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The 2013 NFL regular season is over and the playoff matchups have been set. If, like me, your team didn't make the playoffs, here is your Superfan rooting guide to the NFL Playoffs.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
AFC: No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at No. 4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5), 4:35 p.m. ET on NBC
This one is pretty simple, really. The Colts have three former Boston College Eagles on the active roster in OT Anthony Castonzo, OT Gosder Cherilus and QB Matt Hasselbeck. The Chiefs don't have any former Eagles. This is a rematch of a week 16 matchup that saw the Colts earn a 23-7 road victory over the Chiefs. Rooting interest: Indianapolis.
NFC: No. 6 New Orleans Saints (11-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles (10-6), 8:10 p.m. ET on NBC
Neither the Saints nor the Eagles have any former Eagles on the active roster. Digging a bit deeper, the Saints OC is four-year letterwinner Pete Carmichael, but the Eagles coaching ties back to the Heights run a bit deeper. Former BC special teams coach Mike Dawson is the current Defensive Quality Control coach, former DC Bill McGovern the Eagles' Outside Linebackers coach and alum Bob Bicknell the wide receivers coach. Rooting interest: Philadelphia.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
AFC: No. 6 San Diego Chargers (9-7) at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (11-5), 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS
No former Eagles on the Bengals, but Damik Scafe is listed on the Chargers practice squad. Cincinnati defeated San Diego 17-10 at home back on December 1. Rooting interest: San Diego.
NFC: No. 5 San Francisco 49ers (12-4) at No. 4 Green Bay Packers (8-7-1), 4:40 p.m. ET on FOX
The Niners don't have any former Boston College players on the active roster. Green Bay claims defensive tackle B.J. Raji. In addition, Linebacker Robert Francois is currently on the reserve/injured squad. Raji, drop it.
Rooting interest: Green Bay.
Of the teams that received first round byes, BC's rooting interests lie with the Carolina Panthers (LB Luke Kuechly) and the Denver Broncos (C Dan Koppen, but on the IR). Neither the 49ers nor the Patriots have any current Boston College players on the roster. Sorry, Pats fans.
Go Colts / Eagles / Chargers / Pack! And go Eagles!