Buffs In The NFL: Polumbus, 'Skins On Playoff Push
The Washington Redskins and former University of Colorado offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus put on an impressive show on Monday Night Football with a 17-16 victory over the New York Giants, and entering their names into the playoff conversation.
On the ground, the Redskins were able to compile 207 rushing yards as a team, thanks to the impressive performance of the offensive line with Polumbus anchoring it at right tackle.
Polumbus has had one of his best seasons yet in his fifth NFL season and has started in all 12 games for Washington thus far. It is the most starts he has ever made in a single season.
Not only was Polumbus and his fellow offensive linemen able to open up holes in the ground game, they also provided rookie sensation Robert Griffin III enough time to pass for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Washington, who leads the league with 167 rushing yards per game, is now 6-6 on the season and just one game back from the division leading Giants. If the Redskins can continue to plow over their opponents, they very well might end up in the playoffs.
If the Redskins can accomplish that feat, it will be their first playoff appearance since 2006. For Polumbus, he would be making his second postseason appearance of his career with his first coming in 2010 while a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
Bannan, Broncos Clinch
Former CU defensive tackle and now Denver Bronco veteran Justin Bannan helped his team clinch the AFC West division title with a victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Denver is now 9-3 on the season and it is the second consecutive year the Broncos have won the division title after they did so last year for the first time since 2005.
In the game vs. the Bucs, Bannan recorded two tackles as the Denver 'D' held Tampa Bay to a lowly 73 yards rushing as a team. Denver is only allowing opponents 96 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks seventh best in the league.
On the year, Bannan has recorded 37 total tackles (25 solo), with only Elvis Dumervil recording more tackles (46) among defensive linemen on the team.
Bannan's 37 tackles are the most he has had in season since he recorded 45 back in 2008 with Baltimore; however Bannan still has a few more games to shatter that mark.
Notable: Former Colorado standouts Andre Gurode and Toney Clemons were a part of their first games with their new respective teams this past weekend; however, both were in losing efforts as Clemons and the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to Buffalo 34-18, and Gurode, now playing with the Chicago Bears, fell 23-17 to Seattle in overtime... Lawrence Vickers helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to victory on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles to remain in the playoff hunt with a 6-6 record... Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith underwent surgery last Thursday for a sports Hernia (essentially a tear in the abdominal six-pack) and his return to the field this season is questionable.