Illini in the NFL | Five Illini Alive for Divisional Weekend
January 6, 2020 | Football
Allegretti, Allison, Mercilus, Turner, Ward all fighting for their teams to advance
Five former Illini are still alive in the 2020 NFL playoffs and headed to this weekend's Divisional Round Weekend – Nick Allegretti (Chiefs), Geronimo Allison (Packers), Whitney Mercilus (Texans), Malik Turner (Seahawks) and Jihad Ward (Ravens).
A total of 19 Illini played in the NFL this season and nine reached the playoffs. Four were eliminated during the Wildcard weekend – Justin Hardee (Saints), Ted Karras (Patriots), Matt LaCosse (Patriots) and Corey Liuget (Bills).
ILLINI IN THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Saturday, Jan. 11
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (Ward) – 7:15 pm CT on CBS
Sunday, Jan. 12
Houston Texans (Mercilus) at Kansas City Chiefs (Allegretti) – 2:05 pm CT on CBS
Seattle Seahawks (Turner) at Green Bay Packers (Allison) – 5:40 pm CT on FOX
ILLINI IN THE PLAYOFFS – Wildcard Weekend
» Nick Allegretti, OL, Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs had a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
» Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers – The Packers had a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
» Justin Hardee, CB, New Orleans Saints – Was in on 27 special teams plays but did not record any stats as the Saints season came to end with an OT loss to the Vikings.
» Ted Karras, C, New England Patriots – Started at center and played all 61 offensive snaps, plus three special teams snaps, in New England's 20-13 loss to the Titans.
» Matt LaCosse, TE, New England Patriots – Was in on 33 offensive snaps and five special teams plays but did not record any stats in New England's loss to the Titans.
» Corey Liuget, DL, Buffalo Bills – Was in on 22 plays but did not record any stats as the Bills were eliminated by Houston, 22-19 in overtime.
» Whitney Mercilus, LB, Houston Texans – Started and had four tackles, 1 sack, one forced fumble and three QB hits in the Texans' overtime win over the Bills. Houston will face Kansas City on Sunday in the Divisional Round.
Forced by @Merci380.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 4, 2020
Recovered by @JacobSpeaks_.#BUFvsHOU pic.twitter.com/8dzP4f17tT
» Malik Turner, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Was not active for Seattle's 17-9 win at Philadelphia. The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay on Sunday in the Divisional Round.
» Jihad Ward, DT, Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens had a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
