There are only four teams still playing football after the Divisional Round, and three of those teams have at least one former Michigan Wolverine.
Before we watch the conference championship games this weekend, let’s recap what the former Wolverines did in the Divisional Round.
Former Michigan DC Mike Macdonald leads Seahawks to dominant win over San Francisco 49ers
Playoff victories always feel good for fanbases, but it feels even better to beat your rival in the playoffs. That’s exactly what Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks did on Saturday night.
Macdonald — who was a defensive coordinator
at Michigan in 2021, the first year the program made the College Football Playoff — and the Seahawks didn’t trail the entire game against the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle got the lead on the very first play of the game, with Rashid Shaheed taking the opening kickoff to the house.
Macdonald led a Seahawks defense that only allowed the Niners to amass 236 yards while corralling three turnovers. With one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, the Seahawks have the best odds to win the Super Bowl on DraftKings (+145) and FanDuel (+150).
While he didn’t log a stat in the box score, tight end A.J. Barner blocked well for Seattle. Barner was on the field for 42 snaps in the Divisional Round, and looking at Pro Football Focus ($), he ranked 13th among 75 tight ends in offense grade (75.3) and 23rd among 87 tight ends in run block grade (65.5). He has played a key part in Seattle being one of the best teams in the league.
In this same game, running back Zach Charbonnet rushed for 20 yards on five carries, and defensive lineman Mike Morris logged three tackles.
Other notable performances
-In a win over the Houston Texans, Patriots guard Mike Owenu was part of an offensive line that helped New England rush for 105 yards. However, the unit did allow Drake Maye to be sacked five times. Appearing in 64 snaps in the divisional round, Onwenu was ranked seventh among 81 guards in offense grade (78.5) and third among 78 guards in pass block grade (79.3).
Nico Collins did not play for the Texans due to a concussion. He definitely could have helped quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw for 212 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
-In a win over the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum rushed for 19 yards on six carries, linebacker Josaiah Stewart made two tackles, and cornerback Josh Wallace was credited with a tackle.
In that same game, Colston Loveland led the Bears with 56 yards on four catches. Unfortunately for the Bears, he left the game late in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
Wolverines to watch in the conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 25
- New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos, 3 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+ — offensive lineman Mike Onwenu for the Patriot; none for the Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m. on FOX — running back Blake Corum, cornerback Josh Wallace and linebacker Josaiah Stewart for the Rams; running back Zach Charbonnet, tight end A.J. Barner, offensive lineman Olu Oluwatimi, defensive lineman Mike Morris and head coach Mike Macdonald for the Seahawks
