Former University of Florida standout Dante Fowler Jr. is part of one of the NFL's top defenses this season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo: USA Today Sports)
Six Gators Remain in NFL Playoffs
Sunday, January 21, 2018 | Football
The ex-Gators have a chance to play for Super Bowl LII.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The NFL Playoffs continue this weekend with the AFC and NFC Championship games. Six Gators remain on active rosters with a chance to make it to Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Florida has had a former player on a Super Bowl roster for 15 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.
UF is guaranteed to continue that streak as the Gators have one former player who is active on each of the Eagles, Jaguars, Patriots and Vikings rosters.
Jacksonville at New England (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. -- CBS)Jacksonville continues its improbable playoff run after winning a 45-42 shootout against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional round last weekend.
Aided by Dante Fowler (pictured above) and Lerentee McCray (pictured right), the NFL's No. 2-ranked defense only allowed 83 rushing yards and forced two turnovers. Fowler contributed a solo tackle and a key pass breakup to help the Jaguars advance to the AFC Championship. In two playoff games, Fowler and McCray have combined for four tackles.
The Jaguars will meet the AFC's top-seeded New England Patriots for the first time since Week 3 of the 2015 season.
New England advanced to its NFL-record seventh straight conference title game by handling the Tennessee Titans with ease in their Divisional matchup, taking a 35-14 decision.
Running back Mike Gillislee (pictured below) has been sidelined with a knee injury since Dec. 24, but the fifth-year veteran gained 383 yards on the ground and scored five touchdowns in his first year with the Patriots.
Minnesota at Philadelphia (Sunday, 6:40 p.m. -- FOX)
In the NFC, Trey Burton, Jaylen Watkins (pictured right) and the Eagles won a 15-10 defensive slugfest against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend at home.Overall this season, Burton has reeled in 23 catches for 248 yards and five touchdowns thus far, while Watkins has turned in 17 tackles and two tackles-for-loss for the No. 1 seeded Eagles.
Minnesota won a 29-24 thriller over the New Orleans Saints on a walk-off touchdown reception by Stefon Diggs as time expired to clinch a spot in the NFC Championship. The Vikings are seeking to become the first team in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium.
Running back Mack Brown (pictured below) finished the season with the NFC's No. 2 seeded-Vikings after garnering eight rushing attempts in three games with the Washington Redskins.
Two former Gators: Sharrif Floyd (Vikings) and Caleb Sturgis (Eagles) finished the 2017 season on the Injured Reserve list for their respective teams.
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