NFL Dawgs - 2017 Week Two
Another busy week for former Dawgs in the NFL on offense, defense and special teams. One former Georgia player did something another that another Bulldog hasn't done in over ten seasons.
• Last year was a disappointing season for Todd Gurley, but this past week Gurley looked like his old self. Gurley and the Los Angeles Rams fell short to the Washington Redskins last Sunday but the running back ran for 88 yards on 16 attempts (5.5 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. Gurley also had three receptions for 48 yards and a score as well. The 88 yards was the highest he has had since December 13, 2015. Gurley picked up touchdown rushes in each of his first two games this season. Also, his touchdown reception was the first of his professional career. That TD was pretty impressive as he hurdled over his defender. Gurley had three games at Georgia witha a rushing and receiving touchdown. That feat has happened 16 times by former Dawgs in the NFL.
NFL: Former Bulldogs with a rushing TD and receiving TD in same G=game
Here are Gurley's highlights against the Redskins courtesy of the NFL and FOX Sports. Gurley photo is courtesy of OCRegister.com
• Matthew Stafford was playing in New York (actually New Jersey) on Monday Night Football. Stafford was strong again as the Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants 24-10. Stafford was 15-for-21 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Strangely enough, he just had 122 yards (they ran the ball a lot the second half). The total yards were the second lowest of any game in Stafford's pro career and the lowest of any win. He also ran for 23 yards on three attempts and two of those attempts went for first downs. Through the season’s first two games this may be Stafford’s best start yet.
Matthew Stafford: NFL Stats through First Two Games
• Ben Watson looked really good as he caught eight passes for 91 yards (seven of the receptions went for first downs).
• A.J. Green had five receptions for 67 yards. He didn’t score a touchdown and that is because the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t scored a touchdown all season.
• Chris Conley had four receptions for 55 yards with a long catch of 35 yards for the Chiefs.
• David Andrews (Patriots) Clint Boling (Bengals) and Ben Jones (Texans) started on the offensive line for their teams.
• Cordy Glenn of the Buffalo Bills also started but injured his ankle during the game against the Panthers and did not return.
• Defensively, several former Georgia players shined, none mores than the great Geno Atkins. The big defensive tackle had five tackles and two sacks. He now has 55 career sacks since joining the league in 2010. It was Atkin's sixth time with at least two sacks in a NFL game, but surprisingly enough it was his first time doing so at home.
Geno Atkins: 2 Sacks in a NFL Game
• Alec Ogletree of the Rams is back to his normal, notching 11 tackles and a sack on Sunday.
• Justin Houston continues to wreak havoc on quarterbacks as he had five tackles and a sack of his own for the Chiefs.
• Here are how all the former Georgia defenders fared this week in the NFL.
Former Bulldogs: Tackles Made in Week Two of 2017 NFL Season
• Floyd also recovered a fumble for Chicago. Cornelius Washington of the Lions didn’t register a tackle but he sure did crush Eli Manning pretty hard. Maurice Smith of the Dolphins and Abry Jones of the Jaguars also saw action.
• On special teams, Blair Walsh of the Seattle Seahawks was perfect on field goals once again as he kicked two short field goals of 25 and 27 yards in the first quarter against the 49ers, but he missed an extra point. Isaiah McKenzie returned two punts for 20 yards while working for the Denver Broncos. Jordan Jenkins had seven yards on a kickoff return for the Jets.
• Injured Reserve – Brandon Boykin (Ravens), Brandon Kublanow (Ravens), Keith Marshall (Redskins), Quincy Mauger (Falcons) and Malcolm Mitchell (Patriots)
• Inactive – Tyler Catalina (Redskins), Reggie Davis (Browns) and John Jenkins (Bears)
• Practice Squad – Sterling Bailey (Buccaneers), Orson Charles (Chiefs) and Garrison Smith (Seahawks)
• Also offensive lineman John Theus was waived by the 49ers this week and picked up by the Panthers.
