FSU in the NFL: 2017 schedule for Divisional Playoff Weekend
By Jason Parker
FSU football fans will have plenty to root for in the coming days as dozens of former Noles take the field for NFL teams in Divisional Weekend.
What started as a 12 team tournament for the right to make it to Super Bowl 52 is now down to eight teams – with four teams surviving the Wild Card weekend fun and four more teams – loaded with former FSU stars – getting their first taste of playoff excitement after having last weekend off for the bye week.
Once again, it seems to be quite the contrast between the two conferences – as the NFC, led by the lowest seed upsetting one division champ last weekend, seems to be an open race that anyone is still eligible for. At the same time, the AFC seems to be a two team race with both teams from the bye week set for a collision course next weekend.
One is for sure – four teams and the former Seminoles on their roster will be happy come Sunday night while four others will be making tee times for the offseason. Here is a look at the schedule for games during the Wild Card weekend of the 2017 NFL season and where you can catch the action at home.
Saturday
Atlanta at Philadelphia (4:30 PM)
Television: NBC
Atlanta Falcons – RB Devonta Freeman
Philadelphia Eagles – LB Nigel Bradham, DT Timmy Jernigan, CB Patrick Robinson, CB Ronald Darby
The defending NFC champs looked like anything but a team who needed to win their regular season finale to get into the playoffs. The Falcons handled the LA Rams last weekend and now face an Eagles team still adjusting to life after the injury to Carson Wentz.
Don’t be surprised if the Dirty Birds knock off their second Super Bowl contender in a row, even if it means less FSU presence in the playoffs.
Tennessee at New England (8:15 PM)
Television: CBS
No Noles in This Game
For about three and a half quarters last week, it looked like the Titans were going to get run out of the building before staging an epic comeback against Kansas City. Their reward? Facing Tom Brady and the Patriots at home – well, it was nice while it lasted.
Sunday
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (1 PM)
Television: CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars – LB Telvin Smith, DB Jalen Ramsey
Pittsburgh Steelers – LB Vince Williams
If you just woke up from last Sunday’s coma enduring win by the Jaguars over the Buffalo Bills, there is a certain segment that thinks one of two things are going to happen here – the Steelers win big to avenge their regular season loss or the Jags get another win because Pittsburgh will be looking toward New England the following weekend.
New Orleans at Minnesota (4:30 PM)
Television: FOX
New Orleans Saints – CB P.J. Williams
Minnesota Vikings – CB Xavier Rhodes
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The Vikings are determined to be the first team to play in a Super Bowl that is being played in their home stadium – facing a Saints team they beat in the season opener at home and are coming off a close win in the Wild Card round against Carolina. That being said, now that the Saints have found a run game and some kind of defense, this one could get interesting quickly.