The Detroit Lions aren't in the playoffs, but the NFL playoff schedule is still worth taking note of. There is an exciting slate of games set for this weekend, and a number of former Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans are going to be involved in the games. As a Lions fan, it's nice being able to cheer for someone during the playoffs, so I usually throw my rooting interests behind the team with more Wolverines.
↵Saturday's NFL playoff schedule features the Ravens vs. Steelers at 4:30 p.m. on CBS. In this game there are quite a few former Wolverines and Spartans and even some alumni of Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. The Ravens have former MSU wide receiver Derrick Mason, former MSU defensive tackle Brandon McKinney and former U-M linebacker Prescott Burgess. On the Steelers are former U-M linebacker Larry Foote, former U-M linebacker LaMarr Woodley, former MSU offensive tackle Flozell Adams, former Eastern Michigan quarterback Charlie Batch and former Central Michigan wide receiver Antonio Brown.
↵The 8 p.m. game on Saturday is Packers vs. Falcons on FOX. No Michigan, Michigan State or directional Michigan players are on the Falcons, but the Packers have one Wolverine and five guys that played for Central Michigan, Western Michigan or Eastern Michigan. The former Wolverine is cornerback Charles Woodson, and the other guys from the state's colleges are former WMU wide receiver Greg Jennings, former EMU offensive guard T.J. Lang, former CMU defensive end Cullen Jenkins, former CMU linebacker Frank Zombo and former CMU cornerback Josh Gordy.