USC in the NFL: Everson Griffen scores for Minnesota Vikings

Former USC defensive end Everson Griffen scored his second career touchdown for the Minnesota Vikings in a 31-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers at TCF Bank Stadium.

Griffen blocked a punt and returned it 43 yards. He also had five tackles, including two sacks.

“We never give up, we never quit, we never surrender,” Griffen tweeted after the game. “We always fight to the end. Best coaches in the NFL. #WeBelieve #skolvikes #Heart.”

Griffen, a fifth-year pro, has 11 sacks.

Sanchez wins

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez feasted on the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium.

Sanchez completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown in a 33-10 victory that moved the Eagles into first place in the NFC East.

“It is so much more fun when you win this game,” Sanchez told reporters on the second anniversary of the infamous “butt fumble” game that he lost to the New England Patriots.

“It sucked. I ran into some guy’s butt and dropped the ball on the turf, and they scored,” Sanchez said. “It’s like, my favorite holiday. It’s not cool. That was really a bummer. But the game plan was, ‘Try not to do that,’ and we accomplished it.”

The win was Sanchez’s third in four starts since he replaced an injured Nick Foles.

“We still left a ton of meat on the bone,” Sanchez said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Sanchez has completed 111 of 175 passes for 1,404 yards and eight touchdowns, with six interceptions.

Lee and Kennard standout

Jacksonville rookie Marqise Lee caught a 30-yard pass from Blake Bortles for his first NFL touchdown in the Jaguars’ 25-24 victory over the New York Giants at EverBank Field.

“I’m just taking advantages of opportunities,” Lee told reporters.

Lee caught a team-best six passes for 75 yards.

“My main focus is to be reliable and catch the ball, and that’s what I did,” Lee said.

Lee has 22 receptions for 268 yards.

His former USC teammate – Giants rookie linebacker Devon Kennard – made three tackles for losses, including two sacks.

Woods shines again

Buffalo Bills receiver Robert Woods gave an encore performance after an outstanding game last Monday.

Woods caught a team-best four passes for 71 yards in a 26-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Woods has 49 receptions for 550 yards and three touchdowns.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.