Wild Card Weekend: Stanford in the NFL

With multiple games going down to the wire, and multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter, the 2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend will certainly be remembered in NFL history. That said, the weekend marked the end of the road for several former Cardinal, while Super Bowl hopes remain alive for those advancing to the Divisional Round. From late-game heroics to postseason exits, Stanford alumni were once again spread across the league as the NFL playoff picture began to take shape.

Standout performances

Christian McCaffrey ’18 (RB, San Francisco 49ers) – McCaffrey delivered a postseason-caliber performance in San Francisco’s 23–19 win over Philadelphia, rushing 15 times for 48 yards while adding 66 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His versatility and red-zone presence powered the 49ers’ offense as they advanced to the Divisional Round, where they will face division rival Seattle.

Colby Parkinson ’19 (TE, Los Angeles Rams) – Parkinson came through in the biggest moment of the weekend, hauling in two receptions for 34 yards — including the game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds remaining — to lift the Rams to a 34–31 win over Carolina. Los Angeles will travel to Chicago next week with momentum firmly on its side.

Notable contributions

Dalton Schultz ’18 (TE, Houston Texans) – Schultz recorded three receptions for 12 yards in Houston’s dominant 30–6 Wild Card win over Pittsburgh. The Texans move on to face New England on the road in the Divisional Round.

Drew Dalmen ’20 (C, Chicago Bears) – Dalmen tarted at center and helped protect second-year quarterback Caleb Williams in Chicago’s 31–27 miraculous comeback win over Green Bay. The Bears will host the Rams in the Divisional Round.

Appeared in Wild Card Weekend

Brycen Tremayne ’23 (WR, Carolina Panthers) – Tremayne was targeted once but did not record a catch in Carolina’s 34–31 loss to the Rams, bringing the Panthers’ season to a close.

Austin Hooper ’17 (TE, New England Patriots) – Targeted twice but did not record a catch in New England’s 16–3 win over the Chargers. The Patriots advance and will host Houston next weekend.

Walker Little ’21 (OL, Jacksonville Jaguars) – Contributed along the offensive line in Jacksonville’s narrow 27–24 home loss to Buffalo, ending the Jaguars’ season.

Foster Sarell ’21 (OL, Los Angeles Chargers) – Played on the offensive line in the Chargers’ 16–3 loss to New England, marking the end of Los Angeles’ postseason run.

Andrus Peat ’14 (OL, Pittsburgh Steelers) – Appeared on the offensive line in Pittsburgh’s 30–6 loss to Houston.

By the numbers

Wild Card Weekend brought postseason action for nine former Stanford players. Five saw their seasons come to an end, while others — including McCaffrey, Parkinson, Dalmen, Schultz and Hooper — remain alive in the playoff hunt. Cardinal alumni accounted for three touchdowns, including two receiving scores from McCaffrey and a walk-off game winner from Parkinson, as Stanford’s presence continued to be felt on the league’s biggest stage.

Tune in next week as Stanford in the NFL continues with Divisional Round coverage.

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