Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 4)
UGASports continues its series highlighting the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week, 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 September 25 through September 28 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night games.
James Cook
As was the case the previous three weeks, Buffalo’s Cook makes our list again as one of the NFL’s Top Dawgs. In a 31-19 win over New Orleans, improving the Bills to 4-0, Cook rushed for 117 yards on 22 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run. He added three receptions for 18 yards. It marked the third consecutive game Cook rushed for 100+ yards, and his franchise-record eighth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown.
George Pickens
In a wild, 40-40 tie against Green Bay last night, the second-highest scoring tied game in NFL history, Dallas’ Pickens went off against the Packers, making a game-high eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns. For Pickens, who entered the game with 166 receiving yards in three games with the Cowboys, it was the second-best receiving outing of his NFL career, only trailing his career-high 195 receiving yards in Week 16 of 2023.
The TOP DAWG: Matthew Stafford
Stafford is the Top Dawg of the week in leading the Los Angeles Rams to a 27-20 win over Indianapolis after trailing the Colts by a touchdown with only a few minutes remaining in the game. The 17-year veteran quarterback completed 29 of 41 passes for 375 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, with a lofty passer rating of 123.5. It marked the most single-game passing yards for Stafford since he passed for 402 yards in 2020 against Chicago while playing for Detroit. It also marked the 39th fourth-quarter comeback of his career (ranks 4th in NFL history) and his 50th game-winning drive (ranks 5th).
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include from Green Bay linebacker Quay Walker, who made a game-high 11 tackles, including one for loss, in the 40-40 tie with Dallas.
Of the “Philly Dawgs” who appeared in the Eagles’ 31-25 win over Tampa Bay, improving to 4-0, cornerback Kelee Ringo’s outing might have been the most notable. Starting for only the second time since the end of his rookie 2023 season, Ringo totaled four tackles, all solo, and recovered a key fumble, which led to a Philadelphia touchdown.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter totaled a team-high five tackles and a game-high two passes defended as the Houston Texans won their first game of the year in a 26-0 shutout of the Tennessee Titans.
Ten-year veteran defensive end Leonard Floyd made four tackles, including a half-sack, and a game-high two quarterback hits in the Atlanta Falcons’ 34-27 win over Washington.
Finally, Chicago’s D’Andre Swift was mainly bottled up yesterday against the Las Vegas Raiders, gaining just 38 rushing yards on 14 carries while adding four receptions for 22 yards. Still, the six-year veteran running back came through at the end with a game-winning, 2-yard touchdown run in a 25-24 victory. For Swift and the Bears, the win was ugly, “but it’s a win at the end of the day.”
Monday Night Football
Starting at 7:15 pm ET, the first Monday night game matches a battle of 0-3, winless teams: the New York Jets at the Miami Dolphins, where the home Dolphins are a 2.5-point favorite. The Jets have one former Georgia player on their active roster: rookie Arian Smith, a No. 2 wideout on the team’s latest depth chart. There are no Bulldogs on the Dolphins’ active roster.
Kicking off at 8:15 pm ET, the second Monday night game features the Cincinnati Bengals at the Denver Broncos, where the home Broncos are a 7.5-point favorite. There are two former Georgia players on Cincinnati’s active roster: Dylan Fairchild, the No. 1 left guard, and Amarius Mims, the No. 1 right tackle. There are no Bulldogs on the Dolphins’ active roster.