Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) celebrates after a first down in the third quarter of their NFC North game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit, on Thursday, November 23, 2017. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)
The NFL playoffs start Saturday and the Detroit Lions obviously won’t be part of them.
In Matt Patricia’s first season as head coach, the Lions finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Here’s a look at notable former Lions who will be playing in the postseason:
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate (19) celebrates with fans after the NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Golden Tate, WR
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Tate spent four-plus seasons with the Lions before being moved to the Eagles at the trade deadline in October for a third-round draft pick. He had at least 90 catches in all four full seasons in Detroit and racked up 4,741 receiving yards with 22 touchdowns.
Since arriving in Philadelphia, Tate has just 30 receptions for 278 yards and one touchdown in eight games. The defending Super Bowl champions finished the regular season 9-7 and haven’t gotten the production out of Tate they hoped but there’s still a chance in the playoffs. Philadelphia, the No. 6 seed in the NFC, will play a wild card game at No. 3 Chicago on Sunday (4:40 p.m., NBC).
Tate, who is in the final year of his contract, is closing out his 10th season in the NFL and has 611 receptions for 7,214 yards and 38 touchdowns. He spent the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks and won a Super Bowl to cap his final season with the franchise in 2013.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron runs out of the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Eric Ebron, TE
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Ebron, a former first-round pick, spent four seasons with the Lions before being cut in March to save $8.25 million in cap space after the franchise was unable to trade him. The tight end had 186 catches for 2,070 yards and 11 touchdowns in Detroit but struggled with drops and was heavily criticized by fans.
Since arriving in Indianapolis on a two-year deal, all Ebron has done is post career-best numbers across the board while being selected for the Pro Bowl. He has 66 receptions for 750 yards this season and his 13 touchdowns rank first among all NFL tight ends.
The Colts finished the regular season 10-6 and are the No. 6 seed in the AFC. They will face No. 3 Houston in a wild card game on Saturday (4:35 p.m., ESPN).
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Haloti Ngata sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Haloti Ngata, DT
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
The Lions traded for Ngata, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, in 2015 to replace Ndamukong Suh. In three seasons with Detroit, the defensive tackle never played all 16 games and had just 53 total tackles and six sacks. He played just five games in 2017 before tearing his biceps and signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in March.
Ngata spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens and won a Super Bowl before being traded to Detroit. Since joining the Eagles, he has 17 tackles and one sack and missed three games due to a calf injury. Philadelphia, the No. 6 seed in the NFC, will play a wild card game at No. 3 Chicago on Sunday (4:40 p.m., NBC).
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, left, is shoved by Los Angeles Rams’ Ndamukong Suh during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles . (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Ndamukong Suh, DT
Team: Los Angeles Rams
Suh, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, spent the first five years of his career with the Lions and had 239 tackles and 36 sacks while being named to four Pro Bowls. He left to sign a six-year, $114-million contract with the Miami Dolphins, was released in March and signed a one-year deal with the Rams.
In 16 games this season, Suh has 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He has started all 142 games in his career and has 479 tackles and 56 sacks. The Rams finished the regular season 13-3, are the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs and have a first-round bye.
