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Previewing 14 former Michigan Wolverines in NFL playoffs divisional round: Nico Collins, Mike Sainristil, Graham Glasgow, more

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•about 12 hours•

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Nico Collins
Former Michigan Wolverines football wide receiver Nico Collins scored a touchdown in a playoffs win over the Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Thomas Shea-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines football has 14 former players in the NFL playoffs this weekend. Here’s a look at what to watch for in each matchup.

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Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Houston Texans: WR Nico Collins, OL LaDarius Henderson
Kansas City Chiefs: DE Mike Danna, LB Joshua Uche

The Texans were home underdog to former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers, but pulled off the upset in a 32-12 performance. The defense intercepted quarterback Justin Herbert 4 times, while Collins led the club in receiving, as he did during the regular season. Collins hauled in 7 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, with his score putting Houston up 7-6 late in the second quarter.

Danna, Uche and the Chiefs were off last week, earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 15-2 record. The Kansas City starters actually haven’t played since Week 17, resting in the final week of the season with the No. 1 seed locked up.

FanDuel Sportsbook betting line: Kansas City Chiefs -8.5, over/under 41.5

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX

Washington Commanders: CB Mike Sainristil, CB Benjamin St-Juste
Detroit Lions: OL Graham Glasgow, DE Aidan Hutchinson

The Detroit Lions won two home playoff games last season — over the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and are looking to replicate that success this time around. If they do, they’ll be in the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, since the organization is the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Glasgow is the Lions’ starter at left guard, while Hutchinson is still recovering from a broken fibula and tibia. Hutchinson has remained adamant that he will return for the Super Bowl should Detroit make it, however.

Sainristil is coming off a stellar regular season with an emerging Washington team that finished 12-5 and earned a Wildcard spot. He totaled 1 tackle and allowed 3 catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns on 3 targets in last week’s thrilling, 23-20 win at Tampa Bay. Sainristil, a nickel back, was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week in Week 18, posting 3 pass breakups and 8 tackles in a 23-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

St-Juste is a fellow starter in the Washington secondary, although he came off the bench last week and played only 9 defensive snaps.

FanDuel Sportsbook betting line: Detroit Lions -8.5, over/under 55.5

Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC

Los Angeles Rams: RB Blake Corum, CB Josh Wallace
Philadelphia Eagles: DE Brandon Graham, OL Trevor Keegan, LB/FB Ben VanSumeren

The Michigan angle on this matchup surrounds the players who won’t suit up. Corum (broken arm), Graham (torn triceps) and VanSumeren (knee) are all out for the season. Keegan, meanwhile, made just one appearance in the regular season, the final game of the year.

Wallace is a backup cornerback and special teamer, and he had 1 tackle in Monday night’s 27-9 win over Minnesota that was played in Glendale, Ariz., due to the wildfires in California. He could have an impact on the game, going against the second-seeded Eagles.

FanDuel Sportsbook betting line: Philadelphia Eagles -6.5, over/under 43.5

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Baltimore Ravens: OLB David Ojabo
Buffalo Bills: None

Ojabo has had a limited role for Baltimore in 2024, but he did see some action in last weekend’s 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to advance to the divisional round. He registered 1 tackle while totaling 13 snaps (9 defense, 4 special teams). He finished the regular season with 9 tackles, 6 quarterback hits and 2 sacks. His last sack came in Week 14 against the New York Giants.

FanDuel Sportsbook betting line: Baltimore Ravens -1.5, over/under 51.5

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