NFL Preview: How to Watch Former Pokes During Wild Card Weekend

Several OSU alums will be in action during the upcoming NFL playoffs with Wild Card Weekend just hours away. So we thought we’d bring you a comprehensive guide of who and how to watch as you follow your favorite former Pokes in the postseason.

We’ll start with those Wild Card matchups taking place on Saturday and Sunday and then peek forward to the divisional rounds next weekend.

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Saturday)

Who to watch: Vincent Taylor
How: ESPN
When: Saturday, Jan. 4. at 3:35 p.m. CST

Preview: Taylor was unceremoniously cut by the Dolphins to start 2019 following two pretty solid seasons in Miami. In a reserve role, Taylor consistently graded well among D-Linemen. He was the No. 2 interior lineman according to Pro Football Focus when his 2018 season was cut short with injury.

In 2019, Taylor landed in Buffalo on the Bills’ practice squad before injury saw him promoted to the active roster. He played in three games including the Bills’ season finale recording six tackles and a pass defended.

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (Sunday)

Who to watch: Dan Bailey
How: FOX
When: Sunday, Jan. 5. at 12:05 p.m.

Preview: Dan Bailey capped his second regular season with the Vikings by knocking in all four field-goal attempts, each worth $250,000. In his ninth year, he currently holds a 93.1 percent field-goal rate good for fourth-best in the league and is sixth all-time in career percentage in NFL history.

His Vikings will need him to continue that straight shooting as they head to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as 7.5-point underdogs to the potent New Orleans Saints.

Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday)

Who to watch: Tre Flowers
How: NBC
When: Sunday, Jan. 5. at 3:40 p.m.

Preview: A Seahawks offense that has been decimated by injury, including starting RB and Cowboy alum Chris Carson, will need all the help its defense can give it. The Eagles, on the other hand, will raise them one limping into the playoffs at 9-7 in the hapless NFC East.

With Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson already on injured reserve, and Nelson Agholor unlikely to play, Tre Flowers and his fellow Seattle DBs will get a bit of a break on Sunday.

Each team will need a decent outing from its defense to move on to the divisional round. Fortunately Flowers has played well in Philly. He recorded an interception and a career-high three passes defended during the Seahawks’ Week 12 road win over the Eagles.

Inactives

Unfortunately, a handful of Cowboys will be sidelined with injury for their teams’ attempt at a Super Bowl run including Chris Carson (Seahawks), Emmanuel Ogbah (Chiefs) and Lane Taylor (Packers).

Justice Hill and his No. 1 seeded Baltimore Ravens will have the week off as they await their AFC divisional round matchup next week.