KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A VFL is guaranteed to be crowned a Super Bowl Champion this season following last weekend’s divisional playoff results. A former Tennessee Volunteer is represented on each of the four remaining teams as the NFL’s conference championship games kick off this Sunday.
The Kansas City Chiefs have four Vols (Eric Berry, Dustin Colquitt, Kahlil McKenzie and Alex Ellis) and will host the New England Patriots and wide receiver/kick returner Cordarelle Patterson in the AFC Championship Game at 6:40 p.m. ET on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (CBS).
Colquitt has punted in every game this season, while McKenzie, a rookie offensive lineman, has not been activated for a game and tight end Alex Ellis is on the injured reserve list. Berry, a three-time All-Pro safety, returned from injury to play in two games at the end of the season, but did not play over the weekend and is listed as day-to-day.
Led by star running back Alvin Kamara, the New Orleans Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams and backup running back John Kelly at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans (FOX).
Last season, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett became the 46th Vol to win a Super Bowl all-time. Entering this weekend, VFLs have logged 89 Super Bowl appearances.
Atlanta will host Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb. 3.
Eric Berry – DB, Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry sat out most of the season for the Chiefs in 2018, but returned to play in two games late in the season, totaling 11 tackles and starting both contests.
The Chiefs finished 12-4 in the regular season to claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed. After defeating the Colts, 31-13, on Saturday in the divisional round of the playoffs, Kansas City hosts New England for a berth in the Super Bowl.
Berry did not play against the Colts, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday he would be day-to-day this week meaning he could be active for the Chiefs’ first AFC Championship appearance since 1994.
Dustin Colquitt – P, Kansas City Chiefs
Colquitt punted only three times in a 31-13 victory for the Chiefs over the Colts. He had a long of 50 yards and placed two fair catches inside the 20.
The 14-year veteran has spent his whole career with the Chiefs and will play in his first-ever AFC Championship Game.
He will look to join his father, Craig, and brother, Britton, as VFL punters who appeared in Super Bowls. Craig won Super Bowls with the Steelers in 1979 and 1980, while Britton won the Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2016 after appearing in the game in 2014.
Alvin Kamara – RB, New Orleans Saints
Kamara finished the regular season second in the NFL with 18 total touchdowns in 2018, and while he did not find the end zone on Sunday in the second round of the NFC playoffs, he made his impact felt in the Saints’ 20-14 comeback victory over the Eagles, totaling 71 rushing yards on 16 carries and making four receptions for 35 yards. Kamara had a 46-yard touchdown catch nullified because of a holding penalty.
His 12-yard run on 3rd-and-10 with just over 1:00 remaining in the game sealed the victory for the Saints.
New Orleans last advanced to the NFC Championship Game during the 2009 season, winning Super Bowl XLIV that year.
John Kelly – RB, Los Angeles Rams
John Kelly made a special teams tackle to help the Rams defeat the Cowboys, 30-22, on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Kelly played in four games as a backup running back for the NFC’s No. 2 seed. He logged 27 carries for 74 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards.
The Rams are appearing in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2001 season.
Cordarelle Patterson – WR, New England Patriots
Patterson had one rush for three yards and returned one kick for 23 yards as the Patriots steamrolled the Chargers, 41-28, to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the eighth consecutive year.
Patterson, a six-year NFL veteran, is in his first year with the Patriots after one season with the Raiders and four years with the Vikings. The first-round pick played for new Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney when he was with the Vols in 2012.
Kahlil McKenzie – OL, Kansas City Chiefs and Alex Ellis – TE, Kansas City Chiefs
McKenzie, a rookie, appeared on the practice squad for most of the 2018 season as he learned offensive line after playing defensive tackle in college. He has not been on the active roster this season.
Ellis played in two games before going on injured reserve.
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