Former Georgia Bulldogs Showed Out During NFL Wild Card Weekend
One of the more exciting weekends of NFL football took place from Saturday into Monday with a Super Wild Card weekend. In the first round of the 2023 NFL Playoffs, fans saw some of the most exciting teams from this season pull away with victories, and other teams found their way back home.
The Georgia Bulldogs had plenty of representation this weekend from the losing and winning teams, and these former Dawgs showed out in their respective games. Georgia had some quiet performances, starting Saturday night in a freezing Arrowhead Stadium. Justin Houston and his Miami Dolphins saw their seasons end, losing 26-7, picking up a tackle. On the winning side, Mecole Hardman Jr. hauled in a three-yard catch to help the Kansas City Chiefs offense, while Malik Herring picked up his own tackle.
Sunday evening was one of the more exciting days for football this weekend. Starting in the Lone Star State, the Dallas Cowboys saw their season come to an embarrassing end in part due to what the Green Bay Packers, led by Quay Walker, were able to do on defense. The Packers won the game, 48-32, but Quay Walker's team-leading 11 tackles were a difference maker. His college and current teammate, Devonte Wyatt, had his tackle. They get a date with the NFC's No. 1 seed, the San Francisco 49ers.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) and linebacker Quay Walker (7) sack Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during their football game Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Bears 17-9. (Wm. Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin).
The game of the weekend took place in Detroit Sunday night when Georgia's highest-drafted quarterback took on the team that drafted him. Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams were in a battle with the Detroit Lions. Stafford was getting beat up throughout the game but still performed exceptionally. He completed 25 of his 36 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns in a nail-biting loss that ended their season, with the Lions winning 24-23.
The final day of this Wild Card weekend extravaganza started with a snow-filled stadium in Buffalo, N.Y. when the Pittsburgh Steelers came to town to take on the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers got a rough start, letting James Cook and the Bills jump out to a 21-7 lead at halftime. But George Pickens, Darnell Washington, and Broderick Jones wouldn't let the Steelers go down easy. Pickens finished the game with five catches for 50 yards, while Washington got in his reps blocking, and Jones got in reps but didn't play to expectations. But Cook helped put them away, finishing with 18 rushes for 79 yards to help the Bills win 31-17. They have a rematch with Kansas City this upcoming weekend.
This weekend's final game was in Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers hosted the Philadelphia Eagles. Jake Camarda had three punts in this game to help the Bucs put away some of his former teammates in Philly. Camarda finished the game with three punts for 124 yards, averaging 41.3 yards per punt. His team won 32-9, sending D'Andre Swift, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean home. Swift had ten rushes for 34 yards, while Davis and Carter finished the game with two tackles each. Camarda and Tampa Bay will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions next weekend.
It was an exciting weekend of NFL football that saw some of the former Dawgs move one step closer to the Super Bowl, but will have one more Dawg join the mix, with the AFC's No. 1 seed, Roquan Smith, and the Baltimore Ravens. They will play CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans.
Other Georgia News:
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- Georgia Bulldogs Could Surpass 2023 Totals in This Year's NFL Draft
- BREAKING: OL Tate Ratledge Returning to Georgia For 2024 Season
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