The NFL Trojans have pushed through a demanding 16-game season, and now comes the postseason reward for 15 worthy alums.
NFC
1.) Atlanta Falcons - OT Sam Baker
2.) San Francisco 49ers
3.) Green Bay Packers vs. 6.) Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT on NBC
While Nick Perry was lost for the season early in the campaign, Packers LB Clay Matthews has returned from a hamstring injury to secure another Pro Bowl selection. Matthews will come face-to-face with Vikings rookie LT Matt Kalil, who has emerged as one of the most promising young offensive lineman in the league. Minnesota also features DE Everson Griffen, who had three sacks this past Sunday against Green Bay, and FB Rhett Ellison.
(Photo of Griffen by Patric Schneider/AP)
4.) Washington Redskins vs. 5.) Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Redskins TE Fred Davis blew out his Achilles to end his 2012 campaign prematurely, but Pete Carroll's Seahawks are a great representative of Troy. Besides the coach, TE Anthony McCoy, who has three TD catches on the season, and reserve LBs Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan are Trojans.
AFC
1.) Denver Broncos
2.) New England Patriots
3.) Houston Texans vs. 6.) Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT on NBC
It would have been fun to see Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga lead out opposing defenses, but "The Bergen Brawler" is rehabbing his knee. The Texans will start Shaun Cody at defensive tackle, while Cincy also plays S Taylor Mays on special teams. Maualuga is the man to watch after a career-high 122 tackles in 2012.
4.) Baltimore Ravens vs. 5.) Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT on CBS
The quietest game for Trojans this Wild Card weekend. The Colts will start Winston Justice at tackle in an effort to protect Andrew Luck, while DT Fili Moala came back midseason for Indianapolis. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who has heroically returned from his battle with cancer, was a USC assistant for two years in the 1980s.
NFC 1.) Atlanta Falcons - OT Sam Baker
2.) San Francisco 49ers
3.) Green Bay Packers vs. 6.) Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT on NBC
While Nick Perry was lost for the season early in the campaign, Packers LB Clay Matthews has returned from a hamstring injury to secure another Pro Bowl selection. Matthews will come face-to-face with Vikings rookie LT Matt Kalil, who has emerged as one of the most promising young offensive lineman in the league. Minnesota also features DE Everson Griffen, who had three sacks this past Sunday against Green Bay, and FB Rhett Ellison.
(Photo of Griffen by Patric Schneider/AP)
4.) Washington Redskins vs. 5.) Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Redskins TE Fred Davis blew out his Achilles to end his 2012 campaign prematurely, but Pete Carroll's Seahawks are a great representative of Troy. Besides the coach, TE Anthony McCoy, who has three TD catches on the season, and reserve LBs Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan are Trojans.
AFC
1.) Denver Broncos
2.) New England Patriots
3.) Houston Texans vs. 6.) Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT on NBC
It would have been fun to see Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga lead out opposing defenses, but "The Bergen Brawler" is rehabbing his knee. The Texans will start Shaun Cody at defensive tackle, while Cincy also plays S Taylor Mays on special teams. Maualuga is the man to watch after a career-high 122 tackles in 2012.
4.) Baltimore Ravens vs. 5.) Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT on CBS
The quietest game for Trojans this Wild Card weekend. The Colts will start Winston Justice at tackle in an effort to protect Andrew Luck, while DT Fili Moala came back midseason for Indianapolis. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who has heroically returned from his battle with cancer, was a USC assistant for two years in the 1980s.
Allen Bradford was activated off of the practice squad for the Seahawks and has been playing some special teams as a back up line backer.