Gators Set for NFL Postseason

The 2016 NFL Playoffs begin this weekend and 15 former Gator football players are still competing for a chance to play in Super Bowl 50 on February 7 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Florida has had a former player on a Super Bowl roster for 13 straight years, dating back to the 2003 season when offensive linemen Kenyatta Walker and Lomas Brown helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Mo Collins and the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Several Gators will have the first weekend off as their teams earned a bye in the Wild Card round. Wide receiver Andre Caldwell, offensive lineman Max Garcia and linebacker Lerentee McCray helped the Denver Broncos earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Caldwell has recorded 10 catches for 72 yards with a pair of touchdowns this season and also totaled 162 yards on kickoff returns. Garcia played in all 16 regular season games and made five starts in his rookie season. McCray played in 11 games and made 13 tackles on the year.

Linebacker Jon Bostic and the New England Patriots are the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Bostic, who was traded from the Chicago Bears to the Patriots midseason, has played in 11 games and made one start since being traded.

Dominque Easley, who was a key member of the Patriots' defensive line rotation, will miss the postseason after being placed on injured reserve in December. Easley played in 11 games and made one start, totaling 15 tackles and two sacks on the season.

Offensive lineman D.J. Humphries and the Arizona Cardinals earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will have a bye this weekend.

Here's a look at who to watch for during this weekend's Wild Card action:

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans, Saturday (4:20 p.m. // ABC/ESPN)

The Chiefs won a wild card spot with an 11-5 record and travel to AFC South champ Houston on Saturday. Kansas City finished the regular season on a 10-game win streak. Wide receiver Frankie Hammond saw action in nine games on special teams and returned 14 punts for 115 yards. Defensive lineman Jaye Howard played in all 16 games and started 13 times, racking up 57 tackles and 5.5 sacks in the best season of his young career.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday (8:15 p.m. // CBS)

Offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert, who started all 16 games this season for the Steelers, will travel to Cincinnati on Saturday night. The Steelers' David Nelson and Maurkice Pouncey never got a chance to compete this season, as both were placed on injured reserve in the preseason. Former Gator quarterback Tyler Murphy, who played his final year collegiately at Boston College, is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.

The Bengals stout defense is led by a pair of Gators, defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap and safety Reggie Nelson. Nelson, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015, tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions on the season. Dunlap posted double-digit sacks for the first time in his career (13.5), ranking fourth in the league.

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday (1:05 p.m. // NBC)

The Vikings clinched the NFC North title on Sunday night with a 20-13 win over the Packers. Defensive linemen Sharrif Floyd and Justin Trattou will be making their first postseason appearances for the Vikings. Floyd played in 13 games with 12 starts and totaled 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the year. Trattou played in five games this season, seeing action on special teams and recording a pair of interceptions as a reserve on the defensive line.

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins, Sunday (4:40 p.m. // FOX)

The Redskins have a trio of young Gators making their postseason debut after Washington won the NFC East title. Tight end Jordan Reed had a breakout year in his third professional season. His 87 catches and 11 touchdowns ranked second among all NFL tight ends and 952 receiving yards ranked fifth in the regular season. He had 54 catches that resulted in a first down or touchdown, the most in the league among tight ends.

Running back Matt Jones rushed for 490 yards on 144 carries in his rookie season and scored three touchdowns on the ground. He also had 304 receiving yards, including a 78-yard touchdown catch. Quinton Dunbar, who signed as an undrafted free agent wide receiver prior to the season, transitioned to cornerback for the Redskins and played in 11 games. He totaled 12 tackles and broke up five passes, intercepting one.

Running back Mack Brown is a member of the Redskins practice squad.

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