Many of the 33 total Georgia Bulldogs in the NFL postseason made significant impacts for their respective teams. Georgia is on a hot streak of producing elite NFL draft talent. The Dawgs had 25 players selected over the last two NFL drafts and many of these players are now making their NFL playoff debuts.
Our former Georgia player of the week for the wild-card weekend has to be Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker. Walker recorded 11 tackles as the Packers became the first No. 7 seed to upset a No. 2 seed in NFL history.
How did other Georgia Bulldogs in the NFL perform in the wild-card round?
George Pickens makes sensational catch in traffic
Oh my, George Pickens 👀
📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/grLxQB6Z4a— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finished with five catches for 50 receiving yards as Pittsburgh lost at the Buffalo Bills.
Matthew Stafford deals in defeat
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford, who made his road return to Detroit, took multiple big hits in the Rams’ 24-23 road loss.
Stafford finished 25 of 36 for 367 passing yards and two touchdowns. However, Stafford and the Rams offense struggled in the red zone. Los Angeles settled for three field goals on three red zone trips. This proved to be the difference in the most interesting game of wild-card weekend.
Nolan Smith finishes with four tackles and 0.5 sacks
Mayfield gets sandwiched by the @Eagles D on 3rd and 7
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/zGUfbNeNrH— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith finished the Eagles’ ugly 32-9 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with four tackles and 0.5 sacks. Smith was a rare bright spot for the Eagles. Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Jordan Davis all recorded two total tackles.
James Cook, Bills roll at home
#BillsMafia showed out today❤️💙
— James Cook (@thegreat__4) January 16, 2024
Former Georgia running back James Cook received 22 total touches in the Buffalo Bills’ 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cook finished the day with 84 scrimmage yards, which was a team-high.
Fellow former Dawg Leonard Floyd recorded four total tackles. Now, Buffalo is preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Quay Walker dominates in Green Bay win
Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker made a massive difference in the Packers’ stunning road win at the Dallas Cowboys. Walker recorded a team-high 11 tackles for Green Bay.
Walker’s impact extended beyond the box score. He covered Dallas star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb effectively enough on one play to warrant a missed throw.
Quay Walker dodges block from All-Pro OL
If you want to play 2-high AND the offense has jet motion/boot action – this is what the frontside MUST look like. Even box numbers – EVERYONE containing their gap/stout at POA
Might be best Quay Walker rep of his career… Look at Slanton knockback vs C… Gary/Clark easy work. pic.twitter.com/Haa5iyoMUS
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 15, 2024
Quay Walker's great coverage on All-Pro WR
3rd and 8 #Packers Quay Walker matches up against Ceedee Lamb, gets underneath the WR and forces Dak Prescott to throw it off target.
There is no stat that measures how much of an impact this 1 play had. The Cowboys expected to pick the first down up based on matchup. pic.twitter.com/WlPPDOZEU6
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) January 15, 2024
Punters are people too: Jake Camarda excels for Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay punter Jake Camarda, a former Georgia standout, helped pin the Eagles’ sluggish offense deep in their own territory. Camarda had three punts for 124 total yards. All three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.