As the NFL Divisional Round kicks off, Georgia football is once again showing why it’s one of the premier pipelines to the pros. Fourteen former Bulldogs are still dancing in the postseason, making their presence felt across several teams still in the hunt for a Super Bowl. From seasoned veterans like Matthew Stafford to rising contributors like James Cook III, Georgia’s footprint is all over the playoff landscape.
Let’s break down where these Dawgs are and how they’re contributing as the stakes get higher.
Seattle Seahawks
Kenny McIntosh, RB (Injured Reserve)
The Seahawks earned a first-round bye after clinching the NFC’s top seed with a 13-3 win over the 49ers in Week 18. That sets up a rematch with San Francisco in the Divisional Round, this time at Lumen Field under the Saturday night lights. While Kenny McIntosh remains on injured reserve, he’s part of a roster that’s been surging at the right time.
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford, QB
Stetson Bennett IV, QB
Warren McClendon Jr., OL
Derion Kendrick, CB
The Rams edged out the Panthers in a 34-31 thriller to punch their ticket to the next round. And once again, Matthew Stafford reminded everyone why he’s one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the game. The veteran threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, engineering the fourth game-winning drive of his playoff career - tying him with Giants QB Russell Wilson for most among active signal-callers.
Behind Stafford, Stetson Bennett IV continues to develop in his rookie year, while Warren McClendon Jr. and Derion Kendrick are contributing in the trenches and secondary, respectively. The Rams now head to Chicago for a Sunday night showdown with the Bears.
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift, RB
Trey Hill, OL (Practice Squad)
Swift was a key piece in the Bears’ 31-27 win over the Packers, finding the end zone and racking up 54 yards on the ground. His ability to hit the hole with burst and finish runs strong continues to give Chicago a dynamic edge in the backfield.
Though Trey Hill is on the practice squad, he’s part of a Bears team that’s finding rhythm at the right time. They’ll host Stafford and the Rams in what promises to be a physical, high-stakes matchup.
San Francisco 49ers
Robert Beal Jr., LB
Mykel Williams, DL (Injured Reserve)
The 49ers kept their season alive with a gritty 23-19 win over the Eagles. Robert Beal Jr. made his mark on special teams, notching a tackle in a game where every inch mattered. Mykel Williams remains sidelined, but his presence on the roster reflects the depth of Georgia talent San Francisco has tapped into.
Next up: a return trip to Seattle for a rematch with the Seahawks - a game that already has the feel of a heavyweight bout.
New England Patriots
Jared Wilson, OL
The Patriots leaned on their defense and ground game to take down the Chargers, 16-3. Jared Wilson helped anchor the offensive line in a game where controlling the trenches was key. New England now gets a home date with the Texans on Sunday afternoon, with a shot at the AFC title game on the line.
Buffalo Bills
James Cook III, RB
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, OL
James Cook III continues to be a steady presence in Buffalo’s backfield, carrying the ball 15 times for 46 yards in a narrow 27-24 win over the Jaguars. He’s been a consistent chain-mover for the Bills, and that’ll be crucial when they head to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger is part of a Bills offensive line that’s been quietly solid all year, keeping defenses honest and giving Josh Allen time to work.
Houston Texans
Nick Chubb, RB
Kamari Lassiter, CB
The Texans made a statement with a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers, and two former Bulldogs played key roles. Nick Chubb, still working his way back to full speed, logged 10 carries for 48 yards across 20 snaps - a solid contribution that helped Houston control the tempo.
On the defensive side, Kamari Lassiter was flying around. He racked up six tackles and helped limit Aaron Rodgers to just 112 passing yards. That kind of lockdown performance in the secondary is exactly what the Texans will need as they head to New England for their next test.
Looking Ahead
From veterans like Stafford and Chubb to rising stars like Swift, Cook, and Lassiter, Georgia alums are making noise when it matters most. With matchups like Rams-Bears and Seahawks-49ers on tap, expect more Bulldog battles in the trenches and game-changing plays from guys who cut their teeth in Athens.
The road to the Super Bowl is heating up - and Georgia’s fingerprints are all over it.