Ranking Best Plays From Nittany Lions In The NFL During The 2023-24 NFL Season

Alysa Rubin | Onward State

Another NFL season has come and gone.

Former Penn State offensive tackle Donovan Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs held up the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in an overtime thriller to bring the 2023 campaign to an end. Alongside Smith, several Nittany Lions had great seasons and made some highlight plays, so let’s take a look at the top-10 plays from Nittany Lions in the NFL during the 2023 season.

10. Go-Ahead Mike Gesicki Touchdown Catch

With just 15 seconds left in the ballgame, the Patriots had to score a touchdown to take the lead. Mike Gesicki answered the call as he caught a one-yard strike in the end zone from Mac Jones to complete an upset victory over the Bills at home. Of course, he showed off that awful griddy of his to celebrate.

9. Chris Godwin Puts The Nail In Philly’s Coffin

Look away, Eagles fans!

Chris Godwin showed no mercy on his alma mater’s home-state team, as he located a floater from Baker Mayfield and brought it in for the game-sealing dagger.

8. Jahan Dotson Reels In Deep Ball

This 33-yard touchdown catch to tie the ball game was Jahan Dotson’s longest catch of the year. He cooked his man off the line of scrimmage, and it was game over for the Patriots’ defense from there as quarterback Sam Howell found him with a perfect pass in the end zone.

7. Nick Scott Recovers Forced Fumble

With the Bills driving down the field in a crucial possession to start the fourth quarter of a heavyweight Sunday Night Football matchup, Nick Scott single-handedly put an end to any momentum Buffalo had built up. Scott flipped Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid onto his back, forced the ball loose, and pounced on it to give the Bengals the football up two scores with just over 13 minutes left in the game.

6. Parker Washington Circus Catch

While the Jaguars’ receiver room was riddled with injuries, Parker Washington was tasked with stepping in and making plays. He found himself in the right place at the right time as a poor pass from his quarterback Trevor Lawrence bounced off the hands of a Cincinnati defensive back and right into his mitts.

Pretty cool way to score your first NFL touchdown, right?

5. Joey Porter Jr. Picks Off Lamar Jackson

In a must-stop situation, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was tasked with guarding one of the best receivers of the 2010s, and he delivered. A fade ball from Lamar Jackson was engulfed by Porter in the corner of the end zone to give the Steelers the football back with a chance to win the game.

JOEY. PORTER. JR. pic.twitter.com/BmImbp9PnG
— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 8, 2023

4. Crunch-Time Sack From Micah Parsons

Big-time players make big-time plays.

The Chargers found themselves with two minutes to put together a game-winning drive against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, but Micah Parsons had other plans in mind. The superstar edge rusher split the double team and dropped Justin Herbert for an eight-yard loss.

3. Saquon Hauls In A Deep Ball

Everyone knows that when he’s healthy, Saquon Barkley is one of the best running backs in football. He reminded us why here, bringing in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Danny Devito despite taking a big-time hit.

‘Sup, Saquon?pic.twitter.com/v6oVSOPS0u
— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 19, 2023

2. Micah Parsons Seals Game With Pressure

Micah Parsons and the Dallas defense earned a chance to end a shootout with Seattle on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks had the ball at midfield but were on their last breath as it was fourth and two. Parsons used his freakish closing speed to get to Geno Smith before the running back could clear out from the backfield, resulting in an incomplete pass, ending the game and giving Dallas the victory. Not many guys can get to the quarterback as fast as No. 11.

1. Ji’Ayir Brown Picks Off Patrick Mahomes In The Super Bowl

Rookie safety Ji’Ayir Brown is now the fifth person who can say they picked off Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. Brown read the eyes of Mahomes and jumped the route to snag the interception, giving the 49ers a very favorable field position. The turnover came at a huge moment, as Kansas City was building some momentum going into the second half of the game.

Welcome to the Super Bowl, Ji’Ayir Brown. pic.twitter.com/NsPafkM9ex
— Onward State (@OnwardState) February 12, 2024

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About the Author

Cadyn Gill

Cadyn is a sophomore broadcast journalism major at Penn State. Hailing from the great state of Texas, he is a die hard Dallas sports fan. You'll often see him voicing his opinions on music and sports on X/Twitter @cgill214.

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