University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles in the NFL Postseason
1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss football has four former players set to begin play in the NFL Playoffs -- Chris Clark (Houston Texans), Jamie Collins (New England Patriots), Tom Johnson (Minnesota Vikings), and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Kansas City Chiefs).
Clark helped Houston to the AFC South Championship, clinching the franchise's third division title and a home playoff game with a 30-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans host the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 3:20 p.m. on ABC / ESPN.
Collins, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl this season, guided a defense that led New England to its seventh consecutive AFC East Title -- Collins' third. The Patriots earned a first round bye and will not play until Saturday, Jan. 16 at 3:35 p.m. on CBS with an opponent to be determined.
Johnson and Minnesota defeated Green Bay in the final game of the season to win its first NFC North Title since 2009 when former Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre directed the Vikings to the division crown. The Vikings play host to back-to-back NFC Champion Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 12:05 p.m. on NBC.
Nunez-Roches and Kansas City earned a wild card spot, finishing one game back in the AFC West to the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs, who finished the season 11-5, will travel to Houston to face AFC South Champion Houston at 3:20 p.m. on ABC / ESPN.
