After double-digit increases in its regular-season and wild-card playoff round ratings, the NFL is looking for another large bump in ratings during this weekend’s division round.
The league and Nielsen said last weekend’s six wild-card games averaged 32 million viewers, a 13% jump from last year. It was also the most-watched opening weekend of the NFL playoffs since the field expanded to 14 teams in the 2020 season.
Overall, it was the most-watched wild-card round since the 2015 season and the fifth highest since average viewer numbers started being tracked in 1988.
Five of the games saw increases compared to the same time frames a year ago while the sixth game was even.
The regular season averaged 18.7 million viewers per game, a 10% increase. It also was the second-highest average on record.
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.
“It was a great weekend of football all around,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. “Every year, there’s a new set of stars and players emerging. You have (New England’s) Drake Maye, who’s a potential MVP and on the other end you have an established star like (Los Angeles Rams QB) Matthew Stafford, who may be the other MVP favorite playing a heck of a game with the fourth-quarter comeback.”
Last year’s four divisional matchups averaged 37.1 million viewers. The record for the NFL’s second weekend of the playoffs is 40 million, set two years ago. That was led by the Kansas City-Buffalo matchup, which averaged 50.4 million, making it the most watched divisional or wild-card game on record.
Fox averaged 37.5 million for the Green Bay-San Francisco Saturday night divisional matchup two years ago, which was the most-watched Saturday NFL playoff game on record.
The 49ers will face the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, which drew some criticism in some quarters because they played in Philadelphia in the late afternoon Sunday window and have a short week. Meanwhile, the Rams and Chicago Bears both played on Saturday.
The Rams and Bears though will close the weekend on Sunday night on NBC.
The last time at least one team didn’t have a short week between the wild-card and divisional rounds was the 2018 season.
“We have teams every week playing from Monday night to Sunday,” Schroeder said. “That’s just the way it breaks every year, which is some team on Sunday has to play Saturday the next weekend. We work very hard with our football ops team and making sure we’re starting with what’s competitively fair.”
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Two of Brock Purdy’s worst performances in an otherwise stellar career came when he matched up against a Mike Macdonald-coached defense.
Now thanks to one of his more memorable moments when he led the short-handed San Francisco 49ers to a fourth-quarter comeback in a wild-card win at Philadelphia, Purdy gets another chance against Macdonald’s defense.
“He just does a good job of making the quarterback have to earn everything,” Purdy said. “I feel like there’s not a lot of easy gimme plays out there. You have to play quarterback for four quarters, be smart with the ball and go through your progressions truly. Then on top of that, the front, how they coach up the front with the push in the pocket, playing pretty deep to short on a lot of things and not allowing you to have a lot of explosive plays across the board. You have to go earn every single yard.”
This will be the fifth time that Purdy and the 49ers will face a defense run by Macdonald with the first coming on Christmas night in 2023 when Purdy threw a career-worst four interceptions in a 33-19 loss to Baltimore when Macdonald was defensive coordinator for the Ravens.
Macdonald turned that success in Baltimore into a head coaching job in Seattle starting in 2024, setting up two matchups each season against the 49ers.
Purdy got the best of the first matchup when he threw three touchdown passes in a 36-24 win last season in Seattle. But the Seahawks won the rematch in 2024, holding the Niners to just 17 points. Seattle allowed only 20 points in the two games this season as the Seahawks have been able to slow down San Francisco’s running game while playing primarily nickel defense with two deep safeties to cut down on big passes.
Purdy overcame two interceptions in the season opener to lead a fourth-quarter comeback for a 17-13 win but managed just 127 yards passing in the rematch in Week 18.
In five career matchups, Purdy has a 79.7 passer rating with six TD passes and eight interceptions.
“It’s a huge challenge, but the challenge is on us,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “We got to run the ball better; we got to be better on third down so we can get more ops to run the ball. That’s really the biggest thing is we got to stay on the field so we can keep calling runs then hopefully, you can get the defense to commit another guy in the box, which helps other things.”
Purdy has performed well in the postseason and has a chance to become the sixth player ever with at least five straight playoff games with 250 or more yards passing and a touchdown.
But he has been at his best in clutch moments.
The Week 1 comeback in Seattle capped by an improbable 4-yard TD pass to Jake Tonges with 1:34 left was one of just four fourth-quarter comebacks by Purdy in 14 opportunities. Purdy ranks near the bottom of the league with a 63.8 passer rating when the Niners trail by less than eight points in the regular season, but he has risen to the moment when those chances have come in the postseason.
He engineered a comeback win in the 2023 division round against Green Bay and did it again last week in Philadelphia, when his 4-yard TD pass to Christian McCaffrey with 2:54 to play provided the go-ahead score in a 23-19 win.
Purdy also led San Francisco to a 17-point comeback against Detroit in the 2023 NFC title game, and threw a go-ahead TD pass and led two go-ahead drives for field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime in Super Bowl 58 when the Niners fell 25-22 to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
In all, Purdy has a 115.1 passer rating in his comeback attempts in the playoffs.
“I can’t say enough about Brock’s poise and his competitiveness there at the end of the fourth quarter,” Kubiak said. “I think Brock would tell you he didn’t play his best game for the first three quarters of that game. … But when it came down to the drives that mattered, the fourth quarter, the pressure of that moment, he was locked in. He didn’t blink. That’s kind of who he’s been his whole career to me.”
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).
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman will be advising the Miami Dolphins in their search for a new general manager.
Aikman, who led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins and is now an ESPN analyst, isn’t expected to remain with the organization beyond their GM search, ESPN reported. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel welcomed the outside help.
“I’m not opposed to more information, ever,” McDaniel said Friday morning, adding that he was previously informed by Dolphins ownership of the decision. “I think Troy Aikman speaks for himself in terms of his relationships that he’s had within the National Football League, and (he) knows a lot of things. That information is a positive to me.”
The Dolphins fired longtime general manager Chris Grier on Oct. 31 after a 2-7 start to the season. McDaniel has remained head coach despite questions about his job security, and Miami is 7-9 entering Sunday’s regular-season finale at the New England Patriots. Dolphins senior personnel executive Champ Kelly has been Miami’s interim general manager.
Aikman has been in the broadcast booth since he retired from a 12-year career during which he made six Pro Bowls and threw for more than 32,000 yards.
He called Miami’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 15 and was highly critical of McDaniel’s fourth-quarter decision-making and clock management.
“This is about as ridiculous a fourth quarter as I’ve seen in quite a long time,” Aikman said during the broadcast, as McDaniel and the Dolphins showed little urgency while trailing by multiple scores.
“So you’re telling me he didn’t like us not scoring points and taking up too much time,” McDaniel said Friday. “Neither did I. That was not the intent. And he’s doing his job. … Doesn’t bother me in the least. As a matter of fact, I think it would be funny if it did.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that he plans to return next season, batting away any thought of an impending retirement by making a tongue-in-cheek joke about his status with a franchise he has led to three Super Bowl titles.
“I mean, I think I’m coming back, right?” Reid told local Kansas City reporters on a Zoom call. “If they’ll have me back, I’ll come back. You never know in this business. That’s a tough one. But I plan on it, yeah.”
The 67-year-old Reid is accustomed to answering questions about his future in February, after the Chiefs have played in the Super Bowl, which they had done each of the past three years. But he’s less familiar with facing those questions in the final days of December, when the Chiefs have long since been eliminated from postseason contention.
Kansas City is 6-10 as it prepares for its season finale this weekend in Las Vegas.
Reid, who signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Chiefs in April 2024, spent his first 14 seasons as an NFL head coach in Philadelphia, where he led the Eagles to 130 regular-season wins and 10 more in the playoffs. That included four seasons that ended in the NFC title game and another that ended with a loss in the Super Bowl.
Reid’s past 13 years have come in Kansas City, where he has won at an even greater clip.
With Alex Smith at quarterback the first five years and Patrick Mahomes under center since, the Chiefs have piled up 149 regular-season wins and gone 18-8 in the playoffs. This season will end streaks of 10 consecutive playoff trips, nine straight AFC West titles, seven consecutive AFC title game appearances and the past three years in the Super Bowl.
In five trips to the big game, Reid and Co. have brought three Lombardi Trophies back to Kansas City. Bill Belichick is the only coach with more Super Bowl rings, capturing six of them with Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Reid has 307 wins overall. He needs 18 to pass George Halas for third on the NFL’s career list behind Belichick and Don Shula.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Zach Charbonnet ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and the Seattle Seahawks turned two third-quarter Carolina turnovers into TDs to beat the Panthers 27-10 on Sunday and close in on the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Sam Darnold threw an interception in the end zone but finished 18 of 27 for 147 yards with a touchdown for the Seahawks, who can wrap up the NFC West title and the top seed if the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams both lose or tie.
Jaxson Smith-Njigba added nine catches for 72 yards as Seattle (13-3) won its sixth straight.
The Panthers (8-8) had a chance to win the NFC South because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 20-17 at Miami on Sunday. Now the Panthers will need to win at Tampa Bay next weekend to win their first division title since 2015 and snap a seven-year playoff drought.
Bryce Young was limited to 54 yards on 14-of-24 passing and threw an interception for the inconsistent Panthers, who followed up a win with a loss for the fifth straight time. Young ran for 30 yards and accounted for Carolina’s only touchdown with a 10-yard scamper.
Carolina was limited to 139 yards of offense.
After an ugly first half that ended in a 3-3 tie, the Seahawks took control in the third quarter thanks to their defense.
DeMarcus Lawrence recovered a fumble by Chuba Hubbard deep in Carolina territory and Charbonnet cashed in with a 2-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing possession, Young’s pass to a Tetairoa McMillan was intercepted by Julian Love, leading to Darnold’s 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end AJ Barner.
The Panthers, who were held to 72 yards in the first three quarters, responded with a 13-play, 69-yard drive. Young scored on a 10-yard run to cut Seattle’s lead to 17-10.
The Panthers’ defense appeared ready to get off the field on Seattle’s next possession, but two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn was flagged for grabbing Smith-Njigba’s facemask on a third-down reception on third-and-21, more than 15 yards behind the first-down marker.
That gave Seattle a first down and the Seahawks cashed in with Jason Myers’ 30-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game with eight minutes remaining.
Seattle sacked Young twice on the ensuing possession to get the ball back, and Charbonnet sealed it with his second TD run.
Seahawks: WRs Rashid Shaheed (concussion) and Cody White (groin) left in the first half and did not return.
Panthers: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle) was carted to the locker room after getting injured on the game’s first play and did not return. CB Robert Rochell (concussion) left a short while later. LB Claudin Cherelus left with a calf injury in the third quarter.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If Thursday night was the last game Travis Kelce played inside Arrowhead Stadium, he sure tried to make it a memorable one.
The Chiefs tight end only had five catches for 36 yards against Denver, playing alongside third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun while his good buddy Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew were out with knee injuries. But several of those catches came in the closing minutes, nearly rallying Kansas City in what would have been a stunning upset of the Broncos.
But it was a gutsy display by him in a career filled with them.
The four-time All-Pro, who is expected to announce soon after the season whether he is retiring, could have hung up the cleats a couple of weeks ago, when the reigning AFC champions were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in a decade.
Instead, after going to five Super Bowls — including the last three — and winning three championship rings, the 36-year-old Kelce showed that he had too much pride to quit on a lost season. He played in a humiliating loss to lowly Tennessee last week, and he was one of the few bright spots Thursday night for an offense that finished with 139 yards in all.
“A whole lot of emotions,” Kelce said afterward. “You’ve got everybody in the world watching you. You get to go out there with the young guys on primetime television. Young guys getting an opportunity to taste what this NFL life is like.”
As for retirement?
“I’ll let that be a decision I’ll make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes,” Kelce said.
He was the final player introduced Thursday night, following Oladokun out of the tunnel in the corner of Arrowhead Stadium. As red lights flashed across the field, Kelce emerged from the fog with his signature bow-and-arrow entrance gesture toward a festive holiday crowd, and it predictably roared in delight — perhaps for the last time — as No. 87 took the field.
“You only get a few of those (moments) where you get to stand there and appreciate 60, 70-thousand Chiefs fans cheering for you,” Kelce said. “I always embrace that moment.”
In a suite high above, his fiancee, pop star Taylor Swift, watched him perform. So did Mahomes and Minshew, who took in the game together from a suite; Mahomes tore ligaments in his knee two weeks ago, Minshew did the same last week.
“You feel the generations of happiness and the love that (the fans) have,” Kelce said. “It’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s something I know I’ll cherish forever, whether it’s coming out of the tunnel or just making a big play for them. That’s why we love Arrowhead.”
Kelce has played 97 games inside the stadium over the course of a 13-year career. He caught 645 passes there, including playoffs, the third-most by any player inside a single stadium behind Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald since the AFL-NFL merger.
Now, the question is whether Kelce will play next week in the Chiefs’ season finale in Las Vegas.
He needs just 10 yards receiving to reach 13,000 for his career, and he could extend his franchise record — and the longest active streak in the NFL — by catching a pass in his 191st game next weekend. He could also go out with a win, rather than having lost five straight and seven of his last eight games, which is the slide the Chiefs find themselves on now.
Or, maybe he will surprise everyone and come back for one more year.
“We’ve been through so much together,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said, making his desire clear. “Just one more (season). Just one more.”
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys still face long odds in trying to rally for a spot in the playoffs.
They won’t be short on confidence with a win over last season’s Super Bowl runner-up just four days after beating the defending champs.
Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Malik Davis sprinted 43 yards for a score and the Cowboys overcame two fourth down TD throws from Patrick Mahomes in a 31-28 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.
The Cowboys (6-5-1) have won three straight and dropped the defending AFC champion Chiefs (6-6) back to .500 in a matchup of playoff-chasing teams.
Dallas is 3-0 since 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide during the club’s open week. The Cowboys came back from the emotion-filled break with a 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“On top of where we put ourselves right before these games and just the place that we’re in, having to get these wins against two elite teams,” Prescott said. “I mean, two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year. Last year’s last year, but you’re talking about two organizations that obviously know how to win and we just beat them both in two great games.
“On top of everything that we’ve been through.”
Mahomes had four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times for Texas Tech not far from his East Texas roots.
“They’re the same desperation that we are and they play better over four quarters than we did,” said Mahomes, who threw for 261 yards and was sacked three times, twice by Jadeveon Clowney. “So even though we have good plays here and there, we have be more consistent at the end of the day.”
Travis Kelce caught Mahomes’ first fourth-down TD toss on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice’s second scoring catch came on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams but kept his feet and found Xavier Worthy wide-open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 remaining.
Prescott and company didn’t give Mahomes another chance.
After two pass interference penalties gave Dallas first downs, Prescott hit George Pickens for 13 yards and a clinching first down at the two-minute warning. Prescott knelt three times after that.
The Chiefs had five pass interference penalties, one that was declined, and another defensive holding that gave Dallas a first down. Kansas City finished with 10 penalties for 119 yards.
“Bottom line is we’re having too many penalties, and we have to make sure to take care of that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “No excuses with it. We’re going to clean it up.”
Rice had eight catches for 92 yards, his first score coming on a 27-yard catch-and-run on the sideline two plays after Prescott was intercepted by Jaylen Watson on the first Dallas possession.
Davis had just three carries, but his long run gave Dallas its first lead at 17-14 late in the second quarter. Lead running back Javonte Williams scored on a 3-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, and Pickens’ catch on a 2-point conversion put Dallas back in front 28-21.
The Cowboys were 10th in the NFC entering the game, same as the Chiefs in the AFC coming off nine consecutive AFC West titles. The schedule doesn’t get much easier, although two of the next four opponents — all playoff teams from a year ago — aren’t in the postseason picture at the moment.
“We’ve got to continue with the same mentality,” Lamb said. “Obviously it’s been a short week. Now we get a little time to rest, a regular week so to speak. We get our bodies back, relax, build, grow, get better and on to next week.”
Injuries
Chiefs: The Chiefs lost two offensive linemen to injuries after beginning the game without RG Trey Smith, who was inactive because of an ankle injury. RT Jawaan Taylor injured an elbow, and rookie LT Josh Simmons went out with a wrist injury. … S Bryan Cook injured an ankle in the first half.
Cowboys: CB Caelen Carson, who had started the previous two games, was inactive after being listed as questionable. He was added to the injury report during the week. … CB DaRon Bland injured a foot in the second half.
Up next
Chiefs: Play host to Houston in prime time on Dec. 7.
Whether you prefer something naughty, like the animated movie “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer” or nice, like classics “The Sound of Music” and “Home Alone,” streamers, cable and broadcast networks offer up festive choices in December.
Highlights this year include music specials with Derek Hough and Jimmy Fallon, the Rockefeller Tree lighting hosted by Reba McEntire, Lacey Chabert’s latest Hallmark Channel movie, NFL games and even cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme.
Here are some highlights.
Dec. 1
— “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough hosts the annual “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on ABC. Popular recording artists including Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani, Trisha Yearwood and Mariah the Scientist put their own spin on Christmas classics. Streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Dec. 3
— Reba McEntire hosts NBC’s annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” which culminates in the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in New York’s Rockefeller Center. This year’s tree is a Norway spruce from Greenbush, New York. It has more than 50,000 colored lights and is topped with a Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds. The special will also stream live on Peacock.
(Jake Rosenberg/Netflix via AP)
(Jake Rosenberg/Netflix via AP)
— Some people find holiday prep daunting. It comes naturally to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, whose life seems to be a Pinterest page. She’s got ideas to share in a special episode of Netflix’s “With Love, Meghan” lifestyle series. In “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” Meghan taps guests including Naomi Osaka and Tom Colicchio to bake, make treats with holiday flair and craft. “Being a hostess or a host, it’s about making people feel comfortable,” the royal says.
Dec. 5
— In the new Apple TV special, “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock,” the Fraggles are anxiously waiting for snow to kick off their festive season. Instead, a single snowflake falls, leaving Gobo, feeling uninspired to write an annual holiday song. For the first time, he ventures into the human world to seek out ideas. The special is a reminder that unplanned moments can also come with their own magic.
— Roku Channel has a follow-up to the holiday romance “Jingle Bell Love” starring Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block and Michelle Morgan. In “Jingle Bell Wedding,” Jack and Jessica are engaged and looking forward to a New Year’s Eve wedding. They’re also in charge of organizing an annual Christmas concert. Will all the planning derail their relationship?
Dec. 6
(Roku/OWN/Hallmark Channel via AP)
(Roku/OWN/Hallmark Channel via AP)
— Lacey Chabert works for Santa Claus in the new Hallmark Channel movie “She’s Making a List.” Chabert plays Isabel, whose job is to track kids’ behavior throughout the year. Isabel’s strict rules lighten up a bit when she’s assigned to report on an 11-year-old whose father Jason (Andrew Walker) is a widower. Chabert and Walker previously co-starred in a Valentine’s Day movie for Hallmark in 2018. “She’s Making a List” also streams on Hallmark+.
— The OWN original, “The Christmas Showdown,” reunites Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid from the acclaimed Starz comedy “Run the World.” They play former besties competing for the same job who learn it’s better to work as a team. Loretta Devine also stars.
Dec. 7
— How about a cozy mystery this Christmas? UPtv offers the new film “A Christmas Murder Mystery.” Vera Vexley is a puzzle editor for her local newspaper who also has a side-gig as a detective. When Vera’s invited to spend the holidays with family friends, a murder launches her into investigative-mode and everyone is a suspect.
Dec. 9
— A new two-hour, faith-based special tells the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus in “Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas” for ABC. The Oscar winner serves as host and narrator.
Dec. 10
— Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox co-star in a new holiday rom-com called “Merv” for Prime Video. The pair play exes who share joint custody of their dog Merv. When Merv is visibly depressed because his human parents are no longer together, they take him on a trip to cheer him up.
Zooey Deschanel, left, and Charlie Cox in a scene from “Merv.” (Wilson Webb/Amazon Content Services via AP)
Zooey Deschanel, left, and Charlie Cox in a scene from “Merv.” (Wilson Webb/Amazon Content Services via AP)
— The animated movie “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” is an adaptation on the farcical song of the same name. In the special, airing on The CW Network, a boy sets out to find his missing grandmother on Christmas Eve.
Dec. 11
— The Dolly Parton song, “Coat of Many Colors” comes to life in a TV movie airing for the first time on the CW. Set against the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s, it’s about the Parton family and how their love, faith — and a patchwork coat — help them to move past tragedy. Alyvia Alyn Lind plays young Dolly and Jennifer Nettles and Rick Schroeder portray her mom and dad. “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” originally debuted in 2015.
Alyvia Alyn Lind in a scene from “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.” (The CW Network via AP)
Alyvia Alyn Lind in a scene from “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.” (The CW Network via AP)
— Jimmy Fallon’s musical comedy special from last year gets a repeat. In “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular,” the “Tonight Show” host searches a New York apartment building for the holiday spirit and encounters different celebrity guests behind each door. Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, the Roots and “Weird Al” Yankovic all appear.
Dec. 12
— AMC’s annual holiday programming includes a marathon of Will Ferrell’s “Elf” beginning at 6 p.m. It broadcasts back-to-back for eight-hours.
— In “A Suite Holiday Romance” for Hallmark Channel, Jessy Schram stars a ghostwriter who checks-in to a fancy New York hotel for a job writing a memoir. She meets a handsome Brit (Dominic Sherwood) and the two experience a series of misunderstandings until they realize they’re meant to be.
Dec. 14
— HGTV returns to the White House at Christmas for a one-hour special that goes behind-the-scenes of its decorating transformation at the holidays. It also streams next day on HBO Max and Discovery+.
— On the first night of Hanukkah, Hallmark Channel premieres the new movie “Oy to the World!” When the pipes burst at a local synagogue, a church opens its doors for an interfaith service. Brooke D’Orsay and Jake Epstein play choir directors who were also rivals in high school that must work together to put on a successful event for all.
Dec. 15
— Acorn TV has a two-part Christmas special of “The Madame Blanc Mysteries” airing Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. British actor Sally Lindsay plays antique dealer Jean White, who visits the France museum Maison Sainte-Victoire on Christmas Eve to authenticate an Ormolu box once owned by Marie Antoinette. It’s discovered that the box contains a ticking time bomb and Jean and her team have just 90 minutes to diffuse it.
Dec. 16
(Johan Persson/PBS via AP)
(Johan Persson/PBS via AP)
— “The Nutcracker” ballet is a Christmas classic, and PBS is offering a reimagined version taped at the London Coliseum. Still set to Tchaikovsky’s score, this version centralizes Clara’s story and is set in Edwardian London where a street scene has dancing chimney sweeps and suffragettes. “Great Performances: Nutcracker from English National Ballet” will also be available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS app.
Dec. 20
— Lifetime is jumping on the pickleball popularity bandwagon with the new movie “A Pickleball Christmas.” It stars James Lafferty as a tennis pro whose family’s racquet club is on the brink of closing its doors. He and a tennis instructor take part in a holiday tournament to save the day.
Dec. 21
— Tate Donovan and Jillian Murphy star in a new Christmas movie for Great American Family called “Mario Lopez Presents: Chasing Christmas.” In the film, Donovan plays a morning show host and Murphy a designer who team up to make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Lopez’s son Dominic also has a role.
— The Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer classic “The Sound of Music” airs on ABC.
Dec. 24
— “Home Alone” airs on ABC. The film made Macaulay Culkin a child star for playing a boy whose parents accidentally leave him home when their large family hurries off on a Christmas vacation. He’s left to defend his house against two clumsy burglars.
Dec. 25
— Netflix is gifting us with football on Christmas again this year. The Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders game is at 1 p.m. Eastern followed by the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — All indications since he joined the Raiders this year are that Geno Smith is popular and well-respected in the locker room, and his interactions with the media have mostly been positive.
But everyone has a breaking point, and Smith might have reached his on Sunday.
After he was sacked 10 times in a 24-10 loss to Cleveland and booed from the moment he was introduced, Smith was seen making an obscene gesture toward fans as he left the field. Shortly thereafter, his answers in the postgame news conference were uncharacteristically brief.
The Raiders pointed to a statement they issued to the Las Vegas Review-Journal regarding the incident with fans.
“We are disappointed in his actions and have discussed the incident with Geno,” the statement read. “We hold the Raider Nation in the highest regard and take this matter seriously.”
It’s understandable why Smith is frustrated. This isn’t the kind of season he and coach Pete Carroll envisioned when the Raiders traded with Seattle to land him. Both had success with the Seahawks and had every intention of translating that to Las Vegas.
But 11 games and an NFL-high 13 interceptions later, his business with the Raiders may be closer to finished. Judging Smith as the starting quarterback is tricky, however, given how inept the offensive line — coached by Carroll’s son, Brennan — has been.
Smith had virtually no chance against Myles Garrett and the Browns’ pass rush, and as Carroll said Monday regarding the offensive line, “We got the guys we got.”
But Smith will have a new offensive coordinator and play-caller in Greg Olson, the interim replacement for Chip Kelly, who was fired Sunday night. Maybe Olson, in his third stint as the Raiders’ OC, will find a way to help Smith play better than he has to this point.
That Carroll has fired two coordinators in the same month — special teams boss Tom McMahon was let go on Nov. 7 — is more than telling. Carroll had never fired a coordinator in-season before he got to Las Vegas.
“I’m really surprised as well that this has happened, but I think our players deserve it, and our fans deserve that we give them our best shot, and that’s what competing is all about,” Carroll said. “It’s just a very difficult time to have to do this … but we’re 2-9. So, unfortunately, that’s where we are.”
What’s working
DE Maxx Crosby. When is he not? Crosby always brings it, in practices or games. He was sensational even by his standards against the Browns, recording a personal-high five tackles for loss. His 19 tackles for loss this season are on pace to surpass the 23 he registered in 2023, when Crosby led the league in that category for the second year in a row. He trails only the 26 by Browns superstar Myles Garrett.
What needs help
The offensive line. If T Kolton Miller returns from injury at some point, it will get at least a little better. But any true improvement will have to occur in the offseason. This line might be the NFL’s worst and will need an overhaul. Giving up 10 sacks even to a stellar Browns defensive front is inexcusable, but the lack of pass protection and run blocking is not new.
Stock up
Move up the boards. The Raiders are up to fifth in next year’s draft order, and there’s a real chance they won’t win again this season. If Las Vegas loses out, the Raiders could put themselves in line to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and maybe find the franchise quarterback they so desperately need.
Stock down
Job security. With two coordinators gone already, no one can feel too comfortable about their future in Las Vegas. That includes Carroll. Massive change figures to come in the offseason, and given how this season is playing out, it would be difficult to argue for the status quo.
Injuries
The Raiders got some rare good news with RB Ashton Jeanty (ankle) avoiding serious injury. He is not expected to miss any time. …There is still hope Miller (ankle) will return by the end of the season, but Carroll said his situation was “more week to week” than day to day.
Key number
8 — The number of play-callers the Raiders have had since October 2021, including Olson twice.
Next steps
The Raiders visit their AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Kansas City Chiefs saved their season. The Philadelphia Eagles gave critics more fuel. The Los Angeles Rams made a dominant statement.
There were more questions than answers Sunday in the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes did just enough to rally the Chiefs to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City’s dominant defense gave him the opportunity.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit forced the Colts to go three-and-out on their final four possessions. The Chiefs shut down the NFL’s leading rusher, holding Jonathan Taylor to 58 yards on 16 carries. Colts coach Shane Steichen inexplicably gave Taylor the ball only once on the last three drives of regulation.
Mahomes threw for 352 yards but didn’t have any touchdowns. He looked skittish at times under pressure, rushing his reads and hurrying his passes.
The Chiefs (6-5) couldn’t afford another loss as they fight to make the playoffs after winning nine straight AFC West titles, reaching eight consecutive conference championship games and winning three Super Bowls.
They’ve got a long way to go and a tough game at Dallas (5-5-1) coming up on Thanksgiving Day. Mahomes and the offense need to get in sync for Kansas City to have a shot.
“We’re still not where we want to be at but this was big,” Mahomes said. “Getting that win against a really good football team and kind of proving it to (ourselves) that we can play this kind of football game where it’s not always pretty. I think now we just have to build off that momentum. It’s going to be a short week. We’re playing a good team in the Cowboys, and they can score some points and they have a lot of great players. It’s about rebounding fast, trying to be better, even better this next week going into a big environment, big game and trying to get that win.”
The Colts (8-3) have gone from 7-1 to a team that is going to have to battle to win the AFC South. They’ll face division rivals Jacksonville (7-4) and Houston (6-5) four times over the remaining six games. Their other two opponents are Seattle (8-3) and San Francisco (7-4).
Steichen trusted Daniel Jones to win the game in Kansas City, electing to put the ball in his hands down the stretch instead of giving it to Taylor to protect a lead. Jones couldn’t deliver. He was 3 for 9 for 17 yards on the final four possessions.
“I felt there was a lot of stuff that I wanted to get called that I felt good about in the pass game and we just weren’t efficient doing it and it starts with me,” Steichen said.
Eagles collapse
The reigning Super Bowl champions built a 21-0 lead in Dallas and looked like they were on their way to snapping Dak Prescott’s 18-game winning streak at home against NFC East opponents.
Jalen Hurts was connecting with A.J. Brown and it seemed Philadelphia would quiet some of the drama surrounding the two superstars.
But the offense regressed, giving Prescott and the Cowboys an opportunity to come back and win 24-21.
The Eagles (8-3) have a comfortable lead over Dallas (5-5-1) and are in position to become the first repeat champion in the division in two decades. But Philadelphia fell behind the Rams (9-2) in the race for the No. 1 seed.
A sluggish offense isn’t playing up to its standard. Saquon Barkley ran for only 22 yards on 10 carries, and the passing attack just hasn’t found its rhythm.
Rams dominate
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were no match for Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Stafford continued his MVP-caliber campaign with another stellar performance against an overmatched defense and Los Angeles cruised to a 34-7 victory over Tampa Bay.
The 37-year-old Stafford has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season.
“I got great teammates. I get to throw to a bunch of great players, stand behind a good o-line and watch these guys hunt on defense,” Stafford said.
That defense overwhelmed the Buccaneers, knocking Baker Mayfield out of the game.
Jared Verse and Kobie Turner each had two sacks and Los Angeles is the team to beat in the NFC.
First to 10
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are the first team to reach 10 wins this season after holding on for a 26-20 victory in Cincinnati.
The Patriots have a 2 1/2-game lead over Buffalo (7-4) in the AFC East with eight of their wins coming against teams that have a losing record.
With three of their last five games against teams that are currently 8-26 combined, New England is in position to win its first division title since Tom Brady left and has an inside track to earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
But the Patriots still have a lot to prove, especially against more experienced playoff teams.
The Kansas City Chiefs saved their season. The Philadelphia Eagles gave critics more fuel. The Los Angeles Rams made a dominant statement.
There are more questions than answers Sunday in the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes did just enough to rally the Chiefs to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City’s dominant defense gave him the opportunity.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit forced the Colts to go three-and-out on their final four possessions. The Chiefs shut down the NFL’s leading rusher, holding Jonathan Taylor to 58 yards on 16 carries. Colts coach Shane Steichen inexplicably gave Taylor the ball only once on the last three drives of regulation.
Mahomes threw for 352 yards but didn’t have any touchdowns. He looked skittish at times under pressure, rushing his reads and hurrying his passes.
The Chiefs (6-5) couldn’t afford another loss as they fight to make the playoffs after winning nine straight AFC West titles, reaching eight consecutive conference championship games and winning three Super Bowls.
They’ve got a long way to go and a tough game at Dallas (5-5-1) coming up on Thanksgiving Day. Mahomes and the offense need to get in sync for Kansas City to have a shot.
“We’re still not where we want to be at but this was big,” Mahomes said. “Getting that win against a really good football team and kind of proving it to (ourselves) that we can play this kind of football game where it’s not always pretty. I think now we just have to build off that momentum. It’s going to be a short week. We’re playing a good team in the Cowboys, and they can score some points and they have a lot of great players. It’s about rebounding fast, trying to be better, even better this next week going into a big environment, big game and trying to get that win.”
The Colts (8-3) have gone from 7-1 to a team that is going to have to battle to win the AFC South. They’ll face division rivals Jacksonville (7-4) and Houston (6-5) four times over the remaining six games. Their other two opponents are Seattle (8-3) and San Francisco (7-4).
Steichen trusted Daniel Jones to win the game in Kansas City, electing to put the ball in his hands down the stretch instead of giving it to Taylor to protect a lead. Jones couldn’t deliver. He was 3 for 9 for 17 yards on the final four possessions.
“I felt there was a lot of stuff that I wanted to get called that I felt good about in the pass game and we just weren’t efficient doing it and it starts with me,” Steichen said.
The reigning Super Bowl champions built a 21-0 lead in Dallas and looked like they were on their way to snapping Dak Prescott’s 18-game winning streak at home against NFC East opponents.
Jalen Hurts was connecting with A.J. Brown and it seemed Philadelphia would quiet some of the drama surrounding the two superstars.
But the offense regressed, giving Prescott and the Cowboys an opportunity to come back and win 24-21.
The Eagles (8-3) have a comfortable lead over Dallas (5-5-1) and are in position to become the first repeat champion in the division in two decades. But Philadelphia fell behind the Rams (9-2) in the race for the No. 1 seed.
A sluggish offense isn’t playing up to its standard. Saquon Barkley ran for only 22 yards on 10 carries, and the passing attack just hasn’t found its rhythm.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were no match for Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Stafford continued his MVP-caliber campaign with another stellar performance against an overmatched defense and Los Angeles cruised to a 34-7 victory over Tampa Bay.
The 37-year-old Stafford has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season.
“I got great teammates. I get to throw to a bunch of great players, stand behind a good o-line and watch these guys hunt on defense,” Stafford said.
That defense overwhelmed the Buccaneers, knocking Baker Mayfield out of the game.
Jared Verse and Kobie Turner each had two sacks and Los Angeles is playing the team to beat in the NFC.
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are the first team to reach 10 wins this season after holding on for a 26-20 victory in Cincinnati.
The Patriots have a 2 1/2-game lead over Buffalo (7-4) in the AFC East with eight of their wins coming against teams that have a losing record.
With three of their last five games against teams that are currently 8-26 combined, New England is position to win its first division title since Tom Brady left and has an inside track to earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
But the Patriots still have a lot to prove, especially against more experienced playoff teams.
LAS VEGAS — Myles Garrett getting three of 10 sacks by a ferocious Browns defense normally would be the top storyline for a struggling Cleveland team.
But rookie Shedeur Sanders’ NFL starting debut always figured to overshadow anything else the Browns accomplished Sunday.
Sanders made the plays the Browns needed, passing for 209 yards and a touchdown to help Cleveland to a 24-10 victory over the Raiders, the fifth straight loss for Las Vegas.
The Browns (3-8) ended a three-game skid while starting their 42nd quarterback since the franchise’s return in 1999. Sanders replaced fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who’s in the concussion protocol, and ended a 17-game losing streak by Cleveland QBs making their first start.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t commit to sticking with Sanders as the starter when Cleveland hosts San Francisco next Sunday.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Stefanski said. “Proud of him and proud of this offense. There are a ton of things to learn from, but I’m just going to worry about today.”
Sanders can thank the Browns’ defensive front, which was no match for the Raiders’ porous offensive line. Las Vegas has allowed 20 sacks over the past three weeks.
Garrett now has 18 sacks this season to break his franchise record of 16, set twice. With six games left, he needs five sacks to break the NFL record of 22 1/2 set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and T.J. Watt in 2021.
Garrett has 14 sacks over the past five games, the most in a five-game span since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The four-time All-Pro also had two forced fumbles, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits on Sunday.
Eight Browns players had at least half a sack.
“That’s the thing I’m most excited about,” Garrett said. “That puts a smile on my face. The franchise record, I kind of expect that of myself. I continue to set the bar higher and higher.”
Running back Quinshon Judkins scored two first-quarter touchdowns for Cleveland on direct snaps out of the wildcat formation.
Las Vegas (2-9), which has lost nine of 10, punted eight times, turned it over on downs twice and lost a fumble. The Raiders’ offense was booed frequently by the Allegiant Stadium crowd.
“We’re pretty disappointed about this one, but if you don’t score, you can’t win and we couldn’t score,” coach Pete Carroll said. “The numbers are, whatever, they’re next to nothing. We had opportunities to make big plays, and we didn’t hit them. Quarterback was under duress the entire time, so our ability to match up with their pass rush didn’t work out well.”
Geno Smith passed for 285 yards and a touchdown, though many of those yards came late with the Browns playing softer on defense. Maxx Crosby had a personal-high five tackles for loss.
“Everyone’s going to be searching for answers and solutions when things are not going exactly well,” Crosby said. “Unfortunately, we’re just not good enough right now. It’s been pretty clear. That’s the reality of it, and we’ve got to get better.”
Sanders’ presence brought a bit of juice to this late-November battle of bottom-of-the-barrel teams. Deion Sanders, the Pro Football Hall of Fame player and current Colorado coach, hugged his son before the game.
When asked by a CBS sideline reporter before the game what Browns fans should hope to see, Shedeur Sanders said, “I’m who they’ve been looking for.”
He was just as confident afterward.
“A lot of people want to see me fail,” Sanders said, “and it ain’t going to happen.”
He showed that late in the first quarter, escaping a blitz to find Isaiah Bond for a 52-yard pass to the 2-yard line, drawing an I-can’t-believe-he-did-that look from Garrett on the sideline. That throw ended a 15-game drought without a 50-yard completion for a Cleveland quarterback.
In the fourth quarter, Sanders dumped off a pass to running back Dylan Sampson, who turned it into a 66-yard TD.
The Browns ended a five-game losing streak to the Raiders. Their most recent victory was on Oct. 26, 2014, a 23-13 win at Cleveland.
Browns: DE Adin Huntington (groin) was hurt in the third quarter.
Raiders: TE Michael Mayer (ankle) was injured in the second quarter. RB Ashton Jeanty (ankle) left late in the fourth after taking a big hit.
Browns: Host San Francisco next Sunday.
Raiders: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk has had the guaranteed money in his contract for next season voided after failing to participate in meetings and other team activities.
A person familiar with the move confirmed that the team earlier this year voided the more than $26 million that Aiyuk was supposed to be guaranteed in 2026 under the four-year, $120 million extension he signed last year. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team made no announcement.
The Athletic first reported the development.
Aiyuk has been out all season recovering from knee surgery last year and there is no timeline for when he could return. Coach Kyle Shanahan said over the summer that Aiyuk could be back on the practice field by early November, but he has remained on the physically unable to perform list.
The move to void the guaranteed money would allow the Niners to cut Aiyuk next year and only carry about $29.5 million of dead money charges on the salary cap for bonuses already paid. They could split that over two years.
Aiyuk signed the lucrative extension last summer following a lengthy contract hold-in that kept him out of training camp. He was coming off a 2023 season when he had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven TDs and was a second-team All-Pro.
Aiyuk had only 25 catches for 374 yards in seven games last season before getting injured.
The 27-year-old Aiyuk has 294 career catches for 4,305 yards and 25 TDs since being drafted in the first round in 2020.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub doesn’t care a whole lot about what President Donald Trump thinks of new kickoff rules that were implemented by the NFL in an attempt to make the play safer and more exciting.
Trump became the first sitting president to attend a regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978 when he attended a game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions earlier this month.
Two days later, Trump appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and torched the league’s dynamic kickoff rule, which owners voted to make permanent this year. Under the rule, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line, but every player on the kicking team must wait at the 40 until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20-yard line.
There are also rules for if a ball does not reach the landing zone, hits the landing zone without being caught or lands in the end zone.
“I think it’s so terrible. I think it’s so demeaning, and I think it hurts the game. It hurts the pageantry,” Trump said. “I’ve told that to (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell, and I don’t think it’s any safer. I mean, you still have guys crashing into each other.”
The league has maintained the dynamic kickoff system is safer while producing more kickoff returns. And Toub, who has spent more than two decades coaching special teams in Chicago and Kansas City, didn’t hold back Thursday when he was asked what he thought of the president’s pointed criticism of the kickoff rules.
“He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at. He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule,” said the normally reserved Toub, his voice rising. “So take that for what it’s worth. And I hope he hears it.”