Sooners in the NFL: Divisional Round

NORMAN – There were 14 former Sooners on active NFL rosters, the most for any Big 12 school, when the NFL Playoffs began. Eleven of those 14 made it to the divisional weekend and now five still have a shot at the Super Bowl with the conference championships scheduled for this Sunday.

New England 27, Kansas City 20

New England reached the AFC Championship for the fifth straight season as the Patriots held off the Chiefs in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday. Five former Sooners were on the rosters, though only three were made active.

Donald Stephenson got the start at right tackle for the Chiefs and provided a key cut block on Carcandrick West's 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, long snapper James Winchester had a tackle on punt coverage in the fourth quarter and defensive back Jamell Fleming also saw playing time on special teams for the Chiefs.

As for the other two Sooners, defensive lineman David King was made inactive by the Chiefs, while fellow defensive lineman Geneo Grissom was made inactive by New England.

Denver 23, Pittsburgh 16

With two former Sooners in the game, Denver advanced to the AFC title game for the second time in the last three years with Sunday's win.

For the Broncos, linebacker Corey Nelson saw the majority of his playing time come on special teams, though he did get two snaps on defense.

Backup quarterback Landry Jones did not play for Pittsburgh in the loss.

AFC Championship Game

Grissom and New England, the No. 2 seed, travel to Denver to face Nelson and the No. 1 Broncos on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. CT on CBS. Grissom and Nelson played together at OU from 2010-13, though Grissom redshirted in 2010 before the pair shared the field for the next three seasons.

Arizona 26, Green Bay 20 (Overtime)

Three former Sooners squared off in Arizona Saturday as the Cardinals bested the Packers in a crazy overtime thriller.

On the winning side were safety Tony Jefferson and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

Jefferson started at free safety and led Arizona with a game-high nine tackles, including a pair that went for a loss. He also broke up a pass that forced a punt in the first quarter. Gresham did not record any statistics in the win.

For the Packers, rookie fullback Aaron Ripkowski also saw playing time but did not tally any stats in the game.

Carolina 31, Seattle 24

Rookie offensive tackle Daryl Williams and the Panthers ensured a matchup against Arizona after holding off Seattle. He saw four snaps on offense, including lining up on the left side of the formation on this 1-yard touchdown run, and five snaps on special teams.

NFC Championship Game

Williams and the top-seeded Panthers host Jefferson, Gresham and the No. 2 Cardinals Sunday at 5:40 p.m. CT on FOX. Williams and Jefferson were teammates together during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and also during Williams' redshirt season of 2010.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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