The 2017 NFL playoffs continue Sunday and the AFC and NFC Championship games will set. We take a look at the game times and television channels as well as some connections to the Buffalo Bills.
Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:40 p.m. ET, FOX
Buffalo didn’t face either the Cowboys or Packers in 2016, those these two historic franchises are on television.
With the propensity to not sign many free agents, the closest connection to Buffalo on the Packers is former University of Buffalo running back James Starks. Green Bay’s coaching staff features Tom Clements, who was offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2004 to 2005 under Mike Mularkey. Former Bills quarterback and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is the quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt is also rumored to be a potential offensive coordinator candidate under new coach Sean McDermott.
The Dallas Cowboys feature future Buffalo Bills quarterback Tony Romo no former Bills on the roster or coaching staff, but many will still remember Leon Lett from the play in the Super Bowl when Don Beebe ran him down from behind.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
This game was moved from an early start time to the primetime slot after an ice storm hit the midwest. Buffalo lose to Pittsburgh this season as LeVeon Bell ran all over the Bills defense.
On the Steelers roster, former Bills draft pick Ross Cockrell is a starting cornerback and will see lots of playing time. Linebacker Arthur Moats is another contributor on Pittsburgh after the former sixth-round pick stuck with the Bills for a while, mainly as a special teams contributor and Favre streak-ender. Former Bills special teams coordinator Danny Smith holds the same job for Pittsburgh.
Leading the Chiefs offense is Bills offensive coordinator candidate Brad Childress who is co-offensive coordinator under Andy Reid. The only former Bills player on Kansas CIty’s roster is reserve nose tackle T.J. Barnes.