Former #Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins racked up 122 yards and scored a touchdown in the Houston Texans’ win over Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers. That and more in this NFL playoff edition of Pro Blue:
The Wild Card round has come and gone, and while a few Wolverines have been eliminated from the postseason, one player had one of the best performances among his position group on the weekend.
We’re kicking off this edition of Pro Blue with a Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Nico Collins significantly contributes to Wild Card win over Chargers
For the second year in a row, the Houston Texans won in the Wild Card round as an underdog, beating the Jim Harbaugh-led Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud outdueled Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, going to his most trusted target early and often. In the victory, wide receiver Nico Collins caught seven passes for 122 yards and a score.
The Nico Collins drive.
3 catches, 55 yards and he caps it off with a touchdown.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 11, 2025
“Our guy is better than your guy” football from Bobby Slowik.
This offense is never going to regret allowing Nico Collins to just line up in isolation and win with physicality and speed. Alpha receiver #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/c2QIM31W5f
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 13, 2025
Collins set new playoff career highs in catches and receiving yards in this one. The former Michigan receiver is coming off his first Pro Bowl despite missing a month with a hamstring injury. In total this year, he caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
Through the first two seasons of Stroud’s career, it’s clear Collins has been his favorite target. It’s great to see him establish himself as a No. 1 receiver in an exciting young offense.
Other performances from former Wolverines
-In that loss to the Texans, Chargers running back Hassan Haskins had one carry for five yards.
-In the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo had a solo tackle.
-In a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary had three tackles and a sack. He now has 4.5 career playoff sacks.
Gary got ’em!#GBvsPHI pic.twitter.com/3RfCHT8bl0
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 12, 2025
-In the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rookie Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil had one tackle.
-In the loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus had three tackles, two of them solo. He gave a very emotional interview after the loss.
WATCH: #Vikings safety Josh Metellus (@NoExcuses_23 ) was visibly emotional in the locker room after tonight’s 27-9 season-ending loss to the Rams in the NFC Playoffs.
“I got family for life on this team. It just sucks that it had to end like that.” pic.twitter.com/QvM3e2HobJ
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) January 14, 2025
Wolverines to watch in Divisional Round
-Wide receiver Nico Collins (Houston Texans) vs defensive end Mike Danna (Kansas City Chiefs): Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
-Cornerback Mike Sainristil (Washington Commanders) vs guard Graham Glasgow (Detroit Lions ): Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.
-Linebacker David Ojabo (Baltimore Ravens) vs Buffalo Bills: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. EST on CBS.