game to emerge victorious, 20-13.
S Jevon Holland — New York Giants
Despite the New York Giants' 28-6 loss, Jevon Holland was the star of the night in picking off a pass, forcing and recovering a fumble and forcing another fumble in the fourth quarter. He also tied for the team-high with eight tackles. Holland's name was called numerous times during Monday Night Football.
S Evan Williams — Green Bay Packers
Evan Williams was another pro Duck that had a hand in a significant comeback victory on Sunday, as the Green Bay Packers were down 17-7 to the New York Jets in the fourth quarter. But thanks to a team-high 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, two pass deflections and a quarterback hit, the Packers won 20-17 in overtime, also avoiding an 0-2 start.
RB Bucky Irving — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After carrying the ball just eight times in Week 1, Bucky Irving saw the ball much more in Week against the Cleveland Browns. On 17 totes, he amassed 89 yards while catching four passes. Unfortunately, after a two-hour weather delay, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell, 23-19.
QB Marcus Mariota — Washington Commanders
Pressed into action amid a gruesome injury to starter Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota came in and did what he does, efficiently operating the Washington Commanders' offense. All in the second half, he completed 11-of-16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in a 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Though there's been no timetable for Daniels' return, it appears that Mariota will get an extended run as the starter in Washington for the second straight season.
S Dillon Thieneman — Chicago Bears
After leading the team with 10 tackles in Week 1, Dillon Thieneman tied for the team-lead with seven tackles in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings while also recording a pass deflection. The Chicago Bears lost in a driving rainstorm, 9-3.
TE Terrance Ferguson — Los Angeles Rams
Playing in front of the nation, Terrance Ferguson had a career night on Monday, catching a career-high six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Los Angeles Rams' 28-6 win over the New York Giants. Though he dropped multiple passes, Ferguson more than made up for it and appears to be gaining quarterback Matthew Stafford's trust.
DL DeForest Buckner — Indianapolis Colts
Though the Indianapolis Colts gave up 33 points in an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it wasn't for lack of effort from defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. He showed he's still got it, totaling five tackles, a sack and a pass deflection on Sunday Night Football.
CB Christian Gonzalez — New England Patriots
The highest-paid cornerback in the NFL was up to his usual things on Sunday, as Christian Gonzalez recording four tackles and two pass deflections in the New England Patriots' 20-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
QB Justin Herbert — Los Angeles Chargers
For the second straight week, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers produced a stinker, losing 26-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders, following a loss by the same score to the Arizona Cardinals in the season-opener. Herbert completed 15-of-27 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: How Pro Ducks performed in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season
