Clemson Football: NFL Playoffs show talent level of Tigers Championship teams

By now most Clemson football fans are aware that every team in the NFL Playoffs has a former Clemson Tiger(s) on their roster and Clemson is the only such college team with that distinction.

Heady times indeed for former Tigers and their fans.

It’s not just being on the roster, as many former Clemson football players are in starring roles on their teams.

It speaks to those 2016 and 2018 National Championship teams and just what Clemson had on campus.

When I opined that the Clemson teams of the last couple of years were without a similar talent level there was some, but not much, gentle pushback, with most of the blame pointed at the coaches.

We’re OK with pushback here if it’s intended in the spirit of discussion and that’s what this was in my estimation.

To be sure, there is some fault there as recent staff changes have confirmed, but my guess is three or four years from now you won’t see the number and talent level of the more current Clemson team represented in the NFL the way you do the 2016-2018 teams.

Trevor’s wild day, from 4 interceptions to 4 touchdown passes to the Waffle House has been widely shared on the internet, but less publicized was the Jags handing the ball off to Travis Etienne on 4th and 1 with the game on the line and Etienne rumbling for a first down to set up the game-winning field goal.

Lawrence has had an up-and-down season, but the Jag’s fortunes began to turn when they drafted Lawrence and Etienne and exploded when they hired Doug Pederson as coach.

In New York, Dexter Lawrence is doing things that nose tackles aren’t supposed to do.

In the Cincinnati – Baltimore battle, Sammy Watkins caught a pass for the Ravens, while Tee Higgins caught 4 for 37 yards for the Bengals, Jackson Carman saw playing time due to injuries on the line and D.J. Reader did his thing up front on the Bengals defense.

Christian Wilkins recorded 4 total tackles, a sack and 2 quarterback hits, not counting the extracurricular one on Josh Allen, as the Dolphins fell short against the Bills.

On the Bills side, veteran Shaq Lawson recorded a couple of tackles, including one for loss and a quarterback hit.

Seattle ultimately fell to the 49ers, but Tanner Muse had 4 tackles and a pass defensed for the Seahawks, while Ray Ray McCloud had a punt return for 16 yards for the 49ers.

All that and there’s still more to go tonight as the Cowboys, with 4 former Tigers on their defense, take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The NFL Playoffs are exhibit 1 in confirming just how special the recent Clemson football Championship teams were

It’s incredible when you look back at those Clemson teams from 2016 and 2018 and how much talent there was at Clemson and how it’s translated to the NFL.

That’s how you win National Championships.

Back then Dabo told us “These are the good old days of Clemson football.”

Flip on any NFL Playoff game and you’ll see just how right he was.