Wild Card weekend is officially booked in the NFL Playoffs, and the Divisional Round is up next for eight of the remaining playoff teams. Kansas City and Detroit will play for the first time in the playoffs after getting the first-round bye, which means some former Iowa Hawkeyes will get to hit the field for the first time.
The first round of playoffs was a bit lackluster, with really only one game giving fans some exciting football to watch. Some former Hawkeyes walked away victorious, while others officially ended their season.
The Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Minnesota Vikings all fell to their opponents, officially ending their 2024 Super Bowl run.
So, with the Divisional Round on the docket, these former Iowa Hawkeyes will be hitting the field either for the first time or lacing them up again in the playoffs.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This game actually won't feature any former Iowa Hawkeyes.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
- Carl Davis (practice squad): Washington Commanders
- Jack Campbell: Detroit Lions
- Sam LaPorta: Detroit Lions
- Ben Neimann: Detroit Lions
There are no plans for Carl Davis to move up to the 53-man roster for the Commanders for this matchup.
Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Ben Neumann are all set to make their playoff debuts this week after having the first-round bye with the Lions. Campbell finished the season with 131 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes defended, all in just his second season in the NFL.
LaPorta did not have quite the production he did in his rookie season, but he still ended up being one of the top tight ends in the league with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. Neimann appeared in 12 games for the Lions this season, finding his place on special teams and defense.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Alaric Jackson: Los Angeles Rams
- Jack Heflin (practice squad): Los Angeles Rams
- Cooper DeJean: Philadelphia Eagles
Alaric Jackson has been a part of the Ram's great offensive line this season that protected quarterback Matthew Stafford. He is rated as one of the best offensive linemen for the Rams with a Pro Football Focus rating of 78.3, starting 14 games at left tackle. Jack Heflin has yet to see the field in an NFL game with the Rams since they signed him in Week 14.
Cooper DeJean has had a phenomenal rookie season with the Eagles as he has been paired up with fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell. DeJean has also found his place on the special teams, but on defense, he has 51 total tackles on the year, 38 solo tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and six passes defended. He has also returned 21 punts for 211 yards but has yet to return one for a touchdown.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
- Tyler Linderbaum: Baltimore Ravens
- Kristian Welch: Baltimore Ravens
- Desmond King (practice squad): Baltimore Ravens
- AJ Espensa: Buffalo Bills
- Micah Hyde (practice squad): Buffalo Bills
Tyler Linderbaum has started every game he has played with the Ravens at the center position, snapping the ball to reigning MMVP Lamar Jackson. Linderbaum is the highest-rated offensive lineman of the Ravens, with a 78.1 PFF rating. The Ravens signed Kristian Welch to their 53-man roster in October, and he has played just 17 snaps on the defensive side of the ball. King is not expected to come off the practice squad at this time.
AJ Espensa has been a solid player on the Bill's defense, for now, five straight years in the playoffs. He finished off the regular season with 39 total tackles, 23 solo tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Espensa will be tasked with bringing down Lamar Jackson, which is not an easy thing to do, as well as Derrick Henry. Micah Hyde, again, will not come off the practice squad for this game.