Jelani Jenkins battled some injuries this season, but is hoping to play on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Gators Set for NFL Postseason
Friday, January 6, 2017 | Football
Share:
Sixteen former Gators have chance to play for Super Bowl 51.
By: Will Pantages
GAINESVILLE, Fla. –The 2017 NFL Playoffs begin this weekend and 16 former Gator football players are still competing for a chance to play in Super Bowl 51 on Feb. 5 in Houston, Texas.
A former Gator has been on a Super Bowl roster for 14 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. Defensive backs Keanu Neal and Brian Poole helped the Atlanta Falcons earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Neal, who played and started in 14 games this season, recorded 106 tackles and five forced fumbles which both rank second on the team. In addition, Neal tallied nine pass deflections. Meanwhile, Poole played in all 16 games and started nine. The undrafted rookie totaled 59 tackles, 10 pass deflections, one sack and one interception during the regular season.
Chaz Green, who played in four games and started two during the regular season, will miss the No. 1-seed Dallas Cowboys' postseason run after being placed on injured reserve in October.
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and the Kansas City Chiefs are the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Fort Valley, Ga., native played in all 16 games this season but did not record any statistics. In addition, Frankie Hammond and Earl Okine are on Kansas City's practice squad and Jaye Howard is on injured reserve for the Chiefs.
Howard played in eight games this season and notched 23 tackles and one sack before suffering a season-ending injury.
Here's a look at who to watch for during this weekend's Wild Card action:
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans, Saturday (4:35 p.m. // ESPN)
The Raiders won a wild card spot with a 12-4 record and travel to AFC South champ Houston on Saturday. Oakland dropped its final game of the regular season to fall from the two to the five seed. Defensive back Reggie Nelson picked up his second Pro Bowl selection of his 10-year career just two weeks ago. After joining the Raiders this offseason as a free agent, Nelson has started all 16 games, totaling 65 tackles (50 solo), five interceptions, 12 passes defended and two fumble recoveries. He ended the regular season tied for fifth in the NFL in interceptions.
Linebacker Neiron Ball saw action in six games and recorded two starts for the Oakland Raiders before being placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Prior to his injury, Ball totaled nine tackles and one sack.
Reggie Nelson helped the Raiders get back to the postseason for the first time since 2002.
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Saturday (8:15 p.m. // NBC)
Detroit will make its second playoff appearance in three seasons on Saturday night when the Lions travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. After playing for the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots a season ago, linebacker Jon Bostic signed with the Detroit Lions last offseason. Unfortunately, Bostic sustained a knee injury during training camp which has cost him his entire season.
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday (1:05 p.m. // CBS)
The Steelers clinched the AFC North title in Week 16 with a 31-27 win over the Ravens. Pittsburgh offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert and Maurkice Pouncey each recorded 13 and 15 starts during the 2016 season, respectively, and will be ready to play on Sunday.
Marcus Gilbert and Maurkice Pouncey will look to help the Steelers
reach the AFC Divisional Round for the second-straight year.
For the Dolphins, linebacker Jelani Jenkins has been limited in practice this week due to a knee injury. Overall this season, Jenkins played in nine games (seven starts) and totaled 29 tackles and one pass deflection. Meanwhile, All-Pro center Mike Pouncey, who started five games of this season, was lost to injured reserve in late November.
Mike Pouncey and the Dolphins are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers, Sunday (4:40 p.m. // FOX)
The Packers clinched the NFC North title on Sunday night with a 31-24 win over the Lions. Meanwhile, Green Bay hosts Janoris Jenkins and the New York Giants. Jenkins, who transferred from Florida (2008-10) to North Alabama (2011) and garnered his first Pro Bowl invite a few weeks ago, notched 49 tackles (44 solo), three interceptions, and recorded 18 passes defended during the regular season.
Offensive lineman Jon Halapio is a member of the Giants practice squad.
Janoris Jenkins and the Giants are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
