NFL Dukes Update: Four Former JMU Stars Advance to NFL Playoffs

HARRISONBURG, Va. – In addition to James Madison playing for the national championship, four former Dukes have advanced to the NFL playoffs, which begin with the wild card round next Saturday and Sunday.

The former JMU stars competing for the Lombardi Trophy are Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Josh Wells, Buffalo Bills safety Dean Marlowe and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rashard Davis.

Both Moats and Wells are on the 53-man active roster, while Marlowe and Davis are on practice squads with their respective teams.

Arthur Moats – LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC No. 2 seed)
This Week – First-Round Bye

The Steelers were one of four NFL teams to finish with a 13-3 regular-season record and earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Steelers will play the highest advancing seed from the AFC wild card on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. in the divisional round. It is the fourth straight year Pittsburgh has made the NFL playoffs. Moats has played in 14 games this season for the AFC North champions.

Josh Wells – OL, Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC No. 3 seed)
This Week – vs. Buffalo – Sunday, Jan. 7 @ 1:05 p.m.

A year removed from a 3-13 season, Jacksonville won the AFC South division title for the first time ever, going 10-6 this season. The Jaguars are making their first playoff appearance since 2007 and face Buffalo at home on Sunday. A win would send them to Pittsburgh for the divisional round. Wells has played in 15 games, making four starts on the offensive line.

Dean Marlowe – S, Buffalo Bills (AFC No. 6 seed)
This Week – at Jacksonville – Sunday, Jan. @ 1:05 p.m.

For the first time this century, Buffalo is back in the playoffs! The Bills earned the No. 6 seed after a win at Miami, coupled with a late comeback win by Cincinnati at Baltimore. Buffalo finished second in the AFC East with a 9-7 record, marking the second time in 13 years the franchise turned in a winning record. Buffalo heads to Jacksonville for the wild card and a win for the Bills would advance them to top-seeded New England for the divisional round. Marlowe joined the Bills on the practice squad in the first week in December.

Rashard Davis – WR, Philadelphia Eagles (NFC No. 1 seed)
This Week – First-Round Bye

The Eagles, who won the NFC East title, earned the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs. After missing the postseason in each of the past three years, Philadelphia is back in the playoffs and will host the lowest advancing NFC seed on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 4:35 p.m. It's the first time since 2008 that the Eagles will play in the divisional round. Davis has been back-and-forth with the Eagles this season, as he was recently added back to the practice squad.

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