NFLSU Gamethread: Wildcard Round

Good morning, welcome to the Wildcard Weekend.

Coming into the 2020 season, the NFL expanded its postseason to have seven teams qualify. As a result, we now have six playoff games this weekend and I’d argue that this is now the best weekend of the sporting calendar.

LSU is riding a current 19-year long streak of a former player competing in the Super Bowl and that looks to continue again. The only possible combination that would end the streak is if Green Bay plays Indianapolis.

All told there’s 31 former Tigers on a team currently in the playoffs. I’m going to include the guys on the practice squad and injured reserve because they get Super Bowl rings, too.

Colts vs. Bills, 12:05 P.M., CBS

Former LSU Colts Players: None

Former LSU Bills Players: LS Reid Ferguson, CB Tre’Davious White

Saturday is the first home playoff game for the Bills since 1996. Hell yeah. The downer, of course, is that Buffalo won’t be at full capacity because of the damn pandemic.

The Bills are really good and the favorites to knock off the defending champion Chiefs and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Rams vs. Seahawks, 3:40 P.M., FOX

Former LSU Rams Players: LT Andrew Whitworth, DT Michael Brockers

Former LSU Seahawks Players: S Jamal Adams, QB Danny Etling (Practice Squad) G Damien Lewis, C Ethan Pocic, TE Stephen Sullivan (Injured Reserve)

Andrew Whitworth tore his MCL seven weeks ago and plans on playing this afternoon. That’s inspiring and terrifying, I hope for his sake that doesn’t end horribly.

Speaking of banged up former Tigers, Jamal Adams is cleared to play in his first playoff game despite a hurt shoulder and all ten of his fingers. Both of these men are infinitely tougher than I am.

Buccaneers vs. Washington Football Team, 7:15 P.M., NBC

Former LSU Buccaneers Players: RB Leonard Fournette, LB Devin White, LB Kevin Minter

Former LSU WFT Players: OT Saahdiq Charles (Injured Reserve), TE Thaddeus Moss (Injured Reserve)

I’m conflicted because normally I would want the team with the most former LSU guys to win, but that team is also quarterbacked by old ass Tom Brady. On the other hand, it would be the highest of comedies if Tom Brady lost to a 7-9 team.

Sunday January 10

Ravens vs. Titans, 12:05 P.M., ESPN

Former LSU Ravens Players: LB Patrick Queen

Former LSU Titans Players: CB Kristian Fulton

Tennessee has won the last two against Baltimore. In last year’s Divisional Round game, the Titans upset the No. 1 seed Ravens; the Titans and Ravens played this year, also in Baltimore, and Tennessee won that game too. Now the game moves to Nashville and Baltimore tries to return the favor.

Bears vs. Saints, 3:40 P.M., CBS

Former LSU Bears Players: LB Barkevious Mingo, OT Badara Traore (Practice Squad), RB Spencer Ware (Practice Squad)

Former LSU Saints Players: LB Kwon Alexander (Injured Reserve), OG Will Clapp

This is possibly the last piece I’ll ever write because if Mitch Trubisky ends Drew Brees’ career tomorrow afternoon I may do irreparable harm to myself.

Browns vs. Steelers, 7:15 P.M., NBC

Former LSU Browns Players: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Injured Reserve), S Grant Delpit (Injured Reserve), WR Jarvis Landry, LB Jacob Phillips, CB Greedy Williams (Injured Reserve)

Former LSU Steelers Players: S John Battle (Practice Squad), OT Jerald Hawkins

Poor Cleveland. They make the playoffs for the first time in 18 years and they’ll be without their head coach, Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID on Tuesday. Cleveland began practice for their playoff game yesterday because they had to close the facility due to an outbreak.