Badgers in the NFL: Wild Card Weekend

While the regular season is over, there were still a handful of former Badgers that suited up for playoff teams on Wild Card weekend. Let’s take a look at how they fared on the big stage.

• Russell Wilson, QB (Seahawks): Wilson had a rough day in Saturday’s matchup against the Rams. The nine year veteran threw for a season-low 11 completions, 174 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Seattle’s loss. Wilson was under pressure from the Rams’ front seven all game and was sacked five times. After a red hot start to the season, Wilson and the Seahawks sputtered offensively down the stretch.

• Jonathan Taylor, RB (Colts): Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and added two catches for six receiving yards in the Colts’ loss to the Bills. After a slow start to the year, JT finished his rookie season by rushing for a 819 yards and nine total touchdowns in his last seven games.

• Derek Watt, FB (Steelers): Watt played 69% of special teams and had one tackle in the Steelers’ loss to the Browns. The fullback also had two carries, both on third-and-one, but was only able to convert a first down on one of them.
• Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Ramczyk started at right tackle and played 100% of offensive snaps in the Saints’ win over the Bears. The four year veteran was named second-team All-Pro on Friday.

• Rick Wagner, OT (Packers): The Packers had a bye this week due to being the number one seed in the NFC. Wagner did not practice on Friday as he continues to manage a knee injury, but barring any setbacks this week, the eight year veteran should be ready to go for Green Bay’s game against the Rams.

• Rob Havenstein, OT (Rams): Havenstein started at right tackle and played every offensive snap in the Rams’ win over the Seahawks on Saturday.
• David Edwards, OG (Rams): Edwards started at left guard and logged 25 offensive snaps before leaving Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. As of Sunday night, the second year pro is day-to-day with Achilles tendonitis and his status for Saturday’s game against the Packers is up in the air.

• T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): Watt notched three tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended in the Steelers’ upset loss to the Browns. While Watt will surely be disappointed in the first round exit, he was named a first-team All-Pro on Friday and is the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.

• Zack Baun, LB (Saints): Baun was on the field for 50% of special teams snaps and logged just one defensive snap in the Saints’ win over the Bears. The rookie recorded no tackles in the game.
• Jack Cichy, LB (Buccaneers): Cichy played 18 total snaps (two defensive, 16 special teams) and recorded no tackles in Tampa Bay’s win over the Washington Football Team. The Bucs will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints this upcoming Sunday.