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Tag: Football

  • Eagles move on from OC Kevin Patullo after one lackluster season with him calling plays

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    PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are moving on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.

    Coach Nick Sirianni announced Tuesday that he’s going in a different direction after one year with Patullo calling plays.

    The Eagles (11-7) lost OC Kellen Moore after winning the Super Bowl in 2025 — Moore took the head job in New Orleans — and turned to Patullo to maintain familiarity and continuity for quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Patullo had been the Eagles’ passing game coordinator since 2021.

    But the in-house move failed to pan out. Philadelphia seemed out of sync most of the season, finishing 24th in total offense at 311.2 yards a game and 19th in scoring at 22.3 points a game.

    “I met with Kevin today to discuss the difficult decision,” Sirianni said in a statement. “He is a great coach who has my utmost respect. He has been integral to this team’s success over the last five years, not only to the on-field product but behind scenes as a valued leader for our players and organization.

    “I have no doubt he will continue to have a successful coaching career. Ultimately, when we all fall short of our goals, that responsibility lies on my shoulders.”

    Now the Eagles will have a fifth different offensive coordinator in Sirianni’s six seasons, with the next one following Patullo, Moore, Brian Johnson (2023) and Shane Steichen (2021-22).

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  • US and Mexico flag football teams will play a game during the Super Bowl week in an Olympic preview

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    The week of the Super Bowl next month in San Francisco will feature not one but two marquee flag football games.

    It’s just another way to gain even more exposure for the game ahead of flag football’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

    First, the NFL’s elite take the field on Feb. 3 as part of the Pro Bowl festivities. Then, the flag football specialists will stage an exhibition match two days later, with Team USA taking on rival Mexico.

    In LA two years from now, the roster could very well be a mix of NFL players — or former players — and flag football experts. USA Football, the national governing body for the sport, will select and train the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the Olympics.

    “The opportunity to have NFL players join our elite talent pathway leading up to the LA28 Olympics is exciting for athletes and fans alike,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said Tuesday in a statement announcing the game, which will be streamed on the NFL’s YouTube channel. “We have one goal for the Olympics, and that’s to win the men’s and women’s gold medals. Support and interest from elite athletes across the sports world only strengthens our chances of success as we seek to build the best teams possible.”

    The NFL moved its Pro Bowl festivities to Super Bowl week this season. It was the latest adjustment for the all-star event that became a flag football game three years ago. The sport was added to the Olympic program in October 2023.

    For Team USA, the game may be a “friendly” against Mexico, but the players will be treating it like a Super Bowl. The gold-medal match between the two nations at the IFAF Americas Continental Championship in Panama last September was scrubbed because of severe weather.

    So it’s a chance to unofficially settle the score.

    “This matchup is overdue. Our guys want it, and I’m sure Team Mexico does, too,” quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III said. “We plan to approach this exhibition with the same preparation and intensity as a regular game. This is a dream opportunity to showcase the sport we all love while at the center of football’s biggest stage.”

    Players from Mexico felt the same way.

    “This opportunity that both teams are going to have is incredible,” said Ramón Alonso Gaxiola, a defensive back and captain for Mexico. ”Playing a final is something we have always dreamed of.”

    The game, presented by Toyota, will be played at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, which is hosting the Super Bowl experience fan fest.

    “The Olympic announcement in 2023 was rocket fuel for a sport that was already surging in popularity,” Hallenbeck said, “and with the league’s leadership and support through opportunities like this exhibition, we’ll ignite even more passion, participation and fandom.”

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  • Packers’ Micah Parsons says he can recover from torn ACL in time to play early next season

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    GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay’s Micah Parsons calls his torn anterior cruciate ligament “the most challenging thing that I think I’ve ever faced as a human.”

    But the All-Pro defensive end believes he can recover in time to play early next season.

    Speaking to reporters for the first time since his Dec. 14 injury, Parsons said Monday that he hopes to be back for the start of the season, but added that a more realistic goal is “probably like Week 3, Week 4.”

    “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” Parsons said. “I don’t think people realize how much the knee is. It’s the most challenging thing that I think I’ve ever faced as a human. When you talk about pain, can’t sleep, can’t move around. … I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night. My body’s tired. My mind’s tired. I’m exhausted, man. But it’s going to be worth it once I’m going to be able to move and play again.”

    Parsons and tight end Tucker Kraft both discussed their recoveries from torn ACLs as the Packers packed up their lockers two days after blowing a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 31-27 wild-card playoff loss at Chicago.

    Kraft, who tore his right ACL on Nov. 2, compared this injury to the torn pectoral muscle that caused him to spend part of the 2024 preseason on the physically unable to perform list. Kraft returned in time to play all 17 games that season.

    “By the time Week 1 rolls around, I’ll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproof by then,” Kraft said.

    The Packers were leading the Denver Broncos in the second half when Parsons hurt his left knee, knocking him out for the rest of this season. They didn’t win again, losing their last five games.

    It’s the first major injury of Parsons’ career. It ended his first season in Green Bay prematurely after the Packers acquired him in an August trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

    “I’m not a very vulnerable person and during this period I’ve probably been the most vulnerable I’ve been in the last like, probably my whole life, Parsons said. “I’m telling people how much I need them and appreciate them being there for me.

    “Because to be honest, man, you can’t go through this injury by yourself. … Like I can’t shower by myself. I can’t even get off the bed myself. So I couldn’t imagine being alone. So I’m so appreciative of my family being there for me.”

    The injuries to Parsons and Kraft left the Packers without two of their best players.

    Parsons had 12 ½ sacks this season to earn All-Pro honors despite missing the Packers’ final four games. Kraft had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns despite playing only eight games.

    “I was on the cusp of putting together one of the greatest seasons by a Packer tight end, and that was something I was looking forward to, just leaving my legacy on this game and playing as hard as I could every snap for the for this team, because the end of the day, the guys in this room, they mean so much to me,” Kraft said.

    Although the Packers were winless after his injury, Parsons said “there was no point in the season where I felt like we weren’t a championship-caliber team.”

    The Packers led by at least nine points after halftime in three of their five losses to end the season. Another loss came when the Packers rested their starters in the regular-season finale at Minnesota.

    Parsons and Kraft both expressed support for Matt LaFleur as speculation swirled about their coach’s future.

    “I think Matt’s an outstanding head coach,” Kraft said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll remain here as a Packer. I think a lot of that talk is pretty silly.”

    Parsons said LaFleur’s presence was part of the reason he wanted to come to Green Bay. Parsons said he mentioned that to LaFleur after seeing questions about the coach’s job status.

    “You can get spoiled with good coach and good people, and you don’t realize until they’re gone,” Parsons said. “I don’t want to be at that point where we realize like, ‘Damn, we let such a great coach go.’ “

    Parsons said players must take accountability regarding the way the season ended.

    “There’s a lot of reality checks that us as players need,” Parsons said. “Yeah, I think as fans and people I see the same things you see. People want to look at the play-calling and people want to look that, but I’m looking at the effort of the guys. I look at the how guys are playing. Are we blocking? Are we getting blocks? Are we attacking? Those are the things us players we can control. And I think more people need to realize that.”

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  • Dylan Raiola announces he’s transferring from Nebraska to Oregon

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    Quarterback Dylan Raiola announced Monday on social media he intends to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon.

    Raiola was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska and started 22 games over two seasons. He broke his leg against Southern California on Nov. 1 and missed the Cornhuskers’ last four games.

    Oregon’s quarterback room for 2026 remains unsettled even with the addition of Raiola as Dante Moore decides whether he will enter the NFL draft.

    Moore said Friday after a 56-22 loss to No. 1 Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal that he was uncertain on declaring for the draft or returning to Oregon for a final season. Moore went 24-of-39 for 285 yards with an interception and two fumbles against the Hoosiers.

    He completed nearly 73% of his throws for 3,280 yards, with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

    Two of Moore’s backups, Austin Novosad and Luke Moga, have entered the transfer portal. Should Moore remain at Oregon, Raiola could redshirt next season before taking over as starter in 2027.

    Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games this season. In his freshman year in 2024, he threw for 2,819 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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  • Will Cannabis Be At The California Super Bowl

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    Will cannabis be at the California Super Bowl as gummies quietly rival beer at America’s biggest game

    As the state prepares to host, a familiar question is quietly circulating alongside conversations about commercials, halftime performers, and watch parties: will cannabis be at the California Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in America?

    California has long been a pioneer in cannabis legalization and normalization. From the passage of medical marijuana laws in the 1990s to full adult-use legalization in 2016, the state helped transform cannabis from a taboo substance into a regulated, mainstream consumer product. Today, legal dispensaries operate across California, cannabis brands advertise on billboards and podcasts, and infused products are as familiar to many adults as craft beer or fine wine.

    RELATED: Sara Carter Bailey Approved For New Drug Czar

    Yet the Super Bowl remains a complicated space for cannabis. The game itself is governed by the non-profit NFL and broadcast standards still prohibit cannabis advertising and on-site consumption, even in fully legal states. Inside the stadium, cannabis will not be sold, promoted, or consumed legally, despite California law allowing adult use elsewhere.  Some guests might bring in edibles, but even tobacco vapes are banned. Alcohol, however, will once again dominate. Beer sponsorships, liquor ads, and branded cocktails are a staple of Super Bowl culture, both in the stands and in living rooms across the country.

    At home, the contrast is even sharper. Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the biggest alcohol consumption days of the year in the United States. Viewers are encouraged to drink early, drink often, and associate the game with beer runs and party coolers. In California, however, a growing number of adults are choosing cannabis as an alternative. This shift is subtle, but real, particularly among consumers looking to avoid hangovers, reduce calories, or simply enjoy a different kind of social experience.

    If cannabis does make an appearance connected to the Super Bowl, gummies are the most likely form. Gummies are by far the most popular edible category in legal markets, favored for their discretion, precise dosing, and lack of smoke or smell. Unlike flower or vapes, gummies can be consumed quietly at home without disrupting guests or drawing attention. For many California viewers, a low-dose gummy has become the equivalent of a beer or glass of wine during the game.

    RELATED: Greenland And Cannabis

    Brands know this, even if they cannot advertise directly. In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, dispensaries often see increased sales, with consumers planning their game-day experiences just as carefully as their snack menus. While cannabis won’t appear in commercials or on the field, it may still be part of Super Bowl Sunday rituals across California.

    So will cannabis be at the California Super Bowl? Not officially, and not visibly. But in living rooms, backyard watch parties, and quiet moments between plays, cannabis, especially gummies, is likely to be part of how many Californians experience the biggest game of the year.

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  • Trevor Lawrence has to ‘live with’ costly turnovers in Jaguars’ playoff loss to Bills

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    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s hard to blame Jacksonville coach Liam Coen for relying on quarterback Trevor Lawrence against Buffalo on Sunday.

    After all, Lawrence pretty much carried the Jaguars to the playoffs.

    But Lawrence looked little like the AFC player of the month for December and January in a 27-24 loss to the Bills that ended one of the franchise’s most surprising seasons.

    Lawrence threw two interceptions, including one on the final possession, and turned the ball over on downs early in the second quarter when replays showed his shin touched the ground on a fourth-and-2 run deep in Buffalo territory.

    It was a significant momentum swing in the game. The Jaguars (13-5) could have gone up 14-3 and put pressure on Buffalo (13-5). Instead, they failed to score off a turnover and allowed Josh Allen to lead a 92-yard TD drive.

    “I wish we played cleaner in certain areas,” Lawrence said. “I wish I had made one or two decisions a little bit differently, threw a better ball here or there. You’ve got to live with it. It’s life. You don’t get do-overs. It’s a bummer.

    “But I know that we left everything out there. I know I put everything into this this year. It’s sucks that we don’t get to keep playing. This is a special group.”

    Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards, with three touchdowns to go along with the turnovers. He also ran six times for 31 yards. He was late on several passes and rarely looked crisp, especially early. He found a rhythm in the fourth quarter and put Jacksonville ahead twice.

    He became the third quarterback in NFL history to deliver multiple go-ahead TD passes in the fourth quarter of a playoff loss, joining Allen (at Kansas City in 2021) and New Orleans’ Drew Brees (at San Francisco in 2011), according to ESPN Research.

    He connected with Parker Washington and Travis Etienne for scores in final frame, putting the Jags up 17-13 and 24-20. But Allen kept carrying the Bills back into the lead — and ultimately the win.

    Coen surely will get questioned for leaning on Lawrence instead of running backs Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten. The duo combined for 118 yards on 15 carries, averaging nearly 8 yards a run against one of the NFL’s most porous run defenses.

    “Just called the game like I always call the game,” Coen said.

    It was an obviously disappointing ending for Jacksonville, which won its most games since 1999 and built a foundation of success in Coen’s debut season. Lawrence was a big reason for it. He accounted for 25 touchdowns in the team’s eight-game winning streak in which it averaged 33.6 points.

    He also played fairly cleanly in those games, with just four turnovers. But it ended against the Bills.

    “In any playoff game, mistakes are always magnified,” Lawrence said. “It always comes down to the end. You don’t see a lot of blowouts in the playoffs. Everything’s on the line, and everyone’s fighting.

    “So whether it’s turnovers or turnovers on downs – we had three of those today, total – those add up and take points of the board. … I got to be better, cleaner there.”

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  • Aaron Rodgers, Football’s Rorschach Quarterback

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    How much of his declining skills—or growing media presence—actually mattered to what he might contribute to the Steelers? Tomlin had previously demonstrated an inexplicable ability to lead teams to wins with terrible offenses. His Steelers had won games with Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges at quarterback. They had made the playoffs with Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky as starters. Last season, Tomlin benched Justin Fields for Russell Wilson, who took the team off a cliff in the last four games of the regular season—and the Steelers still finished 10–7. But, coming into this year, the Steelers had lost six straight playoff games, and they haven’t won during the post-season since 2016. For years, people have whispered that Tomlin was near the end of his tenure. And it’s possible to see something a little desperate in the Steelers’ pursuit of Rodgers. But Rodgers is also a four-time M.V.P. award winner, a future Hall of Famer, a model for the modern quarterback. And he could still, on occasion, flick a long spiral up the seam and hit a receiver in stride, the kind of throw that seems to turn chaos into perfect, thrilling order. Rodgers had already declined the chance to be Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,’s running mate during the 2024 Presidential campaign, he said, because he wanted to keep playing. And the whole Jets thing hadn’t worked out. He needed a job. And Tomlin needed a quarterback.

    Perhaps the vision wasn’t the result of a bad burrito, or of taking ayahuasca with Rodgers on one of Rodgers’s spiritual quests. Perhaps there was something logical about it. It seemed that way for a while. The Steelers started the season 4–1. Rodgers began the season by laughing at his old team, the Jets, scoring four touchdowns. The Steelers beat the New England Patriots (one of only three teams to do so all season) and then went to Ireland to beat the Minnesota Vikings. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals—who, with their star quarterback Joe Burrow injured, employed another fortysomething, Joe Flacco—but Rodgers put in a vintage performance, with four touchdowns and nearly a fifth, a Hail Mary attempt that flew sixty-eight yards through the air before it was batted down. He’s still got the arm, at least some of the time.

    But not the legs, it seems. No one this season got rid of the ball faster than he did, whether the situation seemed to call for a quick pass or not. Only one wide receiver, DK Metcalf, had Rodgers’s obvious trust; his targets were often the Steelers’ running backs, closer to hand. That Hail Mary was an anomaly: no other quarterback’s completions travelled a shorter distance, on average, past the line of scrimmage. And when the pocket broke down, he usually crumbled with it. Yet there he was, in the final moments of the regular season, with his arms triumphantly raised.

    Was he responsible for bailing his teammates out under pressure, or for putting them in trouble to begin with? Rodgers is football’s Rorschach test, one of the league’s most polarizing players. It’s a role he seems comfortable in; it fits with his contrariness, and provides an ongoing relevance. The Steelers finished the season with their usual 10–7 record. (Maybe Tomlin’s vision was actually for more of the same.) On Monday, in any case, he’ll get another chance to finally win a big game: the Steelers host the Houston Texans during the wild-card round of the playoffs, with the winner advancing. It will be Rodgers’s twenty-second playoff start; his first came when the Texans’ quarterback, C. J. Stroud, was eight years old.

    The Texans are a flawed and beatable team, but they have one of the league’s best defenses, which means that it won’t be an easy night for Rodgers, most likely. But when has Rodgers ever made things easy? Before the start of the season, he said that he was “pretty sure” he’d retire after it was over. But after the Ravens game, he refused to close the door on his career. Who knows what visions may lie ahead? ♦

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  • Matt LaFleur and the Packers Face Uncertain Future After Blowing Big Lead in Wild-Card Loss

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    CHICAGO (AP) — At the very end of his seventh season as Green Bay’s coach, Matt LaFleur saw a team that lacked composure at big moments in a playoff game.

    It was an all-too-familiar scene for the Packers — one that will follow LaFleur for a long time.

    “We’ve got to look at it. We’ve got to talk. There’s a lot of pieces,” he said. “All you’re trying to do in the moment is, when mistakes are made, you’re correcting them. There’s not long discussions on the sideline. It’s just you correct the mistakes and you try to keep it moving. And I felt like just our team got a little bit disheveled in the second half.”

    Green Bay blew a 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter of a wild 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Saturday night. The collapse included two big misses by Brandon McManus on an extra point and a 44-yard field goal, along with a delay-of-game penalty coming out of a timeout and a fumbled snap on the final play of the game.

    It was the fifth consecutive loss for Green Bay (9-8-1), a season-ending slide that featured two dramatic losses at Chicago. The Packers blew a 16-6 lead in the final minutes of regulation in a 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Dec. 20.

    Green Bay dropped to 33-3 in the playoffs when it led by at least 10 points. The other losses were against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2014 NFC title game and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2003 divisional round.

    “We had a game where we couldn’t finish it and let a team come back and beat us,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “So it’s very disappointing to end the season on a note like that. So, yeah, everybody is very disappointed. I’m very disappointed, and that’s it.”

    The tough finish could lead to major changes for Green Bay.

    LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst each have one year remaining on their contracts. Ed Policy, who took over as Green Bay’s president and CEO last summer, has said he’s “generally opposed” to the idea of having a coach or GM enter the final year of a contract without an extension.

    LaFleur, 46, declined to get into the specifics of his situation after the loss, but he said being Green Bay’s coach “means everything” to him. He also got a vote of confidence from his quarterback.

    “I definitely think Matt should be the head coach,” Love said. “I’ve got a lot of love for Matt, and I think he does a good job.”

    Love threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first half. The Packers had a 21-3 lead when McManus missed a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter.

    Love’s 23-yard TD pass to Matthew Golden made it 27-16 with 6:36 left, but McManus was wide left on the extra-point attempt. His missed 44-yard try would have provided a 30-24 lead in the final minutes.

    “It’s disappointing,” McManus said. “My role on the team is to make kicks and these guys pour in thousands of plays over the course of the season and I leave seven points on the board today. Like I said, it’s the most disappointing part of my career right now.”

    A delay-of-game flag coming out of a Green Bay timeout played a role in the drive stalling ahead of McManus’ final kick of the night. LaFleur called the penalty “inexcusable.”

    The Packers drove to the Bears 23 on their final possession, but offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was called for a false start before Love threw two incomplete passes. The timing on the final play was thrown off when Love dropped the snap.

    “We had a play called to be able to take a shot to the end zone,” Love said. “And then, depending on the coverage they were playing, how soft they were, trying to pick up an easy couple yards to the sidelines, that’s what we went to. When I fumbled the snap, couldn’t get that, it kind of turned into last-second Hail Mary.”

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • NFL football today: What stories to watch for in wild-card playoff games

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    For those who were going through NFL withdraws after not having a “Monday Night Football” game this week, the good news is that football action starts up again on Saturday, Jan. 10.

    So, when do the NFL playoffs in the wild-card round get going this weekend?

    NFL Wild-Card Schedule for Saturday, Jan. 10

    The NFL wild-card games start on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a double-header.

    At 4:30 p.m. ET the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams will play at the No. 4 Carolina Panthers, and the game will air on FOX and FOX Deportes. The, at 8 p.m. ET, the No. 7 Green Bay Packers will be at the No. 2 Chicago Bears, airing on Prime Video.

    NFL Wild-Card Schedule for Sunday, Jan. 11

    The NFL wild-card matchups continue on Sunday, Jan. 11, with three games.

    First, at 1 p.m. ET, the No. 6 Buffalo Bills will head to the No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars, and the game will air on CBS and Paramount+. Next, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers will go to the No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles, airing on FOX and FOX Deportes. Finally, at 8 p.m. ET, the No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers will take on the No. 2 New England Patriots, airing on NBC, Peacock and Universo.

    NFL Wild-Card Schedule for Monday, Jan. 12

    Finally, “Monday Night Football” returns on Jan. 12 with another playoff game.

    At 8 p.m. ET, the No. 5 Houston Texans will play at the No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the game will air on the usual “Monday Night Football” spots: ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.

    Stories to Watch For in These Games

    So, what stories should you watch for here? The main thing is that the Seattle Seahawks are heavily favored to take it all. They have this weekend off, since they’re the top seed in the NFC, so they’ll have their first playoff game next weekend. It will be a big upset if they fall in either of their two games leading up to the Super Bowl.

    After this weekend concludes, the NFL’s divisional round start on Saturday, Jan. 17, and continues on Sunday, Jan. 18. The AFC and NFC championship games are set for Saturday, Jan. 25, with the AFC Championship at 3 p.m. ET and the NFC Championship at 6:30 p.m. ET.

    Then, the Super Bowl LX will pit the AFC champion against the NFC champion at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 8.

    More sports news: 49ers Draw Tough Matchup in Wild Card Round of Playoffs After Seahawks Loss

    According to NFL research and reported by ESPN, NFL viewership is up for the 2025-26 season. Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” had the largest gains at 16%.

    “The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game during the regular season, the second-highest since audience averages began being kept in 1988,” ESPN states in a piece out on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

    More sports news: Jim Harbaugh Shares Reaction to Ravens Firing Brother John Harbaugh

    “The per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 10% increase from last season’s 17.5 million and up 7% from 2023, according to the league and Nielsen,” they add. “It also was just off the record average of 19 million, which was set in 1989.”

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  • National Championship Game Will Be a Homecoming for Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

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    ATLANTA (AP) — Indiana is headed to the national championship game for the first time in program history. For Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, that means a chance to end a fairytale season in the place where his story first began.

    It’s been a historic season for Indiana, and Mendoza is largely to credit. Indiana won its first Big Ten title since 1967, beat Ohio State for the first time since 1988, earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, won its first Rose Bowl, and in December, Mendoza became the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner.

    After a five touchdown performance and 56-22 rout of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, there’s now just one item left on the check list for Mendoza and the Hoosiers — and that’s beating Miami on its home turf in the championship game.

    It will be a homecoming for the quarterback, who grew up in Miami and attended Christopher Columbus High School, roughly 30 minutes south of Hard Rock Stadium.

    Mendoza has performed well under bright lights, and the Peach Bowl was no exception. He finished the game completing 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns. He added 28 rushing yards on six carries and had a passer rating of 241.8.

    Mendoza is familiar with the Hurricanes. He played for two years at California, including the program’s inaugural season in the ACC in 2024, before transferring to Indiana in 2025. He faced his hometown team once, in October 2024, and threw for 285 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 39-38 loss.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Suspects in burglary of Shedeur Sanders’ home are from Atlanta area and used stolen rental car

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    MEDINA, Ohio — The four suspects involved in the burglary of Shedeur Sanders’ home on Nov. 16 are from Atlanta and used a stolen rental car in the break-in, authorities said Thursday.

    The Medina County Sheriff’s Office also said during a briefing that the group had robbed others, including professional athletes.

    Jarvet Myrick, Deandrez Jackson and Maurice Exavier Taylor are in custody after being arrested in Georgia and are awaiting extradition to Northeast Ohio. Carlos DeAnthony Morris remains at large and has an active warrant.

    Detective Rodney Rees said that the suspects stole the rental car in the Atlanta area, drove to Ohio and stayed at a hotel in Medina Township the night before the burglary took place.

    The suspects then robbed a house in the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven upon returning to Georgia on Nov. 17, Rees said.

    Myrick, the alleged driver, was arrested on Nov. 26. Jackson was arrested Dec. 16 and Taylor on Dec. 29. All three are facing second-degree felony burglary charges. All three were also arrested with guns. Jackson had warrants from when he was a juvenile and Taylor also had outstanding warrants. Myrick also was in possession of marijuana when he was arrested.

    “They’re violent. They’re part of two burglaries we know of and possibly a third one where they were seen running away with guns in their hands,” Rees said. “They target high-end individuals who have a lot of money, and they go to their houses, they break in, and they take anything of value, and they go and sell it.”

    It wasn’t immediately clear who would represent the suspects when they get to Ohio.

    Sanders’ home in Granger Township, a Cleveland suburb, was burglarized while he was playing in his first regular-season NFL game during the second half of the Browns’ 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Approximately $200,000 in property was stolen from the home, which included totes, luxury bags and a ring.

    The sheriff’s office previously stated that three people entered the home at 6:46 p.m. ET. Surveillance cameras in the home captured video of the people entering different parts of the house. They were wearing masks and gloves and were seen leaving the home just before 7 p.m.

    Rees said they haven’t been able to recover the stolen items.

    Investigators were able to use the security cameras at Sanders’ home and a neighbors as well as the Flock camera system, which can read license plate numbers, to identify the suspects and the stolen rental car as well as the camera at a Red Roof Inn, where the suspects stayed on Nov. 15.

    The burglary added Sanders to a growing list of NFL players whose homes have been burglarized during games. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan have dealt with break-ins since the start of last season.

    “Unfortunately, right now, they’re just targets. They’re taking advantage of them being some type of stature in the community and they’re hitting them when they’re away from home and they know they’re away from home,” Rees said.

    Rees said authorities believe there is a ringleader who leads people to the high-profile athletes, but that has not been proven yet. He said the cases involving other professional athletes the suspects are accused of burglarizing were not made public yet.

    Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons’ home was also burglarized last month while the team had a road game against San Francisco, but Rees said no one from this group is suspected.

    Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, played in eight games during his rookie NFL season. The fifth-round pick started the Browns’ final seven games and passed for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

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  • 3 arrested in burglary of Browns QB Shedeur Sanders’ home

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    MEDINA, Ohio — Three people have been arrested in connection with the Nov. 16 burglary at the home of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

    The sheriff’s office said in a news release that a fourth person remains at large and that a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

    Sanders’ home in Granger Township, a Cleveland suburb, was burglarized while he was playing in his first regular-season NFL game during the second half of the Browns’ 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Approximately $200,000 in property was stolen from the home.

    The sheriff’s office previously stated that three people entered the home at 6:46 p.m. Eastern. Surveillance cameras in the home captured video of the people entering different parts of the house. They were wearing masks and gloves and were seen leaving the home just before 7 p.m.

    The burglary added Sanders to a growing list of NFL players whose homes have been burglarized during games. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan have dealt with break-ins since the start of last season.

    Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons ‘ home was also burglarized last month while the team had a road game against San Francisco.

    Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, played in eight games during his rookie NFL season. The fifth-round pick started the Browns’ final seven games and passed for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

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  • NFL sees 2nd-highest regular season average viewership since 1988

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    The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game during the regular season, the second-highest since audience averages began being kept in 1988.

    The per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 10% increase from last season’s 17.5 million and up 7% from 2023, according to the league and Nielsen. It also was just off the record average of 19 million, which was set in 1989.

    Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events last September with the start of the current television season.

    Earlier this year, Nielsen began measuring out-of-home viewers for all states but Hawaii and Alaska, along with including data from smart TVs along with cable and satellite set-top boxes.

    Nielsen previously measured only the top 44 media markets, which covered 65% of the country.

    All five of the league’s weekly packages experienced viewer increases. Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” had the biggest gains at 16%. CBS also had a double-digit increase at 11%. ESPN/ABC’s “Monday Night Football” and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” were both up 9% and Fox had a 6% jump.

    This was the most-watched NFL package on Thursday nights since the league started it in 2006.

    The 15.33 million average surpassed the 13.65 million from 2019, when the games were on Fox, NFL Network and Prime Video.

    Since Prime Video started to be the exclusive home of “Thursday Night Football” in 2022, the audience has increased 60%. The first season averaged 9.58 million as audiences had to adjust to a regular package of games moving to a streaming service.

    Eight games this season averaged at least 15 million viewers, compared to four the first three seasons.

    The Denver Broncos’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night averaged 21.06 million, breaking the network’s 19.39 million mark for most-watched from the Dec. 4 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.

    CBS averaged 21.25 million, its best regular-season on record and the highest average among the networks.

    The network’s national late afternoon games averaged 25.83 million, the third straight year it has defeated Fox in that window.

    The Thanksgiving Day game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys averaged 57.23 million, making it the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history. According to Nielsen, the game generated 11.7 billion viewing minutes on Nov. 27 and was the top broadcast telecast of the month. By comparison, “Stranger Things” on Netflix totaled 11.8 billion viewing minutes across the entire month since it was available on demand.

    CBS’ most-viewed Sunday game was what seems to be the yearly meeting between Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. The Bills-Chiefs matchup on Nov. 2 averaged 30.84 million.

    CBS ended up having four of the 10 most-viewed games.

    NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” averaged 23.5 million viewers, putting it on pace to be the top-ranked show in primetime for the 15th straight year when the television season ends in May.

    However, NBC’s two most-watched games were not on Sunday night. The NFL Kickoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 averaged 28.3 million while 27.9 million tuned in on Thanksgiving night when Joe Burrow returned to the Cincinnati Bengals lineup after a toe injury to face the Baltimore Ravens.

    Eight games averaged at least 25 million. The most-watched game on Sunday night was between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 12 (27.4 million).

    NBC is also expected to have the most-watched show of the television season as it has the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.

    “Monday Night Football” averaged 15.8 million viewers for the 21-game package, the second-highest average since it moved to ESPN in 2006. That included two games exclusively on ABC and 11 simulcasts.

    Five games exceeded 20 million, the most since MNF moved to ESPN. The Detroit Lions-Baltimore Ravens matchup on Sept. 22 averaged 22.8 million, the fourth most-watched Monday night game in 20 seasons.

    Including the two Week 18 Saturday games, ESPN’s average for the season increases to 16.5 million. Last Saturday night’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers for the NFC’s top seed in the playoffs drew 27.5 million, the most-watched Week 18 game across all networks.

    Fox Sports averaged 19.63 million, its best regular season since 2015. America’s Game of the Week in the late afternoon slot averaged 25.28 million, led by the Super Bowl 59 rematch between the Eagles and Chiefs on Sept. 14 (33.8 million). It was one of the rare instances where the network that had the previous Super Bowl also got the rematch.

    Fox’s most-viewed game was on Thanksgiving Day, with the Green Bay-Detroit matchup at 47.7 million. Fox also had four of the 10 most-viewed games.

    The NFL also continues to be a huge driver for streaming packages.

    In October data, Nielsen said Peacock saw a 16% viewing increase, Paramount Plus was up 8% from September and Prime Video had a 6.4% average of TV viewing on Thursdays.

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  • Do the Vikings know if McCarthy is worth committing to? His bruising, unsteady debut left a mystery

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    The Minnesota Vikings lost their bet this season that they could develop J.J. McCarthy and still win at the same time, with a roster strong enough to withstand the typical inconsistencies of a young quarterback in his debut.

    The worst part of their failed gamble for 2025 was that it left plenty more mystery for 2026. The Vikings have begun a new year with yet another quarterback quandary, a familiar scenario for this star-crossed franchise.

    Asked after the final game on Sunday if he would be comfortable entering next season with McCarthy as the starter, coach Kevin O’Connell sidestepped the question.

    “I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement,” O’Connell said, “and I’m excited where he’s ending the season and know there’s some things we can really dive into as a group.”

    The Vikings made sure not to miss out on the record quarterback rush at the top of the 2024 draft, confidently selecting McCarthy with the 10th pick as the promising prospect for their reputable system they could mold into a long-term fixture at this vital and vexing position.

    But his injuries have put them behind on the evaluation. The fact that he has only started 10 games and finished eight over his first two years is the most concerning of any metric. Even when he was healthy, the struggles with accuracy were pronounced enough to make them consider alternatives despite the significant upside on display.

    After winging it with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as the backups, at the very least the Vikings realize they need better depth if they’re going to run McCarthy back next season. McCarthy, for his part, sounded aware that his hold on the starting job is tenuous, too.

    “There’s nothing promised. That’s something I take very seriously. It’s not something you buy and you get for the rest of your life. You rent it and you lease it every single day, and I’m just trying to make daily deposits and make sure I’m in this house for a long time.”

    So close, in the end

    Finishing with a five-game winning streak put the Vikings (9-8) a half-game behind Green Bay for the last spot even though they were eliminated before taking the field in Week 14.

    Consider this: If the Vikings just had better coverage on their kickoff after McCarthy’s go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute in Week 11, when Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard return set Chicago up for the walk-off field goal, they would’ve won that game — and the NFC North title.

    “It’s going to sting not being in the tournament for not only our team and the work that they’ve put in, but our fan base and our ownership,” O’Connell said.

    By the numbers

    The Vikings still took third in the division on a tiebreaker over Detroit, meaning a road game next season against San Francisco (12-5) instead of Arizona (3-14) from the NFC West and home games against Indianapolis (8-9) instead of Tennessee (3-14) from the AFC South and Washington (5-12) instead of New York (4-13) from the NFC East.

    The Vikings were able to get Justin Jefferson past the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season to start his career, but the fact that he needed all 17 games to do that was ultimately one of many poor statistical reflections on this once-potent offense.

    The Vikings were last in the NFL in turnovers, interceptions and third down conversions and second-to-last in sack percentage.

    Bringing the band back?

    The Vikings had another stellar performance under the direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finishing second in red zone touchdown rate and sack percentage and third in the league in yards allowed. They were seventh in points against, one of only two teams in the top 13 in the NFL to miss the playoffs, along with Kansas City.

    Flores will again be a candidate for head coach vacancies around the league, and his contract is expiring, too, raising the question about whether he will return. The scene at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday felt like a farewell to 14-year veteran safety Harrison Smith, too. Salary cap management will likely force the Vikings to move from one or both of the veteran defensive linemen they signed this season, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.

    What’s next?

    The quarterback search will be complicated by an unfavorable salary cap situation, with the Vikings carrying the second-highest projected overage in the league into the offseason and thus needing to shed multiple important players before they can add new ones. More depth is needed on the offensive line, too, with the future of center Ryan Kelly in doubt after multiple concussions.

    In the draft, they have the 18th pick in the first round and still possess their original second and third-round selections. They currently own five third-day picks and are in line to be awarded mid-round compensatory selections for the departure of free agent quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones last year.

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  • Jon Hamm to host NFL Honors during Super Bowl week

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    (Photo credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY)

    Award-winning actor Jon Hamm will host the 15th annual NFL Honors, which will include a new award for offensive lineman on Feb. 5 as well as announcing the Most Valuable Player and Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

    The program, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, takes place three days before Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The awards show will air live at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and NFL Network, and streamed on Peacock and NFL+.

    ‘Week after week, the NFL delivers performances that remind you why this game means so much to so many people,’ Hamm said in a news release on Sunday. ‘I’m honored to host an evening that celebrates the players, their immense talents and the unforgettable moments that defined this season.’

    Hamm, 54, starred on television in ‘Mad Men’ and earned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2015 as well as Golden Globe awards in 2008 and 2016 and other nominations and accolades. He has numerous credits in television and film as an actor and executive producer.

    ‘His impressive acting career, passionate football fandom and overall charisma will create an unforgettable night that celebrates the very best of the league, from the performances on the field to the people and stories that define the season,’ said Angela Ellis, NFL vice president of original content and entertainment.

    NFL Honors, which began in 2012, will include the Protector of the Year to recognize the league’s best offensive lineman (tackles, guards, centers) in the 2025 season. The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen, including LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth.

    Criteria for the new award includes skills metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of the opponent, according to the league’s announcement.

    The program also will announce the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award and NFL Fan of the Year. Associated Press awards will recognize the MVP, coach, comeback player, offensive player, defensive player, offensive rookie, defensive rookie and assistant coach of the year.

    The NFL Honors Red Carpet Show is slated for 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network on Feb. 5.

    –Field Level Media

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  • Rodgers and Steelers Win AFC North, Beating Ravens 26-24 After Loop Misses Kick at Buzzer

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    PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title.

    Pittsburgh (10-7) will host Houston (12-5) in the opening round of the playoffs on Monday, Jan. 12, following an electric fourth quarter that saw four lead changes, including three in the final four minutes.

    The Ravens were poised to swing the lead back their way one last time after Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 28-yard gain that put the Ravens within Loop’s range.

    The rookie’s kick never had a chance, sailing well to the right of the goalposts as the Steelers poured onto the field to celebrate their first division title in five years.

    Rodgers passed for a season-high 294 yards and his 26-yard toss to Austin made it 26-24. Chris Boswell missed the extra point, giving the Ravens a chance to win with a field goal.

    Jackson, dealing with a painful back contusion, passed for 238 yards and three scores, including a pair to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter. Each of Flowers’ TDs put Baltimore in front.

    Pittsburgh responded each time, and will now welcome the Texans while looking to end a playoff victory drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC championship game.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Bills Celebrate Home Finale With 35-8 Rout of the Jets in Potential Final Game at Highmark Stadium

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    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — After taking the first snap, Josh Allen headed to the sideline and joined the 70,000-plus fans to watch backup Mitch Trubisky throw four touchdown passes as the Buffalo Bills bid a likely farewell to their long-time home with a 35-8 rout of the New York Jets on Sunday.

    Gabe Davis caught two touchdown passes and Ty Johnson had a TD run and a scoring catch in an outing during which the playoff-bound Bills (12-5) rested a majority of their starters.

    Buffalo’s defense, meantime, manhandled an injury-depleted and backup-filled Jets offense that was blanked through 3 1/2 quarters and finished with 122 yards offense and nine first downs.

    The win, coupled with the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss at Denver, led to Buffalo moving up one spot in clinching the No. 6 seed. The Bills will travel to play the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round next weekend.

    It’ll be the third playoff meeting between the teams, with Jacksonville winning both. The Jaguars defeated Buffalo 30-27 in what stood as Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly’s final game in 1996. More recently, the Jaguars beat Buffalo 10-3 in 2017 in the Bills first playoff appearance after ending a 17-year postseason drought.

    It was the latest blowout loss for the Jets (3-14), who closed their first season under coach Aaron Glenn losing five straight in which they were outscored by a combined 188-54.

    They became the NFL’s first team to lose by 23 or more in five consecutive games in one season.

    The outing turned into an afternoon-long celebration for the Bills and their fans, many of whom stayed throughout in Buffalo’s final regular-season home game at the 53-year-old Highmark Stadium. The Bills, next season, are moving across the street to their new $2.1 billion facility.

    The team honored its past with Kelly and fellow Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed addressing the crowd. Even 100-year-old Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy delivered his familiar line of, “Where would you rather be than right here, right now,” in a video message broadcast on the scoreboard during half time.

    By then, the outcome was essentially sealed with Buffalo leading 21-0 in a half the Jets were limited to four first downs and 63 yards offense.

    And a majority of the fans were still on hand, and rose to their feet at the final 2-minute warning to sing along to what’s become their victory theme song: “Mr. Brightside.” As Trubisky took a knee coming out of the break, a large cheer rose through the stadium with fans tossing up snow like confetti in a lengthy cheer. They continued to stay to sing Buffalo’s traditional “Shout!” song and then “Iris” by the hometown Goo Goo Dolls.

    Trubisky finished 22 of 29 for 259 yards.

    The loss secured New York the No. 2 pick in the draft.

    Undrafted rookie Brady Cook, making his fourth straight start, went 11 of 22 for 60 yards and a 2-yard touchdown pass to fullback Andrew Beck with 7:33 remaining.

    The Jets became the NFL’s first team to finish a season without a defensive interception. And New York finished with just four takeaways, breaking the NFL-low record of seven set by San Francisco in 2018.

    Allen, nursing a sore right foot, took the first snap to extend his starting streak to 135 (including playoffs) — the NFL’s longest active run among quarterbacks.

    James Cook who entered as the NFL’s rushing leader finished with 15 yards to up his total to 1,564. The only player capable of catching Cook is Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, who has 1,469 yards rushing, entering the Ravens game against Pittsburgh.

    Bills tight end Dawson Knox entered needing 7 yards receiving to reach 400 and earn a $100,000 bonus. With three TDs this season, the seventh-year player was also one score away from another $100,000 bonus. He achieved both with a game-opening 17-yard touchdown.

    Jets: LB Quincy Williams left in the second half with a hand injury.

    Bills: K Matt Prater aggravated a quadriceps injury in the first half.

    Bills: Open wild-card round at Jacksonville.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Vikings get Justin Jefferson past the 1,000-yard mark in the final game of a trying season

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    Justin Jefferson finally passed the 1,000-yard mark in the last game of the season for the Minnesota Vikings.

    With his fifth catch on Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers, a simple hitch route he turned into a 17-yard gain, the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver hit the four-digit mark for the sixth consecutive year. Jefferson immediately received a loud ovation from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd.

    “He should never play a season for the Minnesota Vikings and not get to those numbers,” said coach Kevin O’Connell, who routinely praised Jefferson’s attitude and leadership throughout the season despite career lows in every significant category for the two-time All-Pro.

    Jefferson was again roundly cheered in the third quarter when he passed the 100-yard mark for the first time in 12 games. He finished Minnesota’s 16-3 victory over the Packers with eight receptions for 101 yards on 11 targets.

    The only other receivers in NFL history to start their careers with six straight 1,000-yard seasons were Randy Moss (1998-2003) and Mike Evans (2014-19).

    Jefferson has the most receiving yardage (8,480) all time over a player’s first six years in the league. This was by far his most difficult season, with the Vikings’ offense frequently struggling throughout the developmental process for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed seven games due to injuries.

    “Definitely relieved, just off of a difficult year, emotionally and physically, to come out with the attitude of trying to finish the game and trying to leave a mark and show the world that I’m still the best receiver in the league,” Jefferson said. “It definitely felt great just to get that accolade and to really go into the offseason with a good taste in my mouth, but it’s definitely on to more work, on to getting my young ‘un right, making sure that we don’t have the same outcome this season.”

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  • Stefon Diggs Speaks For First Time Since Felony Strangulation & Assault Charges: ‘Very Emotional Time’

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    The holiday season is usually about counting blessings, but for Stefon Diggs, the start of 2026 is looking more like a lesson in how quickly things can go south when your private business hits the public docket. The NFL star is currently navigating a legal hurricane as Stefon Diggs’ allegations of a felony strangulation charge have turned the focus from the field to the courtroom.

    Source: Kathryn Riley / Getty

    The details of the case, which emerged after a Dec. 30 hearing in Dedham District Court, revealed the dangers of mixing professional service with personal proximity. As BOSSIP previously reported, a woman hired as Diggs’ personal chef for the duration of the season alleges that a confrontation over unpaid wages on Dec. 2 turned violent. The woman claims that during a discussion about money she was owed for a week in November, Diggs became enraged, allegedly slapping her across the face before positioning himself behind her and using the “crook of his elbow” to choke her.

    The narrative in the police filing is chilling, with the accuser stating she felt she had trouble breathing and was on the verge of blacking out before Diggs allegedly threw her onto a bed and dismissed her claims of being unpaid. According to CBS News, Diggs addressed the media for the first time on Friday, looking visibly weary as he apologized for his recent absence and described the situation as a “very emotional time.” However, he made it clear he was strictly focused on football, repeatedly asking reporters, “Is that a football question?” when they tried to pivot to his legal woes.

    Diggs’ legal team, led by David Meier, is standing behind their client’s innocence. Meier released a statement asserting that Stefon Diggs’ allegations are “unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated—because they did not occur.” According to TMZ, the defense is leaning heavily into the narrative that this is a financial dispute gone wrong, pointing out that the accuser was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before receiving her final payment, a request she reportedly refused.

    Stefon Diggs’ Allegations Aren’t The Only Allegations Plaguing The Patriots

    As if one star in the hot seat wasn’t enough for the Patriots to handle, the locker room is dealing with a double-dose of legal drama. While the headlines are dominated by Stefon Diggs’ allegations, defensive tackle Christian Barmore is also facing the music for a domestic assault and battery charge. In a separate incident, Barmore allegedly threw his pregnant girlfriend to the floor during an argument that reportedly started because the air conditioner was set to 70 degrees instead of his preferred 68.

    Barmore, much like Diggs, avoided media inquiries with a steady, “I’m focused on Miami” as the team prepares for their final regular-season game. Both players share the same attorney, which means David Meier is currently the busiest man in Massachusetts, trying to keep his clients on the turf and out of jail.

    Diggs’ arraignment is currently scheduled for Jan. 23, shortly following the AFC Championship Game. While his attorneys are pushing to move that date to March to avoid a postseason distraction, the court of public opinion is already in session.

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  • Australia v England commentary

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    Ball-by-ball Ashes updates: England face Australia in final Test at SCG

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