Cowbell Corner

Bulldogs in NFL: How former Mississippi State players fared in wildcard games

Three Mississippi State alumni will join Charles Cross in the NFL Divisional round of the playoffs after big wins this weekend.
Taylor Hodges|
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) forces Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) to be penalized for intentional grounding during the fourth quarter of their wild card playoff game Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27.
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) forces Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) to be penalized for intentional grounding during the fourth quarter of their wild card playoff game Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The opening round of the NFL playoffs had something for everyone.

There were close games, dominant blowouts, crazy comebacks and little-to-no referee controversies throughout the six games. It was an especially good weekend for three former Mississippi State football players who won their games.

Denico Autry (Texans), Emmanuel Forbes (Rams) and Montez Sweat (Bears) all won their respective playoff games while Logan Cooke and the Jaguars fell to Josh Allen and the Bills. (Note: Darius Slay is technically a member of the Buffalo Bills' but never reported after being picked up on the waiver wire nearly two months ago. He was spotted on the sidelines of the Eagles-49ers playoff game.)

Autry, Forbes and Sweat will join Charles Cross and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Divisional playoffs next weekend. Cross missed the final three games of the season with an injury, but the Seahawks are hopeful he will be available for the playoffs.

Either way, the Seahawks know they have a great left tackle for future seasons and locked Cross up with a four-year, $104.4 million contract extension in the final week of the regular season.

Denico Autry, DE, Houston Texans

Last Week: Had one tackle, a half-sack, two pass deflections and two QB hits in a 30-6 win against the Steelers.
Season: 9 tackles, 3 tackle for loss, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 3 PD, 2 blocked field goal.

Logan Cooke, P, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: Had two punts for 100 yards (50 avg.) with a long of 58 and one landed inside the 20 yard line in a 27-24 loss to the Bills.
Season: 62 punts, 2,978 yards, 48.0 avg., long 66, 23 IN20

Jaden Crumedy, DT, Carolina Panthers

Last Week: Currently on Panthers’ practice squad.
Season: 2 tackles, 3 GP

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Los Angeles Rams

Last Week: Had six tackles, three solo, in a 34-31 win against the Panthers.
Season: 51 tackles (36 solo), 1 FF, 17 PD, 3 INT

Darius Slay, CB, Buffalo Bills

Last Week: On reserve/did not report list.
Season: 23 solo tackles, 1 PD

Montez Sweat, DE, Chicago Bears

Last Week: Had three tackles, one pass deflection and three QB hits in a 31-27 win against the Packers.
Season: 56 tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks, 6 PD

First Round Byes

Charles Cross, OT, Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: Did not play due to injury in a 13-3 win against the 49ers.
Season: 14 GS

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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