The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorns in the NFL: Divisional Round preview
01.11.2020 | Football
Thirteen former Texas Football stars are part of teams in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs this weekend.
AUSTIN, Texas – The NFL Playoffs continue this weekend with the divisional round, the second weekend of postseason play. Thirteen former Texas Football stars are part of teams still competing this season, with that group representing seven of the eight franchises still alive in the playoffs.
In the first matchup of the weekend, former Longhorns Kris Boyd (2015-18) and Holton Hill (2015-17) will compete with the Minnesota Vikings against the San Francisco 49ers. Standout wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, a Longhorn from 2009-12 and current 49er, was placed on injured reserve back in December. Kickoff in Santa Clara, California, is set for 3:35 p.m. CT today.
The Tennessee Titans and top-seeded Baltimore Ravens will meet in Saturday's nightcap, a 7:15 p.m. CT kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Kenny Vaccaro (2009-12) will represent UT for the Titans, while DeShon Elliott (2015-17), Earl Thomas (2008-09) and Justin Tucker (2008-11) are all former Longhorns now clad in the Ravens' purple and black.
On Sunday, the Houston Texans visit the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium for a 2:05 p.m. CT kick. Rookie DL Charles Omenihu (2015-18) will represent the Texans, while Alex Okafor (2009-12) was a standout performer for the Chiefs' defense this season. Okafor, however, will miss Sunday's game, as he was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury in mid-December.
In the final game of the weekend, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Green Bay Packers at historic Lambeau Field. The Seahawks' roster features one of the deepest contingents of Texas talent in the NFL this season. Michael Dickson (2015-17), Quandre Diggs (2011-14), Poona Ford (2014-17) and Tyrone Swoopes (2013-16) make up a quartet of former Longhorns currently on Seattle's roster. There are no former UT stars currently competing with the Packers. Kickoff on the frozen tundra is set for 5:40 p.m. CT.
