NORMAN, Okla. — The National Football League Playoffs got underway over the weekend, with eight teams taking part in four Wild Card contests. Fifteen former Sooners are on playoff rosters, and a trio of them took part in the opening round, which OUInsider.com recaps right now.

OT Cody Ford

It was a frustrating finish to the season for a player that’s been so good in his first season for the Buffalo Bills. Ford was flagged for a highly questionable blindside block penalty that pushed the Bills out of field goal range in overtime of a 22-19 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Bills then had to punt after the call that NFL former supervisor of officials Mike Pereira said was incorrect and had Ford incredibly surprised.

“In the moment, yeah,” Ford said. “We practice that every day and every chance we get, so it all comes down to me. It wasn’t like I had a vengeance for him or anything. I was honestly just trying to make the play. I was focused on the fundamentals because we practice that stuff.”

Afterwards, a product of what’s a sick world at times broke out. Fans said some evil stuff to the rookie lineman.

Said Ford on Twitter: “I get told, ‘you suck,’ ‘you should quit football,’ ‘you’re a disgrace,’ etc. … and that’s cool. But to tell me to ‘kill myself,’ that’s not cool at all. I play every game and every play with the same love and passion when I first started this game. To the fans who truly support me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my family and loved ones who have supported me from day 1, I thank you the most.”

Ford, who manhandled superstar J.J. Watt on one play earlier in the game, still helped Buffalo’s offense produce 425 yards of total offense. That included 253 through the air by quarterback Josh Allen and another 172 on the ground.

DT Jordan Phillips

Obviously Ford’s teammate on the other side of the ball up front, Phillips turned in a great season as well. In his first full year with the Bills, he logged 31 total tackles, including 25 solo and 9.5 for loss. In this final outing, his only tangible contribution was a hit on Houston Texans signal caller Deshaun Watson. However, the Bills got to Watson for seven sacks, even though he eventually threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, rushing for another 55 of the Texans’ 141 yards on the ground.

Tweeted Phillips: “Hell of a year, hell of a team, not where we wanted to finish, but never stopped fighting. Whatever happens next is in God’s hands. Love you #BillsMafia.”

WR Kenny Stills

Stills performed a critical role in the Texans’ three-point victory. With star wide out Will Fuller sidelined because of a groin injury, the ex-Sooner pass catcher needed to step up in the throw game for Watson. Stills did, collecting four catches for 46 yards on five targets. That was second only to stud DeAndre Hopkins’ six catches for 90 yards.

He hauled in a long 20-yard reception that set up a 41-yard field goal, drawing Houston within five early in the fourth quarter. His final grab, a 10-yard reception, served as part of the game-winning drive in overtime.

“We started out slow, and the guys had to make a comeback in order to get the victory,” Stills said. “So just thinking about starting fast, eliminating penalties and turnovers and playing a clean football game.”

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DNP:

TE Mark Andrews (Bye – Baltimore Ravens)

TE Blake Bell (Bye – Kansas City Chiefs)

DE Amani Bledsoe (PS – Tennessee Titans)

LB Curtis Bolton (IR – Green Bay Packers)

WR Marquise Brown (Bye – Baltimore Ravens)

OT Orlando Brown (Bye – Baltimore Ravens)

S Tony Jefferson (IR – Baltimore Ravens)

OT Lane Johnson (Knee – Philadelphia Eagles)

OG Ben Powers (Bye – Baltimore Ravens)

OG Dru Samia (Inactive – Minnesota Vikings)

RB Damien Williams (Bye – Kansas City Chiefs)

LS James Winchester (Bye – Kansas City Chiefs)