Sooners in the NFL: Wild Card Weekend

Six Sooners Remain in NFL Playoffs

The 2014 NFL Postseason began with 10 former Sooners healthy and on active rosters as their teams vied for the Lombardi Trophy. After the opening Wild Card weekend, six Sooners remain on that journey, while the other four will have to wait until next season.

In the first game of the playoffs, defensive end Frank Alexander and the Carolina Panthers knocked off safety Tony Jefferson and the Arizona Cardinals, 27-16, Saturday. Alexander was inactive for the game, while Jefferson started at strong safety for the Cardinals and finished with seven tackles, one off the team high.

Up next for Alexander and the Panthers is a trip to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks, whose roster includes defensive end David King. That game is Saturday at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX.

In last Saturday's other matchup, both former Sooners were inactive as Baltimore, featuring defensive tackle Casey Walker, defeated Pittsburgh, featuring quarterback Landry Jones. With the win, the Ravens move on to face the New England Patriots this Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. CT on NBC.

Tight end Jermaine Gresham's season came to an end last Sunday when his Cincinnati Bengals were topped by the Indianapolis Colts, 26-10. Gresham was unable to play in the game, however, due to a back injury. The Colts now move on to face the Denver Broncos, including rookie linebacker Corey Nelson. Kickoff is set for 3:40 p.m. CT Sunday on CBS.

In the final game of Wild Card weekend, running back DeMarco Murray and tight end James Hanna continued on as they helped the Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions, featuring wide receiver Ryan Broyles, 24-20.

Murray rushed 19 times for 75 yards, including a one-yard touchdown run to trim the Detroit lead to 20-14 late in the third quarter. He also caught three passes for 22 yards. Meanwhile, Hanna started at tight end for the Cowboys, while Broyles was made inactive by Detroit.

Dallas moves on to the Divisional Round to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. That game will be played Sunday at 12:05 p.m. CT on FOX.

Stat Rankings and Notes

Murray finished the regular season by leading the NFL in rushing attempts (392), rushing attempts per game (24.5), rushing yards (1,845), rushing yards per game (115.3), rushing touchdowns (13), rushes for first down (85) and runs of 40 yards or more (3). He also ranked second in runs of at least 20 yards (15).

Washington punter Tress Way tied for the NFL lead with an average of 47.5 yards per punt. He also ranked eighth in punt yards (3,659), 10^th in net yards (3,122) and net average (40.0 yards per punt) and 12^th in punts (77).

Linebacker Curtis Lofton of New Orleans led the team and was fourth in the NFL with 145 tackles this season. He finished with 100 solo tackles, one of three players in the league to reach that figure.

New Orleans wide receiver Kenny Stills was tied for fourth in the NFL with six catches of at least 40 yards. He was the Saints' top receiver with 931 receiving yards, was second on the team in receptions (63) and yards per receptions (14.8) and was tied for third with three receiving touchdowns.

Gresham ranked 11^th among NFL tight ends in receptions (62) and touchdown receptions (5).

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy led all of Tampa Bay's roster was and tied for third in the league among defensive tackles with 8.5 sacks.

Jefferson was fourth on Arizona with 78 total tackles and was second with 70 solo stops.

Cornerback Aaron Colvin was one of just three rookie defensive players to score a touchdown this season.

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