As the NFL playoffs barrel toward the Super Bowl, the Divisional Round served as both a proving ground and a final chapter for several Stanford alums. For some, the journey ended in heartbreak. For others, the dream is still alive - with Championship Weekend now just days away.
Let’s break down how the Cardinal crew fared as the postseason stakes got higher and the margin for error got razor-thin.
Drew Dalman ’20 - C, Chicago Bears
Dalman and the Bears saw their season come to a heartbreaking end in a 20-17 overtime loss.
There’s no flashy stat line for a center, but Dalman continued to do the dirty work in the trenches, anchoring the interior of Chicago’s offensive line. His steady presence was a key part of a playoff push that came up just short.
In a game where every possession mattered, Dalman held his own - but the Bears couldn’t quite finish the job.
Dalton Schultz ’18 - TE, Houston Texans
Schultz opened strong, hauling in both of his targets for 47 yards and giving Houston’s offense some early juice.
But his day was cut short due to injury, and the Texans never fully recovered. Without their veteran tight end, Houston struggled to find rhythm and coughed up costly turnovers in a loss to New England.
The Texans were just one win away from Championship Weekend, but the road ended early - and Schultz’s absence loomed large as the offense sputtered.
Christian McCaffrey ’18 - RB, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey did what he could in a game where very little went right for San Francisco.
He logged 11 carries for 35 yards and added five catches for 39 more, but the 49ers were overwhelmed in a 41-6 blowout loss to Seattle. Injuries piled up throughout the season, and against a red-hot Seahawks defense, the Niners simply couldn’t keep pace.
McCaffrey’s versatility was on display, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the avalanche.
Curtis Robinson ’20 - LB, San Francisco 49ers
Robinson saw limited action in the same game, recording two assisted tackles and a stuff.
With the defense spending much of the day on its heels, Robinson made the most of his snaps, contributing where he could. But like the rest of the 49ers, his season ends here.
Still Standing: Two Cardinal Headed to Championship Weekend
While several Stanford alums saw their seasons end in the Divisional Round, two remain in the hunt - and both are headed into hostile territory with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Colby Parkinson ’19 - TE, Los Angeles Rams
Parkinson was a reliable target for Matthew Stafford, pulling in three catches on seven targets for 56 yards.
The Rams didn’t need a late-game miracle, but they did need to dig deep to fend off a fourth-quarter rally from Chicago. Parkinson’s contributions helped keep the chains moving and the offense balanced, and now Los Angeles is headed to the NFC Championship Game - where they’ll square off against division rival Seattle in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
Austin Hooper - TE, New England Patriots
It was a quiet day statistically for Hooper - one catch on two targets for 14 yards - but he played his role in a disciplined Patriots win over Houston.
New England’s formula of efficient offense and opportunistic defense punched their ticket to the AFC Championship Game, where they’ll face a tough Denver squad. Hooper’s veteran presence continues to be a steadying force, even when the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
As the field narrows and the lights get brighter, Stanford will be represented on both Championship Sunday matchups. Parkinson and the Rams head to Seattle, while Hooper and the Patriots travel to Denver - both looking to pull off road upsets and earn a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.
Stay tuned. The Super Bowl is in sight, and the Cardinal connection is still alive.