Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 5)
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 October 2 through October 5 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.
Matthew Stafford
We start off our listing of this week’s Top Dawgs with a spectacular Thursday night passing performance by Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. Although resulting in a 26-23 setback to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, the 17-year veteran quarterback completed 30 of 47 passes for 389 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (111.0 rating). As was the case last week (when he passed for 375 yards against Indianapolis), Stafford’s passing yardage was his most for a single game since throwing for 402 yards against Chicago in 2020.
Kamari Lassiter
Against the Baltimore Ravens yesterday, Lassiter starred on defense for the Houston Texans in a 44-10 blowout win. The second-year starting cornerback played more snaps than any Texan defender while totaling four tackles, the third-most on the team. Midway through the fourth quarter, Lassiter made his first interception of the season after having three interceptions as a rookie a year ago.
The TOP DAWG: Nick Chubb
Continuing to build on solid rushing outings this season with the Texans, Chubb had his best performance thus far playing for his new team. In the 44-10 rout of the Ravens, the eighth-year running back rushed for a game-high 61 yards on a team-high 11 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown burst early in the fourth quarter. For Chubb, the 61 rushing yards were his most since gaining 64 as a member of the Cleveland Browns against Pittsburgh on September 18, 2023—the same game in which he suffered his brutal season-ending knee injury. Chubb’s 5.5 yards-per-carry average yesterday was his highest since having a 6.4 average in the same game against the Steelers more than two years ago.
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include from Minnesota rookie Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Coming off the bench for the Vikings in their 21-17 win over Cleveland, Ingram-Dawkins played 27 snaps along the defensive line, making two tackles, including the first sack of his NFL career. In four seasons at Georgia (2021-2024), he totaled four sacks.
Of the “Philly Dawgs” who appeared in the Eagles’ 21-17 loss to Denver (after Philadelphia led 17-3 in the fourth quarter), outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari’s outing might have been the most notable. Appearing in a game for the first time since Week 12 of last season, when he was a member of the New York Giants, Ojulari came off the bench for 34 snaps, while making three tackles, including one for loss. It was his first tackle for loss since Week 9 of last season.
Finally, we recognize the only Bulldogs to score pro touchdowns over the weekend other than our Top Dawg, Chubb. In the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-10 loss to Washington, Ladd McConkey scored his first touchdown of the season, and the eighth of his 21-game pro career, on a two-yard scoring reception in the first quarter. In the Dallas Cowboys’ 37-22 win over the New York Jets, George Pickens made a “breath-taking” 43-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter. For the fourth-year wide receiver, it was his fifth receiving touchdown in five games as a Cowboy after scoring 12 receiving touchdowns in three seasons with Pittsburgh.
Monday Night Football
Starting at 8:15 pm ET, tonight’s Monday night game matches the 2-2 Kansas City Chiefs at the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars, where the visiting Chiefs are a 3.5-point favorite. Kansas City has one former Georgia player on is active roster: Malik Herring, the No. 3 right defensive end according to the team’s latest depth chart. There are two Bulldogs on the Jaguars’ active roster: Travon Walker, No. 1 left defensive end, and Tyson Campbell, the No. 1 right cornerback.
BYE teams this week: Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Steelers