Wolverines in the NFL: Chris Evans, David Long Jr. punch tickets to Super Bowl LVI

After an electric divisional round last week, the NFL Playoffs delivered once again on Championship Sunday, and former Michigan players were right in the mix. Seven Wolverines were on active rosters for the conference championship games, and two have moved on to Super Bowl 56.

Former Michigan running back Chris Evans and the Cincinnati Bengals, touchdown underdogs, upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium, eliminating former U-M quarterback Chad Henne, defensive end Frank Clark and defensive end Mike Danna from contention. The Bengals trailed 21-3 but mounted a comeback and won, 27-24, on a game-winning field goal in overtime.

Evans returned one kick for 26 yards and totaled 12 special teams snaps, helping the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989, which will occur only two years after finishing as the league’s worst team and receiving the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Clark’s impact was limited, having started the game but recorded just one tackle, while Danna notched two stops and laid one hit on the quarterback. Henne did not see action, serving as Patrick Mahomes’ backup. The Chiefs have now made four-straight AFC Championship Game appearances, advancing twice with one Super Bowl title.

The NFC Championship Game also came down to the wire, with former Michigan cornerback David Long Jr. and the Los Angeles Rams beating the San Francisco 49ers, 19-16, bringing former U-M cornerback Ambry Thomas and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst‘s seasons to an end. The Rams are set for their second Super Bowl appearance in four years and searching for their first title since 2000 (when they were based in St. Louis).

Long has been battling through a knee injury that he suffered in the Wild Card round. While he played 24 defensive snaps, he did not register any statistics. Thomas got the start for the 49ers, tallying a game-high 13 tackles, while Hurst did not play.

So, it’ll be Evans and the Bengals versus Long Jr. and the Rams for the Lombardi Trophy, with the latter squad opening as 3.5-point favorites.

Here’s a look at all seven former Michigan players and how they fared on Championship Sunday.

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Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Playoffs: Started but did not record any statistics in a 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Opened the game and made two tackles, including one stop for loss, in a 42-36 divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills … Started and recorded two tackles and one fumble recovery in a 42-21 Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Regular Season Stats: Tallied 22 tackles, three stops for loss, 4.5 sacks (second on team), two forced fumbles and 17 quarterback hits in 14 starts and tilts for the 12-5 Chiefs

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Playoffs: The former Michigan edge defender posted two tackles and laid one hit on the quarterback in a 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game … Saw 16 snaps (11 on defense, five special teams) but did not record any statistics in a 42-36 win over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round … Recorded one sack and two hits on the quarterback in a 42-21 Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Regular Season Stats: Started six of his 17 games for the 12-5 Chiefs, with three sacks (third on team), 26 tackles, three stops for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.

Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Playoffs: Did not play on offense but totaled 12 special teams snaps and returned one kickoff for 26 yards in a 27-24 AFC title game … Rushed once for four yards and returned three kicks for 82 yards in a 19-16 divisional round win over the Tennessee Titans … Had one rush for nine yards and five kick returns for 103 yards in a 26-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Wild Card weekend.

Regular Season Stats: The former Michigan running back made 13 appearances off the bench and one start for the 10-7 Bengals, notching 15 receptions for 151 yards and one score, while also rushing 17 times for 77 yards and a touchdown

Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Playoffs: The former Michigan signal-caller not make an appearance in the postseason.

Regular Season Stats: Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards while playing in four games for the 12-5 Chiefs.

Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers

Playoffs: Did not see game action during the postseason.

Regular Season Stats: The former Michigan defensive tackle notched two tackles, and one stop for loss, in two games for the 10-7 49ers.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Playoffs: Played but did not record any statistics in a 20-17 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game … Made seven tackles, including one stop for loss, in a 30-27 divisional round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Had an interception return for a touchdown in a 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round.

Regular Season Stats: The former Michigan corner started five of his 15 games for the 12-5 Rams, with 40 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

Playoffs: Started a 20-17 NFC Championship Game loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and tallied a game-high 13 tackles … Missed the divisional round with a deep ankle bruise … Started and notched three tackles and one pass breakup in a 23-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.

Regular Season Stats: The former Michigan cornerback started five games and appeared in 12 … Registered 23 tackles and seven pass breakups with one interception.