The NFL regular season came to an end this weekend, as the playoff field was set. Eight former NC State players are headed to the postseason, led by quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson.
Here is a wrap up of how the Pack pros fared in week 17 of NFL action:
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
Rivers finished off maybe the best season of his career with one of his worst games of the year, going just 14 for 24 with 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 23-9 win over the Denver Broncos. The Chargers’ season will continue into the playoffs though, as Rivers along with fellow Pack pros Justin Jones and T.Y. McGill will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
Rivers was great for the Chargers all season, earning a Pro Bowl spot and flirting with MVP talks until late in the year. He threw 32 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions, while piling up 4,308 passing yards.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson wrapped up the Seahawks regular season with a 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals, as Seattle clinched the five seed in the NFC playoffs after finishing with a 10-6 record. Wilson had a fairly pedestrian day against the league-worst Cardinals, going 12 for 21 for 152 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Now Wilson and the Seahawks, which includes a fellow Pack pro in guard J.R. Sweezy, will head to Dallas Saturday night for a wild-card round matchup. Wilson finished up the season with 35 passing touchdowns, 3,448 yards through the air, seven interceptions and 355 rushing yards.
Bradley Chubb, Outside Linebacker, Denver Broncos
Chubb finished up a stellar rookie season with the Broncos in a 23-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday. The Broncos missed out on the playoffs, but Chubb was still a force to be reckoned with in his first campaign. He had a quiet day against the Chargers, recording four tackles including one for a loss.
However, Chubb piled up a substantial 12 sacks this season as well as 60 tackles. Those 12 sacks were tied for 14th most in the NFL and only 2.5 behind Jevon Kearse’s record for a rookie set in 1999.
Stephen Hauschka, Kicker, Buffalo Bills
The Bills finished their season in style, beating the Miami Dolphins 42-17. Hauschka was a perfect 6 for 6 on extra points, but did miss his only field goal attempt during the game. Hauschka finished his 11th season in the NFL going 22 for 28 on field goals and 25 for 26 on extra points.
B.J. Hill, Defensive Tackle, New York Giants
Hill had one tackle and half of a sack in the Giants’ 36-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. New York’s season is done, and Hill’s strong rookie campaign has come to an end. He recorded 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks on the season.
Nyheim Hines, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts beat the Tennessee Titans in a Sunday night battle for the AFC’s final playoff spot, as Hines and backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will represent NC State for the Colts in the playoffs. Hines had just one carry for four yards to go along with three receptions for 25 yards in the game.
Hines rookie regular season came to an end, as the running back totalled 314 rushing yards, 425 receiving yards and four total touchdowns in his first campaign.
Jaylen Samuels, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Samuels and the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 16-13 to close out the regular season, but finished on the outside of the playoffs looking in thanks to the other results across the league Sunday. Samuels had seven receptions for 40 yards in the win, to go along with two yards on the ground.
After playing sparingly at the beginning of the year, Samuels broke through towards the end of the season for the Steelers after Pittsburgh faced some injury issues. Samuels ended the year with three total touchdowns, 256 rushing yards and 199 receiving yards.
David Amerson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
Amerson got his fifth start of the season in the Cardinals final game, as Arizona fell to the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 to secure the worst record in the NFL and next year’s top pick in the draft.
Amerson did have a big moment in the game though, as he intercepted a pass thrown by former NC State teammate Russell Wilson on the Seahawks’ first drive of the game. It was Amerson’s lone interception of the season, and he returned it 25 yards.
