Temple University Athletics
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Owls in the NFL - Week 18 (Final Regular Season)
1.6.25 | Football
The NFL regular season has come to an end and a few of our former Owls are on their way to the post-season with hopes of adding a championship to their legacy. For the last time this regular season, let's see how our guys finished the 2024 regular season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles (1982-85) gave the Bucs their fourth consecutive NFC South division title and are now playoff-bound with a final record of 10-7. Bowles and the Bucs will host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Wild Card round.
Washington's Jordan Magee (2019-23) was inactive in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders won the game and finished the regular season with a 12-5 record. Magee will look to return in the NFC Wild Card game against Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Green Bay's Brandon McManus (2009-12) hit a 55-yard field goal in the Packers loss to the Chicago Bears. McManus who joined the Packers mid-season is now set to return to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card. On the opposite sideline, Jacob Martin (2014-17) did not record any stats in his season finale and finished the season with nine tackles and three sacks.
Buffalo's Dion Dawkins (2013-16) has had a remarkable season earning a Pro Bowl nod from the NFL after leading the Bills offensive line this season. He also is Buffalo's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. The Bills benched their starters in the season finale against the Patriots with their playoff spot already secured. Dawkins will now line up against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card.
Detroit's Michael Niese (2016-21) and the Lions clinched the NFC North and the number one seed in the playoffs with their win against the Minnesota Vikings at home. Niese did not see any action in this game, but will look to get more action in the post-season. Niese and the Lions earned a bye and will now wait to see who they'll play in the divisional round.
Pittsburgh's Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) did not record any stats against the Cincinnati Bengals in their regular season finale. The Steelers lost at home 19-17, but still secured a Wild Card spot and will see their division rival Baltimore Ravens in the first round.
San Francisco's Rock Ya-Sin (2015-18) got some action in his season finale. Ya-Sin recorded one solo tackle and a pass deflection in a 47-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers finished their season with a 6-11 record. Matt Hennessy (2016-19) signed a two-year deal with the 49ers a week ago, and will look to make his debut with the team next season.
Atlanta's Arnold Ebiketie (2017-20) and the Falcons fell short of their playoff hopes in week 18. Ebiketie finished the 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers with two solo tackles. The Falcons finished their season with an 8-9 record. Carolina's Sam Franklin Jr. (2016-19) did not make any plays in this game and finished the season with five tackles.
New York Jets' Kenny Yeboah (2016-19) saw some action in the Jets' final game of the season. With Aaron Rodgers under center, Yeboah caught both of his targets finishing with a season-high 20 yards receiving in the 32-20 win against the Miami Dolphins. On the other side of the ball, Haason Reddick (2013-16) finished with two tackles, a half sack and a forced fumble.
Tennessee's David Martin-Robinson (2018-23) did not see any action in the Titans season finale against the Houston Texans. The rookie finished his season with one catch for six yards.
For the Baltimore Ravens, Keith Kirkwood (2014-17), and William Kwenkeu (2016-21) are playoff-bound as players who contributed to the team through the practice squad.
Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs: Byes - Detroit (Niese), Kansas City
Saturday, January 11
4:30pm – LA Chargers at Houston
8:00pm – Pittsburgh (Matakevich) at Baltimore (Kirkwood, Kwenkeu)
Sunday, January 12
1:00pm – Denver at Buffalo (Dawkins)
4:30pm – Green Bay (McManus) at Philadelphia
8:00pm – Washington (Magee) at Tampa Bay (Bowles)
Monday, January 13
8:00pm – Minnesota at LA Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles (1982-85) gave the Bucs their fourth consecutive NFC South division title and are now playoff-bound with a final record of 10-7. Bowles and the Bucs will host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Wild Card round.
Washington's Jordan Magee (2019-23) was inactive in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders won the game and finished the regular season with a 12-5 record. Magee will look to return in the NFC Wild Card game against Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Green Bay's Brandon McManus (2009-12) hit a 55-yard field goal in the Packers loss to the Chicago Bears. McManus who joined the Packers mid-season is now set to return to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card. On the opposite sideline, Jacob Martin (2014-17) did not record any stats in his season finale and finished the season with nine tackles and three sacks.
Buffalo's Dion Dawkins (2013-16) has had a remarkable season earning a Pro Bowl nod from the NFL after leading the Bills offensive line this season. He also is Buffalo's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. The Bills benched their starters in the season finale against the Patriots with their playoff spot already secured. Dawkins will now line up against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card.
Detroit's Michael Niese (2016-21) and the Lions clinched the NFC North and the number one seed in the playoffs with their win against the Minnesota Vikings at home. Niese did not see any action in this game, but will look to get more action in the post-season. Niese and the Lions earned a bye and will now wait to see who they'll play in the divisional round.
Pittsburgh's Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) did not record any stats against the Cincinnati Bengals in their regular season finale. The Steelers lost at home 19-17, but still secured a Wild Card spot and will see their division rival Baltimore Ravens in the first round.
San Francisco's Rock Ya-Sin (2015-18) got some action in his season finale. Ya-Sin recorded one solo tackle and a pass deflection in a 47-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers finished their season with a 6-11 record. Matt Hennessy (2016-19) signed a two-year deal with the 49ers a week ago, and will look to make his debut with the team next season.
Atlanta's Arnold Ebiketie (2017-20) and the Falcons fell short of their playoff hopes in week 18. Ebiketie finished the 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers with two solo tackles. The Falcons finished their season with an 8-9 record. Carolina's Sam Franklin Jr. (2016-19) did not make any plays in this game and finished the season with five tackles.
New York Jets' Kenny Yeboah (2016-19) saw some action in the Jets' final game of the season. With Aaron Rodgers under center, Yeboah caught both of his targets finishing with a season-high 20 yards receiving in the 32-20 win against the Miami Dolphins. On the other side of the ball, Haason Reddick (2013-16) finished with two tackles, a half sack and a forced fumble.
Tennessee's David Martin-Robinson (2018-23) did not see any action in the Titans season finale against the Houston Texans. The rookie finished his season with one catch for six yards.
For the Baltimore Ravens, Keith Kirkwood (2014-17), and William Kwenkeu (2016-21) are playoff-bound as players who contributed to the team through the practice squad.
Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs: Byes - Detroit (Niese), Kansas City
Saturday, January 11
4:30pm – LA Chargers at Houston
8:00pm – Pittsburgh (Matakevich) at Baltimore (Kirkwood, Kwenkeu)
Sunday, January 12
1:00pm – Denver at Buffalo (Dawkins)
4:30pm – Green Bay (McManus) at Philadelphia
8:00pm – Washington (Magee) at Tampa Bay (Bowles)
Monday, January 13
8:00pm – Minnesota at LA Rams
Players Mentioned
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