Bobby Okereke had a mixed stint with the New York Giants, but the linebacker's game has progressed in leaps and bounds in the opening five games of his stint at the Carolina Panthers.
Okereke - who has deep family ties to Nigeria - takes the Africa Player of the Week for Week 6 for his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he was not the only Nigerian-American NFL star who made a key impact in a win this week.
Chimere Dike, Oluwafemi Oladejo (both Tennessee Titans) and Osa Odighizuwa (San Francisco 49ers) also put in memorable shifts.
African Player of the Week: Bobby Okereke (Carolina Panthers)
Okereke - whose parents are Nigerian and has played a major role in the NFL's development work in Africa and particularly his home country - starred in week 8 with eight tackles, two passes defended and a sack in a 25-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seven of Okereke's tackles were solo as he was among the leaders of a stellar defensive performance which saw the Panthers go to 3-2 for the season.
His sack on Tanner McKee on the first play of the game for an 11-yard loss was one of the most memorable moments of the week.
With a sack, a forced fumble, an interception, and a total of four passes defended across his first five Panthers games, Okereke is at or near many of his tallies in key areas for the whole of his final season with the Giants.
The Panthers, too, continue their upward trajectory - having improved year on year since a disastrous 2023 campaign which saw them win only two games. Last season's record of 8-9 was significantly better, and this time, they top the NFC South as it stands.
African Moment of the Week: Chimere Dike (Tennessee Titans)
Dike's 58-yard punt return at the beginning of the fourth quarter was an instrumental play for the Tennessee Titans in their 26-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The return came right at the beginning of the quarter, with the Colts leading 13-6. Dike came close to going all the way for the touchdown himself, slicing through at least seven potential tacklers before he was eventually brought down.
That run nevertheless set up a drive on which the Titans scored and levelled the game, and they never looked back from there - snatching control of the game and clinching their first win of the season.
Dike - who has Nigerian ties through his father - played a key role. In addition to the 58-yard punt returns, he also tallied 118 yards across five kick returns.
Honorable mentions
Dike's teammate and Nigerian-American compatriot, Oluwafemi Oladejo, scored a surprise touchdown in the Titans' win off a blocked punt.
Osa Odighizuwa - also of Nigerian descent - picked up a sack in the Monday night game as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Washington Commanders 23-17.
Another player of Nigerian descent, Emeka Egbuka, scored a touchdown for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 26-19 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seattle Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori was another player with Nigerian roots to have big plays in a defeat, as he picked up seven tackles and a sack in the 17-14 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - who proudly represents Sierra Leone and comes from a family with deep West African ties despite being born in Nacogdoches, Texas himself - tallied 134 yards across 12 receptions in the Week 6 loss.
Mo Alie-Cox - another NFL player with Sierra Leonean ties - scored a touchdown for the Colts in defeat to the Titans.
Alvin Kamara (roots in Liberia) crossed over for a crucial touchdown in the New Orleans Saints' 34-27 win over the New York Giants.
Africa-born Player Watch
It was not the best day at the office for Zimbabwe's Nate Landman as his LA Rams went down 18-16 to the Arizona Cardinals, but the linebacker still managed 10 tackles.
Guinea-born Liberian defensive end Kwity Paye picked up a sack for the Las Vegas Raiders, but also ultimately in defeat as they went down 33-30 to the Buffalo Bills.