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10 former Oregon football stars will compete in NFL playoffs. Here's how to watch
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- 10 former Oregon football stars will compete in NFL playoffs. Here's how to watch
The NFL started with 32 teams vying for a playoff berth and now just 14 remain in the hunt for a Super Bowl appearance with 10 former Oregon Ducks competing on those rosters .
Among them are a pair of starting quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and Bo Nix . Just one other college program has two quarterbacks starting in the NFL playoffs other than Oregon, with former Oklahoma stars Baker Mayfield ( Tampa Bay ) and Jalen Hurts ( Philadelphia ) leading their respective teams.
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Oregon had more than three dozen former stars active in the NFL to start this season.
Here's a look at former Ducks on active rosters ahead of the NFL playoffs.
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Troy Dye , Los Angeles Chargers
The linebacker has had a career season in his fifth year in the league and first in Los Angeles . The former Duck has started five games for the Chargers and produced a career-best 57 tackles on the season along with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
How to watch:The No. 5 Chargers head to Houston to take on the No. 4 Texans at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
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Alex Forsyth , Denver Broncos
The seventh-round draft pick in 2023 has played 279 snaps at center for the Broncos this season, along with 12 at left guard. His 66.5 PFF grade ranks 19th among centers in the NFL.
How to watch:The No. 7 Broncos take on the No. 2 Buffalo Bills at 10 a.m. Sunday on CBS.
Troy Franklin , Denver Broncos
The former Oregon star played in 16 regular season games, mostly as a reserve receiver for the Broncos in his rookie season. Franklin totaled 28 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
How to watch:The No. 7 Broncos take on the No. 2 Buffalo Bills at 10 a.m. Sunday on CBS.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) carries the ball on a 41-yard run in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
The fifth-year pro and Eugene native put up strong numbers in yet another season at quarterback to lead the Chargers to the playoffs under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. Herbert threw for 3,870 yards on 65.9% completion rate, and tossed 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions in the regular season.
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How to watch:The No. 5 Chargers head to Houston to take on the No. 4 Texans at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
Bucky Irving , Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving's versatile skill set translated beautifully to the NFL as he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his rookie season for the Buccaneers high-powered offense in 2024. Irving rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, while also hauling in 47 catches for 392 yards.
How to watch:The No. 3 Buccaneers will play host to the No. 6 Washington Commanders at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Marcus Mariota , Washington Commanders
The journeyman QB played in just three games while serving as the primary backup to rookie Jayden Daniels but starred in a Week 18 win over Dallas while Daniels rested. Mariota tossed two touchdowns while completing over 80% of his throws to help the Commanders win, 23-19.
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How to watch:The No. 6 Commanders head to Tampa Bay where they will take on the No. 3 Buccaneers at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Johnny Mundt , Minnesota Vikings
A former Super Bowl champion with the Rams , Mundt caught 19 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 with the Vikings.
How to watch:The No. 5 Vikings will head to Los Angeles to play the No. 4 Rams at 5 p.m. Jan. 13 on ESPN and ABC.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
The rookie Nix completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to help the Broncos to the playoffs in his first NFL season. Nix also ran for 430 yards and four touchdowns.
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How to watch:The No. 7 Broncos take on the No. 2 Buffalo Bills at 10 a.m. Sunday on CBS.
Penei Sewell , Detroit Lions
One of the top tackles in the NFL had another strong season for the No. 1 seed Lions, earning a 87.5 PFF grade, fifth-best among tackles in the league.
How to watch:The Lions have the opening weekend off due to earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers
A one-year standout for the Ducks , the rookie Williams played in 13 games for the Packers with six starts, making 49 tackles, breaking up three passes and getting one interception. Williams has missed each of the Packers last three games and will likely be questionable again for the playoffs.
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How to watch:The No. 7 Packers take on the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Former Oregon football stars on injured reserve
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Jamal Hill, Houston Texans
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Troy Hill , Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Taki Taimani , Minnesota Vikings
Former Oregon football stars on practice squad
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Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Baltimore Ravens
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Johnny Johnson III , Houston Texans
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Calvin Throckmorton , Denver Broncos
Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women's basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @AlecDietz .
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Ex-Oregon stars Justin Herbert, Bo Nix advance to NFL playoffs
