With just three weeks of the regular season left, there are still a lot of questions about who’ll make the NFL playoffs. But odds are, we’ll see multiple former Syracuse football players in the postseason.
As of Monday morning, only the Green Bay Packers have clinched a NFL playoff berth. But if the season ended today, they would be joined former Syracuse University football players Chandler Jones and Justin Pugh’s Arizona Cardinals (10-4); Syracuse native Derrick Gore’s Kansas City Chiefs (10-4); and ex-SU linebacker Zaire Franklin’s Indianapolis Colts (8-6).
Still in the hunt are SU alum Trill Williams (Miami Dolphins, 7-7) and former Onondaga Central High School football star Latavius Murray (Baltimore Ravens, 8-6). Miami has a 10% chance to make the playoffs and Baltimore has a 54% chance, according to FiveThirtyEight’s predictions.
Former Orange players Alton Robinson’s Seattle Seahawks (5-8) and Riley Dixon’s New York Giants (4-10) have a 2% chance to make the NFC playoffs and less than 0.1%, respectively, according to FiveThirtyEight. But hey, there’s a chance.
Altogether, 13 AFC teams are still vying for a playoff spot, including (in order) the Chiefs, New England Patriots (9-5), Tennessee Titans (9-5), Cincinnati Bengals (8-6), Colts, Los Angeles Chargers (8-6), Buffalo Bills (8-6), Ravens, Cleveland Browns (7-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1), Dolphins, Denver Broncos (7-7) and Oakland Raiders (6-7).
And 15 NFC teams could still technically make the postseason, including (in order) the Packers (clinched), Dallas Cowboys (10-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4), Cardinals, L.A. Rams (9-4), San Francisco 49ers (8-6), New Orleans Saints (7-7), Washington Football Team (6-7), Minnesota Vikings (6-7), Philadelphia Eagles (6-7), Atlanta Falcons (6-8), Seahawks, Carolina Panthers (5-9), Chicago Bears (4-9) and Giants.
Meanwhile, former Orange players who have been eliminated from the postseason include Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit Lions).
Here’s how former Syracuse and Central NY stars did in the NFL this week:
Chandler Jones, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Former Syracuse linebacker Chandler Jones recorded six tackles, including five solo tackles.
Last game: Lions 30, Cardinals 12
Next game: Colts at Cardinals, Saturday at 8:15 p.m.
Justin Pugh, LG, Arizona Cardinals
Ex-Syracuse University lineman Justin Pugh played 100% of offensive snaps after missing a month with a calf injury.
Last game: Lions 30, Cardinals 12
Next game: Colts at Cardinals, Saturday at 8:15 p.m.
Alton Robinson, DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Syracuse defensive end isn’t getting a lot of playing time, and must wait longer for opportunities after the Seahawks-Rams game was rescheduled due to Covid.
Last game: Seahawks 33, Texans 13
Next game: Seahawks at Rams, Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Latavius Murray, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Former Onondaga Central High School football star Latavius Murray had seven carries for 48 yards, plus a catch for 3.
Last game: Packers 31, Ravens 30
Next game: Ravens at Bengals, Sunday 1 p.m.
Derrick Gore, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Former Nottingham High School football player Derrick Gore did not see any action in the backfield against L.A.
Last game: Chiefs 34, Chargers 28
Next game: Steelers at Chiefs, Sunday 4:25 p.m.
Riley Dixon, P, New York Giants
Syracuse University alum Riley Dixon kicked two punts for an average of 50.5 yards.
Last game: Cowboys 21, Giants 6
Next game: Giants at Eagles, Sunday 1 p.m.
Zaire Franklin, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Former Syracuse linebacker Zaire Franklin, who was named one of Indy’s team captains this season, recorded two tackles on just 12 defensive snaps after being taken off the Covid list.
Last game: Colts 27, Patriots 17
Next game: Colts at Cardinals, Saturday at 8:15 p.m.
Andre Cisco, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ex-Orange football star Andre Cisco had one tackle in the Jags’ first game since firing head coach Urban Meyer.
Last game: Texans 30, Jaguars 16
Next game: Jaguars at Jets, Sunday 1 p.m.
Trill Williams, LB, Miami Dolphins
Former Orange defensive back Trill Williams has not seen any playing time in his rookie season.
Last game: Dolphins 31, Jets 24
Next game: Dolphins at Saints, Dec. 27 at 8:05 p.m.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Detroit Lions
The rookie cornerback from SU is expected played just five snaps after being taken off the injured reserve list.
Last game: Lions 30, Cardinals 12
Next game: Lions at Falcons, Sunday 1 p.m.
MORE FOOTBALL NEWS:
Bills’ Efe Obada makes Panthers, his former team, pay in 31-14 win (report card)
Syracuse football targeting former Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae for opening (report)
Former Syracuse football linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku will transfer to Memphis