With the Cincinnati Bengals hanging onto their playoff qualification hopes by a thread, Joseph Ossai produced another performance to remember in their 30-24 week 17 win over the Denver Broncos – making him Africa’s NFL Player of the Week.
Ossai, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, picked up eight tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defended in a superb all-round defensive display.
Other players with ties to Africa who had a gameweek to remember included Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Odafe Oweh, Nnamdi Madubuike, Uchenna Nwosu, YaYa Diaby, Emmanuel Ogbah, Olamide Zaccheaus, Matt Judon, Arnold Ebiketie and David Onyemata.
African Player of the Week: Joseph Ossai (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Broncos had the chance to seal their spot in the NFL playoffs and put the Bengals and Miami Dolphins out of contention when they made the trip to Paycor Stadium. However, Ossai and co. had other ideas.
The Lagos-born defensive end had his first big moment with 5:40 to go in the second quarter. The Broncos led 3-0 when Ossai got in the way of a Bo Nix pass on second down, heaping pressure on the visitors.
The next time possession changed hands, the Bengals scored off the ensuing drive, which the defended pass from Ossai played a significant role in creating.
With around half a minute to go until half-time, Ossai combined with Trey Hendrickson to sack Nix and also forced a fumble in the process, defending the hosts’ newly acquired lead.
