Georgia Football: Dawgs in the NFL (Week 15)
With NFL games on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, Georgia fans got a weekend full of Bulldogs in the NFL. It was the first time in a long time that all teams have been in action. No bye weeks! And with playoff implications on the line for nearly half of the league, several players out of Athens stepped up for their professional franchises.
Nick Chubb
The former Georgia running back has displayed his unique combination of power, vision, and speed all season long, but he was faced with his toughest challenge of the season as he took on Roquan Smith and the Baltimore Ravens. So far in 2022, the Ravens have not allowed an opposing running back to rush for 100 yards or more. That streak stayed alive – just barely – as unfortunately for Chubb, he came just short of the mark, rushing for 99 yards on 21 carries. However, his performance was good enough to land him in the exclusive club of just the few running backs that had run for 6,000-yards Cleveland Browns franchise history.
James Cook
Going from one former Georgia running back to another, rookie James Cook delivered for the Buffalo Bills on one of their biggest plays of the game, snatching this touchdown with no time left on the clock in the first half. So far this season, Cook has been 10th among all rookie running backs in rushing yards while touting an impressive 5.3 yards per carry and increasing his load later in the season with the Bills making their push for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
George Pickens
It’s getting ridiculous at this point. Rookie wide receiver George Pickens continues to make impressive catches for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with his latest victim being the Carolina Panthers’ defense. Off of just five targets, Pickens came down with two receptions for 53 yards, including this snag on top of Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr..
Lorenzo Carter
Despite it seeming like he was in Athens yesterday, Falcons edge rusher Lorenzo Carter is turning into a seasoned veteran, making a highlight play every other week. This week, he met up with former Clemson lineman Grady Jarrett at the quarterback, taking Andy Dalton down for a nine-yard loss.
Jonathan Ledbetter
Sometimes it can be easy to forget guys that have been gone from Georgia for a few seasons, but Jonathan Ledbetter did his best to make sure that didn’t happen on Sunday. The Arizona Cardinal had six tackles including two solo stops, one of which was this sack. The Cardinals got to the quarterback six times in a 24-15 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Other Stats:
D’Andre Swift (DET): 8 carries, 52 yards, 9 targets, 5 catches, 23 yards
Zamir White (LV): 1 carry, 4 yards
Chris Conley (TEN): 3 targets, 3 catches, 19 yards
AJ Green (ARI): 2 targets
Roquan Smith (BAL): 11 total tackles, 6 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Monty Rice (TEN): 6 total tackles, 3 solo tackles, 1 pass deflection
Azeez Ojulari (NYG): 3 total tackles, 2 solo tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 fumble recovery
Justin Houston (BAL): 2 total tackles, 2 solo tackles
Tyson Campbell (JAX): 5 total tackles, 4 solo tackles
Nakobe Dean (PHI): 1 tackle
Tae Crowder (NYG): 2 solo tackles
Channing Tindall (MIA): 1 solo tackle
Isaiah McKenzie (BUF): 5 targets, 2 catches, 24 yards
