Former Florida Gators in the NFL: Conference Rd.

With the 2011 regular season in the books, four former Florida Gators participated in conference championship action during the third round of the 2011-12 NFL Playoffs on Sunday.

A total of six former Florida players were on the rosters of three of four teams that participated in this round, but one was inactive and another was forced to sit out due to injury. OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished Sunday.

Super Bowl XLVI will be the 10th consecutive NFL championship game to feature a former Florida player. No matter which team wins on Sunday, Feb. 5, the Gators will have a former player earn a Super Bowl ring for the third time in the last four seasons.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots^: Nine tackles [team-high] (two solo), interception (19-yard return), pass defense

(Thanks to ThrowTheFlagBlog for capping the above video for us.)

THE REST
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots^: Seven receptions [team-high] for 66 yards (targets: 11, long: 17); three carries for nine yards
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots^: Three tackles
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Five tackles (four solo, one for loss), 2.5 sacks [team-high], two QB hits, forced fumble

INJURED / INACTIVE
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots^: Hamstring (season)
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU*, New York Giants^: Inactive

NOTES
– Spikes also did this during the game:

^ Team advanced to Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis, IN.
* Rookie

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