Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 6)
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 9 through October 12 and preview those participating in tonight’s two Monday night games.
Darnell Washington
One of Pittsburgh’s two starting tight ends in a 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns, Washington had a career game as the Steelers’ second-leading receiver with three catches (on five targets) for a career-high 62 yards, including a game-long 36-yard reception (where Washington fumbled, but out of bounds and kept possession). Before yesterday’s game, the third-year tight end had made only three catches all season for 20 yards, while his career-high in receiving yards had been 42 yards in Week 11 last season.
George Pickens
Pickens continued what’s shaping up to be a stellar season with a dominant performance yesterday, albeit coming in a 30-27 last-second loss to the Carolina Panthers. In the Dallas setback, the fourth-year wideout made nine receptions for 168 yards (the rest of his team had only 93 combined receiving yards), including a 34-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott late in the third quarter. For Pickens, his nine receptions were a career high, while his 168 receiving yards were the second-most he’s gained in a single game as a pro. After scoring 12 receiving touchdowns for Pittsburgh in three seasons, Pickens now has a league-high six receiving touchdowns in only six games with his new team, the Cowboys.
The TOP DAWG: Ladd McConkey
Edging out Pickens as the Top Dawg of the week, McConkey had his breakout game of the season in the Los Angeles Chargers’ thrilling 29-27 comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins. In the win, the second-year receiver totaled a game-high seven receptions for 100 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown catch from Justin Herbert midway through the second quarter. Still, McConkey’s top reception came in the final seconds, when he gained 42 yards on a second-down play that should have resulted in a sack. Instead, the game’s top-gaining play led to a game-winning field goal for the Chargers. For McConkey, who entered averaging only 42.6 receiving yards per game this season (after 79.2 as a rookie last season), it was his fifth career 100-yard receiving outing as a pro (after having two 100-yard receiving games at Georgia).
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include from Javon Bullard in Green Bay’s 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-year safety was one of the Packers’ top defenders with six tackles, including one for loss. Bullard left the game midway through the fourth quarter and was evaluated with a potential concussion.
After passing for a combined 764 yards in his previous two games, Matthew Stafford was “limited” to 181 passing yards yesterday at Baltimore. Still, the 17-year-old veteran completed 17 of 26 passes with a touchdown and no interceptions (98.4 rating) in the Los Angeles Rams’ 17-3 win over the Ravens on the road.
In Tampa Bay’s 30-19 win over San Francisco, second-year safety Tykee Smith continued to shine on defense with six tackles and a pass defended as the Buccaneers improved to 5-1. In defeat with the 49ers, Mykel Williams registered his first NFL sack. The rookie defensive end had 14 sacks in three seasons at Georgia.
Finally, we want to recognize a couple of offensive linemen for their top-notch pro performances. Andrew Thomas was stellar at his left tackle spot in the New York Giants’ 34-17 upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. For Thomas, whose sixth season in the NFL is shaping up to be perhaps his best, his current 83.0 PFF grade through six games is the highest of any Giants’ offensive player. In New England’s 25-19 win over New Orleans, improving the Patriots to 4-2 this season, starting left guard Jared Wilson played all 64 snaps, allowing only two pressures and no sacks. It was the second consecutive game that the Patriots’ offensive line did not allow a sack.
Monday Night Football
Starting at 7:15 pm ET tonight, the first Monday night game features the 4-1 Buffalo Bills at the 2-2 Atlanta Falcons, with the visiting Bills a 4.5-point favorite. Buffalo has two former Georgia players on its active roster: James Cook, the No. 1 running back on the team’s latest depth chart and one of the league’s top players, and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, the team’s No. 2 center. There are three Bulldogs on the Falcons’ active roster: Leonard Floyd, the No. 1 left outside linebacker; Jalon Walker, the No. 2 right outside linebacker; and Charlie Woerner, the No. 2 tight end.
Starting at 8:15 ET tonight, the second Monday night game matches the 2-2 Chicago Bears at the 3-2 Washington Commanders, with the home Commanders a 5.5-point favorite. Chicago has one former Georgia player on its active roster: D’Andre Swift, the No. 1 running back on the team’s latest depth chart. Washington currently has no former Georgia players on its active roster.
BYE teams this week: Texans and Vikings