Maryland’s football season may have ended more than a month ago, but there are still pro Terps representing their school well at the next level. As the NFL regular season wrapped up this past weekend, Stefon Diggs and Yannick Ngakoue helped their teams into the postseason.
But those two aren’t the only ones looking to keep their season alive as long as possible. Here are all the Terps that have their eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy.
Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars
In a loss to the Titans on Sunday, the defensive end provided one of the few bright spots for the Jaguars. Ngakoue’s 67-yard scoop and score on a botched Tennessee handoff was the only touchdown for Jacksonville.
Did you guys know he attended the University of Maryland, College Park? Pretty neat. https://t.co/xltQ5vP5re
— Terps Watch (@TerpsWatch) December 31, 2017
Despite this loss, the Jaguars won the AFC South and will be taking on the Bills on Sunday. The team’s defense is the main reason for that — the unit is atop the league in passing yards allowed and second in total sacks. Ngakoue has been a major contributor, finishing second on the team with 12 sacks and first on the team with six forced fumbles.
As Jacksonville takes on the Bills, who are 24th in the league in sacks allowed, our former Terp should be able to get in the backfield often. Buffalo could also be without LeSean McCoy, which could mean an even longer day for that offense. If defense really wins championships, the Jaguars actually have a chance at being a team other than the Patriots or Steelers to come out of the AFC.
Trey Edmunds, New Orleans Saints
As the only other former Terp in action on Wild Card Weekend, Edmunds will help the Saints as they take on the Panthers for the third time this season. Edmunds appeared in only one game this season, but he made the most of it, breaking off a 41-yard touchdown run and finishing with 48 total yards against the Bills in Week 10.
We honestly had no clue Trey Edmunds was even on an NFL roster, but hey, he scored a touchdown! https://t.co/cqRoGzqUuK — Terps Watch (@TerpsWatch) November 13, 2017
Unfortunately for Edmunds, he’s behind the two-headed monster in Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram on the depth chart. The Saints have had one of the best running attacks in the league this season, with Kamara’s breakout and Ingram’s continued improvement.
Edmunds may not see the field on Sunday, but New Orleans has taken down Carolina twice this season and is a six-point favorite going into the matchup. Beyond that, it’s hard to bet against Drew Brees, so Saints fans could have some high hopes.
Torrey Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith will be watching the games this weekend, but his season most certainly isn’t over. While he posted some of the lowest numbers of his career in his first year with the Eagles — he finished the regular season with 36 receptions for 430 yards and two scores — the team’s 13-3 record earned it the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the Falcons get by the Rams on Saturday, Philly will take on the defending conference champions; if not, the winner of the Saints-Panthers matchup will come to Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles offense is the top concern after Carson Wentz’ season-ending ACL surgery. If the Birds expect to make some noise with Nick Foles under center, it’s not just on the quarterback to produce, but the receivers as well. Smith already has one Super Bowl ring to his name, and he’ll have to step up in the postseason for the Eagles to have any chance at getting him another.
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
Week 17 featured big plays from a few former Terps, but Vikings fans are pretty familiar with Digg’s game-changing ability. He helped Minnesota lock up the second seed in the NFC with a six-reception, 65-yard performance that included one score. As the Vikings await their opponent, they are in the opposite situation as the Eagles. Minnesota will either see the Rams if they win, or the Saints-Panthers winner if the Falcons pull off the Wild Card upset.
“ There’s no place like home “ @usbankstadium https://t.co/vdqNsWRATI
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) December 31, 2017
Regardless of the opponent, Diggs will be a major factor in the Vikings’ postseason success. Minnesota is 6-0 this season when he gets in the end zone. He’s also tied for the team lead with eight receiving touchdowns. As the Eagles took a big step back from Wentz’ absence, Diggs may have the best path of any Terp at reaching the big game. If that happens, the Vikings would be the first ever team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Darrius Heyward-Bey and Sean Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ngakoue wasn’t the only former Terp to pick up a turnover in Week 17, as Sean Davis became the millionth player to intercept DeShone Kizer this season. Davis finished this season with three interceptions for the Steelers, as well as 71 tackles, eight pass deflections, one sack and one forced fumble.
Sean Davis Laying Out. ???? pic.twitter.com/FxSAN73fTt
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 31, 2017
Heyward-Bey was less of a factor in Pittsburgh’s success this season, only going for 47 yards on two receptions. He added two rushes for 32 yards and a pretty sweet touchdown, but overall he was largely overshadowed by the other Killer B’s.
If the Jaguars are able to hold off the Bills, we could see some Terps face off against each other in the divisional round. If not, the Steelers will take on the winner of the Titans-Chiefs matchup. Heyward-Bey will not see much playing time this postseason, but if Davis and the Steelers secondary can hold up, they have a real chance at adding a seventh Super Bowl to the storied franchise’s trophy case.