Hokie ClubWild Card Weekend has concluded, paving the way for the NFL Hokies to enter the highly anticipated Divisional round. The twelve remaining teams have been shortened to eight as NFL teams vie for coveted spots in the Conference Championships, bringing them one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Several NFL Hokies have clinched Divisional Round spots, giving Virginia Tech fans another chance to watch their favorite players.
Read below for a review of performances from Wild Card Weekend and featured matchups for the Divisional round in this edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola.
Wild Card Weekend Review
To kick off Wild Card Weekend, the Houston Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns 45-14 to advance to the Divisional Round. The Browns originally went into the game with the No. 1 ranked defense, shutting down the San Francisco 49ers' top-ranked offense in October. The defense fell short during this matchup, allowing Houston 356 total yards of offense, including 280 passing yards and 76 rushing yards. However, former Hokie offensive lineman Wyatt Teller had a decent performance in his last game of the season, earning a 64.2 offensive grade and a 68.3 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). Cleveland was able to put up 324 total yards, including 268 passing yards and 56 rushing yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs join the Texans, moving into the divisional round after defeating their AFC rival, the Miami Dolphins, 26-7 in below-freezing conditions for the fourth-coldest game in NFL history. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 262 yards, connecting with wide receiver Rashee Rice eight times for 130 receptions, including a touchdown. Kansas City's second-ranked defense shut down the Miami offense, generating a lot of pressure on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, as he completed 20 of 39 attempts for 199 passing yards. This impressive defensive performance includes safety Chamarri Conner, who will be carrying his rookie year into the divisional round after registering two tackles in his playoff debut. Conner's performance earned him his highest tackle grade of the season at 80.7, according to PFF.
On the NFC side of things, the Green Bay Packers upset the No. 2 seed Dallas Cowboys with a 48-32 win. The Packers now have three playoff victories over the Cowboys since quarterback Aaron Rodgers' 26-21 divisional win in 2015. Green Bay matched its Super Bowl-winning team from 2010 for the most points in a playoff game, with 415 total yards of offense, 272 passing yards and 143 rushing yards. The Packers also sport two NFL Hokies tackles, Yosh Nijman and Luke Tenuta, who are vital to protecting offensive drives. Nijman has been having a well-rounded year, earning a 61.4 offensive grade and a 65.8 pass-blocking grade, according to PFF for the 2023 season.
Notable Divisional Round Matchups
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers: Saturday, Jan. 20 at 8:15 p.m. ET – FOX
The upcoming matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, scheduled for this Saturday, promises to be a thrilling encounter. The 49ers, securing the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC, have the eighth-ranked defense in the NFL. Notably, the defensive lineup includes former Hokie coaching staff members Nick Sorensen, the defensive assistant, and Darryl Tapp, serving as the assistant defensive line coach. As Green Bay looks to build on its performance from Wild Card Weekend, all eyes will be on the matchup between Nijman, Tenuta and the formidable San Francisco defense. This showdown highlights the competition of strategies from an experienced coaching staff and offensive linemen who refined their skills in Blacksburg.
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills: Sunday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET – CBS
In a Hokie-on-Hokie matchup, Kansas City safety Conner faces off against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tim Settle in a battle for a spot in the AFC championship. Settle, in his second season with the Bills, has been a reliable player, contributing to their 12-6 record, highlighted by a convincing 31-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to PFF, Settle earned a solid 68.7 tackle grade, playing a crucial role in limiting the Steelers' offense to 324 total yards compared to Buffalo's 368. The stage is set for an exciting clash between these two talented Hokies, showcasing their skills and determination on the path to championship glory.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions: Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET – NBC
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions are set to face off Sunday afternoon. The Buccaneers showcased an impressive performance during Wild Card weekend, advancing with a landslide victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, securing a 32-9 win. Much of their success can be attributed to impactful decisions made by their coaching staff, which notably includes two former Hokies: Safeties coach Nick Rapone and Senior Advisor to the General Manager Bruce Arians. On the other side of the ball, the Detroit Lions secured a hard-fought victory against the Los Angeles team with a close score of 24-23. This upcoming matchup promises to be an entertaining watch, providing fans with an opportunity to support more Hokie presence in the coaching staff.