Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL - Wild Card Round
1.11.21 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The first round of the NFL Playoffs saw former Owls finding success both playing on the field and coaching from the sidelines, breaking long playoff droughts for multiple franchises along the way.
The first game of the weekend saw offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills hosting the #7 seed Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) was unfortunately still in concussion protocol and not able to play in Saturday's game.
Buffalo used a 17-0 run from the end of the first half into the fourth quarter to prevail in a 27-24 win, the first playoff victory for Buffalo since 1995. Dawkins, an offensive captain, played every offensive snap and helped block for an offense that totaled almost 400 yards and had zero turnovers, while Matakevich was a leader on special teams as he has been all season.
On Saturday night, the #5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with its coaching staff of Temple products, made their first appearance in the playoffs since 2007 when they traveled to face the #4 seed Washington Football Team and wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19).
Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians, who coached Temple from 1983-88, helped lead the Buccaneers to a 31-23 victory, the team's first playoff win since its Super Bowl triumph in 2003.
Tampa Bay will travel to face the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round on Sunday night at 6:40 pm on FOX, as they hope to advance to the conference championship.
The first game of the weekend saw offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills hosting the #7 seed Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) was unfortunately still in concussion protocol and not able to play in Saturday's game.
Buffalo used a 17-0 run from the end of the first half into the fourth quarter to prevail in a 27-24 win, the first playoff victory for Buffalo since 1995. Dawkins, an offensive captain, played every offensive snap and helped block for an offense that totaled almost 400 yards and had zero turnovers, while Matakevich was a leader on special teams as he has been all season.
Next week, Buffalo will look to advance to the AFC Conference Championship for the first time since 1993 when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night at 8:15 pm on NBC.LET'S GOOOOOOOO!!@DDawkins66 | @Pepsi pic.twitter.com/O638DiATcy
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 9, 2021
On Saturday night, the #5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with its coaching staff of Temple products, made their first appearance in the playoffs since 2007 when they traveled to face the #4 seed Washington Football Team and wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19).
Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians, who coached Temple from 1983-88, helped lead the Buccaneers to a 31-23 victory, the team's first playoff win since its Super Bowl triumph in 2003.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who played for Arians at Temple, coached up a defense that had two sacks, an interception, and limited Washington to less than 90 rushing yards. Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, who also played and coached under Arians, led an integral unit which converted all four of its field goal attempts to help keep Tampa Bay in the lead for the entire game. Washington's Wright saw action on offense and special teams in the loss.Coming back to Tampa with the W#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/YydMvSDeQT
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 10, 2021
Tampa Bay will travel to face the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round on Sunday night at 6:40 pm on FOX, as they hope to advance to the conference championship.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballKajiya Hollawayne, 9/8/25
Monday, September 08
Katin Surprenant, 9/8/25
Monday, September 08
K.C. Keeler, 9/8/2025
Monday, September 08
Javier Morton, 9/6/25
Saturday, September 06
