Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL: Wildcard Round
1.17.24 | Football
PHILADELPHIA- The NFL playoffs got underway this past weekend with six games during the Wild Card round. All but one game had a former Owl on the sidelines.
Dion Dawkins (2013-16), Tyler Matakevich (2012-15), and the #2 seed Buffalo Bills defeated the #7 seed Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-17. Dawkins and the Bills offense had a stellar start to the playoffs, accruing over 360 yards and 33 minutes of possession.
On Monday Night, Todd Bowles (1982-85) and his #4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat former Owl, Haason Reddick (2013-16) and the #5 seed Philadelphia Eagles, 32-9. Reddick had one tackle in the loss.
Although inactive, OL Michael Niese (2020) and his #2 seed Detroit Lions defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 24-23.
P.J. Walker (2013-16) and the #5 seed Cleveland Browns lost to the #4 seed Houston Texans, 45-14.
Robby Chosen (2013-15) and his #6 Miami Dolphins got frozen out of the playoffs at the #3 seed Kansas City Chiefs, 26-7.
This coming weekend's match-ups will also feature Temple Football alumnus in all but one game:
Assistant coach Dino Vasso (2011), and scouting assistant Todd Jones (2017-18) will be the Owls to root for among the #4 seeded Houston Texans as they travel to Baltimore to take on Rock Ya-Sin (2018) and the #1 seed Ravens. That game will start the Divisional weekend at 4:30pm ET on Saturday.
Head coach Todd Bowles will lead the Buccaneers, along with assistant coaches Keith Armstrong (1983-86), Nick Rapone (1983-88, 1999-05), and Kevin Ross (1980-83), as they head to Detroit. Niese, and Jordan Martin (2008-10), will represent the Lions in a contest that kicks off at 3:00pm on Sunday..
Dawkins, Matakevich, and defensive coach Al Holcomb (1996) will represent the Bills as they host Kansas City. Tim Terry (1993-96) works for the Chiefs in player personnel. That game will be the Sunday nightcap kicking off at 6:30pm.
