Stafford’s wife, Kelly, revealed on her podcast that he cracked four ribs in Week 15’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the injury, he played through the rest of the season except for the Week 18 game against Seattle where the Rams rested all of their starters.
Stafford is as durable as they come, starting at least 15 games in 12 of his 14 NFL seasons. Part of Stafford’s durability is his willingness to play through injuries.
Stafford will be 37 when the new season starts, making retirement a possibility. Stafford appears to be leaning toward returning next season. Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Stetson Bennett is the only other Rams quarterback outside of Stafford under contract next season.
Stafford played well against the Eagles, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions on 44 attempts. However, he was sacked five times and lost a fumble. He was harassed all game long by former Bulldogs Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter.
Against the Los Angeles Rams, a team with former Bulldogs legends Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett, Jalen Carter dominated, totaling two sacks and a forced fumble. In total, he had six pressures, leading the team, and he was the driving force on defense in a 28-22 Eagles win. Carter really disrupted the Rams’ final drive as Los Angeles tried to win the game.
Former Bulldog Nolan Smith also made a big impact. Early in the fourth quarter, Smith sacked Matthew Stafford, causing him to fumble the ball and give the Eagles the ball back.
Overall, the two Philadelphia Eagles combined for 10 pressures, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and two tackles for loss. The loss of former Georgia Bulldog Nakobe Dean provided extra motivation for the two to play better.
Stafford actually played well enough to keep the Rams in the game, but with 2:29 left in the fourth, the Rams failed to convert a 4th-and-11, giving the Eagles the ball back. Now, Carter, Smith, and the rest of the Eagles will be playing the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game.
21 former Georgia Bulldogs stars are on NFL rosters and coaching staffs that are still left in the playoffs
The NFL Divisional round is here. The Divisional round is always one of the best weeks in the NFL season. In all, 21 former Georgia Bulldogs are left on NFL teams that are still alive in the playoffs (includes one former Georgia coach).
Last year, former Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl. Now, we’ll see what Georgia Bulldogs come up in the clutch this postseason.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (one interception), running back James Cook (120 rushing yards, one touchdown), quarterback Matthew Stafford (two passing touchdowns), and defensive end Nolan Smith (seven tackles, two sacks) all had standout performances in winning efforts in the Wild Card round. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey set an NFL rookie record in the Wild Cart round in a losing effort.
Who is every former Georgia Bulldog left in the NFL postseason?
Houston Texans
Houston Texans rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter intercepted a pass in his playoff debut last week. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter
Divisional game: Sat. Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Mecole Hardman Jr. of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman
Defensive lineman Malik Herring
Divisional game: Sat. Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Houston Texans
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is looking to make the Super Bowl. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Roquan Smith
Long snapper Nick Moore
Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Divisional game: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET vs. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Running back James Cook
Center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (practice squad)
Divisional game: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET vs. Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter
Linebacker Nakobe Dean
Cornerback Kelee Ringo
Edge rusher Nolan Smith
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis
Safety Lewis Cine
Divisional game: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET vs. Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is back in the playoffs. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Three former Georgia football players, including rookie Brock Bowers, made the All-Pro team.
The Georgia Bulldogs have produced a wave of NFL draft talent recently. Three former Bulldogs in the NFL have been collected an honor voted on by their peers. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers made the 2024 NFLPA All-Pro team.
Bowers has had one of the best rookie seasons by a tight end ever. The Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL draft and he has been one of the best in the league.
Bowers finished with 1,194 yards, on 112 receptions, both stats break rookie TE records. He scored five touchdowns, and with a new quarterback, those numbers could be bigger next year.
Carter was selected in the 2023 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He is one of six Bulldogs on the Eagles and he’s stood out in a big way. In 2024, he had 4 1/2 sacks, less than 2023’s total of 6, but he had 12 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
Smith is the oldest former UGA player selected to the NFLPA’s team. He was drafted in 2018 to the Chicago Bears, but due to a contract dispute, the Bears traded Smith in 2023 to the Baltimore Ravens for a second- and a fifth-round pick.
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With the Ravens, he’s been spectacular, making two all-pro teams. Smith recently became the youngest player in NFL history with 1,000 tackles. In 2024, he had 154 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.
Both Smith and Bowers were also voted to the NFL’s All-Pro first team. Carter was voted to the second team.
31 former Georgia Bulldog football stars are on NFL rosters this postseason
The NFL playoffs are finally here! In all, 31 former Georgia football players are on NFL rosters this postseason. This includes Georgia Bulldogs that are injured or on practice squads. Two former Georgia coaches will also play a key role in the NFL playoffs.
On Sunday, 11 former Georgia Bulldogs will face off in the Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles game. Both the Packers (five) and Eagles (six) have the most former Georgia Bulldogs on their respective rosters of any teams in the NFL.
Last year, former Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl. Now, we’ll see what Georgia Bulldogs come up in the clutch this postseason.
Who is every former Georgia Bulldog in the NFL postseason?
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is the Chargers’ leading receiver. David Butler II-Imagn Images
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey
Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer
Wild Card game: Sat., Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Houston Texans
Houston Texans
Houston Texans rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter impressed in 2024. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter
Wild Card game: Sat. Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Wide receiver George Pickens
Offensive tackle Broderick Jones
Tight end Darnell Washington
Wild Card game: Sat., Jan. 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET vs. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith made the Pro Bowl. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Roquan Smith
Long snapper Nick Moore
Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Wild Card game: Sat. Jan. 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Buffalo Bills
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Running back James Cook
Center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (practice squad)
Wild Card game: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET vs. Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
Packers linebacker Quay Walker is a key starter for Green Bay. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Quay Walker
Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt
Cornerback Eric Stokes
Safety Javon Bullard
Tight end John FitzPatrick
Wild Card game: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
Former Georgia Bulldogs Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Kelee Ringo, and Nolan Smith all play for the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter
Linebacker Nakobe Dean
Cornerback Kelee Ringo
Edge rusher Nolan Smith
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis
Safety Lewis Cine
Wild Card game: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET vs. Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) had an impactful rookie season. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Defensive back Tykee Smith
Wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon
Wild Card game: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 p.m. vs. Washington Commanders
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is back in the playoffs. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Wild Card game: Monday, Jan. 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs
Mecole Hardman Jr. of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A former Georgia Bulldogs DB in the NFL accomplishes a rare feat.
Former Georgia Bulldog Kamari Lassiter has already made a major impact for the Houston Texans in just his rookie season. After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, he beat out former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah for the starting job.
One of Lassiter’s top plays this season occurred on Christmas vs. the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans pinned the Ravens at their own three-yard line when Lassiter tackled former legendary Alabama running back Derrick Henry in the end zone for a safety. Those two points were the Texans’ only points in their 31-2 defeat to the Ravens.
Lassiter is currently tied for ninth in defensive rookie of the year odds, according to BetMGM. He is also ranked as the 10th rookie DB according to PFF, with a 70.1 grade (subscription required). He has shown potential as a rookie, and next year, Georgia Bulldogs fans could be excited about his development.
One of Georgia’s best players in the NFL, Jalen Carter, makes another awesome play showing off his football IQ
Georgia Bulldogs Jalen Carter was viewed as a can’t-miss prospect when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 9th overall in 2022. Ever since then, he’s lived up to the hype. It showed in the Eagles’ matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Jalen Carter has improved noticeably in his sophomore season with the Eagles. Despite only 4.5 sacks compared to 6.0 last year, Carter’s had more tackles for loss, more QB hits, and more passes deflected. He also has 48 pressures this season, according to PFF, ranking him eighth among interior defensive lineman.
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Nolan Smith Jr. has also improved noticeably in his second season in the league. Last year, in his first season with the Eagles, he was used more as a rotational piece, but this year he currently ranks second on the team in sacks behind former Florida State Seminole Josh Sweat. He has 24 pressures, triple the amount of his rookie season, and seven tackles for loss.
On Sunday, he achieved another milestone. Bowers became the third rookie tight end in history to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving, joining Mike Ditka (1961, 1,076) and former Florida Gator Kyle Pitts (2021, 1,026).
He also became the only rookie tight end to catch more than 100 passes in a season. He reached the milestone during his 11 reception, 99-yard day against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bowers has 101 catches and 1,067 yards in 16 games. He is 10 yards away from surpassing Mike Ditka for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. He also needs just five receptions in the next two weeks to break Puka Nacua’s catch record for all rookies (Nacua set it last year with 105).
The Raiders (3-12) play the Saints and the Chargers in the next two weeks. They’ve had a disappointing season, but Bowers has given Raiders fans hope and optimism for the future.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck again. Nick Chubb left the game early against the Chiefs with a foot injury. Later he came back out on crutches, and the team medical staff revealed that he suffered a broken foot.
It’s the worst case scenario for Chubb, who will more than likely be out the remainder of the season. The injury could also mean the end of his Cleveland Browns career, too.
What did fans and media say on social media after Nick Chubb’s injury?
This is sickening and heartbreaking. Nick Chubb is one of those players you hate when your team plays against but love to watch. Just an overall great dude. Wish his nothing but the healthiest and safest recoveries https://t.co/KcPTpOnK6d
A former Georgia running back takes over NFL head coaching vacancy.
The Chicago Bears promoted former Georgia Bulldogs running back Thomas Brown as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Brown’s promotion came after the Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Friday.
Eberflus’s time at the helm ended after two-and-a-half years with a 14-32 record. Eberflus’ firing comes after a six-game losing streak and a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions, where Eberflus mismanaged the clock in field goal range to tie it potentially.
Thomas Brown is in a head coaching position for the first time in his career. He will inherit a Bears team that has lost several close games, despite having a talented offense led by Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears also have a talented defense that has allowed the ninth-fewest points per game in the NFL.
It has been quite the turnaround for Brown, who was named less than two weeks ago as the offensive coordinator of the Bears after Chicago parted ways with Shane Waldron.
Brown has prior experience as a play-calling offensive coordinator for the 2023 Carolina Panthers, who went 2-15. Brown also served as offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay. The highly-respected coach will get his first shot as a head coach even if it is just with an interim tag.
