Texas Longhorns in the NFL: Week 17 + Playoff Preview

42-year old Phil Dawson was clutch and heroic once again for the Cardinals, a group of Longhorn defensive lineman and linebackers combined for four sacks and Earl Thomas won’t be in the playoffs this year.

The 2017 NFL Regular Season has concluded. Now, many of the NFL ‘Horns will head back home for the offseason while others will be playing in the playoffs.

Let’s take a look at how all the NFL ‘Horns performed in Week 17 and give you a week one playoff schedule for the Texas alums in the playoffs:

Malcolm Brown (RB-LAR): Brown got the start at running back with Todd Gurley sitting out. He had a solid 54 yards on 14 carries and added seven receiving yards.

Jamaal Charles (RB-DEN): Charles was inactive for the second straight week.

Fozzy Whittaker (RB-CAR): Whittaker had a nine-yard catch in a 22-10 loss.

Marquise Goodwin (WR-SF): Goodwin caught two passes for 28 yards, had a 10-yard rush and a reception touchdown in a 34-13 win. This was just his 2nd reception touchdown of the season. He fell just 38 receiving yards short of the 1,000 yard mark, by far his best season of his career.

Marcus Johnson (WR-PHI): In a game where the Eagles rested most of their starters, Johnson took advantage of the playing time and had three catches for 23 yards.

Malcom Brown (DT-NE): Brown had two tackles (0.5 TFL) in a 26-6 win.

Hassan Ridgeway (DT-IND): Ridgeway recorded his 3rd sack of the season and had three tackles in a 22-13 win.

Lamarr Houston (DE-CHI): The veteran defensive end had two tackles and a pass deflection in a losing effort.

Brian Orakpo (DE-TEN): In a must-win game, Orapko stepped up with his 7th sack of the season. He also had three quarterback hurries and two tackles.

Brian Robison (DT-MIN): Robison earned his 4th sack of the season in a 23-10 victory.

Derrick Johnson (ILB-KC): With the Chiefs having the 4th seed locked up, Johnson rested and didn’t play this week.

Sam Acho (LB-CHI): After having five quarterback hurries last week, Acho was at it again this week. He had three quarterback hurries this week along with a sack and a pass deflection.

Quandre Diggs (DB-DET): Diggs totaled three tackles and played well in coverage in a 35-11 win.

Adrian Colbert (DB-SF): The rookie had three solo tackles and a pass deflection in a winning effort to finish the 2017 season.

Earl Thomas (FS-SEA): Thomas had six tackles and a pass deflection in 26-24 loss. Thomas and the Seahawks failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Phil Dawson (K-ARI): Dawson finished his 19th NFL season with a bang. He hit all four of his field goal attempts (42, 46, 49, 53 yarders) including a go-ahead 42-yard attempt. He also made both extra point attempts, helping the Cardinals squeak out a 26-24 win in Bruce Arians last game as the head coach.

Nick Rose (K-LAC): Rose went 1-for-2 on field goal attempts and 3-for-4 on extra point attempts in a 30-10 win. His 50-yard attempt was blocked while his 25-yard attempt was good.

Justin Tucker (K-BAL): Tucker connected on 34 and 46-yard field goals and all three extra point attempts as the Ravens playoff chances were ended in the final minute in a 31-27 loss.

Longhorns in the Postseason

* = Injured Reserve

Saturday, January 6th (4:20 ESPN)

#4 Kansas City Chiefs (LB Derrick Johnson) vs. #5 Tennessee Titans (DE Brian Orapko)

Saturday, January 6th (8:15 NBC)

#3 Los Angeles Rams (RB Malcolm Brown) vs. #6 Atlanta Falcons

Sunday, January 7th (4:40 FOX)

#4 New Orleans Saints (DE Alex Okafor*, SS Kenny Vaccaro*) vs. #5 Carolina Panthers (RB Fozzy Whittaker)

BYE

#1 New England Patriots (DT Malcom Brown)

#1 Minnesota Vikings (DL Brian Robison)

#2 Philadelphia Eagles (WR Marcus Johnson, LB Jordan Hicks*)

Stats via NFL.com/gamecenter