Huskers in the NFL Playoffs: Wild-Card Round

Lincoln - In the first round of the NFL Playoffs, five former Huskers played, with three players helping their teams advance to the next round.

Three of the five former Huskers met in Arizona, where the Cardinals won a shootout over the Packers, 51-45, in overtime. Ralph Brown totaled three stops from his cornerback position, while adding another tackle on special teams. For the Packers, Ahman Green and Brandon Jackson combined for 11 yards on five carries, while helping protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 422 yards and four touchdowns.

In Dallas, Steve Octavien and the rest of the Cowboys’ defense shutdown the Eagles’ high-scoring offense for the third time this season. After downing the Eagles last weekend to win the NFC East, the Cowboys ended the Eagles’ season with a 34-14 win, the Cowboys’ first playoff win since 1996. Overall, the Cowboys’ defense forced four turnovers, including three fumbles, and sacked quarterback Donovan McNabb four times.

Sam Koch continued to punt well for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, helping the Ravens knock out the New England Patriots, 33-14. With the Ravens running for 234 yards on the day, Koch was only called onto the field four times, but made the most of it, as he pinned the Patriots inside their own 15-yard line twice.

Huskers in the NFL Playoffs this Weekend
Arizona at New Orleans (Sat., 3:30 p.m. - FOX)
Carl Nicks – New Orleans (G)

Scott Shanle – New Orleans (LB)
Ralph Brown – Arizona (DB)

Baltimore at Indianapolis (Sat, 7:15 p.m. – CBS)
Sam Koch – Baltimore (P)

Cody Glenn – Indianapolis (LB)

Dallas at Minnesota (Sun, Noon – FOX)
Steve Octavien – Dallas (LB)

New York Jets at San Diego (Sun., 3:40 p.m. – CBS)
Matt Slauson – New York (Guard)

Offense

() missed field goal; DNP - Did Not Play; NA - Not Active; INJ - Injured; IR - Injured Reserve; PS - Practice Squad; S-Suspended