Six Gators Remain in NFL Playoffs
Friday, January 18, 2019 | Football
Six former Gators have a chance to play for Super Bowl LIII.
UF has had a former player on a Super Bowl roster for 16 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. The 16-year streak stands as the second longest of its kind in the SEC, as Georgia and LSU are tied for the longest streak at 17 years.
In addition, a former Gator has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy six of the last seven years.
UF is guaranteed to continue that streak as the Gators have at least one former player who is active on each of the Patriots, Chiefs, Saints and Rams rosters.
Overall, there have been 52 former Gators make 70 appearances in Super Bowl history, with a former UF player on the winning team 21 times.
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. -- FOX)
L.A. used a punishing ground attack to control the clock and defeated the Cowboys 30-22, advancing to this weekend's NFL Championship game for the first time since 2001.
Aided by Dante Fowler, Jr., the Rams defense only allowed 50 rushing yards and forced one turnover. Fowler contributed three tackles and one sack to help Los Angeles advance to the NFC Championship. Over his last four playoff games between the Jacksonville Jaguars last season and L.A. this year, Fowler has totaled eight tackles, three sacks and registered four quarterback hits.
Overall for the season, Fowler was acquired via trade during the season from the Jaguars. Over the course of 15 games throughout the regular season he amassed 23 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
Unfortunately, former Gators first round pick Dominique Easley was placed on the Rams' injured reserve earlier this season after only seeing action in three games.
Meanwhile, New Orleans advanced to its first NFL title game since 2009 by defeating the Eagles, 20-14.
The Saints spotted Philadelphia 14 points and 153 yards in the first quarter, then shut down the Eagles for seven consecutive possessions to close out the game. And after being shut out and producing 21 yards in the first quarter, New Orleans totaled 20 points and 399 yards in the final three.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone recorded one tackle last Sunday and was a key member of New Orleans special teams units. Overall for the season, Anzalone played in all 16 games and recorded 59 tackles, two sacks, three tackles-for-loss, one interception and three forced fumbles. His three forced fumbles ranked second on the team.
This game is a rematch from Week 9 of the regular season.
In the AFC, Demarcus Robinson and the Chiefs overpowered the Indianapolis Colts last weekend at home, 31-13.
Robinson has played in all 17 games this season and tallied 22 catches, 288 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Fort Valley, Ga. native also plays a key role on special teams for the Chiefs and recorded one tackle as a gunner.
Meanwhile, New England advanced to its NFL-record eighth straight conference title game by handling the Los Angeles Chargers with ease in their Divisional matchup, taking a 41-28 decision.
Trenton Brown has been Tom Brady's blindside tackle all season as he started all 17 games, including last Sunday's playoff game. Brown helped pave the way for the league's fifth-best rushing attack as New England totaled 127.3 yards per game. Rookie DB Duke Dawson, Jr., who was a second round pick by the Pats last April, has battled injuries throughout the season and has yet to see game action.
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