We’re just over 24 hours away from Wild Card Weekend, but the Pitt Panthers won’t be in action until Day 2.
The Saturday slate (Chargers vs. Texans, Steelers vs. Ravens) doesn’t feature any active Panthers, but the four games on Sunday and Monday all feature former Pitt stars.
So, let’s take a look at the schedule:
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans — 4:30 pm on Saturday, CBS
No active Pitt players.
No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens — 8 pm on Saturday, Prime Video
No active Pitt players.
No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills — 1 pm on Sunday, CBS
Broncos: tight end Lucas Krull, cornerback Damarri Mathis
Bills: safety Damar Hamlin
The Denver Broncos are looking to shock quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on the road Sunday afternoon, and there will be former Panthers on both sides.
Lucas Krull is in the midst of his most productive NFL season, having caught 19 passes for 152 yards. It will be his first taste of playoff football against the Bills.
Mathis is a reserve cornerback for the Broncos, playing in 10 games this season. He’s recorded three tackles (one solo) and a pass breakup.
Damar Hamlin has started all 14 games he’s played this season, bouncing back in a major way following the scary on-field incident that occurred nearly two years ago to the day. He’s racked up 89 tackles (62 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles — 4:30 pm on Sunday, Fox
Eagles: quarterback Kenny Pickett, cornerback Avonte Maddox
The Philadelphia Eagles appear poised for a deep playoff run, with quarterback Jalen Hurts cleared to return to action.
Kenny Pickett is dealing with an injury of his own, forced to miss the Eagles’ regular season finale, but he’s likely in line to backup Hurts against the Packers. He completed 25-of-42 pass attempts for 291 yards with three total touchdowns (two passing) and an interception this season.
Avonte Maddox has played in all 17 games this season, serving primarily as a reserve corner. He’s recorded 20 tackles (nine solo) and five pass breakups. He’s an experienced playoff player with seven games under his belt.
No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8 pm on Sunday, NBC
Buccaneers: defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, linebacker SirVocea Dennis, safety Jordan Whitehead
The Washington Commanders haven’t won a playoff game in 20 years, but there’s increased optimism with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Still, they’re on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
SirVocea Dennis and Jordan Whitehead are on injured reserve, so they won’t be in action. Calijah Kancey will, though.
Kancey missed the first month of the season with an injury but emerged as an impact defensive tackle down the stretch, racking up 28 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams — 8 pm on Monday, ABC/ESPN
Vikings: offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, outside linebacker Pat Jones, wide receiver Jordan Addison
The Minnesota Vikings went 14-3 this season, but since the Detroit Lions went 15-2, the Vikings are on the road on Wild Card Weekend.
A few former Panthers are fueling the Vikings this season, including one who wasn’t included on the Pitt Football graphic.
Jordan Addison missed a couple of games to start the season but formed an elite duo with wideout Justin Jefferson upon returning to the lineup. He caught 63 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
Brian O’Neill started all 17 games for the Vikings this season, earning All-Pro votes at right tackle. He’s as steady as they come.
Patrick Jones played in 15 games this season, serving as a key rotational edge rusher. He racked up 39 tackles (19 solo), nine tackles for loss, a career-high seven sacks and a forced fumble.
