NFL Divisional Playoffs Feature Former 'Cuse Stars
1/15/2016 11:35:00 AM | Football
Chandler Jones, Dwight Freeney and Shamarko Thomas set to take the field this weekend
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Three former Syracuse Orange football standouts are expected to participate in this weekend's divisional round of the 2016 NFL playoffs. Dwight Freeney (Arizona Cardinals), Chandler Jones (New England Patriots), and Shamarko Thomas (Pittsburgh Steelers) each are looking to help their teams secure a trip to next weekend's conference championship games.
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Freeney and Arizona host Green Bay on Saturday evening at 8:15 p.m. EST. A unanimous 2001 All-American for the Orange, Freeney joined the Cardinals on Oct. 13, signing as a free agent. He recorded 8.0 sacks in the regular season in just nine games played.
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Jones and New England take on Kansas City at home on Saturday afternoon at 4:35 p.m. EST. A two-time all-conference honoree at Syracuse, Jones finished the regular season fifth in the NFL with a career-high 12.5 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl invitation.
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Thomas and Pittsburgh wrap up the weekend at Denver on Sunday afternoon at 4:40 p.m. EST. An All-BIG EAST First Team honoree in 2012 at Syracuse, Thomas is in his third year with the Steelers. He recorded 12 tackles in the regular season. Thomas saw the field in last weekend's wild-card victory against Cincinnati, but did not record any statistics.
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For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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Freeney and Arizona host Green Bay on Saturday evening at 8:15 p.m. EST. A unanimous 2001 All-American for the Orange, Freeney joined the Cardinals on Oct. 13, signing as a free agent. He recorded 8.0 sacks in the regular season in just nine games played.
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Jones and New England take on Kansas City at home on Saturday afternoon at 4:35 p.m. EST. A two-time all-conference honoree at Syracuse, Jones finished the regular season fifth in the NFL with a career-high 12.5 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl invitation.
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Thomas and Pittsburgh wrap up the weekend at Denver on Sunday afternoon at 4:40 p.m. EST. An All-BIG EAST First Team honoree in 2012 at Syracuse, Thomas is in his third year with the Steelers. He recorded 12 tackles in the regular season. Thomas saw the field in last weekend's wild-card victory against Cincinnati, but did not record any statistics.
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For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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