University of Georgia Athletics
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Bulldogs in the NFL Week 16
December 23, 2025 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. – Week 16 of NFL action is complete, and several former Bulldogs had exceptional performances for their respective teams.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has finally claimed the NFL lead in rushing yards and will look to become the first Georgia running back to lead the league in rushing since Terrell Davis did so in 1998. On Sunday, Cook rushed 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, marking his 12th game this season with 100 yards or more from scrimmage which leads the league. With two touchdowns on Sunday, Cook also became the second fastest player in Bills franchise history to record 40 touchdowns from scrimmage, achieving the feat in 64 games (Thurman Thomas, 63 games). Currently, Cook ranks first in the NFL in rushing yards (1,532), ranks fourth in the league in rushing touchdowns (12), and is second in the league in yards per carry (5.3).
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is continuing to state his case for NFL MVP honors with an elite performance on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Stafford completed 29 of his 49 passing attempts for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Currently Stafford leads the league in passing yards (4,179) and passing touchdowns (40). Stafford also sits just two passing touchdowns away from a new career high as his previous record is 41.
Below is a summary of how the former Bulldogs fared for their teams in Week 16:
Seattle Seahawks 38, Los Angeles Rams 37
Matthew Stafford, QB – Started at quarterback for the Rams, completing 29 of his 49 passing attempts for 457 yards and three touchdowns. With his performance on Thursday night, Stafford leads the league in passing yards (4,179) and passing touchdowns (40). Stafford also sits just two passing touchdowns away from setting a new career high for passing touchdowns in a season.
Warren McClendon Jr., OL – Started at tackle for Los Angeles as the offensive line gave up zero sacks and the offense gained nearly 600 total yards.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB – Was listed as inactive for the Rams but dressed as the emergency third quarterback.
Derion Kendrick, CB – Dressed for Los Angeles and played limited snaps on defense recording no statistics.
Chris Smith II, S – Was active for the Rams but recorded no statistics.
Philadelphia Eagles 29, Washington Commanders 18
Nakobe Dean, ILB – Started at linebacker for the Eagles before exiting early with a hamstring injury.
Jordan Davis, DT – Started at defensive tackle for Philadelphia, totaling six tackles and two tackles for loss.
Jalen Carter, DT – Was listed as inactive for the Eagles as he recovers from shoulder and foot injuries.
Nolan Smith Jr., OLB – Played 40 defensive snaps for Philadelphia, recording one quarterback hit.
Kelee Ringo, CB – Played defense and special teams for the Eagles, recording no statistics.
Smael Mondon Jr., ILB – Appeared on defense and special teams for Philadelphia, recording no statistics.
Lawrence Cager, TE – Dressed as a reserve tight end for the Commanders, recording no statistics.
Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16
D'Andre Swift, RB – Started at running back for Chicago, rushing 13 times for 58 yards while catching two passes for 12 yards.
Quay Walker, ILB – Started at linebacker for Green Bay, racking up 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.
Javon Bullard, S – Started at defensive back for the Packers, totaling 10 tackles and one pass defended.
Warren Brinson, DT – Played over 20 defensive snaps for Green Bay, recording one tackle and one quarterback hit.
Nazir Stackhouse, DT – Was listed as inactive for the Packers due to a coach's decision.
John FitzPatrick, TE – Appeared on over 25 offensive snaps for Green Bay before exiting with an Achilles injury, which will keep him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
Buffalo Bills 23, Cleveland Browns 20
James Cook III, RB – Started at running back for Buffalo, rushing 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns while catching one pass for 17 yards. Cook's performance on Sunday marked his 12th game this season with 100 or more yards from scrimmage which leads the NFL. Additionally, Cook became the second fastest player in Bills history to reach 40 touchdowns from scrimmage, accomplishing the feat in 64 games (Thurman Thomas, 63 games). With 117 yards on Sunday, Cook is now the current leading rusher in the NFL with 1,532 yards, if the result holds through the last two weeks of the season, Cook will become the first Georgia running back to lead the NFL in rushing since Terrell Davis in 1998.
Mecole Hardman, WR – Appeared as a returner for Buffalo, returning one punt for four yards.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, C – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Bills, playing zero offensive snaps.
Tyson Campbell, CB – Started at defensive back for Cleveland, recording two tackles.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Dallas Cowboys 17
Ladd McConkey, WR – Started at wide receiver for the Chargers, catching four of his six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Jamaree Salyer, OL – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for Los Angeles, playing five total snaps.
George Pickens, WR – Started at wide receiver for Dallas, catching seven of his nine targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. Pickens has set new career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns this season and currently ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,342.
Cincinnati Bengals 45, Miami Dolphins 21
Amarius Mims, OT – Started at tackle for Cincinnati as the offense gained over 400 total yards.
Dylan Fairchild, OL – Started at guard for the Bengals as the offensive line gave up just two sacks.
New Orleans Saints 29, New York Jets 6
Xavier Truss, OL – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Saints in the win.
Arian Smith, WR – Appeared on offense and special teams for the Jets, making one tackle on special teams.
Minnesota Vikings 16, New York Giants 13
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DE – Appeared on over 20 defensive snaps for the Vikings, recording one tackle.
Ben Yurosek, TE – Played limited offensive snaps for Minnesota in the win.
Chaz Chambliss, OLB – Saw action exclusively on special teams for the Vikings, recording one tackle.
Andrew Thomas, OT – Started at tackle for the Giants before exiting with a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
Trevor Etienne, RB – Served primarily as a returner for Carolina, returning three punts for 33 yards.
Tykee Smith, S – Started at safety for Tampa Bay, racking up four tackles, one pass defended, and one quarterback hit.
Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Denver Broncos 20
Travon Walker, DE – Started at defensive end for the Jaguars, totaling three tackle, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and three quarterback hits.
Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19
Jalon Walker, ILB – Appeared on over 30 defensive snaps for the Falcons, recording one tackle.
Leonard Floyd, DE – Saw action on over 20 defensive snaps for the Falcons, recording one tackle.
Charlie Woerner, TE – Played nearly 50 snaps at tight end for Atlanta, catching one pass for three yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers 29, Detroit Lions 24
Darnell Washington, TE – Started at tight end for the Steelers, catching three passes for 36 yards.
Tate Ratledge, OL – Started at guard for Detroit as the offense gained nearly 400 total yards.
Dominic Lovett, WR – Was listed as inactive for the Lions due to a coach's decision.
Houston Texans 23, Las Vegas Raiders 21
Kamari Lassiter, CB – Started at cornerback for the Texans, totaling eight tackles and two passes defended in the win.
Nick Chubb, RB – Saw snaps at running back for Houston, rushing 6 times for 33 yards while catching one pass for nine yards.
Brock Bowers, TE – Started at tight end for Las Vegas, catching all five of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Eric Stokes, CB – Started at cornerback for the Raiders, recording three tackles and one pass defended.
Zamir White, RB – Was listed as inactive for the Raiders due to a coach's decision.
New England Patriots 28, Baltimore Ravens 24
Jared Wilson, OL – Started at guard for the Patriots, as the offense gained over 400 total yards.
Roquan Smith, ILB – Started at linebacker for the Ravens, racking up ten tackles.
Malaki Starks, S – Played nearly 100 percent of defensive snaps for Baltimore, recording three tackles.
John Jenkins, DT – Appeared on over 35 defensive snaps for the Ravens, recording one tackle.
Nick Moore, LS – Snapped seven times for Baltimore in the loss.
San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts
Robert Beal Jr., OLB – Was listed as inactive for the 49ers due to a coach's decision.
Practice Squad Players:
Zion Logue, DT Buffalo Bills
Kendall Milton, RB Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hill, C Chicago Bears
Players on IR/PUP/:
Dan Jackson, S Detroit Lions
Devonte Wyatt, DT Green Bay Packers
Azeez Ojulari, OLB Philadelphia Eagles
Broderick Jones, OT Pittsburgh Steelers
Mykel Williams, DE San Francisco 49ers
Kenny McIntosh, RB Seattle Seahawks
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has finally claimed the NFL lead in rushing yards and will look to become the first Georgia running back to lead the league in rushing since Terrell Davis did so in 1998. On Sunday, Cook rushed 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, marking his 12th game this season with 100 yards or more from scrimmage which leads the league. With two touchdowns on Sunday, Cook also became the second fastest player in Bills franchise history to record 40 touchdowns from scrimmage, achieving the feat in 64 games (Thurman Thomas, 63 games). Currently, Cook ranks first in the NFL in rushing yards (1,532), ranks fourth in the league in rushing touchdowns (12), and is second in the league in yards per carry (5.3).
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is continuing to state his case for NFL MVP honors with an elite performance on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Stafford completed 29 of his 49 passing attempts for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Currently Stafford leads the league in passing yards (4,179) and passing touchdowns (40). Stafford also sits just two passing touchdowns away from a new career high as his previous record is 41.
Below is a summary of how the former Bulldogs fared for their teams in Week 16:
Seattle Seahawks 38, Los Angeles Rams 37
Matthew Stafford, QB – Started at quarterback for the Rams, completing 29 of his 49 passing attempts for 457 yards and three touchdowns. With his performance on Thursday night, Stafford leads the league in passing yards (4,179) and passing touchdowns (40). Stafford also sits just two passing touchdowns away from setting a new career high for passing touchdowns in a season.
Warren McClendon Jr., OL – Started at tackle for Los Angeles as the offensive line gave up zero sacks and the offense gained nearly 600 total yards.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB – Was listed as inactive for the Rams but dressed as the emergency third quarterback.
Derion Kendrick, CB – Dressed for Los Angeles and played limited snaps on defense recording no statistics.
Chris Smith II, S – Was active for the Rams but recorded no statistics.
Philadelphia Eagles 29, Washington Commanders 18
Nakobe Dean, ILB – Started at linebacker for the Eagles before exiting early with a hamstring injury.
Jordan Davis, DT – Started at defensive tackle for Philadelphia, totaling six tackles and two tackles for loss.
Jalen Carter, DT – Was listed as inactive for the Eagles as he recovers from shoulder and foot injuries.
Nolan Smith Jr., OLB – Played 40 defensive snaps for Philadelphia, recording one quarterback hit.
Kelee Ringo, CB – Played defense and special teams for the Eagles, recording no statistics.
Smael Mondon Jr., ILB – Appeared on defense and special teams for Philadelphia, recording no statistics.
Lawrence Cager, TE – Dressed as a reserve tight end for the Commanders, recording no statistics.
Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16
D'Andre Swift, RB – Started at running back for Chicago, rushing 13 times for 58 yards while catching two passes for 12 yards.
Quay Walker, ILB – Started at linebacker for Green Bay, racking up 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.
Javon Bullard, S – Started at defensive back for the Packers, totaling 10 tackles and one pass defended.
Warren Brinson, DT – Played over 20 defensive snaps for Green Bay, recording one tackle and one quarterback hit.
Nazir Stackhouse, DT – Was listed as inactive for the Packers due to a coach's decision.
John FitzPatrick, TE – Appeared on over 25 offensive snaps for Green Bay before exiting with an Achilles injury, which will keep him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
Buffalo Bills 23, Cleveland Browns 20
James Cook III, RB – Started at running back for Buffalo, rushing 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns while catching one pass for 17 yards. Cook's performance on Sunday marked his 12th game this season with 100 or more yards from scrimmage which leads the NFL. Additionally, Cook became the second fastest player in Bills history to reach 40 touchdowns from scrimmage, accomplishing the feat in 64 games (Thurman Thomas, 63 games). With 117 yards on Sunday, Cook is now the current leading rusher in the NFL with 1,532 yards, if the result holds through the last two weeks of the season, Cook will become the first Georgia running back to lead the NFL in rushing since Terrell Davis in 1998.
Mecole Hardman, WR – Appeared as a returner for Buffalo, returning one punt for four yards.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, C – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Bills, playing zero offensive snaps.
Tyson Campbell, CB – Started at defensive back for Cleveland, recording two tackles.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Dallas Cowboys 17
Ladd McConkey, WR – Started at wide receiver for the Chargers, catching four of his six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Jamaree Salyer, OL – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for Los Angeles, playing five total snaps.
George Pickens, WR – Started at wide receiver for Dallas, catching seven of his nine targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. Pickens has set new career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns this season and currently ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,342.
Cincinnati Bengals 45, Miami Dolphins 21
Amarius Mims, OT – Started at tackle for Cincinnati as the offense gained over 400 total yards.
Dylan Fairchild, OL – Started at guard for the Bengals as the offensive line gave up just two sacks.
New Orleans Saints 29, New York Jets 6
Xavier Truss, OL – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Saints in the win.
Arian Smith, WR – Appeared on offense and special teams for the Jets, making one tackle on special teams.
Minnesota Vikings 16, New York Giants 13
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DE – Appeared on over 20 defensive snaps for the Vikings, recording one tackle.
Ben Yurosek, TE – Played limited offensive snaps for Minnesota in the win.
Chaz Chambliss, OLB – Saw action exclusively on special teams for the Vikings, recording one tackle.
Andrew Thomas, OT – Started at tackle for the Giants before exiting with a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
Trevor Etienne, RB – Served primarily as a returner for Carolina, returning three punts for 33 yards.
Tykee Smith, S – Started at safety for Tampa Bay, racking up four tackles, one pass defended, and one quarterback hit.
Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Denver Broncos 20
Travon Walker, DE – Started at defensive end for the Jaguars, totaling three tackle, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and three quarterback hits.
Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19
Jalon Walker, ILB – Appeared on over 30 defensive snaps for the Falcons, recording one tackle.
Leonard Floyd, DE – Saw action on over 20 defensive snaps for the Falcons, recording one tackle.
Charlie Woerner, TE – Played nearly 50 snaps at tight end for Atlanta, catching one pass for three yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers 29, Detroit Lions 24
Darnell Washington, TE – Started at tight end for the Steelers, catching three passes for 36 yards.
Tate Ratledge, OL – Started at guard for Detroit as the offense gained nearly 400 total yards.
Dominic Lovett, WR – Was listed as inactive for the Lions due to a coach's decision.
Houston Texans 23, Las Vegas Raiders 21
Kamari Lassiter, CB – Started at cornerback for the Texans, totaling eight tackles and two passes defended in the win.
Nick Chubb, RB – Saw snaps at running back for Houston, rushing 6 times for 33 yards while catching one pass for nine yards.
Brock Bowers, TE – Started at tight end for Las Vegas, catching all five of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Eric Stokes, CB – Started at cornerback for the Raiders, recording three tackles and one pass defended.
Zamir White, RB – Was listed as inactive for the Raiders due to a coach's decision.
New England Patriots 28, Baltimore Ravens 24
Jared Wilson, OL – Started at guard for the Patriots, as the offense gained over 400 total yards.
Roquan Smith, ILB – Started at linebacker for the Ravens, racking up ten tackles.
Malaki Starks, S – Played nearly 100 percent of defensive snaps for Baltimore, recording three tackles.
John Jenkins, DT – Appeared on over 35 defensive snaps for the Ravens, recording one tackle.
Nick Moore, LS – Snapped seven times for Baltimore in the loss.
San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts
Robert Beal Jr., OLB – Was listed as inactive for the 49ers due to a coach's decision.
Practice Squad Players:
Zion Logue, DT Buffalo Bills
Kendall Milton, RB Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hill, C Chicago Bears
Players on IR/PUP/:
Dan Jackson, S Detroit Lions
Devonte Wyatt, DT Green Bay Packers
Azeez Ojulari, OLB Philadelphia Eagles
Broderick Jones, OT Pittsburgh Steelers
Mykel Williams, DE San Francisco 49ers
Kenny McIntosh, RB Seattle Seahawks
Players Mentioned
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