How Have BC's NFLers Performed in the 2022 Playoffs?
Andy Backstrom (
@andybackstrom)
Publisher
Boston College had budding stars playing for each of the NFL's top-seeded teams: linebacker Harold Landry of the Tennessee Titans and running back AJ Dillon of the Green Bay Packers.
Both of them were bounced from the postseason this past weekend—the most thrilling divisional round of playoffs, maybe ever.
But they didn't go out without turning some heads. Let's examine their performances as well as the impact the other five former Eagles have made in this year's playoffs.
Titans LB Harold Landry
Landry wrapped up his rookie contract with a dominant performance in Tennessee's Divisional Round matchup against Cincinnati. He was part of the Titans record-tying, nine-sack performance. Landry got home for 1.5 sacks and registered four quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. The outing followed an impressive regular season, during which the 25-year-old logged a career-high 12 sacks and 14 TFLs. He also tallied 64 total pressures, per PFF.
Packers RB AJ Dillon
AJ Dillon scored his first career playoff touchdown on Green Bay's first drive of its Divisional Round loss to San Francisco. But he fractured a rib while blocking for a kickoff return in the third quarter. Dillon didn't return and finished the day with 25 yards on seven carries. It was a tough end to a breakout year for the second-year back. Dillon racked up 1,116 total yards from scrimmage (803 rushing, 313 receiving) and seven total touchdowns (five rushing, two receiving) while splitting time with Aaron Jones.
Packers LB Isaiah McDuffie
Isaiah McDuffie played 20 special teams snaps in the loss to the 49ers, according to PFF. The sixth-round pick actually logged his only solo tackle of the season in the process. McDuffie assisted on two tackles late in the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams.
Bengals DE Wyatt Ray
Wyatt Ray has yet to play a snap in the playoffs, although he's the only remaining former Eagle in the postseason bracket. After getting his feet wet with the Titans last year, Ray had more of a role with Cincinnati in 2021, recording 219 defensive snaps and seven pressures, per PFF. Most notably, Ray notched a strip sack in the regular season finale.
Cardinals DE Zach Allen
Like most of the Cardinals during their Wild Card loss to the Rams, Zach Allen wasn't at his best in SoFi Stadium. He made four total tackles, three of which were assisted. But he didn't register a single pressure, per PFF, for the first time since Week 2. It was an uncharacteristic finish to a strong season in the desert for Allen, who posted a career-high 48 total tackles, 26 pressures, four sacks, three fumble recoveries—including one that he housed—and his first NFL interception.
Bills LB Matt Milano
Matt Milano tipped a Mac Jones pass early in the third quarter of the Bills' Wild Card win over the New England Patriots, resulting in one of two Jones' interceptions. The established linebacker also mounted five total tackles, including four solos. He added to his playoff total with 11 more in Buffalo's heartbreaking Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Of those 11 tackles, six were solos. But Milano allowed seven receptions on seven targets for 76 yards and a score, according to PFF. This was Milano's third season with 75 or more tackles and his second straight year with three-plus sacks.
Bills TE Tommy Sweeney
Sweeney, a former seventh-round pick of the Bills, missed last year with myocarditis. He came back this season and played 267 offensive snaps, per PFF. He didn't record a catch in this year's postseason, though. He did, however, log his first career NFL touchdown in Week 6 at Tennessee. Two weeks later, he hauled in three passes for 30 yards in the absence of starting tight end Dawson Knox.
