(Clockwise from top left) Kevin Stefanski, Justin Watson, Greg Van Roten, and Brandon Copeland. (Photos from Cleveland Browns, Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Panthers)
After a couple of weeks without checking in, we are back to report that only one of the four Penn alumni in the NFL reached the playoffs as the season heads into the Divisional Round matchups of the 2021-22 season.
Justin Watson — Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Watson was out for the majority of the 2021 regular season due to a knee surgery he had in July. He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list until the Bucs activated him in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. Watson played on special teams and contributed to that week’s 32-6 Bucs win.
Watson hasn’t played in a game since then, however, as the Bucs ended their regular season with a record of 13-4. This gave them the second seed in the NFC, setting the team up to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round of the playoffs this past weekend. The Bucs and Tom Brady got their redemption against the Eagles with a score of 31-15.
They will now go on to play the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, Jan. 23. After two weeks off since the Panthers game, Watson has been re-signed to the Bucs practice squad.
Greg Van Roten — Guard, New York Jets
The Jets, along with Greg Van Roten, did not make the playoffs this year. Gang Green ended the season with a 4-13 record, scoring last place in the AFC East.
Van Roten played in all games this season and started in 10, with his last start being against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets won by a score of 26-21.
Brandon Copeland — Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
Since the last roundup, the Falcons went 3-5 in their last eight games, ending their season with a 7-10 record and third place in the NFC South.
Brandon Copeland played in 16 games this season and started in three of them. He accumulated 23 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles over course of the season.
Kevin Stefanski — Head Coach, Cleveland Browns
Kevin Stefanski and the Browns definitely had a chance at making the playoffs in the last roundup; however, in their last seven games, they went 3-4, making their season record 8-9 to finish third in the AFC North.
The Browns were unable to capture a Wild Card spot, despite playing well in their last game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In those last couple of games, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield criticized Stefanski’s play calling, but they were still able to have a productive exit meeting as Mayfield prepares for surgery on a torn labrum. The head coach and the quarterback both said that they were optimistic about what next season could bring.
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