It’s NFL divisional week, and there are still a handful of former Pitt stars hoping to make it to the Super Bowl.
So, let’s take a look at who’s playing and when this weekend in the NFL playoffs.
NFC Divisional: No. 6 New York Giants at No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8:15 p.m. on Fox
Who to watch: New York Giants’ Jason Pinnock, Philadelphia Eagles’ Avonte Maddox
As the Eagles took the week off, the reward for clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Giants went into U.S. Bank Stadium and knocked off the Minnesota Vikings to advance.
Pinnock suffered a scary injury during the Giants’ win, forced to be carted off the field, but he returned to practice in full this week and is expected to be good to go.
He recorded a tackle before he picked up an injury.
Maddox will get his first taste of the 2022-23 playoffs this week. He recorded six tackles (three solo) in the Eagles’ lone playoff game last season, and he’s recorded 22 tackles (17 solo), one tackle for loss and four pass breakups in four career games.
A divisional round matchup between NFC East foes promises to bring plenty of fireworks at Lincoln Financial Field.
AFC Divisional: No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals at No. 2 Buffalo Bills
Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. on CBS
Who to watch: Cincinnati Bengals’ Tyler Boyd and Cal Adomitis, Buffalo Bills’ Dane Jackson and Damar Hamlin (injured)
The Bills and Bengals both escaped with Wild Card Weekend wins over backup quarterback’s last weekend. It sets up a very intriguing matchup between Josh Allen and Joe Burrow at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.
The Bills are emboldened by Hamlin, who obviously will not be playing Sunday, and the whole team has that team of destiny vibe still.
Jackson, who recorded three tackles (one solo) in last weekend’s win over the Dolphins, will attempt to help the Bills back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1993.
Burrow and the Bengals’ attempt to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since… last season continues against the Bills, and he’s helped by Adomitis and Boyd.
Boyd caught all three of his targets for 26 yards (8.7 yards per reception) against the Ravens, and he will continue to serve as a reliable target for Burrow.
NFC Divisional: No. 5 Dallas Cowboys at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers
Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. on Fox
Who to watch: Dallas Cowboys’ Qadree Ollison
Ollison was inactive in the Cowboys’ Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, and he likely will be again this weekend against the 49ers.
He’s served as a special teamer for the Cowboys this season.
