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Penn State NFL Roundup: Former Nittany Lions make their mark on NFL Divisional Round

IMG_1698 5 (1)by: David Eckert01/24/22davideckert98

From game-winning field goals to big-time interceptions, former Penn State players made a strong impact on a thrilling weekend of NFL playoff football.

Let’s dive into the full recap.

Rams vs Buccanneers (3 former Penn State players)

Nick Scott saved one of the best games of his career for the most crucial time.

Scott, making just his fourth career start, rewarded Rams coach Sean McVay to the tune of five tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.

With the Rams leading 20-3 in the waning moments of the first half, Scott got across Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski to bring down a pick inside the Tampa Bay 35-yard line.

The Rams failed to get any points out of the turnover Scott forced just before the half, but the turnover proved to be huge down the stretch.

The Bucs overcame a 27-3 deficit to tie the game just before the end of the fourth quarter, but the Rams managed to get themselves downfield and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Scott wasn’t the only former Nittany Lion to make an impact for the Rams in this game.

Former Penn State defensive back Grant Haley, signed by Los Angeles midseason, came away with three tackles on 19 special teams snaps as the Rams moved on to the NFC title game, where they’ll take on the San Francisco 49ers.

There was also a Penn State alumnus on the losing side of this thriller.

Offensive tackle Donovan Smith played every snap for the Bucs at tackle, making a valiant comeback that fell just short.

RELATED: Receiver Daniel George says Penn State goodbyes, enters transfer portal

49ers vs Packers (3)

Former Penn State kicker Robbie Gould kicked a last-second field goal in the snow at Lambeau Field to send the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC title game with a 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Gould credited his game-winning kick to some new cleats he got from a Lancaster supplier following the game.

“I needed that on the last kick, for sure,” he said.

Gould is now 20-20 on his field-goal attempts in the playoffs, the most attempts in the postseason without a miss in NFL history.

He joins former Penn State defensive tackle Kevin Givens in advancing to the NFL title game. Givens played 18 snaps on defense and did not record a tackle in the win.

Packers safety Adrian Amos turned in an excellent performance in defeat.

Amos picked off 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the red zone in the final minute of the first half.

Amos added five tackles and a QB hit in what was a great effort by the Packers’ defense, which gave up just six points. The 49ers got their only touchdown of the game from a blocked punt.

Chiefs vs Bills (1)

Lineman Ryan Bates played every snap on offense for the Bills in their all-time thrilling loss to the Chiefs.

The Bills marched down the field twice in the game’s final moments to score what looked like game-winning touchdowns, only to be thwarted by Patrick Mahomes both times.

Bates was excellent once again for the Bills. He’s emerged as a key piece for Buffalo, starting both of their playoff games and their final three regular-season contests. This was the only defeat of those five games.

Bengals vs Titans (0)

No Nittany Lions partook in this contest, which was won by the Bengals on a last-second field goal.

That means Penn State won’t have any representation in the AFC title game.