NFL Hokies: Wild Card Weekend primerNFL Hokies: Wild Card Weekend primer
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NFL Hokies: Wild Card Weekend primer

With Week 18 in the NFL officially in the books and a lot to look forward to with Wild Card Weekend on the horizon, there's a bunch to take a glance at regarding what former Virginia Tech football players are up to at the professional level. With plenty of maroon and orange scattered across the league, there continues to be opportunity after opportunity to see a multitude of Hokies perform at the next level. 
 
What's on-tap for Wild Card Weekend? For a full rundown, read Friday's edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola.

Notable Week 18 Performances

CB Kendall Fuller 
Washington standout cornerback Kendall Fuller secured his second pick-six of the 2022 season, returning a 29-yard return for a touchdown in the Commanders' 26-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. 
 
The 2016 third-round draft pick tallied a single tackle in the burgundy and gold's season finale, picking off his third pass while providing a major spark in the team's 20-point victory over a divisional foe. 
 
Up next for Fuller, tight end Logan Thomas, placekicker Joey Slye and the rest of the Commanders, a potential plentiful offseason before setting up shop for a run at the NFC East in 2023.
 

 
DE Amaré Barno 
First-year defensive end Amaré Barno rounded out his rookie campaign with his second-career sack in the Panthers' thrilling 10-7 win over the New Orleans Saints back on Sunday afternoon. 
 
The sixth-round pick in this past April's NFL Draft posted three total tackles (2 solo) in the team's three-point victory, playing a season-high 17 snaps en route to Carolina's seventh win of the season in 2022. 
 
Up next for Barno, running back Raheem Blackshear and the remainder of the Panthers, well-deserved time off before beginning preparations towards taking the next step up as a franchise in 2023.
 


CB Greg Stroman
Making his first appearance of the season in the final week, Greg Stroman balled out against the Vikings, intercepting a pass and returning it for 10 yards, while also earning eight tackles and a pass deflection in the Bears 29-13 setback Sunday.

The fourth-year veteran was picked up by Chicago last month and contributed in a big way to go out in style, showcasing he still has potential to be a staple on an NFL team.

The Bears will have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which will take place April 27-29 in Kansas City.
 

 
More Wild Card Weekend Matchups

Sunday, Jan. 15
Miami at Buffalo - 1 p.m. - CBS
Star linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, defensive tackle Tim Settle and the rest of the Buffalo Bills look to advance to their third straight Divisional Round when they welcome the Miami Dolphins into Highmark Stadium to kick off Sunday's postseason action in 2023. 
 
Edmunds, a former first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, intercepted his first pass of the season in the team's 35-23 win over the New England Patriots back on Sunday afternoon. The fifth-year pro also garnered seven total tackles, with six coming on his own, to help lead the way for the 2022 AFC East champions, showcasing why he can continue to be a major help in the Bills' quest for their first Super Bowl berth since 1993. 
 
Settle, meanwhile, added a tackle of his own in last Sunday's 12-point win. The first-year member of Buffalo's front just finished off a solid freshman season in upstate New York, and is ready to contribute in any possible way as the team begins to embark on a potential successful postseason in 2023.
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N.Y. Giants at Minnesota - 4:30 p.m. - FOX
Offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw and the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings attempt to stave off an upset from the traveling Tyrod Taylor and the New York Giants inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Darrisaw, another former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, put up a team-best 82.4 pass-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, in Sunday's 29-13 route of the Chicago Bears this past weekend, additionally finishing the day with an 80.1 overall grade to put a cap on his second full season at the professional level. 
 
Taylor, on the other hand, didn't see any action in the Giants' 22-16 loss to Philadelphia back on Sunday, but will remain ready to go when called upon when needed as New York eyes acquiring their first Super Bowl ring since 2012.
 
Baltimore at Cincinnati - 8:15 p.m. - NBC
Sixth-year safety Chuck Clark and the Baltimore Ravens aim for their first playoff victory in just over two seasons when they hit the road for the Queen City to take on the Cincinnati Bengals inside Paycour Stadium in this week's edition of Sunday Night Football.
 
A standout member of the Ravens' secondary, Clark racked up three total tackles, with two solo stops, in the purple and black's 27-16 setback to Cincinnati last Sunday afternoon, and will look to continue to serve as a repeated threat in Baltimore's playoff push this upcoming postseason in 2023.