Tag: USA Today

Where do Chargers stand in NFL power rankings after Week 10?

After suffering defeat in Week 10, Chargers Wire takes a look how the Bolts stack up in power rankings heading into Week 11.

In one that they needed badly, the Chargers were unable to deliver after suffering defeat to the Raiders on the national stage. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 4-6, but their playoff hopes are still alive.

Let’s see where the Bolts are viewed in power rankings.

USA Today: 19 (Previous: 19)

“Key injuries … Philip Rivers trying to do too much … off-field distractions … we’ve definitely entered “same-old Chargers” territory.”

Touchdown Wire: 22 (Previous: 22)

“Last Thursday night, Oakland rookie Josh Jacobs’ 18-yard touchdown run with 1:02 left in the game gave the Raiders a 26-24 lead over the Chargers. The Raiders then kicked off to the Chargers, who gave the ball to Philip Rivers in the hope that he could engineer a crucial win. What resulted was probably the worst drive of Rivers’ career. The veteran shot-putted the ball all over the field, and only one of his seven passes didn’t fall incomplete — his last pass of the night, which was caught by Oakland safety Karl Joseph.”

NFL: 18 (Previous: 18)

“Philip Rivers is currently on the dark web searching for mind-eraser technology to wipe away a lost Thursday night in Oakland. The Chargers quarterback threw three interceptions and had two more picks nullified by penalty in a 26-24 loss to the Raiders that put Los Angeles’ playoff hopes in serious doubt. Rivers was under constant duress due to a surprisingly meddlesome Oakland front seven, which had its way with an L.A. offensive line missing both starting tackles. The low point for the Chargers came on a final possession that went like this: incompletion, incompletion, incompletion, penalty (first down), incompletion, incompletion, incompletion, interception. Like I said, Philip Rivers is scouring the digital underground in search of mind-eraser hardware. Next up for the Chargers? A showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Mexico City. It’s a virtual must-win for the Bolts.”

ESPN: 19 (Previous: 19)

“At 4-6, the most important game for the Chargers is the next one, a Monday Night Football tilt against the AFC West rival Chiefs. With Kansas City losing over the weekend against the Titans, the Chargers still sit two games back in the division with six left to play. So even though it has been up-and-down year for the Bolts, they could catapult themselves back into the playoff conversation with a win over the Chiefs.”

Sports Illustrated: 19 (Previous: 18)

“Tough one to drop in primetime for a team that had a chance to take more steps away from the brink. The Chargers go as Phillip Rivers goes, and three interceptions were too much to overcome despite Melvin Gordon’s best game of the season (133 total yards, 1 TD).”

CBS Sports: 18 (Previous: 18)

“They can’t turn the ball over the way they did against the Raiders and expect to be a playoff team. That loss to the Raiders was a momentum killer.”

[lawrence-related id=30470,30459,30451,30438]

Where are the Georgia Bulldogs in latest SEC power rankings?

The Georgia Bulldogs have been ranked third in this week’s version of SEC power rankings. Not surprisingly, LSU checks in at number one. Alabama is ranked ahead of UGA as well: Week 12 SEC Power Rankings: pic.twitter.com/anlXNhsCcf – SEC Network …

The Georgia Bulldogs have been ranked third in this week’s version of SEC power rankings. Not surprisingly, LSU checks in at number one. Alabama is ranked ahead of UGA as well:

It remains to be seen where the Bulldogs will be ranked in this week’s version of the CFP Rankings. The rankings release tonight at nine. Georgia versus Alabama will certainly be a topic for debate tonight, but if the Dawgs go on to win the SEC, then they’re a lock for the playoff. If Georgia wins the SEC Championship, and the LSU Tigers’ only loss is to UGA, then both LSU and Georgia get in over the Crimson Tide.

Georgia travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face the fifth-ranked team in these power rankings: the Auburn Tigers. This will be a grind-it-out defensive battle that’s expected to be low scoring. It should be the Dawgs’ largest remaining test of the regular season, but Georgia’s College Football Playoff lives are on the line every week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

 

NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Lions drop to bottom third of the NFL

The Lions (3-5-1) continue to fall in NFL Power Rankings, the loss of quarterback Matthew Stafford surely impacted their status in Week 11.

The Lions (3-5-1) continue to fall in NFL Power Rankings and the loss of quarterback Matthew Stafford surely impacted their status in Week 11 more than the loss to the Bears did.

Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.

USA Today: 27 (Previous: 18)

“Is Kenny Golladay most dangerous deep threat we don’t discuss? Back to those Next Gen Stats, no player averages more targeted air yards than his 16.5.” — Nate Davis

Touchdown Wire: 23 (Previous: 20)

“It’s going to be easy to blame Matthew Stafford’s back injury for Detroit’s 20-13 loss to the Bears, as Stafford had to sit while backup Jeff Driskel took the field. But Driskel wasn’t horrible; he completed 27 passes in 46 attempts for 269 yards, with one touchdown and one interception against one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses. When assigning blame for this loss, and for the collapse that has seen the Lions lose five of their past six games, one must look squarely at a defense that allowed four touchdowns to Oakland rookies in Week 9 and followed that up by making things all too easy for Mitchell Trubisky on his three touchdown passes. This looked like one of the NFL’s better pass defenses at times early in the season, but that narrative has completely fallen apart. Per Pro Football Focus, Detroit’s secondary has allowed 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season. No team is going to win that way consistently, no matter who their quarterback is.” — Doug Farrar

NFL: 24 (Previous: 19)

“Here’s a hot take: The Lions really need Matthew Stafford. The quarterback, whose iron-man starting streak ended on Sunday due to a back injury, was sorely missed in a loss to the Bears that put Detroit’s playoff hopes on life support. Jeff Driskel stepped in for Stafford and had a few moments — his best being a pretty, 47-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay that gave the Lions a spark in the fourth quarter — but this simply isn’t a balanced enough team to survive the absence of its best player. The typically overmatched Lions defense started off well, holding the Bears to just 20 yards on four fruitless drives to start the game. But Mitch Trubisky threw touchdown passes in the next three Bears possessions, putting Detroit in a 20-6 hole that was simply too deep with Stafford on the sideline. Now we wait to see how long the quarterback has to stay there.” — Dan Hanzus

ESPN: 21 (Previous: 18)

“Most important game left: Sunday vs. Cowboys. It’s cliché to say the next game is the most important because it’s the next one, but based on what’s happening with the Lions, it really is. Detroit has lost five of six games. Its defense doesn’t appear to be improving, and its offense might or might not have Matthew Stafford. The Lions get the Cowboys at home, and if they can’t beat Dallas, their season will be all but over considering the state of the NFC and that of the NFC North.” — Michael Rothstein

CBS Sports: 23 (Previous 20)

“If Matt Stafford is out for a while they are done. They are probably done anyway.” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 24 (Previous: 16)

“Matthew Stafford has been this team’s most important player since Megatron pulled the plug, and predictably the Lions couldn’t squeeze enough out of Jeff Driskel to take advantage of two late fourth quarter drives. Detroit has underdelivered on the early season promise they flashed in those tight losses to the Chiefs and Packers.” — MMQB staff

Sporting News: 22 (Previous: 18)

“The Lions did their best to hang with the Bears, with Jeff Driskel doing his best Matthew Stafford impression at times. But the injury-related uncertainty of their usually durable leader during his best NFL season has to be a big emotional blow.” — Vinnie Iyer

ESPN FPI projects Georgia football’s final three games

The ESPN FPI predicts Georgia football’s final three games of the season, including this weekend’s UGA vs Auburn game.

[jwplayer Cn4kXaGN]

ESPN’s FPI has Georgia favored in two of its next next three matchups.

Where the program sees Georgia losing is this weekend to Auburn, where it gives the Bulldogs a 47.4% chance of beating the Tigers on the road.

Coming off a 27-0 win over Missouri, Georgia’s chances of beating Auburn actually increased 2% from last week’s 45%, according to the FPI.

After this weekend, UGA’s final two games of the season, as predicted by the FPI, include a home game vs Texas A&M (Georgia has a 84.1% chance of winning) and on the road at Georgia Tech (Georgia has a 97.1% chance in that game).

In terms of strength of record, the FPI ranks Georgia No. 11, with two signature wins and an 8-1 record.

Additionally, the FPI gives Georgia a 17.7% chance of winning out, which is what it will need to if it wants to make the College Football Playoff.

Bulldog Twitter reacts to Georgia football’s latest commitment

The Georgia Bulldogs secured a commitment from 2023 athlete Treyaun Webb out of Jacksonville, Florida. Webb is youngest current commit to UGA football. Georgia has no other commitments in the classes of 2022 or 2023. The Dawgs have three commitments …

The Georgia Bulldogs secured a commitment from 2023 athlete Treyaun Webb out of Jacksonville, Florida. Webb is youngest current commit to UGA football. Georgia has no other commitments in the classes of 2022 or 2023. The Dawgs have three commitments in the class of 2021.

Here’s how Georgia Twitter reacted to the commitment from the freshman in high school:

Webb visited last weekend during the Missouri game:

A lot can change for both Webb and the Georgia program in three years. This will be interesting to monitor moving forward.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Georgia football’s defensive stats are absolutely nuts

These Georgia football defensive stats are literally nuts.

[jwplayer br8XgTUT-er0jUifI]

This Georgia defense is the best in the conference and it’s one of the NCAA’s elite defenses. In nine games this year, the defense has allowed a high of 17 points.

Here’s each game so far:

6, 17, 0, 17, 14, 13, 0, 17, 0.

Remember, in the South Carolina game Georgia’s defense actually only allowed 13 points. The Gamecocks got seven when they returned an interception back for a touchdown.

That’s three shutouts, and two of those came against SEC teams Kentucky and Missouri.

This defense is something special.

Saturday proved that again as Georgia held Missouri to 0 points, 198 total yards, 148 passing and 50 rushing.

In the fourth quarter, Georgia almost saw its nine game streak of no rushing touchdowns allowed come to a close. But the defense prevailed and not only did not allow a rushing score, but no score at all for that matter.

The passing defense could be cleaned up a little bit, but the Dawgs are still fine in that category, ranking 17th nationally.

A big part of Georgia’s solid passing defense can be credited to the run defense. Georgia takes away its opponents run game. It’s a sure thing. Basically, if you think you want to run the ball against Georgia, think again.

With the Dawgs being so stout against the run, teams are forced to throw it. And just because the Georgia pass defense is not as elite as its run defense, don’t take that secondary lightly. There are some big name players back there just waiting for you to throw it at them.

Compared to the rest of the SEC, there’s no questioning that Georgia has the conference’s best defense.

Just look at these stats and where they rank among the SEC and the nation.

10.1 points per game allowed (2nd nationally, 1st in the SEC)

260.3 total yards per game allowed (5th nationally, 1st in the SEC)

4.32 yards per played allowed (4th nationally, 1st in the SEC)

185.8 passing yards per game allowed (17th nationally, 3rd in the SEC)

5.6 yards per attempt (5th nationally, 2nd in the SEC)

74.5 rushing yards per game allowed (4th nationally, 1st in the SEC)

2.77 yards per carry allowed (4th nationally, 1st in the SEC)

29.6% opponent 3rd down conversion rate (11th nationally, 1st in the SEC)

57.14% opponent red zone score conversion rate (1st nationally, 1st in the SEC)

2023 athlete Treyaun Webb commits to Georgia Bulldogs football

Treyaun Webb, a 2023 athlete, has verbally committed to the University of Georgia. Webb is from Jacksonville, Florida and plays football at Trinity Christian Academy. Webb named UGA his leaders back in February. Today, he committed to Georgia via …

Treyaun Webb, a 2023 athlete, has verbally committed to the University of Georgia. Webb is from Jacksonville, Florida and plays football at Trinity Christian Academy.

Webb named UGA his leaders back in February. Today, he committed to Georgia via Twittter:

Webb is UGA’s first commitment in either the class of 2022 or 2023. Kirby Smart and company only have three commits in the class of 2021. Webb has a long way to go throughout the process and several years to develop before he’d come to Athens.

Webb is only 180 pounds and is six feet tall. He may grow some more before he plays in college. It’s another win for Georgia recruiting.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Georgia football’s top plays of NFL week 10

Georgia Bulldogs made some great plays in the NFL once again this week. With several NFL teams having bye weeks, there were fewer chances for Dawgs to make plays. Matthew Stafford was out for the first time in years, so one of the biggest …

Georgia Bulldogs made some great plays in the NFL once again this week. With several NFL teams having bye weeks, there were fewer chances for Dawgs to make plays. Matthew Stafford was out for the first time in years, so one of the biggest play-makers from UGA didn’t suit up. Still, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Chubb, and Mecole Hardman had game-changing plays for their teams.

The New York Jets won against the Giants in a battle of New York teams. Former UGA linebacker Jordan Jenkins was a standout with two sacks:

Georgia’s Nick Chubb played excellent for the Browns. Many were concerned about the return of Kareem Hunt impacting Chubb’s role in the Cleveland offense, but Chubb managed to power his way to over one hundred yards rushing. Chubb carried Buffalo Bills defenders with him on his best run of the afternoon:

The best play of the week has to go to Mecole Hardman. Although it was in losing effort for the Chiefs, Hardman showed off his 4.3 speed on this insane touchdown:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Twitter reacts to Chiefs’ WR Mecole Hardman’s 63 yard TD

Mecole Hardman Jr. scores his 5th TD of the Chiefs’ NFL season and twitter reacts to the rookie’s speed.

Mecole Hardman Jr. is starting to become a NFL Sunday household name.

The rookie wide receiver out of Georgia has been making highlight play after highlight play this season for the Kansas City Chiefs and did it yet again this Sunday.

On Sunday, Hardman caught a jump pass from Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and took it to the house for a 63 yard touchdown, leaving defenders in his dust and looking foolish.

WATCH:

Twitter started to buzz over the rookie’s wheels.

Hardman has also been putting in more work than most, showing up hours before games and hours before any other players to catch punts from the Chiefs’ assistant equipment manager.

Hardman has been nothing short of entertaining this year, and with Mahomes back after suffering a dislocated kneecap, the two have the potential to be one of the leagues top QB-WR threats.

Georgia football HC Kirby Smart updates Lawrence Cager and Trey Hill injuries

Kirby Smart briefed the press in regards to WR Lawrence Cager and C Trey Hill’s injury status, following Saturdays 27-0 win over Missouri.

With the departure of former Bulldogs receiver JJ Holloman prior to the 2019 season, there were some question marks surrounding the team on who would be Fromm’s new favorite receiver.  Enter Lawrence Cager, the senior wide receiver out of Baltimore, Maryland who has fit in just perfectly to that roll.

Cager, who has established himself as the Dawgs #1 wide receiver option this season, aggravated his shoulder in the second quarter of last weeks game against Missouri, and would not return.

Along with the Cager injury came an injury to center Trey Hill, who suffered a ankle sprain in the first quarter of the game.  Hill would also not return to the game.

In Kirby Smart’s Monday press conference he was asked about the health of both Cager and Hill.

“We’re expecting Lawrence to practice today,” said Smart. “And Trey has an ankle (sprain), but he’s going to be able to practice today, as far as we know.”

“They are both cleared to practice.”

Exciting news from Coach Smart.

#5 Georgia comes into the matchup with a record of 8-1, and 5-1 in the SEC.  The Dawgs will secure a spot to their 3rd straight SEC Championship with a win this week over Auburn.

Cager has averaged 14.7 yards per catch and has 4 touchdowns on the year, even with missing some time.  Kirby Smart will need to manage these injuries very closely if he wants Cager and Hill to help him beat the #13 Auburn Tigers this Saturday.

A full injury update will come later in the week, including updates on the status of both Cager and Hill.