NFL Conference Championship Weekend: Former Missouri Stars Still in the Hunt
The NFL playoff field is down to four. After months of grind-it-out football, only the most complete teams remain - squads that can win ugly, win pretty, and win when it matters most.
With the Super Bowl now just one victory away, several former Missouri Tigers are still part of the chase, playing roles big and small as the postseason drama intensifies. Let’s break down how these Mizzou alums fared during the divisional round - and where they stand heading into Championship Sunday.
Luther Burden III | WR, Chicago Bears
Chicago’s playoff run came to a bitter end in the divisional round, falling to the Rams in overtime in a game dictated by turnovers and brutal winter conditions. The Bears coughed up three interceptions, while the Rams played a clean sheet - and in a game where every possession mattered, that was the difference.
Offense was at a premium, with gusting winds and stingy defenses holding every receiver under 60 yards. Luther Burden III, in his first postseason appearance, managed three catches for 24 yards. It wasn’t a breakout performance, but in a game where the passing game never found rhythm, Burden still found a way to contribute.
Zooming out, Burden’s rookie season deserves real recognition. He caught 47 of 60 targets during the regular season - an elite catch rate that put him among the league’s most efficient rookie wideouts.
As the Bears surged to an 11-6 record and an NFC North title, Burden’s role steadily grew. By season’s end, he was a trusted option in key moments - a sign of both his development and the coaching staff’s confidence in him.
Chicago may be out, but Burden’s arrow is pointing straight up.
Tyler Badie | RB, Denver Broncos
The Broncos punched their ticket to the AFC Championship with a wild overtime win over Buffalo, and while Tyler Badie didn’t play a major role in the box score - one catch for seven yards - his presence in the rotation remains something to watch.
Denver is reportedly considering activating J.K. Dobbins for the conference title game, which could shuffle the backfield pecking order. But Badie has stayed ready, and if his number is called, he’s shown the burst and versatility to contribute in a pinch.
Kris Abrams-Draine | CB, Denver Broncos
Abrams-Draine didn’t see the field in Denver’s 33-30 win over the Bills, but the game still carried major implications for the Broncos' secondary. Star corner Patrick Surtain II left with an injury, and while his status for Sunday is still being monitored, it could open the door for depth players like Abrams-Draine to step up.
With a short week to prepare for a red-hot Patriots team, Denver’s defense will need every healthy body. Abrams-Draine may not have logged snaps last week, but his readiness could be tested in the AFC title game.
Jordan Elliott | DT, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ postseason came to a screeching halt in a 41-6 loss to Seattle - a game that never really felt competitive. Injuries plagued San Francisco all year, and while they managed to scrap their way into the divisional round, the wheels finally came off against a Seahawks team firing on all cylinders.
For Jordan Elliott, it was a quiet postseason. He tallied just one tackle across two playoff games and never quite carved out a consistent role in the rotation. After a season of limited production, Elliott heads into the offseason with questions about his fit and future - possibly looking for a fresh start elsewhere.
Marcus Bryant | OL, New England Patriots
Few seventh-round rookies find themselves one win from the Super Bowl, but that’s exactly where Marcus Bryant stands. The Patriots are surging at the right time, and while Bryant hasn’t seen much action, he’s gaining invaluable experience behind a veteran offensive line.
New England travels to Denver for the AFC Championship, where they’ll face a Broncos defense that’s aggressive and opportunistic. Even if Bryant doesn’t see the field, every rep in practice and every moment in the film room is building toward what could be a larger role down the line.
Drew Lock | QB, Seattle Seahawks
Drew Lock continues to serve as the backup to Sam Darnold, who has led Seattle to the NFC’s top seed and a dominant playoff win over San Francisco. Lock hasn’t taken the field in the postseason, but he remains one play away from being thrust into the spotlight.
Seattle now hosts the Rams in the NFC Championship - a rematch with high stakes and plenty of recent history. Lock’s role may be quiet, but his presence as a seasoned backup is a key part of the Seahawks’ depth.
Harrison Mevis | K, Los Angeles Rams
Harrison Mevis is having the kind of second NFL season that kickers dream about. After starting the year with the Jets, Mevis landed in Los Angeles and has become a steady, reliable weapon for a Rams team that keeps finding ways to win close games.
In the divisional round, Mevis went 2-for-2 on field goals - including a 42-yarder - and nailed both extra points. In a 20-17 overtime win, every point mattered, and Mevis delivered.
On the season, he’s now 16-of-17 on field goals and a perfect 45-of-45 on extra points. That’s elite production, and it’s come at the most important time of year.
Next up: a trip to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks. If the game is tight - and it very well could be - Mevis might be asked to deliver again.
Cody Schrader | RB, Denver Broncos (Practice Squad)
Cody Schrader didn’t dress for the divisional round, but he’s staying ready on the Broncos’ practice squad. With Denver’s backfield dealing with injuries and potential roster moves looming, Schrader could be in line for a call-up if the situation changes.
His job right now is to stay prepared - and that’s exactly what he’s doing as Denver gears up for its biggest game of the season.
As the NFL playoffs barrel toward the Super Bowl, these former Missouri Tigers are proving that Columbia breeds competitors. Whether they’re starring, supporting, or waiting for their shot, they’re part of the league’s biggest stage - and for a few of them, the journey’s not over yet.