Wolverines in the NFL: Chad Henne, Frank Clark, Brandon Graham stand out in divisional round
Eight former Michigan Wolverines football players were on rosters for the NFL divisional round this past weekend. Multiple, even one unlikely hero, contributed for their teams, and now seven will take part in championship weekend.
At 37 years old, Chad Henne stepped in for Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes after an ankle injury sidelined him for a portion of the team’s 27-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (Henne’s old team). He led a 98-yard scoring drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce, to give the Chiefs a 17-7 edge. All told, Henne completed 5 of his 7 pass attempts for 23 yards.
The former Michigan signal-caller played in just three games during mop-up duty in the regular season but has served as a reliable backup for Kansas City since 2018. His last touchdown pass before Saturday came Jan. 3, 2021, when he tossed 2 scores in a Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I don’t know if it’s just like riding a bike, but you’re always prepared,” Henne said postgame. “I think with this offense — obviously [with] all the weapons that we have — and just staying prepared each and every moment, I think you stay ready. When your number is called, you just go in there and do what you did in practice [and] in the meeting rooms and just take it to the game.”
“Everybody trusted Chad,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of the former Michigan star. “That’s the way he handles himself and the confidence the guys have in him. I thought they all stepped up. Chad did a nice job getting the ball out on time, and the O-line did a nice job.
“The guys love Chad, and they play for him.”
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Reid has collected quite the group of talented former Wolverines on the Chiefs’ roster. Defensive end Frank Clark had 3 tackles, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry in the victory, and position mate Michael Danna also laid a hit on Jacksonville signal-caller Trevor Lawrence. Clark’s 3 pressures ranked second on the team.
The trio of former Michigan standouts is set for an AFC Championship Game matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
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Cincinnati Bengals 27, Buffalo Bills 10
Similar to last season, Cincinnati has made an improbable run to the AFC Championship Game, winning in Buffalo despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The Bengals have the chance to take down the Chiefs in Kansas City for another Super Bowl appearance.
Former Michigan running back Chris Evans was inactive for the win, while former U-M defensive back Daxton Hill made 1 tackle while contributing off the bench on defense and playing special teams.
Philadelphia Eagles 38, New York Giants 7
Former Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson and his New York Giants saw their season come to an end with a blowout loss to division rival Philadelphia, the No. 1 seed and NFC favorite.
Bredeson played off the bench but was in for 56 percent of his team’s offensive snaps in the loss.
The Giants offensive line was tasked with blocking a force on the other side by the name of Brandon Graham. The former Michigan defensive end logged 2 tackles and 1 of the Eagles’ 5 sacks in the blowout victory.
San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys 12
Former Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas was inactive for the victory over the Cowboys. Former Michigan tight end Sean McKeon played six offensive snaps and 16 special teams plays but did not record any statistics, with his team’s season ending in Santa Clara.
The 49ers and Eagles will battle for the NFC crown Sunday in Philadelphia.
