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Tag: Pete Carroll

  • Around the NFL: How Week 18 sets up the AFC field for Broncos’ potential playoff opponents

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    Around the AFC

    Patriots, Jaguars vying for top seed. The Broncos received a massive belated Christmas gift on Monday courtesy of Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who relinquished all gamesmanship and said point-blank that Los Angeles would rest star quarterback Justin Herbert. Denver would have to absolutely implode to lose Sunday’s matchup. In such an event, though, New England (13-3) and Jacksonville (12-4) would be set up to seize that vaunted No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots are playing a 7-9 Dolphins team that’s been mathematically eliminated; the Jaguars face 3-13 Tennessee, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Denver can’t afford to get too cute here.

    Fernando-mania. The Raiders are the NFL’s hottest current mess. They’ve lost 10 straight. The Pete Carroll experiment seems all but destined to end after one unceremonious year. 48-year-old minority owner Tom Brady was captured by TMZ getting a little close with 25-year-old influencer Alix Earle on New Year’s Eve. Las Vegas continues to be in the news for plenty of reasons beyond the actual on-field product. The good news? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is only solidifying his case as a legitimate No. 1 pick, with a 14-of-16 line for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a drubbing of Alabama at the Rose Bowl on Thursday. Raiders general manager John Spytek has to be licking his chops.

    Rivers done, again. The great season-saving Philip Rivers Experiment is over, as the 44-year-old will now step back into retirement after three losses in Indianapolis. What a valiant effort it was, though: Rivers has a higher QBR (39.3) in three starts in 2025 than the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa or the Raiders’ Geno Smith have this season. The Colts announced rookie QB Riley Leonard will start in Week 18, with Indianapolis (8-8) removed from playoff contention. Rivers, though, expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity.

    “I got three bonus games that I never saw coming,” Rivers told reporters, “and couldn’t be more thankful that I got an opportunity.”

    Around the NFC

    Teach me how to Purdy. It’s time to officially crown San Francisco as serious NFC contenders. The 49ers were a distant afterthought in their own division a couple months back, floating at 6-4 behind Seattle and the Rams. Suddenly, the Niners have ripped off six wins in a row with the return of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s playing with rarely-before-seen levels of confidence. Case in point: hitting a nasty Dougie after a touchdown against the Bears last Sunday in a 24-of-33, 303-yard, five-total-TD performance. As 49ers tight end George Kittle has said, heaven “forbid a white guy has a little bit of motion.”

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    Luca Evans

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  • Raiders linked to rising coordinator as Pete Carroll replacement

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    When the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll to be their head coach in January, it was hard to imagine him getting fired within 12 months. He is a highly accomplished coach at both the NCAA and NFL levels, and as most remember, he guided the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl championship in the 2013 season and came very close to winning another one the following year.

    But the Raiders are tied for the NFL’s worst record at 2-11 and have a seven-game losing streak, and there are rumors that Carroll could be on the hot seat. They already fired Chip Kelly, another accomplished coach whom they hired to be Carroll’s offensive coordinator, after their Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and one has to wonder what direction they may head on if they want to give Carroll the axe.

    ESPN insider Dan Graziano wrote in a recent article that he feels Vance Joseph, the Denver Broncos‘ defensive coordinator, could end up replacing Carroll.

    “Joseph seems to be the name we’re hearing the most, because of Denver’s defensive success and his previous head coach experience (with Denver, oddly enough),” Graziano wrote. “People close to the situation point out that Joseph never had a stable quarterback situation in his first head coaching stint and didn’t have full autonomy over the hiring of his staff, so it would seem unfair to completely hold his 11-21 record against him. I think he gets several interviews and could be a strong candidate in a place such as Las Vegas, should that job come open.”

    Read more: ESPN Provides Eye-Opening Prediction Ahead of Bills-Patriots Showdown

    After a brief playing career in the NFL during the 1990s, Joseph spent many years as an assistant coach at the college and pro levels before becoming the Broncos’ head coach for the 2017 and 2018 seasons when they were rebuilding following Peyton Manning’s retirement. Denver fired him at the end of the 2018 campaign, and after four years as the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, he returned to Denver in that same capacity.

    Denver’s defense has dramatically improved under Joseph’s guidance. This season, the team is fourth in points allowed and third in total yards allowed, and even though the Broncos’ offense has been rather average overall, their defense has propelled them to an 11-2 record, which ties them with the New England Patriots for the NFL’s best record.

    Las Vegas’ defense hasn’t been quite as bad as its offense this year, but it has been fairly weak. Perhaps Joseph could make something significant happen on that side of the football in 2026, especially with a superstar pass rusher such as Maxx Crosby.

    Read more: Raiders’ Geno Smith Receives Big Update About NFL Future

    Given Raiders quarterback Geno Smith’s substandard play this season and the uncertainty about his future with the team, perhaps it would be best for the franchise to embrace winning mostly with defense, as the Broncos have. Joseph could perhaps help build such a culture and resurrect the franchise after some two decades of mostly ineptitude.

    For more on the Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Geno Smith’s frustration boils over with obscene gesture toward fed-up Raiders fans

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    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.

    Smith even spoke at his introductory news conference of having “unfinished business.”

    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.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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  • Running game having biggest impact in decades in NFL

    Running game having biggest impact in decades in NFL

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    Derrick Henry was a bit amused by the premise of a question talking about the importance of passing in the modern NFL.

    “Is it a passing league?” he said jokingly. “I’m playing. But we (have) guys in the league that are running the ball well, that are efficient and been playing at a high level for an amount of years. So just credit to our RBs in the game. Just keep killing it.”

    Henry and his running back friends have been doing just that through the first half of the season with a big assist from a young generation of running quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields.

    While the big paydays and much of the attention goes to quarterbacks, receivers and other players who impact the passing game either by blocking or defending, there has been a bit of a renaissance when it comes to running the .

    With defenses keeping two safeties deep and playing with fewer defenders near the line of scrimmage to guard against the big play, and offenses more willing to take advantage of that, running the ball is having its biggest success in decades.

    Through the first nine weeks of the season, teams are combining for 241.4 yards rushing per game for the highest mark at this point of the season since 1987 when the league used replacements players for three games.

    The previous time it happened with real NFL players the entire time was in 1985 when Walter Payton, Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson were among the game’s biggest stars.

    “It feels like there is a little bit of a change around the league where teams really are making a big emphasis and focus to run the ,” Seattle defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said.

    There are five teams averaging at least 150 yards a game on the ground — one more than did it in the past three seasons combined.

    The Giants have used their success on the ground to be one of the league’s biggest surprises with six wins already on the strength of a healthy season from Saquon Barkley and using quarterback Daniel Jones in the running game.

    Atlanta has remained in contention in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year by capitalizing on the mobility of quarterback Marcus Mariota and backs such as Cordarrelle Patterson.

    “People know we want to run the ,” coach Arthur Smith said. “That’s what fires you up, and it won’t be that way every week. We’re going to have a challenge. We know how competitive it is. But when you can run the ball, when they know you’re going to run it, that speaks volumes about your guys.”

    Even teams that have dynamic options in the passing game have been using the run to great success to take advantage of how defenses play these days.

    The struggling Raiders had their biggest success offensively this season during a three-game stretch when Josh Jacobs rushed for 441 yards against defenses geared to stop Davante Adams.

    “You’ve got to be able to function and execute against whatever they do,” coach Josh McDaniels said. “If they’re going to try to protect the deep part of the field and not give up a bunch of big plays, I think that comes back down to execution and discipline for us. I mean, if you have to drive it 10 to 12 plays to score, then you’re going to need to be able to be disciplined enough to do that.”

    Perhaps no team has had as much success on the ground as the Bears, who have gotten a big spark on offense when they seemed to ditch the passing game and focus the offense around Fields and his ability to run.

    Chicago is averaging 195.4 yards per game on the ground, putting the Bears on pace for 3,322 yards — 26 more than the single-season record set in a 16-game season by Baltimore in 2019.

    But the Bears are averaging 243 yards rushing the past four games — becoming the second in NFL history to rush for at least 235 yards in four straight games. That feat was last accomplished by the 1949 Eagles when the sport barely resembled the modern version that took over when rules made passing easier in 1978.

    “I think we are just really maximizing our strengths and minimizes our weaknesses right now,” coach Matt Eberflus said.

    Fields set an NFL regular-season record when he ran for 178 yards last week against Miami, including an electrifying 61-yard touchdown.

    That was part of a record-setting week for quarterbacks, whose combined 801 yards rushing last week were the most ever in a week for the position. The 5,132 yards rushing by QBs are the most ever through nine weeks led by Jackson (635) and Fields (602).

    “He’s as fast as any skill position runner,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said after facing Fields. “Like he is really, really fast and he can cut and break tackles. There are a lot of running quarterbacks. This one in particular I think is very elite and adept at that.”

    While watching Fields run through his defense exasperated McDaniels, who even begged him to stop to no avail, the success on the ground has brought joy to other coaches.

    Perhaps none more than Seattle’s Pete Carroll, who endured criticism in recent years for not letting Russell Wilson pass more, but now has the top team in the NFC West thanks in part to rookie running back Kenneth Walker III and an offensive approach that suits Carroll’s style.

    “It’s always been important, it’s just been that other things drew the attention of the following and the media,” he said. “It was never of less significance because that’s how the game works.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith silence critics

    Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith silence critics

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    Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa shouldn’t hear about their teams pursuing other quarterbacks anymore.

    The former Alabama teammates continued their MVP-caliber seasons with spectacular performances Sunday. They’ve silenced critics who questioned their ability to be franchise quarterbacks and are setting themselves up for huge contract extensions in the offseason.

    Geno Smith is another QB who has proved people wrong this season. A full-time starter for the first time since 2014, the 32-year-old Smith has the surprising Seahawks (5-3) leading the NFC West.

    Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles are off to a 7-0 start following a 35-13 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Tagovailoa again rallied Miami from a double-digit, second-half deficit in a 31-27 victory over the Detroit Lions. The Dolphins (5-3) are undefeated in the five games Tagovailoa has finished. He missed 2 1/2 games with a concussion.

    Hurts threw four touchdown passes of 25-plus yards against the Steelers, including three to A.J. Brown in the first half. He has 1,514 yards passing and 10 TDs with only two interceptions. Hurts also has run for 293 yards and three scores.

    The biggest question mark surrounding the Eagles entering the season centered on Hurts. They made the playoffs last year mainly because they had the best rushing offense in the NFL with Hurts leading the way. They were blown out by the Buccaneers in a wild-card game and knew they needed to improve their passing attack to compete for a championship.

    The team considered trading for a quarterback in an offseason that saw Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and several other big-name QBs switch uniforms. But Philly stuck with Hurts for another season and the third-year pro has been outstanding.

    He still hasn’t even reached his potential.

    “Jalen is the type of guy that’s going to continue to get better because of the type of person he is, the type of football IQ he has, the football character he has, the toughness he has, how much he loves football,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I was always taught those are the types of guys that reach their ceiling. I don’t know if we know what his ceiling will be. I know this: He’s getting better every day and he’s committed to that. That’s a good thing for the rest of your team when your best players and captain is getting better every day.”

    Hurts is also a bargain. A second-round pick in 2020 who replaced Carson Wentz as the starter late in that season, Hurts is making $1.6 million. A total of 53 QBs make more.

    “He’s not focused on what his next contract might be or what we’re going to do in three weeks or what the outcome of this season is or anything like that,” Sirianni said.

    Just don’t ask Hurts to talk about himself.

    “People don’t see the work that’s put in, not just by me individually but. … by everybody,” Hurts said. “It takes work. It’s a grind. The beautiful thing about this team is that we’ve grinded together.”

    Hurts led Alabama to the national championship game as a true freshman in 2016 only to lose to Clemson. He took them back to the national title game against Georgia the following season but was benched at halftime and watched Tagovailoa lead a comeback win. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season and finished runnerup to Joe Burrow for the Heisman Trophy.

    Now, he’s the man in Philly.

    Tagovailoa left Alabama after suffering a serious hip injury during his junior season, was drafted by the Dolphins fifth overall in 2020 and went 13-8 in his first two seasons. Still, there’s been plenty of doubt about his future in Miami.

    The Dolphins pursued Watson before the 2021 trade deadline and were penalized for tampering with Tom Brady after the season. Left with Tagovailoa, they surrounded him with more talent, acquiring star receiver Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster trade to team with Jaylen Waddle.

    Hill has been dynamic, helping Tagovailoa take his game to another level. Despite battling injuries and a concussion, Tagovailoa has 1,678 yards passing, 12 TDs, only three picks and a passer rating of 112.7.

    Tagovailoa was sensational against the Lions on Sunday, completing 29 of 36 for 382 yards and three TDs.

    “That was a game that we all know he’s capable of,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “He was relentless during the game with worrying about the right stuff. I didn’t see him press and make forced decisions. He took what was there and protected the ball while being aggressive.”

    Like Hurts, he’s not satisfied.

    “The greatest thing about this game is that you can never get content,” Tagovailoa said. “You have to continue to keep growing. We’ll go and watch the film and look at things that we could’ve done better. So, that’s the best part about it.”

    Smith tossed two TD passes and played another error-free game for Seattle in a 27-13 win over the New York Giants.

    Playing for his fourth team, Smith was considered a placeholder for the rebuilding Seahawks until the team finds a franchise QB. So far, he’s outplayed the superstar he replaced — Wilson — and has resurrected his career after starting only five game in the previous six seasons.

    Smith has thrown for 1,924 yards with a 72.3 completion percentage, 13 TDs and just three interceptions for a 107.2 passer rating.

    “He’s the real deal,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “There’s no mystery he’s going to run out of gas or something. It’s not like that. He knows exactly what he’s doing and he shows you week in and week out, throw after throw after throw. There’s nothing for us to hold him but in the highest of expectations really. What a thrilling story for the kid. He just hung in there so tough and outlasted it, and now he’s enjoying all the fun of it. He did great.”

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    Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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    More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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