NFLSU: PLAYOFF OVERVIEW II

@LonnPhillips

During the NFL's Divisional Playoffs this past weekend, a wide variety of LSU Tigers faced off against each other for the right to play for a conference title:

On Saturday & Sunday, there was a plethora of Tiger on Tiger crime everywhere you looked: Tyrann Mathieu faced off directly against his 2011-2013 Tiger teammate & close friend Jarvis Landry, as the Chiefs vs Browns came down to the final minute and a half in Kansas City; There were many other Tigers playing as well, Chiefs' RB Darrel Williams carrying the load for (another Tiger) Clyde, Cleveland LB Jacob Phillips...there were a host of absent Tigers from both KC & Cleveland, too: the recovering Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit and Odell Beckham Jr....nearly 10 combined Tigers between both the Browns and Chiefs could've participated in Saturday's game, while at least 4 took to the field.

Patrick Queen's Ravens went up against Tre'davious White's Buffalo Bills, while Devin White, Leonard Fournette, Michael Divinity & (in spirit) Kevin Minter played their biggest ever games within their home state of Louisiana...inside the Superdome...

It was a historic weekend for the Louisiana State University football program, watching players from almost every position on the field perform on the biggest stage for the ultimate prize...no other collegiate program can boast as many crunch-time warriors or focal point studs as LSU can....you don't see this many Alabama players being irreplaceable at the next level...the Draft domination from LSU over the past decade plus is blossoming into an unrivaled professional record.

We previously dove into the Tigers in Tampa during our part one piece and now we jump to the rest of the NFLSU reps who played during the NFL postseason.

We list the full postseason stats second and their stat-line from their last playoff appearance first.

VS RAVENS

6 TACKLES (5 SOLO)

1 PD

1 TFL

13 TACKLES (10 SOLO)

2 PDs

1 TFL

We start with one of the classiest Tigers the NFL has ever seen, a towering DB of eminent stature who's legend only solidifies by the game.

Tre'Davious White is now an all-time Buffalo Bills hero after he became part and parcel of the defensive shutdown through two rounds as this young Bills team is now on their way back to the AFC title game...a stage the Bills owned during a record 4 consecutive wins and 5 appearances in 6 years during the late 80s early 90s...

And now "Take Away" Tre brings the Bills back to the cusp of a Super Bowl for the first time since Jim Kelly last played for the franchise.

Since the Bills drafted Tre'Davious White using their 27th overall pick in the 1st Round of the 2017 NFL Draft, his arrival has coincided with the Bills' first 3 playoff appearances since 1999/2000....

It's no mistake his arrival equaled the completion of their successful trajectory....of course, to get to an AFC title game they needed a QB like Josh Allen and WR such as Diggs....sure, offense leads the future...but without their former Tiger shutting down half of the field, the Bills may never get out of the Wild Card round each year...

In 4 playoff games as a Bill, White has produced 1 forced fumble, 19 total tackles (15 solo), 3 PDs and 1 TFL, all while featuring in every single snap throughout their last 2 playoff trips (participating in 93% of his snaps during the Bills' 2017 Wild Card loss to Leonard Fournette's Jaguars)...becoming an irreplaceable force for Buffalo.

And after watching future HOF Phillip Rivers & 2019's MVP Lamar Jackson both appearing terrified when throwing White's way, his mere presence alone may be just as effective as his athleticism or predatory football IQ.

IN 2 PLAYOFF GAMES:

4 TACKLES (3 SOLO)

1 QB HIT

106 TACKLES (66 SOLO)

10 QB HITS

9.0 TFL

3.0 SACKS

2 FR

2 FF

2 PD

1 INT

1 FR RET FOR TD (Against Joe Burrow)

Queen didn't finish the season in the same hell bent for leather manner as he started his inaugural rookie season: during his final four games of the regular season & postseason Queen compiled 2 solo tackles or fewer per game, 4 combined stops or less each outing & 3 overall QB hits...and the lack of Queen's trademark imperious brutality was felt over the middle of the field in these two playoff games for Baltimore.

Baltimore only allowed 17 points to Buffalo and 13 to the Titans, with Queen making a few superb tackles on Derrick Henry in the Wild Card game, but he seemed to be a passenger against Buffalo, looking like a rookie for the first time all year as Diggs made one big catch after another on the Ravens' LBs and secondary....but.....

Queen has the rest of his long career to bury this Divisional Playoff game from his memory, but if this is Patrick Queen at his worst, then I wonder just how good he could be in year two when the Ravens get back to the playoffs....he'll be on a mission.

Overall, his rookie year was as good as it gets, grabbing an INT, forcing & recovering multiple fumbles (1 forced and 2 recovered vs Cincy in Week 5, headlined by his force / scoop & score off Joe Burrow), amassing over 100 combined tackles, registering multiple sacks, recording an elevated TFL statistic and filling up the sheet in every which way, including making some ruthlessly big plays against division rivals Baker Mayfield, Big Ben and former teammate Joe Burrow.

I don't think so....this guy has to win the award.

vs Saints In Wild Card:

3 TACKLES (2 SOLO)

1 PD

1 TFL

In his first appearance at the Superdome since he played in LSU's 2011 National Championship Game defeat to Alabama, the Bears' Super Bowl-winning OLB Barkevious Mingo displayed stout & solid defense vs the Saints in their Wild Card game loss (3 tackles, 2 solo, 1 PD, 1 TFL).

Though the Wild Card defeat was his first time taking on the New Orleans Saints inside Louisiana, the game was actually Mingo's 6th postseason outing in his career, including his Super Bowl LI win as a member of Belichick's Patriots.

Tackling Taysum Hill, deflecting a Brees pass and shutting down Alvin Kamara in the backfield, Mingo was one of the stand-out defenders for a Bears club who shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, headlined by a catastrophic touchdown drop among other mistakes which led to their defeat.

But Mingo wasn't part of the problem at all...in fact, without Mingo, the Saints score 10 more points over the Bears.

vs BROWNS

7 TACKLES (5 SOLO)

1 INT

1 PD

1 TFL

Stealing his first playoff interception in 6 postseason appearances, Tyrann Mathieu tilted the balance toward Kansas City's favor in last weekend's Divisional round vs Cleveland.

Sneaking in front of Baker Mayfield's intended target (Mathieu's former 2011 Tigers teammate Jarvis Landry) "The Honeybadger" tracked down Baker's bulleted pass and stepped out to grasp his destiny.

Sporting waiting arms and attacking hands, Mathieu read Mayfield faster & easier than he can get through a chapter of Curious George Gets A Pick Six, but it won't be his last.

What a game he had against a few former Tigers on the other side during a wind-swept, freezing day in Kansas City: Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's captain proceeded to pile-drive the Browns for 7 tackles, 5 solo shots including a few mano e mano moments tangling with Landry once again, however the interception (behind a 19-3 lead) turned out to be the play of most consequence (alongside his trio of second half tackles on 3rd down):

Regardless of the fact neither the Chiefs' high octane offense nor field goal unit could punch in his turnover for points (or sustain a drive longer than 33 seconds), The Honeybadger's interception, brutality, organization & intimidation most likely afforded the Chiefs' secondary just enough time to run out the clock when backup QB Chad Henne came in the game late to replace the concussed Pat Mahomes.

Before the INT, Mayfield threw the ball fearlessly...after the pick, he was antsy and cycled through his progressions unnecessarily, allowing the Chiefs' secondary to hone in on the former Heisman winner's targets.

Thanks to Mathieu's 2nd quarter pick, Baker went 23/37 for 204 yards, the Chiefs' secondary (without Breeland) produced 5 pass deflections, the pass rush generated 3 QB hits and 1 sack, although the statistics don't tell the tale...watch the tape. Baker was scared of getting picked again by the Honeybadger...he could sense #32 watching his every movement...

What a psychological mountain...and still Mayfield made some gutty throws and won my full respect as an NFL contending quarterback, even with the ugly 2020 numbers, Baker's a gamer...and Tyrann understood he had to shut down any quarterback confidence.

All in all, if not for Mathieu's earlier pick, Andy Reid's late-game play calling would've been forced into far more indecision (Henne under center) with more time left on the clock and a resurgent Browns' offense wearing through the Chiefs.

Yet just like in last year's come from behind Super Bowl win against the 49ers, Tyrann rallied his troops around him to withstand the siege and together they held against the Browns until it was far too late, even as starting corner Brashaud Breeland left the game with a concussion just as the Chiefs' starting QB Patrick Mahomes had previously...

Somehow, Tyrann Mathieu is able to inject this "never give in, never surrender" mentality which has proven infectious among a group of defenders who know their offense will pick it up sooner or later...they know Mahomes and co will generate bursts of points and thanks to their longer, methodical 1st half drives utilizing former Tiger Darrel Williams at running back, the Chiefs' defense had just enough gas in the tank to take it home for a 3rd straight AFC title game.

Mathieu once led the Tigers defense against Alabama in the 2012 BCS title game, withstanding one onslaught after another, turning Tide touchdown threats into punts & field goals as the LSU offense failed to cross midfield until the 4th quarter...I've never seen anything like it...

Throughout the one-sided game, Mathieu proved to the world what he was made of, whether HOF GM Bill Polian wanted to recognize it or not: while backed into a corner, knowing their offense wouldn't win the game for them, they did everything possible to win that title game on their own...as a defense...

So, imagine going into an AFC title game knowing you have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, all these weapons on offense, the return of Tiger running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but you also have this "win the game on defense" mindset coming from your defensive captain...no wonder they came from behind in every playoff game last year including the Super Bowl (in which Mathieu made a big time, high profile, game changing speech at the Chiefs' lowest point, galvanizing his teammates toward victory)....

7 Catches

20 Yards

1 TD

POSTSEASON TOTAL:

2 TDs

112 YARDS

12 CATCHES

As Jarvis Landry grabbed his second TD in his second playoff appearance of this 2020/2021 postseason, Landry may not have been overly effective (only 20 yards) however the former Tiger's touchdown catch alone nearly pulled the Browns over the line for a shocking upset, only losing 22-17 in Arrowhead is a big statement from Andrew Berry's young nucleus...

Their defense forced Andy Reid to dial up one of the riskiest playoff calls ever on 4th and 1 NOT with Pat Mahomes, but while Chad Henne took his place...

Cleveland nearly pulled off the unthinkable twice in two playoff rounds...

Either way, the Browns already overachieved, winning their first playoff game since Braveheart won Best Picture and Clinton still had Monica Lewinski for a secretary....

In the Wild Card game, Cleveland upset the once undefeated 11-0 Steelers in a hardcore AFC North showdown, winning 48-37 during a wild contest. Landry was the chief Steelers usurper, catching 5 passes for 92 yards and a colossal touchdown catapulting the Browns to a 14-0 lead, soon becoming an atrocious 28-0 stampede.

Landry was a firm part of that, all while missing OBJ as his wingman. Together with Mayfield, these two former Tiger teammates were destroying the NFL...

If all three, Jarvis, OBJ & Mayfield can remain healthy in 2021, Cleveland has a great shot at taking the highly contested division which featured 3 strong playoff teams (PITT, BAL & CLE)....

With Garrett and that vicious pass rush, some young Tigers defenders returning from injury or still developing (Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit, Jacob Phillips) and that heat-seeking offensive attack, Cleveland may just outscore the AFC North if their NFLSU weapons stay healthy.

Now an NFL veteran who played in 3 playoff games with 2 different teams, Landry is only just beginning to really be in a position with a quarterback to show his true talents. In 3 playoff games with Miami & Cleveland, Jarvis has proven to be a big game receiver: 214 yards, 23 catches, 9.3 per reception, 2 TDs, one game over 100 yards, one game with 10+ caches, another at 92 yards...it's a stunning playoff sample slice which beckons for more.

IN 2 PLAYOFF GAMES:

5 TACKLES (4 SOLO)

Although his playoff numbers aren't eye-catching, the rookie LB's 10 tackles (8 solo) against the Steelers in their Week 17 victory may have handed Cleveland their first playoff spot since 2002...

Without Phillips' performance on the final day of the regular season (his hits and tackles shutting down many opportunities for yards after catch), perhaps the Browns miss the playoffs once again...

Instead, Phillips had his best game of the year when Cleveland needed it most.

Sure, his rookie year was far from his expectations (especially after winning a National Championship as 2019 LSU's leading tackler with 100+ stops): pushing through injuries straight outta the gates, Phillips endured the brutal test and now has a double shot of playoff experience to add to his locker, coupled alongside his stunning outing against a division rival with playoff contention on the line.

vs BROWNS

-78 RUSHING YARDS

13 CARRIES

-16 RECEIVING YARDS

4 CATCHES

Totaling 4 first down rushes, 2 first down receptions, 3 gains of 10+ yards (a handful of 9 yard gains as well), a monumental 4th down gain, a close to game-sealing 3rd down receiving conversion, former Tiger Darrel Williams took over the ground game for the Chiefs when they needed it most.

Though the Chiefs were running the ball quite a bit throughout the first 3 quarters while Mahomes was on the field, the bulk of Williams' 78 rushing yards and 94 total came after the Chiefs' MVP quarterback went out...

With no Clyde Edwards-Helaire available and an out of shape Le'Veon Bell barely getting any carries due to his profligate play, Andy Reid leaned on and relied upon the bruising speed of Williams, now closing in on his second Super Bowl with the Chiefs and his 3rd consecutive AFC title game.

Williams will be huge for the Chiefs this weekend too, helping ease Clyde back into the rhythms of NFL brutality against a defensive juggernaut in Tre'Davious White's Buffalo Bills, protecting the still-recovering Mahomes as a backfield shield...expect Darrel to get half of the carries this week as Andy Reid looks to bridge Edwards-Helaire back to full health.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC

RIP LEGENDARY WAFB ANCHOR DONNA BRITT