Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 13)
UGASports continues its series highlighting the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week and entering the Monday night game(s). With our most outstanding performer for the week—or the Top Dawg—revealed towards the end, we spotlight the top NFL performances by Bulldogs from November 27 through November 30 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.
Brock Bowers
Bowers was essentially the lone bright spot yesterday for the Las Vegas Raiders in their 31-14 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. Targeted just four times, the second-year tight end made four receptions for a game-high 63 yards, including two 6-yard touchdown catches, the second of which was a jaw-dropping one-handed grab. In nine games this season as part of an often-stagnant offense, Bowers has managed to total 49 receptions for 573 yards and five touchdowns—all team-highs.
James Cook
Cook continued his sizzling season with a workhorse-like performance yesterday in Buffalo’s 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The fourth-year running back, destined for his third consecutive Pro Bowl season, rushed for 144 yards—his second-most this season—on a career-high 32 carries in the victory. He added a game-high three receptions for a team-high 33 receiving yards. For Cook, it marked his seventh 100-yard rushing outing in 12 games this season. His 1,228 rushing yards this year are the second-most in the league.
The TOP DAWG: D’Andre Swift
Returning to his native Philadelphia and facing his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, Swift was part of a one-two punch for the Chicago Bears, which helped deliver a 24-15 upset road win on Black Friday. Complementing teammate Kyle Monangai, who rushed for 130 yards, Swift carried the ball 18 times for 125 yards, including the game’s first touchdown on a 3-yard run late in the opening quarter. He also made a reception for a 13-yard gain. Swift’s 125 rushing yards broke a record established 62 years beforehand for the most rushing yards against the Eagles by a former Eagle. Since averaging 46.8 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry in his first four games this season, Swift has averaged 83.9 and 5.6, respectively, in his last seven games.
The week started with a rumor circulating on The Onion that Detroit rookie Tate Ratledge had the gumption to ask the Lions for Thanksgiving off. Ratledge did, in fact, play on Thanksgiving in a 31-24 loss to Green Bay. For the Packers, standout defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt suffered a fractured ankle and is likely done for the season. Going forward, Green Bay will likely look for rookie defensive tackle Warren Brinson (eight tackles in six games this season as a backup) to help fill Wyatt’s void.
Also on Thanksgiving, former Georgia offensive linemen Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild stood out for Cincinnati in the Bengals’ 32-14 upset on the road at Baltimore. Mims, Cincinnati’s starting right tackle, had an 81.6 pass-blocking grade; Fairchild, the rookie starting left guard, was even better at 90.0.
Granted, from primarily chasing down Chicago’s offensive backs, the “Philly Dawgs” racked up more than their fair share of tackles in their 24-15 loss to the Bears on Black Friday. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis’ nine tackles were three more than his career high. Linebacker Nakobe Dean’s 12 tackles were just one off his career high. In addition, defensive tackle Jalen Carter totaled four tackles, including two for loss, a sack, and two passes defended. Linebacker Nolan Smith added three tackles and a sack.
Besides Bowers and Swift, other touchdown scorers from over the weekend include receiver Ladd McConkey, who made his fifth touchdown reception this season, the 12th of his two-year career, in the Chargers’ 31-14 win over the Raiders. Also, running back Nick Chubb of the Texans scored his third touchdown this season, the 59th of his eight-year career, on a 4-yard run in a 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Finally, we certainly wanted to spotlight George Pickens’ Thanksgiving performance in the Dallas Cowboys’ critical 31-28 upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The star wideout made six receptions for 88 yards, with a long of 39 involving a “pirouette” and dismount over a defender (“Oh, my gosh! What a leap that was!”). Pickens, who is currently second in the league with 1,142 receiving yards, became just the sixth player since 1970 to have 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns receiving in a player’s first 12 games with an NFL team.
Monday Night Football
Starting at 8:15 pm ET tonight, the lone Monday night game features the 2-10 New York Giants at the 10-2 New England Patriots, with the home Patriots a 7.5-point favorite. New York has one former Georgia player on its active roster: sixth-year veteran Andrew Thomas, the team’s No. 1 offensive left tackle. New England has one former Georgia player on its active roster, as well: rookie Jared Wilson, the Patriots’ No. 1 offensive left guard.
BYE teams this week: None