Marcus Jones Shines, Josh Jones Advances as Houston Alums Make Playoff Noise
As the NFL playoffs heat up, a pair of former Houston Cougars are still dancing-and making their presence felt on football’s biggest stage. Marcus Jones and Josh Jones, both proud products of Houston Football, are headed to their respective Conference Championship games after their teams picked up convincing wins in the Divisional Round.
Let’s break down how each of these former Coogs is contributing-and what lies ahead.
Marcus Jones: A Game-Changer in Foxborough
Marcus Jones didn’t just show up for the Patriots in their 28-16 win over the Texans-he changed the game.
The versatile cornerback was all over the field, logging 58 defensive snaps, which accounted for 77% of New England’s total. But it was his second-quarter heroics that truly flipped the momentum.
With the Texans driving, Jones read the play, jumped the route, and took an interception 26 yards to the house. That pick-six gave the Patriots a 14-10 lead and sent Gillette Stadium into a frenzy.
And that wasn’t just any playoff pick-six-it was the first for a Patriots player since Asante Samuel pulled off the feat in the 2006 AFC Championship Game. That’s elite company.
Jones didn’t stop there. He also made his mark on special teams, returning four punts for 53 yards, including a 24-yard burst that set up solid field position in the third quarter. His ability to flip the field and create scoring opportunities continues to be a major asset for New England.
With two interception return touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns this season, Jones became just the second player in NFL history to hit that rare double-double. And since making his debut in 2022, no one in the league has more non-offensive touchdowns-he leads the NFL with six.
He added two tackles and two passes defended to round out a complete performance. Now, with the Patriots set to face Denver in the AFC Championship Game, Jones will once again be a key piece in their game plan.
Josh Jones: Seahawks Keep Rolling
Josh Jones didn’t suit up for Seattle’s 41-6 rout of San Francisco due to a knee injury, but his team had no trouble advancing without him. The Seahawks dominated from start to finish, punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game, where they’ll face off against the Rams.
While Jones was inactive, his presence on the offensive line has been a steadying force throughout the season when healthy. If he’s able to return for the next round, Seattle could get a much-needed boost in the trenches as they prepare for a physical battle against a tough Rams front.
Other Cougars in the Playoffs
Ajani Carter and Tank Dell both missed the Texans' playoff loss to New England. Carter’s rookie season was cut short by a hamstring injury, and Dell remains on the PUP/Reserved list.
Meanwhile, Ed Oliver returned to the field for Buffalo after tearing his bicep in late October. He saw limited action-just 16 defensive snaps-before exiting in the third quarter of the Bills’ heartbreaking 33-30 loss to Denver.
What’s Next
With Marcus Jones and Josh Jones still in the hunt, Houston Football will be well-represented in both Conference Championship games. Jones’ dynamic playmaking ability has already made a postseason impact, and if Josh Jones can return to action, he’ll have a chance to help Seattle punch a ticket to the Super Bowl.
One thing’s for sure: the Cougars are showing up when it matters most.