By definition, a stellar collision is the coming together of two stars within a star cluster. Well, that is exactly what happened Sunday when two former Georgia football stars caused a stellar collision of their own, against one of their own.
A pair of budding stars from the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive lineman Jalen Carter and linebacker Nolan Smith Jr., played pivotal roles in the Eagles' take down of Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 on a cold, snowy day in Philadelphia.
Former Bulldog and No. 1 overall pick Stafford had a stellar game by his own right as he went 26-44 for 324 yards and two touchdowns. But it was the play of the protostars from Philadelphia that proved to have just as much of an impact on the game’s eventual outcome.
Late in the third quarter after the Los Angeles Rams had just sacked the visually-hobbled Eagles QB Jalen Hurts in the end zone for a safety, the score had narrowed to 16-15 and it appeared the Los Angeles Rams were on the verge of taking control of the football game. That is when the burgeoning young stars from Philadelphia shined their brightest.
On consecutive drives, the Rams would suffer crucial turnovers caused by Carter’s forced fumble of Kyren Williams and Smith’s sack-fumble of Stafford that would take back momentum and aid in the preservation of victory for Philadelphia. For the day, the two former Bulldogs combined for 10 QB pressures, five QB hurries, three sacks, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one pass deflection.
The stars are beginning to align for the Philadelphia Eagles as their recent investment in the University of Georgia football program is showing major signs of return. And the next challenge for Philadelphia is the NFL Championship game which will take place next Sunday against the division rival Washington Commanders.