Former Bulldog Matthew Stafford passes Joe Montana in NFL record book
Even as his team sits at 3-3-1, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is having an outstanding season. He’s thrown 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions so far this season and has eclipsed the 300-yard mark in a game three times this season.
Stafford did that again on Sunday, as he threw for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over the New York Giants. Earlier this season, Stafford eclipsed the 40,000 yards mark and passed Johnny Unitas on the all-time passing yards list. Then this past Sunday, he eclipsed Joe Montana on the career passing yards mark. Montana is considered one of the greatest players to ever play the position, given his four Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers.
“I think there is no truer look at who he is,” Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia said of Stafford. “He’s just a competitive, competitive guy. He always wants to be the best, and he’s great. He works really hard. He’s competitive. He’s tough. He’s grinding it out every single day.”
Stafford has spent his entire career with the Lions after Detroit took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft after his three seasons at Georgia.
As for the other Bulldogs in the NFL, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb faced off for the first time as professionals. Michel finished the game with 74 yards on 21 carries but wasn’t able to find the endzone. Chubb had more of an up and down day, as he finished with 131 yards, but had two costly fumbles in the first quarter. Coming into the game, Chubb had just one fumble in his NFL career.
Chubb and Michel found each other after the game and made sure to catch up.
Todd Gurley was able to find the endzone this week for the Los Angeles Rams. He and the Rams pulled out a 24-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in London.
Two former Georgia wide receivers also scored touchdowns this weekend. Mecole Hardman found the endzone on a 30-yard shovel pass from Matt Moore, showing that the rookie’s success isn’t just tied to that of NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, who did not play for Kansas City.
Mecole Hardman hits TURBO💨 🎮#GBvsKC | #SNF
(via @Chiefs)
— PFF (@PFF) October 28, 2019
Hardman finished with two catches for 55 yards. On the season, Hardman is third among all rookies in receiving yards with 374. He also ranks first in punt return average.
The other Georgia wide receiver who scored was Chris Conley, who turned in a 70-yard touchdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Conley finished the game with four catches for 103 yards.
Defensively, Justin Houston picked up another sack for the Indianapolis Colts. Through seven games with his new team, Houston has racked up 5.0 sacks.
Another Bulldog who brought down an opposing quarterback is Lorenzo Carter, who brought down Stafford. He’s now got 2.5 sacks on the season in his second season in the NFL.
As for this week’s Top Dawg — our weekly honor that goes to the former Bulldog that had the best week in the NFL — we have to go with Stafford. Any time you can pass Montana in the NFL record books, you’ve pretty clearly had a special career.
Top Dawgs in the NFL
Week 1: Leonard Floyd, Chicago Bears
Week 2: Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Week 5: Sony Michel, New England Patriots
Week 6: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Week 7: Justin Houston, Indianapolis Colts
Week 8: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
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