Need help figuring out who to cheer for? We got you covered!
The 2025 NFL Playoffs begin today, and with that comes a time when people across this great nation whose team did not qualify for the postseason need to decide on new (temporary) allegiances. Certainly, there are a number of different methods for determining what bandwagon to hitch onto. Here at TOC, naturally, we endorse picking a team with the most former MSU players. So to help you with this, we have combed the rosters of all 12 14 teams that are still in contention for the Lombardi Trophy and have found the names of all MSU alum. This list only mentions players that finished their college careers in East Lansing, and will give no consideration to players that transferred out to other programs (damn you, transfer portal!)
Kansas City Chiefs
none
Buffalo Bills
none
Baltimore Ravens
Nick Samac, C
Houston Texans
none
Los Angeles Chargers
none
Pittsburgh Steelers
Connor Heyward, TE
Matt Sokol, TE (practice squad)
Jacob Slade, DT (practice squad)
Denver Broncos
none
Detroit Lions
none
Philadelphia Eagles
Ben VanSumeren, LB (injured reserve)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
William Gholston, DE
Los Angeles Rams
AJ Arcuri, OT (practice squad)
Minnesota Vikings
Jalen Nailor, WR
Washington Commanders
none
Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed, WR
Okay, so that was a little upsetting. Of the fourteen teams, seven have no MSU Spartans anywhere on the roster and two others only have guys on the injured reserve or practice squad. That leaves just five playoff teams with a Spartan on the active roster, all with just one player. Those five teams are the Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, and Green Bay. Including IR and practice squad, the Pittsburgh have the most Spartans on their roster with a whopping three. Actually, they are the only team with more than one.
So if you are not sure who to cheer for, Pittsburgh would be a Spartan-friendly choice. But if you really want my opinion, you should cheer for Detroit. This is the Year of the Lion!