Cyclones in the NFL: Wild Card Recap

Five Cyclones entered Super Wild Card weekend, and all five Cyclones advanced to the Divisional Round as their teams stand among the final eight. With Enyi Uwazurike and the Broncos clinching a first-round bye, Brock Purdy and the 49ers, as well as the Cyclone receiver trio, with the Texans each went on the road and earned a first-round upset to advance.

The sixth-seeded 49ers will head to their divisional foe Seattle, a place they've already won this season, in hopes of advancing to the NFC Championship Game. The trio of Cyclones on the Texans will head to Foxboro to take on the No. 2 seed New England Patriots. Lastly, Enyi and the Broncos will look to defend homefield and avenge last year's playoff loss in the process.

Brock Purdy – #13, San Francisco 49ers (13-5)
Purdy picked up his first road playoff win in his seventh career postseason outing, as the Niners got revenge for the NFC Championship Game back in 2022-23 when Purdy got hurt with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Purdy was clutch against a stout Eagle defense on Sunday, leading the team on a game-winning drive with just over two minutes left. San Francisco will look to overcome the loss of George Kittle, who was injured in the win, and take down Seattle. The two teams met just two weeks ago, with the Seahawks winning, 13-3, in San Fran.
Last Time Out: W at PHI, 23-19 // 18-31 for 262 yards and 2 TD, 9 rushes for 24 yards
Up Next: Jan. 17, at Seattle (7 pm on FOX)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (13-5)
Higgins was tied for the second-most receptions by any Texan on Monday night, as he hauled in three catches. His 39 receiving yards were also the second most for Houston, behind just Christian Kirk, who had a career night. All three of Higgins' catches moved the chains for Houston. With Nico Collins in concussion protocol, it's possible all three Cyclone receivers see an uptick in production in New England.
Last Time Out: W at PIT, 30-6 // 3 catches for 39 yards
Next Up: Jan. 18, at New England (2 pm on ESPN/ABC)

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (13-5)
Noel saw just six offensive snaps, getting targeted once at Pittsburgh. He was still able to make multiple impact plays through special teams, as he had six total returns. In three kickoff returns, he averaged just shy of 20 yards per attempt. With punts, he averaged seven yards per return.
Last Time Out: W at PIT, 30-6 // 3 KR for 59 yards, 3 PR for 22 yards
Next Up: Jan. 18, at New England (2 pm on ESPN/ABC)

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (13-5)
Hutchinson was reliable for C.J. Stroud on Monday night, as he hauled in a pair of receptions for 21 yards. Hutchinson played 66 percent of all the offensive snaps, as he was featured heavily in the run-blocking phase. He also had double-figure special teams snaps for just the fourth time this season.
Last Time Out: W at PIT, 30-6 // 2 catches for 21 yards
Next Up: Jan. 18, at New England (2 pm on ESPN/ABC)

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (14-3)
After earning a first-round bye, Denver learned its Divisional Round fate as Buffalo went into Jacksonville and beat the Jaguars. Saturday's game will be Enyi's first career playoff game. The Broncos lost to Buffalo on the road last year, 31-7, and will look for a different result this time around.
Last Time Out: first round bye
Up Next: Jan. 17, vs. Buffalo (3:30 pm on CBS)

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Cyclones in the NFL: Wild Card Recap

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