There are plenty of locals with Super Bowl dreams to root for in the NFL playoffs

Jennifer Toland, Telegram & Gazette
·3 min read

The NFL playoffs start this weekend, and there are several local talents in the hunt for a Super Bowl. Jennifer Toland takes a look at who to root for now that the Patriots are done for the season.

Kansas City tight end Noah Gray blocks during a game earlier this month against Denver.
Kansas City tight end Noah Gray blocks during a game earlier this month against Denver.

Noah Gray (Gardner/Leominster High)

Tight end, Kansas City Chiefs

Gray established career highs in receptions (28), receiving yards (299) and offensive snaps during his second NFL season and helped the Chiefs to the AFC West Division crown and top seed in the conference. The 2021 fifth-round draft pick out of Duke caught one touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and rushed for another when he lined up behind center, took a direct snap and ran into the end zone from 1-yard out in Kansas City’s win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. Gray showed improvement as a blocker and continued to contribute to special teams. The Chiefs earned a bye for Wild Card weekend and will face the AFC’s lowest remaining seed in the divisional round of the playoffs on Jan. 21 or 22.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sends in a play against the Denver Broncos during a game earlier this month.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sends in a play against the Denver Broncos during a game earlier this month.

Steve Spagnuolo

Defensive coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs

The Grafton High hall of famer is in his fourth season as the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator. Spagnuolo has won two Super Bowl rings, one with the Chiefs and one with the Giants.

Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in December,
Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in December,

Patrick Ricard (Spencer/David Prouty)

Fullback, Baltimore Ravens

As usual, Ricard did a little bit of everything for the Ravens’ offense in 2022 and earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection while helping Baltimore to an AFC wild card berth and the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. The Ravens will play at No. 3 Cincinnati in a rematch of last week’s regular-season finale, won by the Bengals, at 8:15 p.m. Sunday. The 305-pound Ricard, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maine, helped pave the way for the Ravens’ second-ranked rushing offense and also pass blocked. He had seven carries for 16 yards and 11 receptions for 74 yards.

MORE: Chris Lindstrom (Shepherd Hill), Patrick Ricard (David Prouty) will head to Vegas as Pro Bowlers

Cincinnati Bengals senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner prepares for a game against the Raiders earlier this season.
Cincinnati Bengals senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner prepares for a game against the Raiders earlier this season.

Mark Duffner

Senior defensive assistant, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Holy Cross coach is in his fourth year on the Bengals’ staff. Duffner, who is in his 26th NFL season, watched with pride this fall as HC matched the feats of his 1987 and 1991 Crusaders squads by going 11-0 in the regular season.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon runs a route during last week's game against the Washington Commanders.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon runs a route during last week's game against the Washington Commanders.

Sean McKeon (Dudley/Shepherd Hill Regional)

Tight end, Dallas Cowboys

McKeon began the 2022 season on the Cowboys’ practice squad, but rejoined the active roster in late October. He played in eight games and had two receptions for 11 yards while also contributing on special teams and helping Dallas to an NFC wild card berth and the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. The Cowboys play at Tampa Bay on “Monday Night Football” at 8:15. McKeon signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Michigan in 2020, and came back from a neck injury last season to play in 10 games and score his first career touchdown.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers long snapper Zach Triner played collegiately at Assumption.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers long snapper Zach Triner played collegiately at Assumption.

Zach Triner (Assumption)

Long snapper, Tampa Bay Bucs

In his fourth season with the Bucs, Triner continued to be a contributor to Tampa Bay’s special teams units and helped the Bucs to the NFC South Division title. Tampa Bay, the No. 4 seed, hosts No. 5 Dallas on “Monday Night Football” at 8:15. After missing nine games last season due to a finger injury, Triner, whom the Bucs re-signed in March, played in all 17 this year. Triner won a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay in 2020.

Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTolandTG

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: There are plenty of locals with Super Bowl dreams to root for in the NFL playoffs