Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 3)
UGASports continues its series highlighting the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week, entering the Monday night game. 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 18 through September 21 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.
Derion Kendrick
Coming off the bench, yet appearing for 78 percent of his team’s snaps, Kendrick totaled four tackles and a game-high three defended passes, including a fourth-quarter interception, in the Seattle Seahawks’ 44-13 rout over the New Orleans Saints. It was the fourth-year veteran’s second interception in as many weeks after intercepting just one pass during the first 33 games of his pro career. Kendrick has more interceptions in two games with the Seahawks (two) than his entire former team (the Los Angeles Rams) have through the season’s first three games (one).
James Cook
Cook kept cooking with another sizzling performance on Thursday night in Buffalo’s 31-21 win over Miami. Against the Dolphins, the former Georgia running back rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second half, and added three receptions for 10 yards. (He also added a nice moment with a fan following the game.) For Cook, who rushed for 132 yards last week in a win over the Jets, it was his 10th career 100-yard rushing game, and the second time during his NFL career he has rushed for 100+ yards in back-to-back games.
The TOP DAWG: Jordan Davis
Davis is the Top Dawg of the week for his monster performance yesterday afternoon in the Philadelphia Eagles’ thrilling 33-26 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Rams after trailing by 19 points at halftime. Appearing on 45 of his team’s 66 snaps at defensive tackle, he totaled five tackles, including four solo, and had a third-quarter sack of fellow Bulldog Matthew Stafford. More so, Davis blocked the Rams’ game-winning field goal attempt in the final seconds, returning it 61 yards for a touchdown. Notably, after averaging less than two tackles per game (1.91) through his first three seasons in the league, Davis has made at least five tackles in each game this season (averaging 5.3). The 61-yard touchdown was his first score as a pro, and his first touchdown since his 1-yard touchdown plunge for Georgia against Charleston Southern in 2021.
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include a couple of Philly Dawg defenders, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and outside linebacker Nolan Smith. Against the Rams, Smith made three tackles, all solo, and had a quarterback hit. Carter also made three tackles, had a game-high two quarterback hits, and, like teammate Davis, blocked a fourth-quarter field goal. With Carter and Davis’ blocks, Philadelphia became the first NFL team since at least 1978 to block two field goals in the fourth quarter of the same game.
In Jacksonville’s 17-10 win over the Houston Texans, cornerback Tyson Campbell made a team-high seven tackles while defending a pass and forcing a fumble. Defensive end Travon Walker made three tackles and had a sack. Going back to last season, Walker has made a sack in four of his last five games.
Speaking of sacks, rookie Chaz Chambliss recorded the first sack of his pro career in the Minnesota Vikings’ 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The outside linebacker, along with Jalon Walker, led Georgia in sacks a year ago with 6.5.
Three former Georgia players stood out for the Green Bay Packers in a 13-10 setback to the Cleveland Browns on the road. Linebacker Quay Walker totaled a game-high 14 tackles, had a quarterback hit, and defended a pass. Safety Javon Bullard totaled four tackles, including one for loss. Finally, backup tight end John FitzPatrick scored his first professional touchdown on a 3-yard reception from Jordan Love. After scoring one touchdown in four seasons at Georgia (2018-2021), FitzPatrick scored his first NFL touchdown in his 21st career pro game. Besides Cook, Davis, and George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys, FitzPatrick was one of four Bulldogs to score pro touchdowns over the weekend.
Starting at 8:15 pm ET, the Monday night game matches the Detroit Lions at the Baltimore Ravens, where the home Ravens are a 4.5-point favorite. The former Georgia players on the Lions’ active roster are rookies Tate Ratledge, the team’s No. 1 right guard, and Dominic Lovett, the No. 2 slot receiver. There are five Bulldogs on the Ravens’ active roster: Roquan Smith (No. 1 Mike linebacker on the current depth chart), rookie Malaki Starks (No. 1 free safety), Nick Moore (Pro-Bowl long snapper), Ben Cleveland (No. 2 left guard), and 14-year veteran John Jenkins (No. 2 nose tackle).