Oklahoma State Down to Six Connections in the NFL Playoffs
STILLWATER – The NFL Playoffs are now down to the division round and there are fewer Oklahoma State connections. The Baltimore Ravens are the leader in Cowboys connections that are remaining in the playoffs. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace is the guy with the biggest play this season when he had the punt return for touchdown in overtime to beat the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have two other OSU connections. The Ravens will host the Houston Texans in the divisional round on Saturday, Jan. 20. The other match-ups have the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC. The other AFC game on Sunday, Jan. 21 has the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Buffalo Bills.
| Sat., Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m. ct | Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens | ESPN, ABC |
| Sat., Jan. 20, 7:15 p.m. ct | Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers | FOX |
| Sun., Jan. 21, 2 p.m. ct | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions | NBC, Peacock |
| Sun., Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. ct | Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills | CBS |
The Bills have a former Cowboy in Oklahoma State graduate Denny Kellington as their head athletic trainer. Kellington made national news as one of the key medical professionals that save defensive back Damar Hamlin’s life in that Monday night game in 2022 with Buffalo at Cincinnati. Hamlin suffered a heart ailment on the field.
The 49ers have former Oklahoma State receiver Tay Martin on their practice squad. This is his second season to be with the Niners on their practice unit.
Oklahoma State fans love former linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and “Rodrigo” is extremely popular in Detroit. He has played in all of the Lions games this season and started three. He has also played some fullback in this season in addition to linebacker and special teams. He has 22 tackles with 14 unassisted stops. Rodriguez has also forced a fumble this season.
Back to the Ravens. There off the field connection is former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator and receivers coach Todd Monken. Monken is also a close friend of Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy. He has had a strong season back in the NFL this year following calling plays for back-to-back national championships at Georgia.
Wallace, besides that huge punt return has one reception for 11-yards. He has six punt returns and averaged 21.2-yards per return. He has returned one kickoff for 26-yards.
Much more active this season has been running back Justice Hill. Hill is originally from Tulsa Washington High School. This season he has 387-yards rushing and three touchdowns on 84 carries. He has a healthy 4.6-yards per carry average. He has caught 28 passes for 206-yards and a touchdown. he has three kickoff returns and has averaged 39.7-yards a return.