Miami Hurricanes contribute in Jaguars win over Steelers

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Eli Rogers
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Eli Rogers /
facebooktwitterreddit

Six Miami Hurricanes alums played in the Jacksonville Jaguars 45-42 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. Those six made up 40 percent of the Miami Hurricanes alums in the playoffs.

The most prominent Miami Hurricanes alum in the game was Jacksonville Defensive End Calais Campbell. Campbell signed a four-year $60 million contract with the Jaguars in the offseason. He finished second in the NFL this season with 14.5 sacks. He also had 47 tackles.

Campbell’s teammates who are also Hurricanes alums are wide receiver Allan Hurns and offensive lineman Brandon Lindner.

Hurns played in only ten games this season. He recorded 39 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns. Linder started in and played 13 games at center and right guard this season.

Pittsburgh’s Miami Hurricanes alums are linebacker Sean Spence, defensive lineman Anthony Chickillo and cornerback Artie Burns. Spence was signed after the Steelers lost linebacker Ryan Shazier with a season-ending spinal injury.

Burns started all 16 games this season and had 47 tackles and 13 pass breakups. Chickillo played in all 16 games, started two and had nine tackles and three sacks. Spence had 11 tackles, nine assists and a sack in the final four games after replacing Shazier.

Campbell was held to two solo tackles against Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers passing game torched the Jaguars for 469 passing yards.

Hurns was only targeted twice and finished with one reception for 12 yards. Linder was part of a Jaguars offensive line that helped protect Blake Bortles and led the Jacksonville offense to 378 yards.

Live Feed

How many NFL teams that started 0-2 have made the playoffs?
How many NFL teams that started 0-2 have made the playoffs? /

FanSided

  • AFC Playoff Odds Have Two Teams With Shocking OddsBetsided
  • The Ravens are 2-0 and nearly a lock for the postseasonEbony Bird
  • Patriots playoff chances have improved despite 0-1 startMusket Fire
  • An honest non-biased prediction of the Miami Dolphins 2023 seasonPhin Phanatic
  • 3 must-win games for the Chicago Bears in 2023Bear Goggles On
  • The Jaguars defense gave up 545 yards but also turned the Steelers over twice. They gave up 21 of the Steelers 42 points in the fourth quarter.

    Jacksonville was strong enough through the first 20 minutes of the game to help the Jaguars take a 21-0 lead. The Jaguars also had a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 28-7 in the second quarter.

    It was not a good afternoon for either defense. The Steelers only gave up the 378 yards but allowed 38 of the 45 Jaguars points. Spence led the Hurricanes alums on the Steelers defense with five total tackles and one quarterback hit. Burns had three tackles and two passes defended and Chickillo finished with one tackle.

    Campbell, Hurns and Linder’s Jaguars pulled the upset and the anticipated rematch between the Patriots and Steelers in next week’s AFC Championship game. It will be the Jaguars traveling to New England to face the Patriots.

    Next: Miami Hurricanes likely 2018 preseason top ten team

    It’s Jacksonville’s third ever AFC Championship Game. Their first came in their second season in the NFL in 1996. That was ironically a 20-6 loss to the Patriots in New England. That game was played at Foxboro Stadium. They also lost 33-14 to the Tennessee Titans after the 1999 season.