As Week 11 of the NFL comes to a close, there were many standout performances from Georgia alumni. Here were some of the best outings across the NFL.
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
After a minor “slump” in which he caught just ten passes for 103 yards and a touchdown across the past two games, former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers ignited for the best game of his young career on Sunday. He gashed the Dolphins’ defense for 13 catches, a rookie tight end record, accruing 126 yards and a touchdown, despite the Raiders dropping their sixth straight game 34-19 to Miami.
Bowers is now second in the NFL in receptions, behind only Ja’Marr Chase. If he continues the pace he is on through the remainder of the season, he will not only shatter Mike Ditka’s record for single-season receiving yards by a rookie tight end, but will also set a new single-season receptions record for all tight ends.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Bowers wasn’t the only former Bulldog that set a new career-best in receiving yards this week. Chargers rookie wideout Ladd McConkey hauled in six receptions for 123 yards, both team-highs, helping Los Angeles survive a comeback attempt from the Bengals in a 34-27 victory.
McConkey’s 43 catches for 615 yards are the most by a former Georgia receiver through the first ten games of their rookie season since 2011 A.J Green, who went on to have an illustrious career decorated by seven Pro Bowl selections.
Leonard Floyd, San Francisco 49ers
Former Georgia defensive end Leonard Floyd is still ambushing opponents’ backfields in his ninth season. He has tallied 4.5 sacks thus far, on pace to surpass his career average of 7.25 sacks per season.
Floyd pestered Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith all game on Sunday, pressuring him six times, hurrying him three times and sacking him 1.5 times. However, Smith got the last laugh, as he accelerated away from Floyd and into the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown scramble to lift Seattle to a 20-17 win over its division rivals.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
An impressive showing from former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford helped the Rams outlast the Patriots 28-22 on Sunday. Stafford dissected the Patriots defense, completing 18-of-27 for 295 yards and four touchdowns, good for a 142.7 passer rating.
Midway through the second quarter, he rolled out to his right and glided the ball to a wide-open Cooper Kupp for a game-tying score. With that touchdown, Stafford moved to 10th all time in passing touchdowns, just ahead of Eli Manning and right behind Matt Ryan.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
In the Steelers’ most important matchup of the season so far, former Georgia wide receiver George Pickens had a career game. He caught a career-high eight passes for 89 yards, propelling Pittsburgh to a 18-16 victory over its division rival, Baltimore.
Pittsburgh has now won five straight, and Pickens has led the team in receiving in each of those games. The win elevated the Steelers to 8-2, widening the gap between them and the Ravens in the AFC North, and unless they lose all nine of their remaining games, head coach Mike Tomlin will extend his non-losing season streak to 18 consecutive years.
