Former Bills playing on Championship weekend

Former Buffalo Bills players playing in the AFC and NFC Championship games in 2019.

The Buffalo Bills unfortunately won’t be suiting up this weekend as the Super Bowl participants will be decided via Championship weekend in the NFL.

In the AFC, it’ll either be the Titans or Chiefs. The NFC has the Packers and 49ers squaring off.

But there are a few familiar faces that will get their chance to play in the Big Game in a few weeks.

Here’s a team-by-team rundown of former Bills players getting after it this weekend for a spot in the Super Bowl:

49ers

WR Jordan Matthews

Jordan Matthews #87 of the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Jordan Matthews was acquired by the Bills via a trade with the Eagles in 2017, playing one season in Buffalo. Matthews signed with the 49ers in March 2019, was a final cut in training camp, he then re-signed by the Eagles in November, cut a few weeks later, then re-signed with the 49ers in December. He’s been inactive.

2019 stats: 3 games played, four catches, 33 yards.

WR Marquise Goodwin

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills’ third-round pick in 2013 signed with the 49ers in 2017 after his rookie contract in Buffalo expired. Goodwin won’t be playing in the NFC Championship, though. Goodwin is the the 49ers’ injured reserve list due to knee and foot injuries.

2019 stats: 9 games played, 12 catches, 186 yards, 1 TD.

Packers

N/A

Perhaps you’re looking for a team that has no former Bills players to root for because you’re sick of guys leaving Buffalo and getting that title? You’ll be saying “go pack go” this weekend then. Unless you remember some coaches…

Offensive coordinator Nate Hackett

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, the Bills had Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator until 2014. A lot of Hackett’s career coincided with former Bills head coach Doug Marrone. The two were together at the University of Syracuse and Marrone hired him with the Bills. Then when Marrone left Buffalo and went to the Jaguars, he helped Hackett come on over as well, first as the QBs coach then OC from 2016-2018. Hackett was fired there and when offensive guru Matt LaFleur was hired in Green Bay prior to the 2019 season, he added Hackett as his OC.

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

While with the Bills, like many offensive coordinators, you need someone to blame… so Hackett wasn’t very popular. On the other hand. Mike Pettine, who was Buffalo’s defensive coordinator in 2013, was popular. So much so that he landed as the Browns head coach in 2014. After being fired in 2015, Pettine’s next NFL job was in 2018, with the Packers, where he still is.