Georgia Bulldogs in the pros: Thomas Davis batters Rams
Thomas Davis was in on a game-high 11 tackles (10 solo), forced a fumble, picked up a sack and made a spectacular interception in the Panthers’ 13-10 win over the Rams on Sunday.
Davis’ pick is one for the highlight reels, and it came at a critical juncture in the contest. Carrying a slim 7-0 lead with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and the Rams 6 plays deep into a drive, the 12-year veteran dropped back into coverage with quarterback Case Keenum intending to hit tight end Tyler Higbee on a flat. Davis soared to pull down the interception:
.@CarPanthersNews @GoodShula @TigerPanthrHeat Rams actually had a decent drive going. @ThomasDavisSDTM had other ideas. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/htb7BSn5Op
— Derek (@DTang0426) November 6, 2016
“I dropped back and got set up, and I got my eyes on the quarterback,” Davis told reporters of the play following the game. “He threw the ball in my direction, and I was like, ‘Come down with this football by any means necessary.’” It was Keenum’s eighth pick in his last 4 games.
Kicker Graham Gano booted a 38-yard field goal following Davis’ efforts, giving the Panthers’ some breathing room with a 10-0 score early in the fourth quarter.
Overall, the defense held the Rams to 339 total yards. Davis blitzed seven times and had 2 hurries to go along with his lone sack. Former Georgia tackle Charles Johnson also made a tackle.
On the other sidelines, Rams defensive captain Alex Ogletree put in a solid effort with 7 solo tackles and 2 assisted. The middle linebacker is best against the rush, making 8 run stops in the contest. Carolina picked up only 59 rushing yards all game.
Rams running back Todd Gurley, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, accrued 74 total yards on 12 rushing attempts and 4 receptions. Gurley averages 3.1 yards per carry and has failed to reach the century mark in any game this season. Pro Football Focus rates L.A.’s O-line as the worst in the NFL for run-blocking.
Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones was one of the few bright spots in the Steelers’ 21-14 loss at Baltimore. Jones was in on 5 tackles (4 solo). He and counterpart James Harrison gave the Ravens’ left side of the O-line fits: Harrison recorded 2 sacks, while Jones was the run-stopping threat. Baltimore rushed for only 50 yards in the contest with starting running back Terrance West gaining 21 on 15 attempts. Minus a 95-yard Mike Wallace touchdown early in the game, the Pittsburgh defense held Baltimore to just 3.0 yards per play.
Matt Stafford excelled under pressure once again in the Lions’ 22-16 overtime victory at the Vikings. He not only set up the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation with a 27-yard laser beam to Andre Roberts, but hit Golden Tate in extra time with a 28-yard touchdown pass to seal the deal. Here’s a look at the game-winning score:
Rodney Harrison says Matthew Stafford is the best QB in the division. That makes Erin Rodgers number two. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/gMIkCO47oi
— Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) November 7, 2016
Stafford finished with 219 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 23 of 36 passes. The Lions have won 4 of their last 5 games, moving to within a ½ game of the NFC North lead.
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins in the only other former Georgia pro with a performance to note, picking up 3 tackles in the Jets’ 27-23 loss to the Dolphins. New York was full of miscues in defeat, none more painful than Jenkins’ missed pick-6 opportunity with 85 yards of green grass in front of him. Noted for his run-stopping abilities, he was also burned for a touchdown by tight end Dominique Jones in pass coverage.
