Panthers defense getting reinforcements for rematch with Matthew Stafford, Rams in wild-card game By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers defense made life tough for Matthew Stafford in the first meeting six weeks ago.
Stafford came into the game on a roll, having thrown 18 touchdowns in the previous five games and hadn't been picked off since Week 3, but the double-digit underdog Panthers forced three turnovers and upset the Los Angeles Rams 31-28.
And that was without four defensive starters.
All four, including two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn, have since returned and will play on Saturday when the Panthers (8-9) host the Rams (12-5) in a rematch with the winner moving on to the NFC divisional playoffs. Along with Horn, safety Tre'Von Moehrig and linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Claudin Cherelus are also set to play.
“It's good to have everybody healthy this time around. He's a great quarterback and has been playing at a high level for a very long time," Horn said of 37-year-old Stafford. "They have a lot of weapons, so we need everybody back. We have to find a way to take the ball away and do what we did the last game.”
Stafford led the Rams to a touchdown on the game's first possession in Week 13, but the Panthers intercepted him on the next two drives, snapping his NFL record of 28 straight TD passes without an interception . Carolina also forced a fumble in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Stafford still found success against the Panthers, finishing the game 18 of 28 for 243 yards with two touchdown passes.
And although the Panthers won the turnover margin 3-0, they still needed a big game from Bryce Young and a late touchdown to earn the win. Young threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns while posting the QB rating of 147.1, the second highest in franchise history.
Rams coach Sean McVay called it “a humbling day” for his team.
“The big point of emphasis was the three turnovers,” McVay said. "They didn’t have any. They had some key and critical third and fourth downs. I thought they were able to run the ball and control the clock. The possessions were limited and so that was the big thing. You give them respect. They made the plays and did the things to be able to win the football game.”
Stafford, who led the league in touchdown passes and yards passing this season making him a leading candidate to win his first league MVP award, is well aware the Panthers will be at full strength this time around.
And he isn't taking them lightly.
He said that Horn and Mike Jackson are “as good of a cornerback tandem as you will see in the league.”
“They have unique skill sets. They play to their strengths,” Stafford said. "Their defense helps those guys play to their strength and they are really good football players. As far as the backend goes, it’s about as good as we’ve seen all year and it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
The Panthers also have the benefit of having a little insight on Stafford.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was a defensive assistant with the Rams when Stafford led them to a Super Bowl championship four years ago.
Players have said Ejiro's inside knowledge helps in game planning.
“I think (Evero) did a really good job of just creating pressure and making No. 9 (Stafford) a little more uncomfortable which allowed us to get turnovers,” said Panthers safety Nick Scott. “He’s always doing a great job of creating a clear game plan for us, so we always know what task is at hand. It’s up to us to execute it.”
So what does Stafford have to do on Saturday to tun the table on the Panthers?
“I’d like to not throw it to their team," Stafford said. “I think that was the story of the game when you think about it. We moved the ball well in some areas. We scored a couple times in the red zone. We did some nice things, ran it well and just had the turnovers.”
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AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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Seahawks sign LT Charles Cross to 4-year extension. He's expected to return from injury for playoffs By ANDREW DESTIN AP Sports Writer The Associated Press RENTON, Wash.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have finalized a four-year contract extension with left tackle Charles Cross.
The contract runs through the 2030 season and includes $75 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Cross, 25, was already under contract through 2026 because the Seahawks exercised his fifth-year option earlier in the season.
“It means a lot to me,” Cross said Wednesday. “This team, this organization, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. This place is definitely special, and I believe that and everyone in this building.”
The Seahawks selected Cross in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft with a pick they acquired when they traded Russell Wilson. Cross has started 62 games, including 14 this season for the Seahawks, who are the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
“I feel great just being in Seattle, being around my teammates, the organization here,” Cross said.
Cross missed the last three games of the regular season with a hamstring injury, which he said happened during Jason Myers’ game-winning field goal against Indianapolis on Dec. 14. Cross practiced Wednesday and is expected to be back for the playoffs.
The Seahawks received a first-round bye and will host the lowest remaining seed on the weekend of Jan. 17-18, giving Cross plenty of time to get back to full strength.
“I feel like it’ll help me a lot,” Cross said, “just being able to recover and get the reps, get more reps in and refine what I’ve been working on.”
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Packers' Jordan Love believes he's learned from previous playoff disappointments By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has done a great job of avoiding interceptions throughout this season.
However, he hasn't been nearly as effective in that regard during his playoff career.
The Packers’ chances of extending their season beyond this weekend depend in part on how well Love can protect the ball against the Chicago Bears, who had an NFL-leading 23 interceptions and 33 total takeaways during the regular season.
Love was picked off on just six of his 439 passes this season, but he has thrown five interceptions in his past six postseason quarters. Love will try to change that recent playoff trajectory when the Packers (9-7-1) visit the NFC North champion Bears (11-6) in a Saturday night wild-card matchup.
“Every play is something to learn from and grow from,” Love said Wednesday. “That’s the mindset I’ve always taken. I think, like I mentioned going into the playoffs having to win and then having a couple tough losses, it all shapes you going into the offseason.”
Love's three previous playoff starts have run the gamut.
He made his playoff debut two years ago and went 16 of 21 for 272 yards with three touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 48-32 wild-card victory at Dallas. Love threw for two more touchdowns to give Green Bay a lead at San Francisco the following week before getting intercepted late in the third quarter and again in the closing minutes of a 24-21 loss.
Last season, Love threw three interceptions without a touchdown pass in a 22-10 wild-card loss at Philadelphia while many of his top options got injured either before or during the game.
“You look at the way the 49ers game ended, throwing a pick to end it, it’s a tough way to go out,” Love said. “And I think in that situation, there’s so much good stuff to learn from in a two-minute situation, understanding what the situation is, how much time is left, what the down and distance is, how much we need. And trying not to force the ball right there and make that play. And then, you look at the Eagles game, I had a (few) turnovers in that game.
“So I think it just always comes down to taking care of the ball, playing your best as a quarterback, and then putting the team in the best position.”
Love completed 66.3% of his passes this season for 3,381 yards with 23 touchdowns. He threw multiple interceptions just once, when he got picked off twice in a 34-26 loss at Denver that started Green Bay's four-game skid to close the regular season.
Saturday will mark the first time Love has played since absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears defensive end Austin Booker in the second quarter of the Packers’ 22-16 overtime loss at Chicago on Dec. 20.
Although he missed Green Bay's final two regular-season games, Love doesn't expect rust to be an issue Saturday.
Love practiced fully throughout last week after getting cleared from concussion protocol, though the Packers chose to rest him for their 16-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
“When you’re practicing throughout the week, you still stay fresh,” Love said. “You’re missing some time playing in the game, but we played a lot of games this season. You’ve got banked reps.”
Love has a history of playing well against the Bears.
He threw for 234 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in the Packers' 28-21 victory over the Bears in Green Bay. Love has nine touchdown passes with two interceptions in six games against Chicago.
“We talk about it whenever it’s Bears week, just understanding the history of the Packers and this and the Bears — the oldest rivalry in the NFL,” Love said. “It’s something that I wasn’t even too familiar with before I got here, and then I think since I’ve been here, it’s something you just learn about.”
The recent history of this rivalry — the past four Packers-Bears matchups have all gone down to the wire — and the circumstances of Love’s exit from the Dec. 20 game have increased the intensity even more.
Booker was penalized for roughing the passer on the hit that sent Love into concussion protocol. Asked whether he thought the hit was a clean play, Love simply replied, “It’s a hit. It is what it is.”
Packers running back Josh Jacobs was more forthcoming on the topic.
“He’s never really rattled in those situations, but I know a lot of guys took that hit that he took a little personal,” Jacobs said. “So I’m not saying we’re going to go out there and play dirty or nothing like that, but we’re definitely going to defend our brother.”
NOTES: WR/CB Bo Melton is going on injured reserve after hurting his knee in the Packers’ regular-season finale. Coach Matt LaFleur said it isn’t an ACL injury and shouldn't impact Melton’s availability for next season. … Jacobs says he’s feeling “the best I’ve felt probably in the last six weeks” after being slowed by a knee issue late in the regular season. … Jacobs, WR Christian Watson and S Evan Williams received the Tom Mulhern Stand-Up Guy Award given annually to the Packers who best helped reporters during the season.
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Chris Shula says he's focused on fixing the Rams' defense, not his likely head coaching candidacy By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Shula is the son of a former NFL head coach and the grandson of the winningest coach in league history.
For the past nine seasons, he has been an assistant coach to Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in the Super Bowl era, the youngest coach ever to win a Super Bowl — and his best friend.
Shula is about to get his own first ride on the NFL's head coaching interview carousel, and it's tough to imagine somebody better prepared for the experience.
That's why Shula and the Los Angeles Rams (12-5) aren't worried about distractions as their defensive coordinator prepares his players to face the Carolina Panthers (8-9) on Saturday in the wild-card round.
Whether he lands a job or not this winter, Shula is determined to make the most of another winning season at McVay's side first — and he's got plenty of work to do.
“I mean, if the right spot and the right context, if the right situation presents itself, when that time comes, then we’ll decide that,” Shula said Wednesday. “I have a routine that I do every single week to be ready to play games, and this week I’m going to be locked in on that routine. We’re playing an opponent that’s very capable of beating us.”
Shula is focused on adjusting a defense that has regressed down the stretch after being one of the league's most effective units for much of the season.
While many factors have played a role, the injury absence of safety Quentin Lake since Week 11 has forced Shula to play replacements who are less versatile in coverage and less effective in run prevention.
Lake is expected to return against Carolina, but the Rams have allowed 168 points (28.0 per game) while going 3-3 in their past six games, knocking them out of the NFC's No. 1 overall seed.
The skid interrupted a yearlong stretch of surprisingly impressive play by Shula's unit, which has been completely rebuilt from the Super Bowl-winning defense led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey in 2021. The only defensive players remaining from that championship team are cornerback Darious Williams, who left for two years before returning, and special teams-focused linebacker Troy Reeder.
The Rams have just one first-round pick of their own on their defensive roster — Jared Verse, last season’s AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Los Angeles’ defensive payroll was the smallest in the league this season.
That success turned heads across the league and inspired the perception that Shula is the next big branch in McVay’s enviable coaching tree, which includes six assistants who have become full-time NFL head coaches.
McVay has repeatedly said this season that Shula could be ready for the next step if it presents itself.
“Based on some of the things that I’ve heard, I would imagine that Chris will get a couple of requests” for interviews, McVay said Tuesday. “I’d be very surprised if that doesn’t happen.”
Assistants who are coaching in the wild-card round can’t start interviewing for new jobs until next week.
Shula, who turns 40 next month, might not be thinking about preparing for interviews this week, but that’s because he’s already done the work.
Shula followed the example set by previous assistants in McVay’s coaching tree by studying and preparing for the head coaching interview process during the summer and again briefly on the Rams’ bye week, making sure he knows what to say when the time comes.
“It’s more of the overarching, philosophical stuff,” Shula said. “‘Who would you want with you?’ Some of the philosophies on the offensive, defensive side. Some of the culture things. Some of the big-picture stuff.”
Shula has been the Rams’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons after serving as a defensive position coach since he arrived in 2017 with McVay, his closest friend since they became roommates during their freshman year on the Miami of Ohio football team in 2004.
They’re both descended from NFL royalty: Shula is the grandson of Miami Dolphins legend Don Shula and the son of former Bengals coach Dave Shula, while McVay is the grandson of 49ers executive and Giants coach John McVay.
They both acknowledge the role played by their heritage in their coaching success, but they made their way into the NFL separately. When McVay got the Rams’ top job, Shula immediately joined the staff — and even lived in McVay’s new house in Encino for a year.
Both have families now, and they’ve enjoyed the unusual stability granted by McVay’s success. Staying in one city for a decade is a rarity for any coach, but particularly for an assistant such as Shula.
So when the time comes to decide his next step, Shula won't rush out the door.
“I think that’s the goal of any coach that wants to be in this league," Shula said several weeks ago. “That doesn’t mean you’re just going to walk away for any opportunity. I love it here, and my family loves it here. We’ve been here nine, 10 years, coaching with my best friend. We obviously have a great group of players and a great staff. So for the right opportunity, we’ll see.”
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Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby undergoes knee surgery By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby underwent what he termed successful left knee surgery Wednesday.
Crosby posted a photo of himself on X flexing his arms while lying in a hospital bed. He had a brace on his knee.
“Expecting 200% recovery,” Crosby wrote. “Year 8 Will Be The Greatest Year Yet.”
Crosby didn't say where the surgery took place, but he said on the “Let's Go” podcast with Jim Gray that he was planning to fly to Los Angeles on Monday to meet with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Crosby hurt his knee at mid-season and played through the injury, but was placed on injured reserve with two games left. Crosby left the Raiders' facility upset after that decision, but returned the following week.
He had 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss this season. Crosby has double-digit sacks three of the past four seasons.
Crosby signed a three-year extension worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed, on March 5 that briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal takes Crosby through the 2029 season.
Raiders general manager John Spytek was asked this week about Crosby's future with the organization.
“I’ve had the opportunity in the last several weeks to spend a lot of time with Maxx, and I think it’s been well documented that he didn’t love the idea of not playing football,” Spytek said. “I think you always want that from your best players. In fact, I think that’s why they’re your best players. So, I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is.”
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John Harbaugh's sudden availability adds more intrigue to NFL coaching carousel By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press
The NFL coaching carousel keeps spinning.
Eight teams are seeking a new head coach after Baltimore fired John Harbaugh on Tuesday and Miami fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday. Others could join the search if their team is one-and-done in the playoffs. Harbaugh’s sudden availability after 18 seasons with the Ravens could create a new opening.
Multiple teams are interested in Harbaugh, including a club without a current opening, two people with knowledge of the conversations told The Associated Press. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.
Teams with head coaches can’t secretly work behind the scenes to hire Harbaugh or anyone else because the NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003. It requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two diverse — minority or female — candidates who don’t currently work for the team.
The Buccaneers aren’t among the teams looking for a new coach because Todd Bowles is staying put in Tampa Bay, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking told the AP.
Bowles is under contract for three more seasons and is returning for a fifth year as head coach despite a major collapse in the second half. The Bucs went from 6-2 to 8-9 and missed the playoffs after winning the NFC South for four straight seasons. Bowles was the defensive coordinator under Bruce Arians when Tom Brady led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title five years ago.
The New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders also have current openings for a head coach.
Here are three more teams that could decide to make a coaching change:
Buffalo Bills
Sean McDermott has led the Bills (12-5) to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons. But after five straight AFC East titles, they enter this postseason as a wild-card team with the No. 6 seed.
McDermott and Josh Allen have been under pressure to get to the Super Bowl after falling short in the conference championship game last year. They lost in the divisional round the previous three seasons. The Bills won’t have to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who knocked them out four times in the last five years.
The Bills are one-point favorites on the road against Jacksonville on Sunday. If Buffalo loses, it might force a change despite McDermott’s success.
Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur has led the Packers (9-7-1) to the playoffs six times in seven seasons. He guided them to three straight 13-win seasons in his first three years but they lost at home in the NFC championship game twice. They’ve been the No. 7 seed each of the last three seasons.
Green Bay is a one-point road favorite against division rival Chicago on Saturday night. The Packers and Bears split their season series.
Losing star pass rusher Micah Parsons was a major blow for Green Bay’s Super Bowl hopes. LaFleur has a tough task this postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin was a missed 44-yard field goal from being eliminated and Harbaugh and the Ravens would be hosting the Houston Texans this week as the AFC North champion instead of the Steelers.
Tomlin is a Super Bowl champion coach who has led Pittsburgh for 19 seasons, one longer than Harbaugh was in Baltimore. He’s 193-114-2 in the regular season and 8-11 in the playoffs. But the Steelers (10-7) haven’t won a playoff game since 2016 and there’s been speculation about Tomlin throughout the season. A loss Monday night to the Texans could lead to a change.
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After years of trying to hire him, Shanahan now faces Fangio in wild-card game By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When Kyle Shanahan took over as coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, one of his first targets for defensive coordinator was Vic Fangio, only to be turned down when he made the request to the Chicago Bears.
When Shanahan was preparing for DeMeco Ryans to leave for a head coaching job after the 2022 season, he once again hoped to get Fangio as a replacement only to miss out when Fangio signed with Miami before the job became open.
When the defensive coordinator job opened again the next year, Fangio opted to stay closer to home and take the same job with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now instead of having Fangio on his side, Shanahan will have to figure out how to beat his defense when the 49ers (12-5) visit the Eagles (11-6) in a wild-card game on Sunday.
“I’ve tried all the times that there’s been an opportunity,” Shanahan said Wednesday. "He’s always been with someone else when that’s happened. I mean, I tried really hard in ’17 when we first came here and I tried like two other times on separate occasions. So, Vic’s a guy that I’ve always respected, gone against a number of times before I became a head coach, so that’s why I respect him so much and through the process been able to become friends with him.”
The matchup between Shanahan's offense and Fangio's defense will be one of the most intriguing of wild-card weekend as the two have been among the most influential coaches in the NFL.
Several teams throughout the league have searched for disciples of the Shanahan scheme to run their offenses, while several are running versions of a defense that Fangio has perfected.
The Shanahan offense has evolved from the one Kyle's father, Mike, used to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the Broncos in the 1997-98 seasons, relying heavily on the outside running game with a heavy use of motion and play-action.
That offense has helped the 49ers make it to two Super Bowls and two more NFC title games since 2019, with quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey helping it excel this season.
“Everything’s packaged well together and he’s a good play caller during the game,” Fangio said. “You always know that, and everything they do has a purpose and a reason.”
Fangio has been one of the top defensive minds in the NFL since returning to the pros as Jim Harbaugh's defensive coordinator in 2011. He relies heavily on schemes with two deep safeties and thrives by disguising coverages and limiting explosive plays.
Fangio helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last year in his first season with Philadelphia and has them in position for another possible playoff run.
“Vic schematically, he has always been the best to me,” Shanahan said. "As good as anyone there is. Has a very sound scheme that he doesn’t need to change up very much. It just naturally changes with how he does his coverages, how he does his fronts, the personnel groupings he does. He’s very good at getting a beat on what you’re trying to do and making you adjust.”
The respect is mutual and the two coaches have formed a good relationship over the years.
That led to Fangio being a frequent visitor at 49ers practices in the 2022 season, the year after he had been fired as head coach in Denver.
“I thought there was a chance that the d-coordinator that we had could possibly get a head coach job the next year, so I wanted to be prepared,” Shanahan said. “So, Vic and I were talking about that stuff a lot and hoping that could possibly work out if we did change or get a new coordinator.”
That happened when Ryans got hired as head coach in Houston after the Niners season ended with a loss in the NFC title game to the Eagles. But it was too late for a Fangio-Shanahan pairing.
"I remember the morning of our game versus Philly, I think it was, he signed with Miami so lost him that day,” Shanahan said.
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Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer The Associated Press MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins fired coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday following a 7-10 season in which Miami missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
The decision ends McDaniel’s four-year tenure in Miami, a period defined by soaring expectations that ultimately went unfulfilled.
“After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement Thursday morning. “I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach.”
The Dolphins went 35-33 under McDaniel, reaching the playoffs in his first two seasons but losing in the first round each time. Miami missed the postseason in 2024 after being eliminated by the Jets in the regular-season finale. This year, their postseason hopes ended with a loss to Pittsburgh in Week 15, ensuring that their 25-year playoff-win drought — the longest streak in the NFL — would continue.
Miami parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier on Oct. 31 and began its search for a new general manager this week. But a disjointed finish to the season that saw former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa get benched proved the final straw for Ross, who decided to move on from McDaniel, the quirky, dry-witted wunderkind head coach once viewed as the franchise's future.
“I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization," Ross said in Thursday's statement. "Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
McDaniel, 42, arrived in Miami in 2022 after one season as San Francisco’s offensive coordinator. Credited with adding inventive wrinkles to the 49ers’ run game, the first-time head coach was billed as the creative mind who, along with Tagovailoa, was supposed to lift the Dolphins out of years of mediocrity.
Initially, things appeared to be heading that way.
McDaniel won 20 of his first 33 games, including a 3-0 start during his first year with wins over Baltimore, Buffalo and New England. He took the Dolphins to the playoffs that season and nearly beat the Bills with rookie Skylar Thompson starting in place of the concussed Tagovailoa.
His off-the-cuff jokes, idiosyncratic sayings and flashy style were a refreshing deviation from the approach of many other head coaches — but they were also initially met with needed results on the field.
Tagovailoa had credited McDaniel with rebuilding his confidence after former Dolphins coach Brian Flores tore it down as a young quarterback. Tagovailoa said last year that the constant criticism early in his career left him doubting himself. He was the fifth pick in the 2020 draft and won the starting job, but was benched twice as a rookie and faced uncertainty his second year amid speculation the Dolphins were seeking a trade for Deshaun Watson.
“To put it in simplest terms,” Tagovailoa said in a 2024 interview on “The Dan LeBatard Show ,” if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right. ... And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, ‘Dude, you are the best fit for us, you are accurate, you are the best.’ How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?”
With McDaniel tailoring Miami's offense to his strengths, Tagovailoa led the NFL’s top offense in 2023, throwing for a league-best 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns. He led the league in 2024 with a 72.9 completion rate.
Since that season, which ended in a 26-7 loss in a frigid wild-card game at Kansas City, the Dolphins have gone 15-19, and appear far from the franchise that just a couple of years ago spoke of contending for a Super Bowl.
They haven’t won a playoff game since 2000, the longest active drought in the NFL. And they have made headlines more for culture issues in the past year than on-field success.
Tyreek Hill, the star receiver who the Dolphins acquired from the Chiefs in 2022, took himself out of last year’s regular-season finale and later told reporters “I’m out,” expressing frustration with not making the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Hill — who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 — later apologized, walked back those comments and stated his commitment to the Dolphins. But his actions seemed to reflect behind the scenes culture issues with the Dolphins in 2024, which included instances of players repeatedly showing up late to meetings.
McDaniel, Grier and veteran players said during the offseason that many of those issues had been addressed, and they commended the new team camaraderie that they hoped would help them get off to a fast start in 2025.
The Dolphins opened the season with a 33-8 drubbing by Indianapolis and ended it with another blowout loss to New England.
“Eventually, like everybody else in this league, you’re not entitled to this position,” McDaniel said Monday. “If I’m not able to win regular-season games, playoff games and Super Bowls, eventually the job won’t be mine.”
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This story has been corrected to show that McDaniel was 35-33 as Dolphins coach, not 35-32.
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Tough, motivated defenses headline high-stakes Peach Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones insists there's no real secret to the Hoosiers defensive success.
They prepare hard, follow coaches' instructions, stick to the fundamentals and trust one another to do their jobs. It's as old-school as it gets, hardly a surprise in coach Curt Cignetti's program.
But No. 1 Indiana is here, one win away from playing for its first national championship because the players remain motivated to prove something to themselves — and to the college football world.
“You're always chasing that perfect game as a defense and for us that chip will always be there,” Jones said Tuesday. “A lot of these guys had chips (on their shoulders) before they got to Indiana and so did I. So having that chip is what got us here, and I don't think it's ever going to go away.”
These Hoosiers have been trying to show their values to a wider audience for years.
Jones grew up in central Ohio but didn’t get much attention from his home state Buckeyes. Linebacker Aiden Fisher landed at James Madison as a zero-star recruit. Defensive end Mikail Kamara joined him with the Dukes after receiving several other scholarship offers from smaller schools, and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds grew weary of hearing constant questions about his 5-foot-9 frame.
And even though Stephen Daley suffered a right leg injury that will keep him out of Friday night's Peach Bowl against No. 5 Oregon, he didn't let anyone deter his journey from 230-pound, two-way star to all-conference defensive linemen. Yes, the guy his local fans once compared to Derrick Henry because he qualified for the Virginia state track and field championships in the 100-meter dash, as the anchor of the 4x100-meter relay and, yes, in the discus, started his career at Kent State and created one of the sport's most unusual one-year transitions — going from the 0-12 Golden Flashes in 2024 to the top-ranked and still unbeaten 14-0 Hoosiers this year.
Together, they've formed one of the nation's stingiest defenses — one still trying to demonstrate its stifling performance in October's 30-20 win at Oregon was no fluke. The Ducks (13-1) understand the challenge.
“Obviously, they have great players,” Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq said. “Second to that, they have great schemes. So, I mean, when you look at the stunts they do, the same pressures, all those things, just even players winning their one-on-ones on the edges, the edges do a great job.”
Current and former coaches have often praised Indiana's defense for its uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time on almost every play. That's by design.
But the Ducks defense also has something to prove after losing twice in the past 13 months.
In last January's Rose Bowl rematch against Ohio State , the Buckeyes jumped out to a 34-0 lead and avenged their only loss of the season with a 41-21 rout over No. 1 and previously unbeaten Oregon, the Big Ten champs.
Then in October, Oregon took advantage of a Pick-6 thrown by Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, to tie the score at 20 in the fourth quarter — only to watch Mendoza march the Hoosiers right down the field for the tiebreaking touchdown on Indiana's next series.
Oregon certainly would like to steal a page out of Ohio State's playbook in this rematch with the Big Ten champs.
The Ducks (13-1) certainly have the bodies to get the job done.
Nearly half of Oregon's defensive starters are projected to be NFL draft picks. They also might have the most frustrated player on the field in Atlanta — second team Associated Press All-American safety Dillon Thieneman, a transfer from Purdue who grew up in suburban Indianapolis.
Not only did he endure this year's only loss, Thieneman also was on the field when Indiana dealt Purdue its most lopsided loss in school history, 66-0 , in the 2024 regular-season finale. Naturally, he hasn't forgotten.
"Props to them for what they’ve done. I definitely have my own kind of feelings about the (Oregon) game and that team and stuff,” he said before cracking a smile. “I know a few guys on that team. Just coming from Purdue, I think you know how I feel about them, don’t need to say it.”
But this game won't be decided simply by who wants it more, especially with the stakes so high.
Instead, it will come down to matchups, game plans and, of course, the most basic element of all in football — execution. It's a message that seems tailor made for the blunt-talking Cignetti, who uses short phrases and quick quips to make his point.
Implementing that message is up to the Hoosiers as they try to defy history one more time.
“They’ve improved drastically. So for me, I’m scouting a whole new team," Fisher said. “To me, it’s two teams seeing each other for the first time, in my mind. You treat it like that. You prepare for it like that. I can speak for a lot of guys with that, our coaches, too. We’re treating it like it’s the biggest game of the year because it’s the next one and you've got to prepare for it like that.”
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Resurgent Patriots host Chargers in first home playoff game since 2019 season By The Associated Press The Associated Press
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at New England (14-3)
Sunday, 8 p.m. EST, NBC
BetMGM NFL odds: Patriots by 3 1/2
Against the spread: Chargers 8-8-1; Patriots 11-5-1
Series record: Patriots lead 27-17-2
Last meeting: Chargers won 40-7 in Foxborough, Mass. on Dec. 28, 2024.
Last week: Chargers lost to Broncos 19-3; Patriots beat Dolphins 38-10.
Chargers offense: overall (12), rush (12), pass (18), scoring (20).
Chargers defense: overall (5), rush (8), pass (5), scoring (9).
Patriots offense: overall (3), rush (6), pass (4), scoring (2).
Patriots defense: overall (8), rush (5), pass (9), scoring (4).
Turnover differential: Chargers plus-2; Patriots plus-3
Chargers player to watch
QB Justin Herbert. In his sixth season, he’s still looking for his first playoff win. His 84 completions on third down are among the league leaders this season. He’s led the Bolts to 15 career come-from-behind wins in the fourth quarter or OT, including against Denver, Miami and Philadelphia this season.
Patriots player to watch
QB Drake Maye. The MVP contender finished the regular season with a 72 percent completion rate, the highest in team history and the sixth best in NFL history. It’s better than Tom Brady, who had a 68.9 percent completion rate in 2007. The MVP that season was Brady. Maye is the eighth quarterback in NFL history to finish a season completing 70% or better of his passes with at least 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes.
Key matchup
Chargers rushing attack vs. Patriots defense. The Patriots defense didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher in the first 11 games, but allowed four rushers to get there over the final six. Los Angeles ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing for 121.6 yards per game. The Chargers also held the ball for the second-most time in the NFL, averaging 32:20 in time of possession. That included a conference-leading 32 drives that lasted at least five minutes.
Key injuries
Chargers: RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday while getting treatment. He didn’t practice all last week or play in the regular-season finale against Denver. Hampton broke his ankle in Week 5 against Washington and he missed time while on injured reserve. ... CB Donte Jackson (ankle), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring) and OL Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) were limited in practice.
Patriots: LG Jared Wilson began the week in the concussion protocol. He's missed the past two games. ... C Garrett Bradbury, RT Morgan Moses, OL Vederian Lowe and LB Anfernee Jennings all sat out Wednesday's practice with illnesses. ... DL Khyiris Tonga missed Wednesday's practice with a foot issue.
Series notes
This will be the fifth playoff meeting between the teams, with the Patriots having won three of the previous four. ... New England won the most recent postseason matchup 41-28 in the wild-card round of the 2018 playoffs. That was the start of the Patriots run to their sixth Super Bowl win to cap that season.
Stats and stuff
The Chargers led the league this season with 115 third down conversions, while the defense also was the NFL’s best, allowing 80 conversions. The Bolts are the third team in 50 years to lead the league in both offensive and defensive third down conversions. ... The Bolts have earned their second straight 11-win season and postseason appearance under coach Jim Harbaugh. ... WR Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey have at least 50 catches, 700 receiving yards and four TD receptions, the most in the league. ... OLB Tuli Tuipulotu (13.0 sacks), Odafe Oweh (7 1/2) and Khalil Mack (5 1/2) lead the Chargers’ pass rush. ... LA went 5-0 in prime-time games this season, most in a single season in franchise history. ... Chargers RB Omarion Hampton played at North Carolina with Patriots QB Drake Maye. Hampton led the ACC in rushing yards, while Maye led the conference in passing yards in 2023. ... Chargers teammates QB Justin Herbert and LB Troy Dye along with Patriots S Brendan Schooler were teammates at Oregon and led the Ducks to a victory in the 2020 Rose Bowl game. ... This is the Patriots’ sixth season with 14 or more victories. ... Patriots coach Mike Vrabel joined George Seifert (1989 with San Francisco), and Jim Caldwell (2009 with Indianapolis) as the only coaches to win 14 games in their first season coaching a team. ... This is the Patriots' first home playoff game since the 2019 season they lost to the Vrabel-coached Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round. ... The Patriots are 23-5 all time at home in the playoffs. .... New England is 4-6 all time in the wild-card round. ... Only six players remain on the roster from the Patriots' most recent playoff appearance in 2021: DT Christian Barmore, TE Hunter Henry, Jennings, OL Mike Onwenu, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and LB Jahlani Tavai. ... WR Stefon Diggs has played in 14 playoff games and has 69 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns. ... RB TreVeyon Henderson finished the regular season with 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns, becoming the third rookie in franchise history with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards and 10-plus TDs in a season. He joins Robert Edwards (1998) and Curtis Martin (1995).
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