Bowers sets NFL reception record in week nine

Brock Bowers set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end through his first three seasons, leading a strong Week Nine showing by former Georgia players. With 244 career catches, Bowers passed Trey McBride’s previous mark of 221.

The Las Vegas tight end caught seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco. He also moved to first among NFL tight ends in receiving yards this season and ninth among all receivers.

Two other former Bulldogs produced notable performances for Las Vegas. Nakobe Dean played all 73 defensive snaps and set a career high with 18 tackles, while Quay Walker made 11 tackles across 69 defensive snaps.

James Cook rushed 31 times for 107 yards in Buffalo’s win over Minnesota. Cook extended his Bills franchise-record streak to seven consecutive games with at least 75 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, the longest such NFL run since LaDainian Tomlinson reached eight straight games in 2006. Cook and quarterback Josh Allen also became the first quarterback-running back tandem in NFL history to cross 5,000 career rushing yards on the same drive.

Several former Georgia offensive linemen handled full workloads. Amarius Mims played all 56 Cincinnati offensive snaps and logged 32 pass blocks without allowing a pressure. At center for New England, Jared Wilson took all 63 snaps, producing a team-high 46 pass blocks without surrendering a pressure. Warren McClendon Jr.’s workload for the Rams covered all 75 offensive snaps.

Philadelphia’s former Bulldogs supplied three sacks in a loss to the Giants. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith Jr. each recorded one. On Nov. 10, Davis was traded to Jacksonville in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.

Tykee Smith added an interception, seven tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass deflections for Tampa Bay. The interception was his second in three games.

Why it matters

Bowers now owns the tight end reception record through three NFL seasons with 244 catches. Cook’s seven-game streak is the longest in Bills history, and Dean established a career high with 18 tackles.