Following a hectic divisional round weekend, five former Wisconsin Badgers advanced to play in the NFL conference championship round.
All four remaining teams feature at least one UW alumnus, ensuring that a former Badger will hoist the Super Bowl trophy on Feb. 9.
In a thrilling back-and-forth game, linebacker Zack Baun and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in a blizzard. Baun, who pocketed his first All-Pro appearance this season, will head to the NFC championship for the first time in his five-year professional career.
Baun finished the contest with six tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
The superstar linebacker will square off against Washington Commanders’ linemen Tyler Biadasz and Michael Deiter in Philadelphia on Jan. 26. It will be Washington’s first conference championship appearance in over 30 seasons. Fueled by budding star Jayden Daniels, the Commanders defeated Kevin Zeitler’s No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions 45-31 in an improbable shootout.
In the AFC, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Leo Chenal defeated Dare Ogunbowale’s Houston Texans 23-14 to advance to the team’s seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game. Chenal solidified the win with a blocked field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Finally, Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills conquered Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens in one of the most anticipated games of the 2024-25 season on Sunday. Badger alumnus David Edwards advances to the AFC title game as a result.
With the divisional round results, at least one former Badger is guaranteed to play in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. All five athletes are representatives of Wisconsin’s offensive line or linebacker unit.
