Russell Wilson—Quarterback—Seattle Seahawks
Former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson completed 15-of-22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns in Seattle’s 31-17 Divisional Playoff win over the Carolina Panthers. Wilson dazzled in one of the best playoff performances of his career, posting a 149.2 passer rating, the second-best of his career.
The former Pack QB connected with Jermaine Kearse on a 63-yard touchdown pass to give the Seahawks the lead before finding tight end Luke Wilson for the game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
The win improved Wilson’s playoff record to 5-1 in just his third year in the league. Wilson and the Seahawks host Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC Conference Championship for the chance at a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance on Sunday.
The Cincinnati native threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks season opening 36-16 win over the Packers.
Stephen Hauschka—Kicker—Seattle Seahawks
Hauschka connected on his only field goal attempt, drilling a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ win over the Panthers. He was also four-of-four on extra-point attempts in the game.
The former State kicker (2007) has never missed a field goal or extra point in the playoffs, posting a perfect 12 for 12 on field goal attempts and 14 for 14 on extra point attempts.
Jerricho Cotchery—Wide Receiver—Carolina Panthers
Cotchery had three catches for 25 yards in the Panthers loss to the Seahawks this past Sunday. The 6-foot-1 wide receiver also had one rushing attempt but gained no yards. Cotchery finished the 2015 postseason with six catches for 29 yards and zero touchdowns after catching 48 balls for 580 yards during the regular season.
J.J. Hickson—Forward—Denver Nuggets
Hickson has benefited when the Nuggets traded center Timofey Mozgov, giving him a larger role in the Nuggets offense. Hickson has scored double-digit points in four straight games, including posting 16 points and 11 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Hickson is currently averaging 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Denver this season.
T.J. Warren—Forward—Phoenix Suns
Since being recalled from the D-League, Warren has appeared in only two games for the Suns. Warren scored four points in 11 minutes against the 76ers on Jan. 2 and scored two points against the Bucks on Jan. 4. Warren did not play in any games on the Suns current four-game road trip. Warren is averaging 4.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season with the team.
Lorenzo Brown—Guard—Grand Rapids Drive
Brown is averaging 16.7 points and five rebounds per game for the Grand Rapids Drive, the NBA D-League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons. Brown posted 27 points and four steals against the Erie BayHawks on Saturday. Brown signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons this season but has not appeared for the team.
J.R. Sweezy—Offensive Guard—Seattle Seahawks
Sweezy helped man a Seahawks offensive line that only allowed Russell Wilson to be sacked twice in their Divisional Round playoff game. Sweezy started all 16 games for the Seahawks this season after playing in 15 during the Seahawks Super Bowl campaign. Sunday marked his sixth career postseason start after being drafted by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
