Auburn Football Players in the NFL in Week 16

Here we take our weekly look at Auburn football players and their performance in the NFL, and who is getting ready for the playoffs.

It has been a long two weeks.

Baltimore was hearing the bells, looking forward to a playoff push before being slowly silenced by a Steelers’ drive with a minute remaining. Cleveland won their Super Bowl, a week 16 win over the San Diego Chargers that came down to a hurried missed field goal as time expired. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots had their annual pounding of the New York Jets, with former quarterback Nick Marshall returning kicks for the Jets.

It has been fun.

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Surprising enough, the most fun came from the Carolina Panthers. Not only was there a “mathematical possibility” that the Panthers could still make the playoffs – despite being “eliminated” several weeks prior – there was beaming hope that this was going to happen. There was also expectation for Cam Newton to drop the kryptonite and return to normality – another Super Bowl push, even. The hangover, evidently, is long from over and is present outside of the organization.

It has been filled with impatience.

Auburn is now less than a week away from the Sugar Bowl and a meeting with the Oklahoma Sooners. It’s still hard to believe that this football team consistently blew over expectations and freely did whatever they were capable of despite being written off.

Sat at No. 14 in the country, one spot behind a Heisman No. 13 Louisville and one ahead of perfect No. 15 Western Michigan, the 8-4 Tigers are the wildest card in the deck. The Sooners boast two questionable Heisman finalists, so the outcome is anything but determined – especially for the average fanatic.

But, thankfully, even the 8-4 Tigers could squeak into the top 15 and take a Sugar Bowl berth that was probably more welcoming of another – say, a perfect Western Michigan. Though they’re fairly comfortable in the Cotton Bowl, consider a 10-3 Temple, a 10-2 Boise State, a 9-3 Stanford, or a 10-2 West Virginia. The classic Sugar Bowl deserves two teams with great stories, and despite a fantastic Auburn season, this one wasn’t so warranted. Yet, it appears even a 5-7 North Texas team is eligible for a bowl game.

Who knows what to expect.

Here’s a look at former Auburn players in the NFL and how they lived up to their expectations in week 16.

Baltimore Ravens

Cornerback Jerraud Powers and the Baltimore Ravens met the Pittsburgh Steelers for a Christmas showdown. Powers tallied three tackles in the 27-31 loss, despite having the lead with less than a minute for Ben Roethlisberger and company. The Ravens are still eligible for the postseason, but must rely on a Wild Card berth in order for their playoff dreams to live on.

Carolina Panthers

Even as quarterback Cam Newton flashed his powers in a Monday Night Football win over Washington in a week 15 win, week 16 was not so kind. Completing 41.9 percent of his passes for 198 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, Newton has failed to show growth from a disappointing season. It is hoped that his 6-9 Carolina Panthers will take it slow in week 16, take away from their successes and enter 2017 with newfound steam.

Cincinnati Bengals

Tight end C.J. Uzomah returned for his first sight of action since a Oct. 16 loss against the New England Patriots with five receptions for 28 yards. Linebacker Karlos Dansby as well returned, continuing his fantastic season with 10 tackles alongside defensive tackle Pat Sims’ three. The Cincinnati Bengals as a whole returned to the loss column, losing to the Houston Texans in a 10-12 loss – as the Texans return to the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns

They finally did it. San Diego has officially experienced one of the strangest seasons in the NFL, culminating in a loss against the 0-14 Cleveland Browns. Placekicker Cody Parkey nailed both of his field goals, including a long of 49 yards. This was their Super Bowl, and they won it in thrilling fashion.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Running back Corey Grant had nine rushes for a 27 yards, the most in his short career. With Sen’Derrick Marks’ tackle, the Jacksonville Jaguars won their third game of the season with a 38-17 thumping of the Tennessee Titans. This win was a sign for things to come for 2017, with Gus Bradley fired and Blake Bortles improving at a crawling pace.

Kansas City Chiefs

Linebacker Dee Ford was announced as a Pro Bowl alternate this week following a season that has showcased 10 sacks and 38 tackles. In a game that would determine the AFC West – after quarterback Derek Carr fractured his fibula – the Chiefs took down the Denver Broncos with Ford’s three tackles in a definitive 33-10 win.

Next: CFB Bowl Game Predictions for Dec. 27

Here’s to the Sugar Bowl.

War Eagle!

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Week 16: Auburn Football Players in the NFL – Playoffs Looming

By Ty Roush | Dec 27, 2016

Here we take our weekly look at Auburn football players and their performance in the NFL, and who is getting ready for the playoffs.