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Bulldogs in the NFL: Divisional Round
January 19, 2026 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. – The Divisional round of the NFL playoffs is complete, and several former Bulldogs had exceptional performances for their respective teams.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to lead yet another game-winning drive in the playoffs to send his team to the NFC Championship game. Stafford threw for over 250 yards in a low-scoring affair against the Chicago Bears, but in overtime, he completed three passes for 43 yards pushing the Rams into field goal range for the eventual game-winner. Stafford now has five career game-winning drives in the playoffs which currently leads all active quarterbacks in the league and is tied for fourth all-time.
Meanwhile, Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter did everything he could to give his team a chance on Sunday as he racked up five tackles and three passes defended in the loss to the New England Patriots. Despite the result, Lassiter put forth an impressive playoff performance as he accumulated 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four passes defended in just two games.
Below is a summary of how the former Bulldogs fared for their teams in the Divisional round:
Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30
James Cook III, RB – Started at running back for Buffalo, rushing 24 times for 117 yards while catching two passes for 24 yards.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, C – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Bills but did not feature.
Mecole Hardman Jr., WR – Saw action on offense and special teams for Buffalo, catching one pass for four yards and a touchdown while returning one kickoff for 22 yards.
Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
Robert Beal Jr., OLB – Was listed as inactive due to a coach's decision.
New England Patriots 28, Houston Texans 16
Jared Wilson, OL – Started at guard for the Patriots in the win.
Kamari Lassiter, CB – Started at cornerback for Houston, totaling five tackles and three passes defended.
Nick Chubb, RB – Saw action as running back for the Texans, rushing four times for 14 yards.
Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17
Matthew Stafford, QB – Started at quarterback for Los Angeles, completing 20 of his 42 passes for 258 yards. Stafford also led his fifth career game-winning drive in a playoff game which ranks first amongst active quarterbacks in the NFL.
Warren McClendon Jr., OT – Started at tackle for the Rams as the offense gained nearly 350 total yards.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB – Was listed as inactive but dressed for Los Angeles as the emergency third quarterback.
Derion Kendrick, CB – Was listed as inactive for the Rams due to a coach's decision.
D'Andre Swift, RB – Started at running back for Chicago, rushing 19 times for 76 yards.
Practice Squad Players:
Zion Logue, DT Buffalo Bills
Trey Hill, C Chicago Bears
Players on IR/PUP/:
Mykel Williams, DE San Francisco 49ers
Kenny McIntosh, RB Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to lead yet another game-winning drive in the playoffs to send his team to the NFC Championship game. Stafford threw for over 250 yards in a low-scoring affair against the Chicago Bears, but in overtime, he completed three passes for 43 yards pushing the Rams into field goal range for the eventual game-winner. Stafford now has five career game-winning drives in the playoffs which currently leads all active quarterbacks in the league and is tied for fourth all-time.
Meanwhile, Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter did everything he could to give his team a chance on Sunday as he racked up five tackles and three passes defended in the loss to the New England Patriots. Despite the result, Lassiter put forth an impressive playoff performance as he accumulated 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four passes defended in just two games.
Below is a summary of how the former Bulldogs fared for their teams in the Divisional round:
Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30
James Cook III, RB – Started at running back for Buffalo, rushing 24 times for 117 yards while catching two passes for 24 yards.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, C – Dressed as a reserve offensive lineman for the Bills but did not feature.
Mecole Hardman Jr., WR – Saw action on offense and special teams for Buffalo, catching one pass for four yards and a touchdown while returning one kickoff for 22 yards.
Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
Robert Beal Jr., OLB – Was listed as inactive due to a coach's decision.
New England Patriots 28, Houston Texans 16
Jared Wilson, OL – Started at guard for the Patriots in the win.
Kamari Lassiter, CB – Started at cornerback for Houston, totaling five tackles and three passes defended.
Nick Chubb, RB – Saw action as running back for the Texans, rushing four times for 14 yards.
Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17
Matthew Stafford, QB – Started at quarterback for Los Angeles, completing 20 of his 42 passes for 258 yards. Stafford also led his fifth career game-winning drive in a playoff game which ranks first amongst active quarterbacks in the NFL.
Warren McClendon Jr., OT – Started at tackle for the Rams as the offense gained nearly 350 total yards.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB – Was listed as inactive but dressed for Los Angeles as the emergency third quarterback.
Derion Kendrick, CB – Was listed as inactive for the Rams due to a coach's decision.
D'Andre Swift, RB – Started at running back for Chicago, rushing 19 times for 76 yards.
Practice Squad Players:
Zion Logue, DT Buffalo Bills
Trey Hill, C Chicago Bears
Players on IR/PUP/:
Mykel Williams, DE San Francisco 49ers
Kenny McIntosh, RB Seattle Seahawks
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