Seven former NC State Football players have advanced to the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and Linebacker Payton Wilson play for Pittsburgh (6 seed), who will play Baltimore (3 seed) in the Wild Card Round tonight at 8pm on Prime Video. The Ravens are 9.5-point favorites. This season, Pittsburgh and Baltimore split the series, with each team winning at home. With the Ravens being the higher seed, the game will be played in Baltimore. Payton Wilson is on every 2024 NFL All-Rookie team I’ve come across, and was 1 of the highest graded Linebackers overall in the NFL the season. After Justin Fields started the first 6 games of the season with Russell Wilson nursing a calf injury, the 36-year old veteran stepped into the starting role in Week 7. The Steelers went 6-5 with Wilson at the helm. Pittsburgh got off to a hot start with Russ starting, winning 6 of 7. Unfortunately, Wilson cooled off, and so did the Steelers, losing their final 4 regular season games. Russell finished the regular season with 2,482 passing yards, a 63.7 completion percentage, 16 touchdowns (5 interceptions) and a 95.6 QB Rating. Looking at the numbers, Wilson actually took a step backward this year in completion percentage, TD% and QB Rating. His PFF grade this season was 77.5, which was identical to his grade in 2023.

Left Guard/Left Tackle Joe Thuney and the Kansas City Chiefs get to watch everyone else this week, earning a 1st Round by as the #1 seed in the AFC. Thuney earned Pro Bowl honors for the 3rd consecutive season. His PFF grade this season was 79.9, which is his highest grade since 2021, and the 2nd highest grade of his career. Thuney has played his whole career at Left Guard, but was needed to make the move to Left Tackle in Weeks 15-17, failing to surrender a sack in all three games. We will have to see where the Chiefs play Thuney next week.

Center Garrett Bradbury and the Vikings (5 seed) will play the Rams (4 seed) on Monday night at 8pm on ESPN/ABC. The Vikings are 2.5-point favorites. Bradbury started every game at Center for Minnesota, finishing the season with a PFF grade of 62.1, which is the 2nd highest grade of his career. His Run Blocking grade of 70.7 is the highest of his career.

Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill and Lions will get to watch everyone play this week as well after earning the #1 seed in the NFC. Unfortunately, McNeill tore his ACL in Week 5, ending his season. McNeill finished the season with 25 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 7 QB Hits. Even though he missed the final 3 games, he set a new career high in tackles for loss. McNeill’s PFF grade of 79.6 was the 2nd highest of his career, and the 2nd highest on the Lions’ defense.

Defensive Tackle Larrell Murchison and the Rams (4 seed) will play the Vikings (5 seed) on Monday night at 8pm on ESPN/ABC. Unfortunately, Murchison spent the entire 2024 season on the IR. He started the season hurt, coming off the IR, only to break his foot in practice before the next game, going directly back to the IR.

Center Dylan McMahon is also on the Rams with Murchison. After being drafted by the Eagles in the 6th round back in April, the Eagles designated him to their Practice Squad prior to the start of the season. After Week 1, the Rams signed him off of Philly’s Practice Squad. McMahon didn’t play all season, until Week 18, when he was given the chance to start at Center. It wasn’t a great debut, with a PFF grade of 38.0, but a great opportunity to get his feet wet.