No way to track this sort of thing, but Saturday must be one of the best — if not the best — day of NFL playoff action for former Arizona Wildcats.
First, Nick Foles was efficient enough in blistering cold temperatures to quarterback Philadelphia to a 15-10 win over visiting Atlanta in an NFC divisional round game. Playing for the injured Carson Wentz, who is an MVP candidate, Foles gained confidence in himself and from his teammates as the game went on.
He completed completed 23 of 30 pass attempts for 246 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Second, tight end Rob Gronkowski was his customary self, Gronk, catching six passes for 81 yards with a touchdown in New England’s 35-7 win over Tennessee in an AFC divisional-round game.
Third, linebacker Marquis Flowers, acquired by New England this season as a free agent, had a sack of Marcus Mariota after tallying 2.5 in the regular season. Flowers had two other tackles and tallied three quarterback hurries.
Defensive end Brooks Reed, playing the same position he played at Arizona after starting his NFL career as a linebacker, had three tackles for Atlanta against former teammate Foles.
The following are some social media reactions of the feats of these former Wildcats in playoff action Saturday:
Nick Foles
Eagles' Nick Foles somehow won the quarterback matchup https://t.co/s66z2cXd3c
— Darrin White (@Darrin_White) January 14, 2018
#Eagles QB Nick Foles:
🔥 76.7 completion % is the HIGHEST single game % in Eagles playoff history!#nickfoles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/s9g8RUA8ZK
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) January 14, 2018
#Eagles QB Nick Foles:
•1st NFL QB since Randall Cunningham (1997 Vikings) to win a playoff Game despite starting 3 or FEWER regular season Games #NickFoles #FlyEaglesFly
— EAGLES 14-3 (@PHLPhillySports) January 14, 2018
We visited a Happy Eagles locker room after the game. Justin got to hang with Nick Foles and our Tampa neighbor Nelson Agholor. I was proud of Nick’s performance tonight. pic.twitter.com/HezUWiaCZw
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 14, 2018
Nick Foles stepping up in the pocket and making plays! #FlyEaglesFly #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Jtm3TMOlHP
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2018
The last time Nick Foles successfully threw a pass into a tight window, you ask? pic.twitter.com/9fOnJiLkKt
— Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_) January 13, 2018
Nick Foles is the 13th QB in NFL history with back-to-back postseason games with 69 percent completion percentage, a 100 passer rating and 0 interceptions.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) January 14, 2018
Nick Foles completed 23 of 30 passes against the Falcons, tied for the second-highest completion percentage in a playoff win in the last five postseasons (76.7%). pic.twitter.com/i3HVkBeMtr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 14, 2018
ROB GRONKOWSKI
Going Gronkers.
TD, @RobGronkowski #GoPats pic.twitter.com/KzWQ9x1cmR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
The elusive @RobGronkowski. #GoPats pic.twitter.com/AW6gyPzRNe
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
Only two players in @NFLhistory have more receiving touchdowns in the playoffs than Rob Gronkowski (10):
Jerry Rice (22)
John Stallworth (12)— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 14, 2018
Gotta love our boys @RobGronkowski @DannyAmendola great job today guys thanks for the hard work see ya next weekend AFC Championship game!!!!!! @Patriots #NotDone #BlitzForSix pic.twitter.com/3VQnRnatP2
— Pats5Rings (Cyborg) (@Jeffday79) January 14, 2018
Marquis Flowers
Beautiful delayed blitz by Marquis Flowers pic.twitter.com/AwIHHEmaS8
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
Marquis Flowers in his first 46 games: zero sacks
Marquis Flowers in his last three games: 4.5 sacks
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) January 14, 2018
It's amazing how much Patriots LB Marquis Flowers has improved on defense from when he first started getting snaps midway through the season to now.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 1, 2018
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
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