Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 8)
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 23 through October 26 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.
Roquan Smith
Returning to the field after missing two games with a hamstring injury and facing his former team, Chicago, Baltimore’s Smith led a fine defensive effort yesterday for the Ravens in a 30-16 win. The eighth-year linebacker totaled a game-high 12 tackles, or three more than any other defender in the contest, while Baltimore snapped a four-game losing streak. For Smith, it was the second game this season and the 56th of his career in which he totaled double-digit tackles, and the most tackles he recorded since having 15 stops in Week 2.
Kamari Lassiter
Another top-notch defensive performance yesterday came from Lassiter in the Houston Texans’ 26-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The second-year cornerback totaled seven tackles, including a 5-yard tackle for loss on running back Christian McCaffrey, and made a tremendous, game-clinching interception late in the game with San Francisco threatening to score. For Lassiter, who said of his interception, “I’m just out there living my dream,” it was his second interception this season, and the fifth of his pro career.
The TOP DAWG: James Cook
Named the Top Dawg of the week for the third time this season, Cook had his most productive rushing performance of his three-and-a-half-season career in Buffalo’s 40-9 rout over the Carolina Panthers. On 19 carries, he rushed for 216 yards (11.4 yards per carry), including 64- and 21-yard touchdown runs. It marked only the second 200-yard rushing outing by an individual this season in the NFL. Cook’s career-high in rushing had been a 179-yard effort against Dallas in Week 15 of 2023. Currently ranked second in the league in rushing (behind Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor), he is on pace to finish this season with 1,829 rushing yards and 2,045 total yards from scrimmage.
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include from D’Andre Swift, who, despite being limited to 45 rushing yards in Chicago’s loss to Baltimore, scored a touchdown for the fourth consecutive game. In his last three games, Swift has averaged 128 scrimmage yards per contest and 6.2 yards per carry.
In Philadelphia’s 38-20 win over the New York Giants, a few of the “Philly Dawgs” stood out defensively. Linebacker Nakobe Dean totaled five tackles, four of which were solo. Defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter each totaled two tackles, including a sack, as the Eagles improved to 6-2. It was Carter’s first sack of the season after totaling six as a rookie, followed by 4.5 sacks last season.
Another trio of former Georgia defenders stood out in yesterday’s nightcap, a 35-25 win by the Green Bay Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Safety Javon Bullard totaled five tackles and a fumble recovery. Linebacker Quay Walker also made five tackles and had two defended passes, while defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt added two tackles.
Highlighting a performance to begin the week, Ladd McConkey made six receptions for a game-high 88 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert late in the first half, in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. For McConkey, it was his third receiving touchdown in the last four games.
By Sunday night, McConkey and Herbert had connected again, hanging out at a Halloween party.
Monday Night Football
Starting at 8:15 pm ET tonight, the lone Monday night game features the 3-4 Washington Commanders at the 4-3 Kansas City Chiefs, with the home Chiefs a 10.5-point favorite. Washington has no former Georgia players on its active roster, while Kansas City has one: third-string right defensive end Malik Harring, who has seen action in two games this season.
BYE teams this week: Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Rams, Raiders, and Seahawks