Seven former NC State football players have made their mark in the 2024 NFL Playoffs. Among them are Russell Wilson and Payton Wilson from Pittsburgh, Joe Thuney with the Kansas City Chiefs, Garrett Bradbury of the Vikings, Alim McNeill from the Lions, Larrell Murchison and Dylan McMahon with the Rams. The players have shown remarkable performances this season, contributing significantly to their respective teams' successes. Pittsburgh faces Baltimore in the Wild Card Round, while Kansas City and Detroit enjoy a bye week as top seeds. Meanwhile, Minnesota and Los Angeles will clash on Monday night. Each player has brought unique skills and achievements to their teams, setting the stage for an exciting playoff season.
Pittsburgh's Dynamic Duo: Russell and Payton Wilson
Russell Wilson and Payton Wilson are leading the charge for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 playoffs. Both players have had standout seasons, with Payton earning recognition on every All-Rookie team and Russell stepping up after recovering from an injury. Despite some late-season struggles, Russell finished with solid statistics and helped Pittsburgh secure a playoff berth. Payton's defensive prowess has been instrumental, making him one of the highest-graded linebackers in the league.
Russell Wilson joined the starting lineup in Week 7 after nursing a calf injury and led Pittsburgh to a strong start, winning six out of seven games. However, the team faltered towards the end of the season, losing their last four regular-season matches. Despite this, Russell finished the year with 2,482 passing yards, a 63.7 completion percentage, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His performance was slightly below his previous year's stats, but he still managed a respectable PFF grade of 77.5. Payton Wilson, meanwhile, has been a defensive force, consistently ranking among the top rookies and earning praise for his exceptional playmaking abilities.
Kansas City and Minnesota's Key Contributors
The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings boast significant contributions from NC State alumni Joe Thuney and Garrett Bradbury. Thuney earned Pro Bowl honors for the third consecutive year, showcasing his versatility by playing both left guard and tackle positions. Bradbury anchored the Vikings' offensive line, demonstrating steady improvement throughout the season. Both players played pivotal roles in securing playoff spots for their teams.
Joe Thuney continued his stellar career with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning Pro Bowl honors for the third straight year. His PFF grade of 79.9 is the highest since 2021 and second-best of his career. Thuney's adaptability shone when he switched from left guard to left tackle in Weeks 15-17, impressively not surrendering a single sack. On the other hand, Garrett Bradbury started every game at center for the Vikings, achieving a PFF grade of 62.1, which is the second-highest of his career. His run-blocking grade of 70.7 marked a new personal best. While the Vikings face the Rams on Monday night, Thuney and Bradbury's performances have been crucial in getting their teams this far.