After a weekend of hard-hitting playoff action, the field of former Minnesota Gophers chasing a Super Bowl ring has narrowed - but not by much. We're down from four to three, and depending on how this Sunday shakes out, we could see anywhere from zero to three former Gophers taking the field in Santa Clara for the NFL’s biggest stage.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Gophers fared in the Divisional Round, and what lies ahead in the conference championship games.
Houston Texans (Eliminated)
Divisional Round: Loss @ New England Patriots
Aireontae Ersery - LT
Ersery held down the left tackle spot for all 75 offensive snaps and chipped in on four more special teams plays. While he earned a solid grade from Pro Football Focus, it wasn’t enough to tilt the outcome.
Houston’s offense struggled to generate consistent momentum, and the Patriots’ front seven made things uncomfortable all afternoon. For Ersery, it’s a tough end to a promising season, but the rookie tackle showed enough to suggest his NFL future is just getting started.
New England Patriots
Divisional Round: Win vs Houston Texans
Next: AFC Championship @ Denver Broncos
Jack Gibbens - LB
Gibbens continues to carve out a role in New England’s defense and special teams units. He logged 18 snaps on defense and another 22 on special teams, finishing with two tackles - one of them solo - in a gritty win over Houston.
While his stat line won’t jump off the page, Gibbens’ versatility and instincts have made him a valuable piece for this Patriots squad. Now, he and the team head to Denver for a shot at the AFC crown.
With the Broncos forced to roll with a backup quarterback, the Patriots’ odds of punching a ticket to the Super Bowl are looking pretty favorable.
Seattle Seahawks
Divisional Round: Win vs San Francisco 49ers
Next: NFC Championship vs Los Angeles Rams
Seattle came into the playoffs as the NFC’s top seed and looked every bit the part in a commanding win over San Francisco. With a home NFC Championship game on deck, the Seahawks are one step away from the Super Bowl - and they’ve got two former Gophers helping lead the charge.
Boye Mafe - OLB
Mafe was active and disruptive in his 27 defensive snaps, adding two more on special teams. He finished with three tackles, including one solo, and helped contain a 49ers offense that never found its rhythm. Mafe’s motor and physicality have been a consistent presence all season, and he’ll be counted on again this weekend as Seattle faces a Rams team that knows them well.
Nick Kallerup - TE
Kallerup saw limited action - six snaps on offense and one on special teams - and didn’t record a stat. But his role as a depth tight end and blocker remains important in Seattle’s run-heavy, play-action scheme. In a game that could come down to execution in the trenches, every snap counts.
What’s Next?
AFC Championship: Patriots @ Broncos
Jack Gibbens and the Patriots head to Denver looking to secure their first Super Bowl appearance of the post-Brady era. With the Broncos turning to a backup quarterback, New England’s defense - and Gibbens’ linebacker group - could be the difference-makers.
NFC Championship: Seahawks vs Rams
Boye Mafe, Nick Kallerup, and the Seahawks host the Rams in a rematch of a split regular-season series.
Both teams held serve at home earlier this year, setting up a rubber match with everything on the line. Can Seattle ride its home-field advantage and balanced roster to another Super Bowl berth?
By the end of Sunday night, we’ll know whether any - or all - of these former Gophers are headed to Santa Clara for a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.