ATHENS — The New York Giants have won three of their past four games since their bye week, and former Georgia football star Alec Ogletree is a big reason why.
Ogletree, from Newnan, Ga., and a second-team All-SEC pick while with the Bulldogs, had 10 tackles and two interceptions in the Giants’ 30-27 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
“He’s one of the guys that’s helping us flip this culture because he’s a winner,” New York coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s tough, he’s resilient and he made some game-changing plays today.”
Ogletree was a 2013 first-round pick (30) of the Rams who was traded to the Giants following last season.
One of Ogletree’s interceptions against the NFL North-leading Bears (8-4) on Sunday went for a touchdown after he returned it 8 yards for New York (4-8).
“It was a big play for us as a team, and it definitely set the tempo for how the day was going to go,” said Ogletree, second on the team with 78 tackles. “I just happy and blessed enough to be in position to make the play.”
Ogletree admits it has been a tough season for the Giants, but he’s determined to keep doing his part to help the team.
“It’s been a long season, it’s been a struggle, of course we hate losing and wish our record was better than it is, but we can’t go back and change, all we can do is keep pushing forward,” Ogletree said.
“You just have to be a pro, and that means preparing well, doing the right things, and that means taking what you learn in the class room to the field,” he said. “Things are going to be tough, and you have to be able to keep fighting and keep doing your job at the highest level you can, and when you do that it changes the culture around and gets guys around you playing well.”
Rams 30, Lions 16
• Todd Gurley: Gurley helped the Rams clinch the NFC West as he rushed 23 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Gurley also caught three passes for 33 yards.
• Ramik Wilson: Wilson played 20 special teams snaps for the Rams but did not record any statistics.
• Matthew Stafford: Stafford was 20-of-33 passing for 245 yards and a touchdown for Detroit.
Broncos 24, Bengals 10
• Shawn Williams: Williams led the Bengals with nine tackles, including one for loss.
• Geno Atkins: Atkins had a quarterback knockdown.
• Cordy Glenn: Glenn was inactive for the Bengals with a back injury.
• Clint Boling: Boling moved from left guard to left tackle to replace Glenn and helped Cincinnati roll up 311 total yards.
• A.J. Green: Green had a 7-yard catch for the Bengals before leaving in the second quarter with a reaggravated a foot injury. He’s expected to miss the remainder of the season and will have surgery to repair injured toe ligaments.
Patriots 24, Vikings 10
• Sony Michel: Michel rushed 17 times for 63 yards and caught a 7-yard pass for the Patriots.
• David Andrews: Andrews started at center for New England, and the Patriots ran up 471 total yards.
Chiefs 40, Raiders 33
• Justin Houston: Houston recorded three tackles, including one for loss, and recovered a fumble for Kansas City.
• Chris Conley: Conley had three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown for the Chiefs.
Cowboys 13, Saints 10
• Benjamin Watson: Watson logged 20 offensive snaps for the Saints but did not post any stats.
Texans 29, Browns 13
• Nick Chubb: Chubb had nine carries for 31 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 41 yards for Cleveland. Chubb is third among rookies and 16th overall with 694 yards rushing
• Orson Charles: Charles had a 12-yard kickoff return for the Browns.
Buccaneers 24, Panthers 17
• Thomas Davis: Davis led the Panthers with eight tackles, including one for loss.
Dolphins 21, Bills 17
• Reshad Jones: Jones had seven tackles for the Dolphins.
• Isaiah McKenzie: McKenzie hauled in four passes for 46 yards and returned two kickoffs for 31 yards for the Bills.
Jaguars 6, Colts 0
• Abry Jones: Jones posted a tackle for Jacksonville.
• Corey Moore: Moore was a healthy scratch for Indianapolis.
Titans 26, Jets 22
• Ben Jones: Jones started at center for the Titans, who rolled up 403 total yards.
• Jordan Jenkins: Jenkins had four tackles, including a sack, for New York.
Practice Squads
Davin Bellamy (Texans)
Reggie Davis (Cowboys)
Garrison Smith (Dolphins)
Maurice Smith (Dolphins)
Injured Reserve
Tyler Catalina (Redskins)
Isaiah Wynn (Patriots)