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As the NFL begins its round of wild card playoff action this weekend, let's take a look at the four games that will be played over the next two days and discuss the former Buffalo Bills players that will be playing in the post-season.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Saturday, January 4, 4:35PM ET, NBC
Three former Bills will be on the field for the Colts later this afternoon. Da'Rick Rogers, an undrafted rookie that spent training camp with the Bills before his release, is a reserve receiver in Indy. Tashard Choice, the veteran running back that the Bills released just a few weeks back, landed in Indy as a reserve runner. Lastly, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who the Bills flipped to the Colts in the Jerry Hughes trade last May, will be making his post-season debut as well.
New Orleans Saints (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Saturday, January 4, 8:00PM ET, NBC
Just like with the Colts, the Eagles have three former Bills on their active roster that'll get a shot at post-season glory today: reserve wide receiver and kick returner Brad Smith, left tackle Jason Peters, and long snapper Jon Dorenbos. In addition, the Eagles' wide receivers coach, Bob Bicknell, worked for Chan Gailey in the same capacity in 2012, coaching Bills tight ends under Gailey in 2010 and 2011.
Similarly, Saints assistant special teams coordinator Stan Kwan held that same title in Buffalo under Gailey, where he aided Bruce DeHaven. New Orleans cornerback Jabari Greer is on IR, so he's out of the post-season conversation, but kicker Shayne Graham spent some time with Buffalo early in his career.
San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Sunday, January 5, 1:00PM ET, CBS
There's only one current Bengals player that spent time with Buffalo: reserve tight end Kevin Brock, who appeared in two games for the Bills in 2011.
San Diego, on the other hand, has a nice collection of former Bills in tow. That includes starting left guard Chad Rinehart and backup cornerback Crezdon Butler, as well as three coaches: quarterbacks coach Frank Reich, who needs no introduction here; receivers coach Fred Graves, who held that same position with the Bills from 2001-03 under Gregg Williams; and offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, who did fine work with the Bills' front five in his three years under the aforementioned Gailey.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) at Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)
Sunday, January 5, 4:40PM, FOX
Green Bay has two former Bills on its coaching staff: offensive coordinator Tom Clements held the same position in Buffalo under Mike Mularkey, and running backs coach Alex Van Pelt is a former Bills quarterback, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, the latter two roles coming on Dick Jauron's coaching staff. Two Packers players are former Bills, as well: backup quarterback Matt Flynn spent a few fleeting weeks as an afterthought reserve for the Bills just a couple of months ago, and reserve cornerback Jumal Rolle spent training camp with the Bills as an undrafted rookie out of Lane before his release.
There is only one former Bills player on the payroll in San Francisco: safety Donte Whitner, who has started on the Niners' championship-caliber defense for each of the last three seasons.
