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Tag: NFL

  • Ex-QB Believes Broncos Won’t Dial It Back Despite Bo Nix Loss

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    The Denver Broncos are headed to the AFC Championship after defeating the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Saturday night.

    As exciting as the moment is for the Broncos, they are facing a major question heading into their battle against the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots: Can the Broncos get to the Super Bowl without their star quarterback, Bo Nix?

    The longtime backup-turned-analyst, Chase Daniel, is confident the Broncos still have a strong chance. The former quarterback sends a warning to Denver’s next opponent, claiming that there won’t be a lack of aggression from Sean Payton’s side because he knows from experience.

    No Bo? No Problem…

    “Here’s the thing about Sean Payton that you got to know; the entire game plan, nothing changes,” Daniel said in a postgame video on social media on Saturday night.

    “It’ll be the exact same plan, maybe just not as much quarterback run. He is going to hope that he does this with a backup quarterback. Jarrett Stidham is making a lot of money, he deserves it, but I’m telling you right now, the game plan, they’re still going to sling it because Sean just does not care. He trusts his guys no matter what. He’s got home field. I don’t care if it’s the Texans or the Patriots, whoever he has.”

    Stidham, a 29-year-old career backup, has been in the NFL since 2019. He started his career with the New England Patriots, where he played for two seasons, appearing in eight games.

    During the 2022 season, Stidham played for the Las Vegas Raiders. He joined the Broncos in 2023. Currently, Stidham is in the midst of his longest tenure with an NFL team. He’s got seven appearances with the Broncos, and even started games twice during the 2023 season. He was 1-1 as a starter.

    Throughout his career, Stidham has completed 59.4 percent of his passes. He’s thrown for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. He carries no playoff experience with him at this point in his career, but it doesn’t matter. If Daniel’s assumption is correct, Stidham will have to let it fly next Sunday because it’ll be do-or-die for the Broncos, who want to get back to the Super Bowl stage.

    What’s Next for Bo Nix?

    Stidham’s appearance won’t be one-and-done if the Broncos can win next week. Nix is undoubtedly out for the remainder of the playoffs with a fractured ankle.

    Although the veteran quarterback played throughout the entire Divisional Round matchup, he hurt his ankle during the Broncos’ final offensive series. The announcement from Payton came as a massive shock when it was revealed Nix would be out for next week’s game.

    For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

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  • An initial look at the Eagles’ 2026 free agents

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    © 2026 WWB Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • Seattle Seahawks dominate San Francisco 49ers 41-6, ending their season

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    The San Francisco 49ers’ playoff journey came to an end in Seattle with a loss against their division rival. The Seahawks returned the opening kick of the game for a touchdown and never looked back, winning 41-6 and punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game. After a season riddled with injuries, the ‘Niners will not be hosting Super Bowl LX at their home stadium.Despite only taking two sacks, Brock Purdy was under pressure all game long, finishing 15 for 27 with 140 passing yards and an interception against a swarming Seahawks defense. He also led the team in rushing yards, with 37 on five carries. Christian McCaffrey, who was surprisingly durable throughout the season as he carried the ‘Niners workload on offense, suffered an upper body injury in the first half, missing most of the second half. This was Kyle Shanahan’s first ever loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs as a head coach. The Seahawks will remain in Seattle to host the winner of Bears-Rams with a Super Bowl berth on the line next Sunday. Videos below: Ricky Pearsall on season-ending loss to the SeahawksMalik Mustapha on the pain of the season-ending loss to the SeahawksKyle Juszczyk on why this was one of the most enjoyable seasons he’s experiencedKendrick Bourne on the emotions surrounding the year coming to an endSee more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SEATTLE —

    The San Francisco 49ers’ playoff journey came to an end in Seattle with a loss against their division rival. The Seahawks returned the opening kick of the game for a touchdown and never looked back, winning 41-6 and punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.

    After a season riddled with injuries, the ‘Niners will not be hosting Super Bowl LX at their home stadium.

    Despite only taking two sacks, Brock Purdy was under pressure all game long, finishing 15 for 27 with 140 passing yards and an interception against a swarming Seahawks defense. He also led the team in rushing yards, with 37 on five carries.

    Christian McCaffrey, who was surprisingly durable throughout the season as he carried the ‘Niners workload on offense, suffered an upper body injury in the first half, missing most of the second half.

    This was Kyle Shanahan’s first ever loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs as a head coach.

    The Seahawks will remain in Seattle to host the winner of Bears-Rams with a Super Bowl berth on the line next Sunday.

    Videos below:

    Ricky Pearsall on season-ending loss to the Seahawks

    Malik Mustapha on the pain of the season-ending loss to the Seahawks

    Kyle Juszczyk on why this was one of the most enjoyable seasons he’s experienced

    Kendrick Bourne on the emotions surrounding the year coming to an end

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • PHOTOS: Denver Broncos outlast Buffalo Bills 33-30 in AFC Divisional Round

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Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos talks to Josh Allen (17) of the Buffalo Bills after the Broncos’ 33-30 overtime win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

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  • Tony Romo correctly predicted huge play in Bills-Broncos NFL playoff game

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    CBS Sports color commentator Tony Romo has faced plenty of criticism this year, almost every week, for his work alongside play-by-play partner Jim Nantz.

    Yet on Saturday night, during the Divisional Round playoff matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, Romo delivered one of the most memorable moments of the first half.

    With the game tied 10–10 late in the second quarter, Romo noted on 2nd-and-10 that it would be a good opportunity for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to take a shot toward the end zone from 29 yards out.

    Just seconds later, Nix rolled slightly to his right and threw across his body to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, connecting for a touchdown—exactly as Romo predicted.

    “I always felt like you could take a shot to the end zone here,” Romo said. “If teams play sideline defense, they don’t want you to get it out of bounds. I’d send someone right downfield. If the safety’s there, make the out cut.”

    “What a call!” Nantz exclaimed after the TD. “Big props to you, Tony, for taking that shot on second down. You said you always felt like you could do it, they did it, and they were rewarded!

    More news: Texans’ Will Anderson Bracing for NFL Decision on Aaron Rodgers Incident

    More news: Texans’ Will Anderson Bracing for NFL Decision on Aaron Rodgers Incident

    NFL fans reacted to Romo’s call:

    “He’s on fire tonight. Called the Broncos TD right before it happened and then said Bills should take a knee before half time,” a fan said.

    Someone else added, “He’s back.”

    Another person wrote, “Funny how the narrative changes.”

    “I’ll never understand the hate for Romo. He explained this perfectly and literally happened the next play,” one more fan commented.

    Romo joined CBS in 2017, shortly after retiring from the NFL, where he spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys and earned four Pro Bowl selections.

    Early in his broadcasting career, he quickly became a fan favorite for his football knowledge and his knack for predicting plays before they happened.

    While some repetitiveness has frustrated viewers over the years, there’s no question that Romo was on top of his game on Saturday.

    More news: What Channel Is the 49ers vs Seahawks NFC Divisional Playoff Game On? Where To Watch NFL

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  • NFL Divisional Round continues Sunday. Here’s the schedule and how to watch the playoff games

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    Who will round out the NFL‘s final four?

    The opening Divisional Round games Saturday saw the No. 1-seeded Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks advance to the AFC and NFC Championship Games, respectively. Denver outlasted the No. 6 Buffalo Bills 33-30 in an overtime thriller, but lost quarterback Bo Nix for the rest of the postseason with a broken ankle. Seattle, meanwhile, bounced the divisional rival No. 6 San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 blowout win.

    The Broncos and Seahawks will each find out their next opponent Sunday as the Divisional Round of the playoffs concludes with a double-header. Denver will host either the No. 2 New England Patriots or No. 5 Houston Texans in the AFC title game, while Seattle will host either the No. 2 Chicago Bears or No. 5 Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game.

    The Sunday Divisional Round slate begins in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as the Patriots welcome in the Texans. The Pats are coming off their first playoff victory since the franchise’s 2018 championship season, taking down the No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers 16-3. MVP candidate Drake Maye threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, while adding 66 yards on the ground, in his playoff debut.

    While the Chargers boast a strong defense, Maye and Co. are faced with an even tougher challenge this round. Houston’s defense finished the regular season ranking first in yards allowed (277.2 per game) and second in points allowed (17.2 per game). And the elite defensive unit then powered the Texans to their first road playoff win in franchise history.

    Taylor Kyles and Adam Jones join Trenni Casey to preview Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round matchup between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.

    Houston held the No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers to just 175 yards of offense and scored two defensive touchdowns en route to a 30-6 victory. On the other side of the ball, though, Nico Collins suffered a concussion in the win, and the Texans won’t have their top offensive weapon against New England.

    The Texans are looking to advance beyond the Divisional Round for the first time in franchise history.

    The Divisional Round finale takes place in the Windy City as the Bears battle the Rams on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Both Chicago and Los Angeles needed some late-game heroics in the Wild Card Round to keep their seasons alive.

    The Bears overcame an 18-point halftime deficit against the NFC North rival No. 7 Green Bay Packers, storming back for a 31-27 victory. Chicago put up 25 points in the fourth quarter, with Caleb Williams’ 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore capping the Bears’ seventh comeback win this season in which they trailed with less than minutes left in regulation.

    The latest comeback marked Chicago’s first playoff win since the 2010 season, which was also the last time the franchise reached the conference championship game.

    The Rams, meanwhile, needed MVP candidate Matthew Stafford to engineer two separate go-ahead touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to defeat the sub-.500 No. 4 Carolina Panthers 31-27. After Carolina took a four-point lead with less than three minutes left, Stafford led a game-winning drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson.

    So, which two teams will advance to Conference Championship Sunday? Here’s how to watch Sunday’s Divisional Round action:

    What time are today’s NFL playoff games?

    • No. 5 Texans at No. 2 Patriots: 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT/12 p.m. PT
    • No. 5 Rams at No. 2 Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. PT

    Where to watch the Texans vs. Patriots NFL playoff game

    Texans-Patriots will air on ESPN and ABC. It will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

    The game can also be streamed via NFL+ on a phone or tablet.

    Where to watch the Rams vs. Bears NFL playoff game

    Rams-Bears will air on NBC and be streaming live on Peacock, NBC.com and the NBC app.

    The game can also be streamed via NFL+ on a phone or tablet.

    When are the AFC, NFC Championship Games?

    The Super Bowl matchup will take shape Sunday, Jan. 25, which is when both conference championship games are scheduled.

    The AFC title game is set for 3 p.m. ET followed by the NFC title game at 6:30 p.m. ET.

    When, where is the 2026 Super Bowl being played?

    Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers, in Santa Clara, California, is hosting Super Bowl 60. The Big Game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8.

    When and where is Super Bowl 60? Here’s what to know about the NFL’s Big Game.

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  • Eagles offensive coordinator search, coach rumor and report tracker

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    After trudging through the 2025 season with a bad, boring offense, the Philadelphia Eagles relieved offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo of his duties. We’ll see if more firings of positional coaches are to follow. Here we’ll keep track of all the hirings, firings, interviews, and noteworthy rumors in one place.

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  • Tracking 2026 Super Bowl ticket prices

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    There’s less than a month to go before Super Bowl 60 kicks off in Santa Clara, California. While the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are still vying for a spot in this year’s Super Bowl, fans from around the country are looking ahead at ticket prices for the big game. Video above: Trailer released for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 Halftime ShowThe California Bay Area has hosted the Super Bowl twice before, in 1985 at Stanford Stadium and in 2016 at Levi’s Stadium — where this year’s game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8.The 49ers have a shot at playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium, making ticket options on the secondary market quite pricey at this stage in the game. Before kickoff of Saturday’s NFL divisional round playoff games, the most expensive tickets for the Super Bowl were found on SeatGeek at $110,300 in a field box. The site also has tickets listed for as much as $84,947 in a sideline VIP section.StubHub has field box seats, like SeatGeek has listed, but at a lower price. For seats in a VIP section on this site, it is $64,947. Three other sites have hundreds of listings for Super Bowl tickets, at much lower prices than SeatGeek and StubHub.But they shouldn’t be considered a bargain. The most expensive ticket on VividSeats is listed at $27,694, right on the 50-yard line a few rows back from the field.The most expensive ticket on Gametime is listed at $23,161 at the 35-yard line, 10 rows back. The most expensive ticket on Ticketmaster is listed at $27,281, though the location is not quite as prime as the previous two sites. This ticket is in Section 110, around the 20-yard line and 37 rows back from the field. Looking for the cheapest way for you and a friend to see the big game? The get-in price falls quite a bit. The cheapest pairs of tickets on these five secondary sites run from the $6,000 to $8,000 range. VividSeats: $6,078 each for two ticketsGametime: $6,665 each for two tickets StubHub: $6,906 each for two tickets SeatGeek: $7,991 each for two ticketsTicketmaster: $8,184 each for two tickets At this point, prices for Super Bowl 60 are the highest seen in quite some time. Last year, when Super Bowl 59 was held in New Orleans, ticket prices were dropping considerably the closer it got to game time. That could be the case this year, too, depending one which teams advance to the AFC and NFC conference championships after this weekend’s divisional round.

    There’s less than a month to go before Super Bowl 60 kicks off in Santa Clara, California.

    While the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are still vying for a spot in this year’s Super Bowl, fans from around the country are looking ahead at ticket prices for the big game.

    Video above: Trailer released for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show

    The California Bay Area has hosted the Super Bowl twice before, in 1985 at Stanford Stadium and in 2016 at Levi’s Stadium — where this year’s game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8.

    The 49ers have a shot at playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium, making ticket options on the secondary market quite pricey at this stage in the game.

    Before kickoff of Saturday’s NFL divisional round playoff games, the most expensive tickets for the Super Bowl were found on SeatGeek at $110,300 in a field box. The site also has tickets listed for as much as $84,947 in a sideline VIP section.

    StubHub has field box seats, like SeatGeek has listed, but at a lower price. For seats in a VIP section on this site, it is $64,947.

    Three other sites have hundreds of listings for Super Bowl tickets, at much lower prices than SeatGeek and StubHub.

    But they shouldn’t be considered a bargain.

    The most expensive ticket on VividSeats is listed at $27,694, right on the 50-yard line a few rows back from the field.

    The most expensive ticket on Gametime is listed at $23,161 at the 35-yard line, 10 rows back.

    The most expensive ticket on Ticketmaster is listed at $27,281, though the location is not quite as prime as the previous two sites. This ticket is in Section 110, around the 20-yard line and 37 rows back from the field.

    Looking for the cheapest way for you and a friend to see the big game? The get-in price falls quite a bit.

    The cheapest pairs of tickets on these five secondary sites run from the $6,000 to $8,000 range.

    • VividSeats: $6,078 each for two tickets
    • Gametime: $6,665 each for two tickets
    • StubHub: $6,906 each for two tickets
    • SeatGeek: $7,991 each for two tickets
    • Ticketmaster: $8,184 each for two tickets

    At this point, prices for Super Bowl 60 are the highest seen in quite some time. Last year, when Super Bowl 59 was held in New Orleans, ticket prices were dropping considerably the closer it got to game time.

    That could be the case this year, too, depending one which teams advance to the AFC and NFC conference championships after this weekend’s divisional round.

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  • Tracking 2026 Super Bowl ticket prices

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    There’s less than a month to go before Super Bowl 60 kicks off in Santa Clara, California. While the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are still vying for a spot in this year’s Super Bowl, fans from around the country are looking ahead at ticket prices for the big game. Video above: Trailer released for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 Halftime ShowThe California Bay Area has hosted the Super Bowl twice before, in 1985 at Stanford Stadium and in 2016 at Levi’s Stadium — where this year’s game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8.The 49ers have a shot at playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium, making ticket options on the secondary market quite pricey at this stage in the game. Before kickoff of Saturday’s NFL divisional round playoff games, the most expensive tickets for the Super Bowl were found on SeatGeek at $110,300 in a field box. The site also has tickets listed for as much as $84,947 in a sideline VIP section.StubHub has field box seats, like SeatGeek has listed, but at a lower price. For seats in a VIP section on this site, it is $64,947. Three other sites have hundreds of listings for Super Bowl tickets, at much lower prices than SeatGeek and StubHub.But they shouldn’t be considered a bargain. The most expensive ticket on VividSeats is listed at $27,694, right on the 50-yard line a few rows back from the field.The most expensive ticket on Gametime is listed at $23,161 at the 35-yard line, 10 rows back. The most expensive ticket on Ticketmaster is listed at $27,281, though the location is not quite as prime as the previous two sites. This ticket is in Section 110, around the 20-yard line and 37 rows back from the field. Looking for the cheapest way for you and a friend to see the big game? The get-in price falls quite a bit. The cheapest pairs of tickets on these five secondary sites run from the $6,000 to $8,000 range. VividSeats: $6,078 each for two ticketsGametime: $6,665 each for two tickets StubHub: $6,906 each for two tickets SeatGeek: $7,991 each for two ticketsTicketmaster: $8,184 each for two tickets At this point, prices for Super Bowl 60 are the highest seen in quite some time. Last year, when Super Bowl 59 was held in New Orleans, ticket prices were dropping considerably the closer it got to game time. That could be the case this year, too, depending one which teams advance to the AFC and NFC conference championships after this weekend’s divisional round.

    There’s less than a month to go before Super Bowl 60 kicks off in Santa Clara, California.

    While the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are still vying for a spot in this year’s Super Bowl, fans from around the country are looking ahead at ticket prices for the big game.

    Video above: Trailer released for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show

    The California Bay Area has hosted the Super Bowl twice before, in 1985 at Stanford Stadium and in 2016 at Levi’s Stadium — where this year’s game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8.

    The 49ers have a shot at playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium, making ticket options on the secondary market quite pricey at this stage in the game.

    Before kickoff of Saturday’s NFL divisional round playoff games, the most expensive tickets for the Super Bowl were found on SeatGeek at $110,300 in a field box. The site also has tickets listed for as much as $84,947 in a sideline VIP section.

    StubHub has field box seats, like SeatGeek has listed, but at a lower price. For seats in a VIP section on this site, it is $64,947.

    Three other sites have hundreds of listings for Super Bowl tickets, at much lower prices than SeatGeek and StubHub.

    But they shouldn’t be considered a bargain.

    The most expensive ticket on VividSeats is listed at $27,694, right on the 50-yard line a few rows back from the field.

    The most expensive ticket on Gametime is listed at $23,161 at the 35-yard line, 10 rows back.

    The most expensive ticket on Ticketmaster is listed at $27,281, though the location is not quite as prime as the previous two sites. This ticket is in Section 110, around the 20-yard line and 37 rows back from the field.

    Looking for the cheapest way for you and a friend to see the big game? The get-in price falls quite a bit.

    The cheapest pairs of tickets on these five secondary sites run from the $6,000 to $8,000 range.

    • VividSeats: $6,078 each for two tickets
    • Gametime: $6,665 each for two tickets
    • StubHub: $6,906 each for two tickets
    • SeatGeek: $7,991 each for two tickets
    • Ticketmaster: $8,184 each for two tickets

    At this point, prices for Super Bowl 60 are the highest seen in quite some time. Last year, when Super Bowl 59 was held in New Orleans, ticket prices were dropping considerably the closer it got to game time.

    That could be the case this year, too, depending one which teams advance to the AFC and NFC conference championships after this weekend’s divisional round.

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  • NFL playoffs resume Saturday with Divisional Round. Here’s the schedule and how to watch games

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    Conference championship game berths are up for grabs in the NFL playoffs.

    The postseason resumes Saturday with a pair of Divisional Round showdowns – one in the AFC and one in the NFC. And both matchups feature a No. 6-seeded wild card team visiting a No. 1 seed coming off of a first-round bye.

    The two-game slate kicks off in the Mile High City as the No. 1 Denver Broncos welcome in the No. 6 Buffalo Bills. This is the second straight postseason that Buffalo and Denver have met – the Bills cruised past the Broncos 31-7 at home in last year’s Wild Card Round.

    Josh Allen and the Bills are in the Divisional Round for the sixth straight year as they look to make back-to-back conference championship games. Allen engineered two separate go-ahead touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to lead the Bills past the No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 in the Wild Card Round.

    Buffalo, in search of its first-ever Super Bowl title, now visits a Broncos team that has lost just once at home this season and is powered by an elite defense. Denver led the league in sacks with 68 – 11 more than the next-closest team – while ranking second in yards against and third in points against.

    Sean Payton‘s Broncos are seeking the franchise’s first playoff victory since its 2015 championship season.

    The action then shifts to Seattle for a NFC West clash between the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers and No. 1 Seattle Seahawks. The already injury-riddled 49ers lost star tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles in the Wild Card Round, but they still managed to upset the defending Super Bowl champion No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles 23-19. Brock Purdy quarterbacked a go-ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter before San Francisco’s defense came up with a game-sealing stop.

    San Francisco now faces Seattle for the second time in three weeks and the third time this season. While the 49ers beat the Seahawks on the road in Week 1, Seattle got revenge in Week 18 with a 13-3 win to capture the division crown and the No. 1 seed. The Seahawks’ top-ranked scoring defense limited the 49ers to 173 yards of total offense and held them to a combined 2-for-11 on third and fourth downs in the second meeting.

    But whether Sam Darnold will have any limitations is the biggest storyline entering the playoff matchup, and that’s assuming he actually makes the start. The Seahawks quarterback is listed as questionable after appearing on the injury report this week with an oblique injury.

    Seattle is looking to make the conference title game for the first time since the 2014 season, while San Francisco is on the brink of its fourth appearance in five years.

    On this episode of “49ers Talk,” co-hosts Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan discuss the storylines surrounding this storied rivalry and what San Francisco must do to compete with such a formidable opponent in Seattle.

    Which two teams will advance to Conference Championship Sunday? And who will be sent home? Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Divisional Round games:

    Today’s NFL playoff schedule, game times

    • No. 6 Bills at No. 1 Broncos: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. PT 
    • No. 6 49ers at No. 1 Seahawks: 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT

    Where to watch, stream the Bills vs. Broncos NFL playoff game

    Bills-Broncos will air on CBS and can be streamed live on ParamountPlus.com and the Paramount+ app.

    The game can also be streamed via NFL+ on a phone or tablet.

    Where to watch, stream the 49ers vs. Seahawks NFL playoff game

    49ers-Seahawks will air on Fox and can be streamed live on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app.

    The game can also be streamed via NFL+ on a phone or tablet.

    Tomorrow’s NFL playoff TV schedule, game times

    The other conference title game berths will be awarded Sunday:

    When are the AFC, NFC Championship Games?

    The Super Bowl matchup will take shape Sunday, Jan. 25, when both conference championship games will be played.

    When, where is the 2026 Super Bowl being played?

    Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers, in Santa Clara, California, is hosting Super Bowl 60. The Big Game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8.

    The Las Vegas Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick after going 3-14. Behind them, there are more than a dozen teams looking to change their fortunes heading into next season.

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    Eric Mullin

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  • Eagles’ Most Iconic Playoff Wins: Moments to Remember – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    THIS BLOG CONTAINS LINKS FROM WHICH WE MAY EARN A COMMISSION. Credit: Bruce Emmerling-Pixabay

    Since the creation of the NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles, one fact that their fans are quite familiar with is the emotion that surrounds their support.

    Credit: Bruce Emmerling-Pixabay

    Especially with the playoffs, which are usually filled with heartbreak, loyalty, and belief. However, they have come out on top in some victories that will be etched in the minds of every Eagles fan and will be continually remembered. 

    In today’s world of sport, brands are also leveraging this emotional investment. We have seen how global brands — including the best crypto casinos — are sponsoring teams, broadcast partnerships, and fan engagement campaigns. This move adds another layer to how fans interact with the sport. 

    So, what are these moments that fans have set aside as “religious” dates for the Philadelphia Eagles? What playoff wins have validated that the city and fans breathe football?

    This post will look at some endearing moments to remember and why it means to wear green. 

    4 Iconic Eagles’ Playoff Moments That Would Never Be Forgotten

    Here are some of the top moments etched in the hearts of every Eagles fan: 

    1) 1960 NFL Championship: Ending Lombardi’s Reign

    Before the Super Bowl became the thing, the Eagles stunned the football world by clinching their most historic win in a match against the Green Bay Packers in the 1960 NFL Championship game. Led by the legendary Buck Shaw, the team went up against the power-packed Packers, who were dominating the league at the time. 

    However, with a combination of a great strategy, a strong defense, and a lethal attack led by Ted Dean, they were able to seal a late victory by a score of 17-13. And that was the first NFL title that the team won. 

    2) 1980 NFC Championship: Knocking Off Dallas

    In 1980, the Philadelphia Eagles decided it was time to decorate their trophy room, and what better way to do that than against their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. In the 1980 NFC Championship game that ended 20-7, the Eagles went on to ease to victory. 

    This win means so much more because it was against the Cowboys, who had dominated the NFC throughout the 1970s. And it was an added bonus because they were able to prevent the team from reaching another Super Bowl final. 

    3) 2003 Divisional Round: “4th and 26”

    Every hardcore Eagles fan would always remember the historic “4th and 26th” game that set a precedent for the team. In the 2003 NFC Divisional round, the Eagles had to claw out a win against the Green Bay Packers in the brutal cold. A match that most already tipped in the opponents’ favor, the Eagles were visibly behind in the fourth quarter. 

    Then they faced fourth-and-26 from their 25-yard line before the magic happened when Donovan McNabb found Freddie Mitchell on a crossing route for 28 yards. This helped them win in overtime with a score line of 20-17. 

    As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Ray Didinger put it:

    “He will always be remembered for the 4th-and-26. A lot of better players came to Philadelphia and played for the Eagles, and won’t be remembered as vividly as Freddie Mitchell will be remembered for that one play.”

    4) Super Bowl LII: The Ultimate Victory

    The final topping on the cake came at Super Bowl LII, and cemented the result as the greatest win in Eagles’ history. As the underdogs in a match against the Patriots, who had names like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick on their roster, they even expected them to lose. 

    However, in a shock of the decade, Nick Foles decided to drop an A-class performance that saw him get three touchdowns and throw for 373 yards. He even went on to catch a touchdown on the famous Philly Special. And this helped the Eagles earn their first-ever Super Bowl title in over 50 years. 

    As Doug Pederson, Eagles’ coach said after the Super Bowl victory:

    “We just needed the perfect time and look, and we found it.” 

    Why These Wins Still Matter

    For the average football lover, these victories might not be that important, but for the Eagles, it’s a game for the record books.

    These games shaped generations of fans who have built their identities around the team and have been there through the highs and lows.

    Now every future playoff is measured against these games and serves as a booster for the average fan’s expectations. 

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    Enhancing Your Philadelphia Sports Fan Experience

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  • The best, most logical replacements for Eagles offensive coordinator

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    Looking at the best offensive coordinator fits for the Eagles after they’ve predictably moved on from Kevin Patullo.

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    Geoff Mosher

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  • 49ers Injuries Fuel Theory About Power Substation | RealClearPolitics

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    NFL players have been lighting up their agents this postseason with questions about one of the league’s iconic franchises. But rather than wondering about the team’s performance or culture, they have concerns about substations and electromagnetic fields.

     

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    Fortier & Samaha, Washington Post

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  • Can the Eagles trade A.J. Brown, simply from a financial perspective?

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    Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles are going to have a lot of hard decisions to make this offseason, and one of the top things on the list will be figuring out what to do with an unhappy A.J. Brown.

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • Mike Tomlin’s exit was unexpected as Steelers begin rare coaching search, team president says

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    Mike Tomlin’s decision to step away after a blowout AFC Wild Card round loss pushed the Steelers into an uncharacteristic coaching search.

    Tomlin did not specify a reason for stepping away in a statement released on Tuesday, but he thanked owner Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust over nearly two decades. 

    “While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin concluded the statement.

    Rooney II and Omar Khan will oversee the coaching search, with Rooney calling Tomlin’s decision unexpected but not surprising.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec 23, 2018; New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports)

    “It was his decision, and I will say that I wasn’t shocked, but I wasn’t expecting that conversation yesterday either,” Rooney said. “… I was certainly willing to take another run at it next year with Mike, and that was what I was expecting to talk about yesterday, but it went in another direction.”

    2026 NFL COACHING/GM TRACKER: STEELERS REQUEST FIRST HC INTERVIEWS AFTER TOMLIN DEPARTURE

    Tomlin has two years left on his Steelers contract, and any team seeking to hire him before 2027 would need to compensate Pittsburgh. Rooney acknowledged the slim prospects of Tomlin coaching later this year and provided additional context on his departure, saying it was centered on his personal life.

    Art Rooney II before a Steelers game

    Pittsburgh Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II looks on prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

    “Mike indicated that he did not anticipate coaching in the near future,” Rooney said. “I think he wants to spend time with his family and do the things he hasn’t been able to do for the last, many years. So if something like that comes up, we’ll deal with it when it comes up, but it doesn’t seem like something on his radar.”

    Rooney said he, Khan and other key decision-makers will take an open-minded approach to the rare coaching search.

    “I’ve been involved in a number of searches going back to coach [Bill] Cowher and GM searches,” Rooney said as he recalled past coaching search experiences. “I think if I’ve learned anything about searches it’s to have an open mind. We had Mike in for his first interview, certainly wasn’t expecting him to be our head coach. I think you go through the process and be diligent and hopefully come out with the right guy.” 

    Mike Tomlin looks on

    Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 12, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

    When asked about the qualities he will look for in candidates, Rooney said leadership is at the top of the list.

    “I think there are a lot of things that go into being a successful head coach,” Rooney said. “No. 1 in my mind is leadership and trusting this person can step up in front of the team day in and day out and hold their attention and have them motivated to do what they do. That’s the most important.”

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    After defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to clinch the AFC North and the final spot in the NFL playoffs, the Steelers scored just six points in Monday’s loss to the Houston Texans.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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  • Oregon QB Dante Moore Says He’ll Return To The Ducks Rather Than Declare For The NFL Draft – KXL

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    Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

    (AP) – Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has decided to return to the Ducks next season rather than declare for the NFL draft.

    Moore, 20, announced his decision on Wednesday on ESPN.

    “When it comes to me just making my decision, of course I want to feel most prepared and do what’s best for my situation, especially as a quarterback,” he said. “And with my decision, it’s been very tough. I prayed a lot about it, talked to many people, my mentors, and people I just look up to, and with that being said, of course I’ll be coming back to Oregon for one more year, being able to play for the Oregon Ducks and reach our goal and be national champions.”

    This season, Moore completed nearly 72% of his throws for 3, 565 yards, with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Oregon finished 13-2.

    Moore had been forecast to be the second quarterback selected in the NFL draft, behind Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

    The Ducks were coming off a 56-22 loss to Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal Friday night. Moore had three crucial turnovers in the first half, leading to three Indiana touchdowns that gave the Hoosiers a commanding 35-7 lead at halftime.

    Moore completed 24 of 39 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns against the Hoosiers.

    Moore began his college career at UCLA but left after one season to sign with Oregon. He backed up Dillon Gabriel last season before moving up to the starting job when Gabriel departed for the NFL.

    “I feel like when it comes to me pushing my teammates to make sure that they’re at their best, I can become a better leader,” Moore said about his goals in returning. “And when it comes to my playing style, just dissecting defenses, being able to be comfortable as I see it, if I see a defense that I know I’ve seen this covered before and how to attack it,” he said. “I’m still 20 years old, so I’m still young and I have a lot of memories to make out here in college. I’m excited to be around the guys.”

    Oregon coach Dan Lanning said following the Indiana loss that he hoped to have Moore return.

    “Dante has been exceptional,” the coach said. “It’s gone right for us 13 times. It didn’t go right tonight. You can’t let that overshadow (the season). Every one of us has unbelievable disappointment. Learn from it.”

    Moore’s decision comes after ex-Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola announced he’d be transferring to Oregon, and Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman declared for the NFL draft.

    Sadiq had a team-high 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns this past season, his first as a starter. He was expected to be a first-round draft pick.

    Thieneman finished the season with 96 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, as well as five pass breakups and two interceptions.

    Among the players who have announced they will return to the Ducks include center Iapani Laloulu, a finalists for the Remington Trophy this year, tight end Jamari Johnson and defensive ends Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei.

    “At the end of the day, I feel like I can still learn so much more. And of course, as a kid, since I was 4-years old, I’ve dreamed about being in the NFL. But this team, we’ve been through a lot and a lot of people are returning,” Moore said. “And so I feel like we have exciting things coming this year. And I’m excited to keep pushing my team.”

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Renck: Broncos need to run Jaleel McLaughlin to stop critics from running their mouths

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    Three weeks. That is all it took for the country to turn on the Broncos again. They are corn to a garden. The worst seed ever.

    Failing to score more than 20 points in three straight games to end the season was all America’s armchair quarterbacks and well-paid analysts needed.

    The offensive impotence is catnip for critics.

    So, it is no wonder that the AFC’s top dog is an underdog. Fine.

    There is a way to win every game, as Sean Payton reminds us weekly, and the path Saturday involves mud flaps, not a cockpit.

    The Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse has hidden its secret long enough.

    Want to beat the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round? Run Jaleel McLaughlin. Trust him. Treat him like a weapon, not a diversion.

    The idea that the outcome of the Broncos’ biggest game in a decade hinges on a running back who has been inactive for nine weeks is ridiculous. You are probably laughing at this premise. Cackling at the idea that Payton will actually lean on the ground attack.

    But Payton has made a career of pushing the right buttons and finding answers. And this one is staring at him from inside the fieldhouse walls, where McLaughlin can often be found after practice getting in extra reps to stay sharp.

    All Payton needs to do is follow the script written by Gary Kubiak, the last Broncos coach to win a playoff game.

    As Denver clumsily reached the end of the 2015 season, creating doubts about reaching the Super Bowl, Kubiak spent part of his day checking video from Peyton Manning’s workouts with receiver Jordan “Sunshine” Taylor inside the fieldhouse as he recovered from a plantar fasciitis injury.

    Kubiak refused to close the door on Manning returning. And Manning was tired of waiting. At one point, he flipped off the cameras, knowing Kubiak would see it. Kubiak finally took the suggestion, turning to Manning in the second half of the season finale, a move that triggered a Super Bowl 50 victory.

    McLaughlin does not possess the gravitas to give his coach the middle finger. And he is not the key to a championship run. But he is the key to winning this game.

    You see, backs have run through the Bills like Taco Bell after a night on Pearl Street. Only the 2006 Indianapolis Colts allowed more than 5 yards per rush and won the Super Bowl, per CBS Sports. The Bills have yielded 5.2 in 18 games. It is their fatal flaw.

    McLaughlin can expose it. His entire football journey has built up to this moment. He never had a backup plan. He slept in a car for a time growing up. He refused to give up on his dream. His resilience helped him make the roster three years ago as an undrafted free agent.

    This is different. He can go from a feel-good story to the headliner.

    Look, this might backfire. But he is the best option to exploit the Bills, even if injured defensive lineman Ed Oliver returns. The trade deadline long ago passed, and Denver declined to deal for Breece Hall.

    Then J.K. Dobbins got hurt, and R.J. Harvey has not filled his cleats. Forget attacking downhill, Harvey has been going downhill. He has averaged 3.36 yards per carry over the past three games on 36 carries, and if you subtract his 38-yard touchdown against the Jaguars, it shrinks to 2.37.

    Compare that to McLaughlin, who has 118 yards on 18 carries during the same stretch. That is 63 percent of his season total, and 6.56 a pop.

    “He outworks just about everybody in the building,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “It’s not a shock to anybody that, when his opportunity came, he did a great job with it.”

    So, lean on McLaughlin and call more designed runs for Bo Nix (102 rushing yards since Dec. 21).

    Who says no? Payton?

    Not so sure. Not this time. He appears to have learned his lesson from abandoning the run last year at Buffalo, from turtling against the Chiefs and Chargers.

    It was encouraging to hear Payton’s tone publicly last Friday when asked if he held stuff back over the final two weeks. He made no excuses. Used zero qualifiers. Made it clear that the Broncos have to execute better and become more explosive.

    If Payton is not stubborn, the Broncos will win because of the run game in general and McLaughlin specifically.

    Don’t believe it?

    The Jaguars are watching this weekend because they simply did not run the ball enough. They were gashing the Bills on the ground, and inexplicably finished with 30 passes and 23 carries. They posted 154 yards rushing, and Liam “Keep Your Head Up” Coen decided to keep putting the ball in the air.

    If Payton is similarly hard-headed with Nix, the Broncos will follow the Jaguars to the emergency exit.

    My insistence on running is rooted in winning.

    The best way to neutralize Josh Allen is to play keep away. If the Broncos produce long drives and impose their will upfront, it will create urgency from the Bills.

    We all know Josh Allen is not going to play like Woody Allen. It is safe to assume the Broncos are going to struggle at times as Allen bullies his way for yards or finds his tight ends and running backs for easy completions. How Denver’s defense performs in the red zone will be critical.

    But the offense has to do its part.

    It won’t be easy. It never is with this group. The Broncos have only reached the red zone five times in the last three games, scoring two touchdowns, and only once in a goal-to-go situation.

    That won’t cut it on Saturday.

    Let McLaughlin provide the body shots. And Harvey or Nix, the haymaker (the Bills have allowed eight touchdown runs of 30-plus yards, most in a season in NFL history).

    McLaughlin was already known for rolling up his sleeves and breaking a sweat before the sun wakes. But he added night duty to stay sharp, to be ready, when he lost his role on game day as the fourth running back in the three-man rotation of Dobbins, Harvey and Tyler Badie.

    “It was a real challenge just because I am so competitive,” McLaughlin said. “But I just had to trust and believe in what coach Payton was telling me.”

    Everyone is running their mouths again. All the Broncos need to do is run the ball with McLaughlin to shut them up.

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    Troy Renck

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  • Steelers owner comments on Aaron Rodgers’ future after Mike Tomlin steps down

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    The NFL world was caught off guard on Tuesday afternoon when longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced he would step down after 19 seasons with the organization, never having recorded a losing season.

    However, the Steelers’ last seven postseason appearances ended in first-round losses, and coupled with Tomlin’s desire to step away from coaching—at least temporarily—it seemed like the right time following Monday night’s 30–6 loss to the Houston Texans.

    Tomlin’s decision now adds uncertainty around star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh and has been reportedly weighing retirement, despite the team expressing interest in him returning for another season.

    Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II indicated that Tomlin’s departure will likely influence Rodgers’ decision.

    “Aaron came here to play for Mike [Tomlin],” Rooney II said. “So it will most likely affect his decision.”

    More news: Bills Suffer Another Major Injury Blow Ahead of Broncos Playoff Clash

    More news: Eagles Fire Coach Days After Playoff Loss to 49ers: Report

    Rodgers, 42, revealed shortly after signing his one-year deal with the Steelers that this was likely his final season in the NFL, telling The Pat McAfee Show that the one-year contract reflected that mindset.

    However, just before the playoffs, Rodgers didn’t change that view, though he hinted that his decision might be more complicated than initially thought—largely because he spent the season proving he can still perform at a very high level.

    “I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said after Monday’s the loss to the Texans. “At this point, obviously such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being part of this team. So, it’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”

    More news: Steelers Lined Up 2 Mike Tomlin Replacements Before He Stepped Down

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  • Texans star wears apparent pro-Palestine message on eye black during playoff game

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    While being interviewed by ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” crew, it was revealed that Azeez Al-Shaair had a message he wanted to share.

    The Houston Texans linebacker was spotted wearing eye black that read “Stop the genocide.”

    The message was likely regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

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    Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers after an NFL wild card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

    Al-Shaair has supported Palestinians in the past, including wearing “Free Palestine” cleats for the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign during the 2024 season. 

    Al-Shaair had “Free” written on one side of his shoes in the colors of the Palestinian flag. On one shoe, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return,” was written. On the side of his other shoe, it had the number of Palestinians reportedly killed and wounded in their war with Israel.

    The shoes were for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, which he also supported in 2023.

    “I feel like it’s something that’s trying to be almost silenced,” Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle at the time. “On either side, people losing their life is not right. In no way, shape, or form am I validating anything that happened, but to consistently say that because of [Oct. 7] innocent people [in Gaza] should now die, it’s crazy. 

    “[Other people] try to make a disconnect and dehumanize people over there. And it’s like, they’re human beings. Being a Muslim, we see everybody the same; Black, White, Spanish, whatever you are; you can be orange, like, we’re all human beings.”

    Azeez Al-Shaair pregame

    Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans speaks to his teammates before kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

    NFL ANALYTICS VENTURE, FOUNDED BY EX-NFL EXEC, CLOSES SERIES B INVESTMENT ROUND

    Al-Shaair was also part of the Athletes for Ceasefire organization, along with several other athletes.

    During the game when he wore the Palestine cleats, Al-Shaair made a tackle on Trevor Lawrence that left him with a concussion, prompting backlash and an ejection. In a statement apologizing for the hit, he snapped at “racist and Islamophobic fans and people” for attacking him online.

    Trevor Lawrence goes down

    Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides down in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the second quarter in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

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    Al-Shaair’s Texans scored 23 points in the fourth quarter on Monday to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 and advance to the AFC divisional round. They will face the Patriots in New England on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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  • Broncos QB coach Davis Webb explains where he’s seen Bo Nix grow in Year 2

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    Steve Spagnuolo tried to throw a changeup on a Christmas night third-and-6.

    Bo Nix didn’t hesitate.

    The Broncos this season saw more zone coverage from opposing defenses than any team in the NFL, according to Sumer Sports data.

    The undermanned Chiefs delivered a heavy diet in Week 17.

    “We saw a ton of zone coverage, soft zone,” Denver coach Sean Payton said after. “They were going to force us to rope-a-dope a little bit.”

    Do Broncos own advantage over Bills because of week off?

    Kansas City did just that and kept the Broncos close throughout the game.

    On this third down, though, Spagnuolo, the Chiefs’ veteran defensive coordinator, brought pressure and played man coverage behind it.

    Nix, operating out of the gun, started a half roll to the right. Kansas City’s pressure overloaded from his left and tight end Adam Trautman did a good job pushing defensive lineman Charles Omenihu up the field on the right side.

    Nix never even hit the top of his drop. He recognized the coverage and the gaping ‘B’ gap in front of him, bailed out of his drop and took off for 14 yards.

    If Nix stepped through an ankle tackle by George Karlaftis, he’d have broken a huge gain and perhaps even a 55-yard touchdown.

    “He saw it, he shot his shot and it worked out really good,” Denver quarterbacks coach Davis Webb told The Post recently.

    Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday, December 25, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

    Rhythm, recognition and calmer feet

    Nix is through two regular seasons now as a starter. He’s played 35 NFL games, including last year’s wild-card loss to Buffalo.

    His Year 2 numbers look, on the whole, a lot like his Year 1 numbers. He didn’t make the leap into the stratosphere. Completion percentage? Slightly down. Quarterback rating? Same. Estimated points added per drop back? Slightly up. So on and so forth.

    Stats, of course, don’t tell the entire story of Nix’s 2025 season. His coaches saw improvement, particularly in the second half of the season, after some weeks of considerable struggle.

    Now, at the helm of a 14-3 team and two home postseason wins from the Super Bowl, Nix is tasked with trying to guide the Broncos on a run toward a world championship.

    How is he, in particular, better equipped to do so than a year ago?

    “I think the offense as a whole has found a decent rhythm in regards to how we want to play it, run and pass,” Webb said. “He’s done a good job, really the last seven or eight weeks, of really controlling the line of scrimmage. In and out of the huddle, operation, protections.

    “He’s made a jump in recognition.”

    Also on the list: calmer feet and a more decisive approach for when to take off and run. They’re all related and intertwined. The third down against the Chiefs shows all three at work and perhaps provided a blueprint for how Denver can maximize Nix’s effectiveness in the postseason.

    Start with the recognition.

    Nix has now seen Spagnuolo’s defense four times in his career. Same for Los Angeles Chargers coordinator Jesse Minter and Las Vegas’ Patrick Graham. All three draw high praise from Payton and the Broncos’ coaching staff.

    But it’s not just specific coordinators.

    Webb and the Broncos quarterback room talk frequently about coordinator “families.”

    “Jesse Minter, he comes from the Baltimore family,” Webb said. “So that’s Wink Martindale, that’s Mike Macdonald in Seattle. His first game ever was against Mike Macdonald. So you can pull from those experiences.”

    The more you see, the more you know, the more you can cross-reference, the more comfortable you get.

    Each coordinator has his own wrinkles for each matchup and preparation matters, but there’s not much substituting for experience.

    Nix has some familiarity with Buffalo and Sean McDermott, of course, since they played a year ago in the postseason. He also has a terrific resource in Webb, who spent three seasons as a player with the Bills and knows McDermott well.

    The staff also sees Nix’s footwork calming as the season progresses.

    In mid-December, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Nix’s feet, “have gotten a lot better,” since just before the Broncos’ Week 12 bye, noting “the way he handles himself in the pocket and just trusting the protection.”

    For Webb, that carried through the latter stages of the regular season. In part because of Nix’s between-snap habits, but also because of the leap in recognition.

    There’s a time and a place for happy feet. There are times and places where being too itchy to get moving can wipe big-play potential off the board.

    “It’s not allowing a pressure or something to affect him for the next throw,” Webb said. “‘Hey, deep breathe it out, understand this is the game within the game.’ Understand when the pocket is clean and we’ve got guys with either space or a coverage beater or a man-to-man matchup. That’s the time to have conviction with your throws as opposed to ‘uhhhhh’ and thinking about what happened before.

    “He’s done a good job of that as of late.”

    Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos scrambles for a gain against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, January 4, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
    Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos scrambles for a gain against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, January 4, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

    Escaping pressure

    Interestingly, Nix has also done something else lately: He’s taken off and run more.

    Part of that is opponent and plan-driven. Part of it is pressure-driven. Nix’s two highest scramble totals, per charting by The Post, have come against the Chargers. Perhaps not surprisingly, those two games are also the two highest pressure rates against Nix.

    In Weeks 17 and 18, though, Nix scrambled 10 total times. That’s Nix running on a designed pass play, so not including anything that looks like a designed run option for him or quarterback draws, sneaks and kneeldowns.

    Before Week 17, he’d scrambled 10 times in Denver’s previous nine games.

    Payton, during the Christmas game, told Nix and Webb he thought there were running lanes to exploit, but Nix said after Week 18 that he doesn’t think that’s what’s led to the uptick.

    “Sometimes I see or feel good lanes, sometimes I don’t have it that day and it’s harder to feel,” he said after Denver’s 19-3 win over L.A. earlier this month. “Some of that is doing it early and feeling it early. I think today, the third play of the game, we got a pressure. It just happens and you escape, you get there and it sort of gets you involved. It’s like hitting a free throw early in a basketball game. You just feel what it feels like, see the ball go through.”

    Nix scrambled a season-high six times against the Chargers for 48 yards. The week before: Four for 32.

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    Parker Gabriel

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