Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL – Divisional Round
1.18.21 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The divisional round of the NFL Playoffs had former Owls' players and coaches continuing to find success as they extend their magical playoff runs to conference championship weekend and within one game of Super Bowl LV.
On Saturday night, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills, who were coming off their first playoff win since 1995, hosted the #4 seed Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo used a stout defensive performance, which included a 101-yard pick-six in the third quarter, in a 17-3 win as they advance to the conference championship game for the first time in 27 years.
On Sunday night, the #5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers and its #TempleTUFF coaching staff traveled to New Orleans to face the #2 seed Saints. New Orleans won both regular season games against Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers would not be deterred.
In a back-and-forth battle, Tampa Bay and head coach Bruce Arians came out victorious in a 30-20 win. This is the first time in franchise history that Tampa Bay has won two consecutive road playoff games.
Tampa Bay will travel to face the #1 seed Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 pm on FOX, as they hope to advance to their first Super Bowl in 18 years.
On Saturday night, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills, who were coming off their first playoff win since 1995, hosted the #4 seed Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo used a stout defensive performance, which included a 101-yard pick-six in the third quarter, in a 17-3 win as they advance to the conference championship game for the first time in 27 years.
AFC Championship bound!#ShowtimeCam @BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/QPGZ8qXVdb
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021
Dawkins played all but one offensive snap and helped block for an offense that had zero turnovers, while Matakevich was a continued leader on special teams as Buffalo extended its playoff run.AFC CHAMPIONSHIP LETSSSSS GOOOOOOOOO #Buffalo #BillsMafia #YouAlreadyShnow
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 17, 2021
Next week, Buffalo will look to advance to its first Super Bowl since 1993 when they travel to face the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night at 6:40 pm on CBS.MORE 👏 GOOD 👏 TIMES 👏#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/eSyYVqrWZr
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 17, 2021
On Sunday night, the #5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers and its #TempleTUFF coaching staff traveled to New Orleans to face the #2 seed Saints. New Orleans won both regular season games against Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers would not be deterred.
In a back-and-forth battle, Tampa Bay and head coach Bruce Arians came out victorious in a 30-20 win. This is the first time in franchise history that Tampa Bay has won two consecutive road playoff games.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles coached up a unit that had an extraordinary day, winning the turnover battle 4-0 and holding New Orleans to under 300 yards of offense. The Buccaneers' defense forced a key fumble in the third quarter that changed possession and intercepted Drew Brees three times, the most Brees has thrown in any of the 18 playoff games in his illustrious career.We did it. pic.twitter.com/rCg2u78nCJ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 18, 2021
Keith Armstrong led a special teams unit which converted its three field goal attempts and three extra points attempts, including a fourth quarter field goal by Ryan Succop to give Tampa Bay a lead they would never relinquish.Have a day, defense 👏
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 18, 2021
📺: https://t.co/YTsdMJXTRR pic.twitter.com/ikvuA7ZhVf
Tampa Bay will travel to face the #1 seed Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 pm on FOX, as they hope to advance to their first Super Bowl in 18 years.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ 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
