Cal in the NFL Playoffs: Five Golden Bears vie for a title
Can a Golden Bear capture a Super Bowl ring?
Here is the full NFL wildcard schedule, all times Pacific:
Saturday, 1:30 pm: Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals, NBC
Saturday, 5:15 pm: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, CBS
Sunday, 10:00 am: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, FOX
Sunday, 1:30 pm: San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, CBS/Nickelodeon
Sunday, 5:15 pm: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs, NBC
Monday, 5:15 pm: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams, ESPN/ABC
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is the favorite for his fourth MVP, and back-to-back MVPs. Rodgers threw for 37 touchdowns and four interceptions, completed 68.9% of his passes and threw for 4,115 yards. His season passer rating of 111.9 is the third highest of his career.
The Packers are the No. 1 seed and enjoy home-field advantage and a first round bye.
That being said.
GET VACCINATED AARON.
Dallas Cowboys
Punter Bryan Anger: Anger made his first Pro Bowl this season, leading the league in net punting average. Anger has enjoyed a decade-long career in the NFL and this appears to be his best shot at a title. The Cowboys will play the 49ers in Arlington this Sunday.
(Tight end Ian Bunting is also on the Cowboys practice squad).
Las Vegas Raiders
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson: Jackson has had a relatively quiet 2021-22 campaign, particularly in Las Vegas. He has 12 catches in eight games, with one touchdown coming against Dallas on Thanksgiving. But his title chances are quite alive.
The Raiders start on the road against the Bengals.
(Warning, video below has language)
Philadelphia Eagles
Tight end Richard Rodgers: Rodgers was elevated from Philadelphia’s practice squad after injuries, and he caught two passes against Dallas last week. Rodgers will likely be in action against Tampa Bay to help out Jalen Hurts try and create a stunning upset on the road.
San Francisco 49ers
Center Alex Mack: The former Academic Heisman winner at Cal started all 17 games for the 49ers at the age of 36. Mack had a steady season in the first of a three-year deal with San Francisco, and helped block for Jimmy Garoppolo as the 49ers edged their way into the playoffs.
Now Mack will look to get another chance at a Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Tyson Alualu made the playoffs as well, but he is on injured reserve and has not played much this season.
NFL Pro Bowlers Keenan Allen (Chargers) and Cameron Jordan (Saints), along with Stephen Anderson (Chargers) had a chance to make the playoffs on the final week of the season, but missed out after the Raiders and 49ers edged out late overtime wins.