Pro Blue: Mike Sainristil picks off Jared Goff twice as Commanders advance to NFC Championship Game

Much to the chagrin of Detroit Lions fans, former #Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil picked off QB Jared Goff twice as the Commanders upset the Lions over the weekend:

Four teams remain in the NFL playoffs after this past weekend’s action, and there’s a good chance at least one former Michigan Wolverine makes it to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Here’s a recap of how former Michigan players did in the Divisional Round.

Mike Sainristil picks off Lions twice to help Commanders get to NFC Championship Game

I would imagine Michigan fans were conflicted watching the Commanders-Lions game on Saturday when cornerback Mike Sainristil picked up his first two postseason interceptions, to go along with five tackles. Per the Commanders , he’s the first rookie to have multiple picks in a playoff game since 2015.

Sainristil’s first pick came at the end of the first half in the end zone covering wide receiver Jameson Williams.

Sainristil’s second pick came in the fourth quarter, and he actually intercepted Williams — the guy he was covering on the first pick — on a trick play.

“We earned the right to play how we played tonight,” Sainristil said to Stacey Dales after the game. “We earned the right to win.”

Sainristil, known for making big plays in his time at Michigan, got the chance to celebrate with NBA Star Kevin Durant after the win.

Asked to step up as a boundary corner due to injuries, Sainristil stepped up and thrived as a rookie. In 17 regular season games, he compiled 93 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two picks.

Just over a year removed from winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, Sainristil is now one win away from playing in the Super Bowl. This would be the first Super Bowl appearance for Washington since 1991.

Other performances

-In that same game, Lions guard Graham Glasgow was part of a Lions offensive line that helped Detroit rush for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while only allowing Goff to get sacked twice.

-In a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins had five catches for 81 yards. In that same game, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna was credited with two tackles.

-In a loss to the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo didn’t make it in the box score, but did commit a key hands to the face penalty in the fourth quarter.

Wolverines to watch in Conference Championships

-Cornerback Mike Sainristil (Washington Commanders) vs Philadelphia Eagles: Sunday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. on FOX.

-Defensive end Mike Danna (Kansas City Chiefs) vs Buffalo Bills: Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. on CBS.