The NFL Playoffs got off to an exciting start this past weekend with the Wild Card Round. Entering the weekend, 15 past NFF National Scholar-Athletes appeared on rosters or practice squads of teams in the postseason. Here is how they fared:
Houston Texans 22, Buffalo Bills 19 (OT)
Houston
Max Scharping (Northern Illinois - 2018) became a starter on the Texans' offensive line during week three of his rookie season this year. He helped Houston overcome a 16-point deficit to beat the Bills in overtime, and the team will now play at Kansas City on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
Buffalo Bills
Matt Barkley (Southern California - 2012) was the backup quarterback for Bills starter
Josh Allen. He appeared in two games this season, but did not play in the Wild Card matchup.
Spencer Long (Nebraska - 2013) is a reserve offensive lineman for the Bills and did see action in the game against Houston.
Tennessee Titans 20, New England Patriots 13
Tennessee
Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M - 2011) threw for 72 yards and a touchdown in a hard-fought win over the defending Super Bowl champion New England. He now moves to 8-3 since taking over as the team's starting quarterback in Week 7. The Titans will play at Baltimore on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS.
New England
Rex Burkhead (Nebraska - 2012) had three carries for four yards and three receptions for 32 yards in the loss to the Titans.
Minnesota Vikings 26, New Orleans Saints 20 (OT)
Minnesota
Kirk Cousins (Michigan State - 2011) completed 19 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' thrilling overtime win over the Saints. Minnesota will now play at San Francisco on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET on NBC.
New Orleans
Drew Brees (Purdue - 2000) completed 26 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Vikings. This season, Brees set the record for most touchdown passes in NFL history after already owning the records for most passing yards and completions.
Taysom Hill (BYU - 2016) did it all for the Saints in the game against Minnesota. He caught a 20-yard TD pass from Brees to bring New Orleans to within 20-17 with 10:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. He also set up the Saints' first TD of the game early in the second quarter when he completed a 50-yard pass to
Deonte Harris at the Vikings' 4-yard line. New Orleans running back
Alvin Kamara followed up with a 4-yard touchdown run on the next play, with Hill as his lead blocker. He also serves as a special-teams coverage specialist and nearly blocked a punt earlier in the game.
Manti Te'o (Notre Dame - 2012) appeared in three games for the Saints this season, but was inactive for the playoff game.
Jason Vander Laan (Ferris State [MI] - 2015) missed the end of the season on injured reserve. The former star quarterback at Ferris State has transitioned to tight end in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks 17, Philadelphia Eagles 9
Seattle
Tyler Lockett (Kansas State - 2014), the Seahawks' leading receiver this season, had four catches for 62 yards in the win over the Eagles. He also had three kickoff returns for 60 yards in the game. Seattle will now play at Green Bay on Sunday at 6:40 p.m. ET on FOX.
Baltimore Ravens (First Round Bye)
The Ravens will host the Titans on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS.
Jordan Richards (Stanford - 2014) has played in nine games for the Ravens this season after playing three for New England earlier in 2019.
Trace McSorley (Penn State - 2018) has appeared in one game for the Ravens this season and currently sits third on their depth chart at quarterback.
Green Bay Packers (First Round Bye)
The Packers will host the Seahawks on Sunday at 6:40 p.m. ET on FOX.
Chandon Sullivan (Georgia State - 2017) has seen action at cornerback in all 16 of the Packers regular season games this season.
Kansas City Chiefs (First Round Bye)
The Chiefs will host the Texans on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State - 2010) has appeared in 11 games for the Chiefs this regular season, including starts in the last two games.
