Packers optimistic that offensive tackle Zach Tom will return for wild-card game at Bears The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay right tackle Zach Tom could be available for the Packers' playoff opener after missing their final three regular-season games with a knee injury.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday he anticipates Tom will play Saturday night when the Packers (9-7-1) visit the Chicago Bears (11-6) in an NFC wild-card playoff game.
Tom hasn’t played since hurting his knee in the second quarter of a 34-26 loss at Denver that started the Packers’ four-game skid to close their regular season. Green Bay’s injury report Tuesday indicated Tom worked out on a limited basis.
“I would expect it,” LaFleur said Tuesday about the likelihood of Tom playing on Saturday.
Tom has started 51 games over four seasons since the Packers selected him out of Wake Forest in the fourth round of the 2022 draft.
Tom’s return could stabilize an offensive line that already is without center Elgton Jenkins, who is on injured reserve and hasn’t played since hurting his ankle on Nov. 10.
“I think that would be a huge get,” LaFleur said. “He’s our most consistent offensive lineman. He’s one of the best I think in the league at his position. So that would definitely be a boost.”
Also Tuesday, the Packers signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to their active roster from their practice squad and released Clayton Tune, who had gone 6 of 11 for 34 yards while leading an offense consisting mainly of reserves in a 16-3 loss at Minnesota on Sunday.
Jordan Love will be Green Bay’s starting quarterback Saturday as he plays for the first time since absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter of the Packers’ 22-16 overtime loss at Chicago on Dec. 20. LaFleur said he anticipates Malik Willis being ready in a backup role for Saturday’s game.
Willis had been inactive for the Vikings game Sunday as he dealt with injuries to his hamstring and shoulder.
Other roster moves the Packers made included signing wide receivers Julian Hicks and Kisean Johnson and tight end Messiah Swinson to their practice squad.
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Tom Brady, GM John Spytek working together to hire next Raiders coach and shape the franchise By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press HENDERSON, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis issued a statement after firing coach Pete Carroll on Monday saying that minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek would work together to find a replacement.
But Davis' statement went even beyond that, saying Spytek would “lead all football operations” with Brady, bringing clarity to what was an uncertain reporting system.
There were questions at the end of his tenure about how much power Carroll had, and the number of his former Seattle players who ended up in Las Vegas indicated he had at least some.
Carroll and Spytek have acknowledged they occasionally butted heads on the right way to build the Raiders.
Carroll is gone after going 3-14 in his lone season and now Spytek will receive even more focus where the organization goes from here.
“I think we have a great opportunity to build this franchise the right way now,” Spytek said. "We never want to be in the spot again. I never thought I would be in the spot, but we got to be real with where we’re at. We have to understand the opportunity that we have in front of us, and our focus and our vision is on everything going forward now.”
Spytek and Brady have a lot to offer the next coach. The Raiders, in need of a franchise quarterback, own the first pick in this year's draft. That gives them a chance at selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza if that's the direction the front office chooses to go.
Las Vegas also has more than $100 million in salary cap space, second most in the NFL, according to overthecap.com.
Spytek made it clear he's not expecting a quick turnaround even with those advantages.
“We’re looking for someone to build this the right way and not think that we’ve got to produce 10 wins or whatever next year," Spytek said. "I’ve always kind of thought that you’re never as good in this league as you think you are, and you’re never as far away as you think you are. We’re just going to go open-minded.
"Whoever’s the best coach for the Las Vegas Raiders is who we’re going to hire, and we’re not beginning with the end in mind. We want a meticulous build that will set us up for years of success in the future, and we have a great opportunity to do that with everything that we have in front of us right now.”
That approach was the opposite of what Carroll espoused upon taking the job last January . He talked then and all the way until the season began about winning right away, that he was used to double-digit victories and fully expected those kinds of results.
As the season became more and more dismal, Carroll expressed shock that the winning he was used to with the Seahawks and at Southern California didn't follow him to Las Vegas.
Carroll also last week acknowledged that it took some time for he and Spytek to establish a cohesive working relationship.
“We’re way better now than we were at the start,” Carroll said. "I want to make sure that I can complement all that John brings, and I need him to do the same for me. So that’s a work in progress, and it’s relationships. You got to work hard at it, and I love the guy. I think he’s bright as hell, he’s principled, he’s strong, he’s got integrity, he’s got character. He’s got all of the right stuff to be a fantastic general manager in this league.”
Spytek downplayed but didn't deny issues working with Carroll.
“I’ve also never been in a relationship where we both agree all the time,” Spytek said. "I mean, ask my wife, she’ll tell you that. Anything that we didn’t always agree on, we talked about. He was always in my office. I was always in his office. We collectively sat in the space together until we felt like we could make the best decision in the Raiders, and we didn’t obviously get everything right."
Now Spytek will get to work with Brady. They were teammates in 1999 at Michigan before reuniting in 2020 when Brady quarterbacked Tampa Bay to the Super Bowl title with Spytek in the front office.
“We see football similar. We don’t see it the same," Spytek said. "We have plenty of discussions and disagreements, and I’m not afraid to tell him that. I think that’s kind of why he likes me. We’ve both had a lot of success seeing it that way, and I think we know what we’re after, and it’s up to us now to go find it.”
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WR Davante Adams returns from injury with confidence the LA Rams will make a playoff run By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Davante Adams didn't work his way back from a late-season hamstring injury and a knee injury just to make one playoff appearance for the Los Angeles Rams.
The star receiver with a long playoff history —- but not a recent history — is confident the fifth-seeded Rams (12-5) will play more than just one postseason game this winter.
“I was just talking about this with a couple of the guys — you have to forgive me if we’re not cheesing ear to ear after the first win,” Adams said Tuesday. “Obviously, we’ve got to go out there and play the right type of ball to be in that position. But we’ve got bigger goals in mind than to just survive the first round of the playoffs. I think everybody is going to have that mindset of being locked in the whole time and staying present in the moment so we can take care of business this week, and then you get ready for next week.”
Adams is ready to return from his three-game injury absence when the Rams visit the Carolina Panthers (8-9) on Saturday in the wild-card round. The game will be Adams' first postseason appearance since January 2022, when the Packers lost to San Francisco in the final game of his successful eight-year tenure in Green Bay.
Adams didn't make the postseason in the ensuing three years with Las Vegas or the New York Jets, but he is eager to play in his 12th postseason game when he suits up for the Rams, who are among the favorites for Super Bowl contention as the NFL postseason begins.
Adams played a major part in the success of the NFL's most productive offense , leading the league with 14 touchdown receptions in 14 games while catching 60 passes for 789 yards.
His yardage and receptions totals ended up being his lowest in a decade because he got hurt during the Rams' 41-34 comeback win over Detroit on Dec. 14, sidelining him for the final three games of the regular season. Adams injured his hamstring while running a long route, and he revealed Tuesday that he also discovered a knee injury after the game.
Adams, who turned 33 on Christmas Eve, has been through a range of emotions in the weeks since his injuries — particularly when the Rams lost their first two games in his absence, knocking them out of the No. 1 seed in the NFC bracket.
“I was just talking about this with Q the other day,” Adams said in reference to Rams safety Quentin Lake, who is also returning from a lengthy absence following elbow surgery. “That’s one of the things that I have never really figured out, is how to manage (injury recovery). The first few days is always feeling sorry for yourself, and then you realize, especially me being in the position I’m in, guys are looking at me for leadership and direction still, in the midst of me battling with injuries. I’ve still got to be there for them, be strong for the team.”
Adams is all but certain to play Saturday, and he doesn't think his partnership with Matthew Stafford will lose any of its potency. The receiver and quarterback didn't get to work together in training camp because of Stafford's balky back, but they found a groove almost immediately — particularly around the goal line, with Adams catching 11 TD passes in a six-game stretch of October and November.
Adams and the Packers lost four NFC championship games during his eight years in Green Bay, so he is well aware that his chance to finally play in a Super Bowl could hang in the balance this month. Adams semi-jokingly said earlier this season that he will retire when Stafford retires , but the veteran still realizes how much has to go right for the Rams to get the career-capping opportunity he craves.
“It makes you more grateful to be in a situation like this where you can have a chance at it and play meaningful football at this point in the year,” Adams said.
Notes: LG Kevin Dotson is still hoping to return from his sprained ankle, but he wasn't listed as a theoretical participant in practice Tuesday. ... Rookie TE Terrance Ferguson was also listed as not practicing, but the Rams remain hopeful he'll play.
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Ohio State's Carnell Tate declares for NFL draft after standout season By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced on Tuesday he is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft.
Tate announced his decision on social media . The junior had 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season as he became a deep threat in the Buckeyes' passing attack.
Tate — an AP second-team All-American — had nine receptions of at least 40 yards, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November because of lower leg tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard TD that made it 24-9 midway through the third quarter.
“I'm proud of everything I've accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever,” Tate wrote.
Tate is expected to become the sixth OSU receiver selected in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).
Ohio State's offense will have some changes after finishing 12-2 and losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Besides Tate's departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become the head coach at South Florida.
Coach Ryan Day announced last week he hired Cortez Hankton as receivers coach. Hankton had spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Day though remains in the market for an offensive coordinator.
Even with Tate's departure, the Buckeyes will have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will be back for one more season along with quarterback Julian Sayin. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes during the early signing period.
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Why 2025 is the year of the first-round quarterback in the NFL By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press
The 2025 NFL season was dominated by first-round quarterbacks with old veterans like Matthew Stafford and a new generation featuring Drake Maye and Caleb Williams taking center stage.
The playoffs should be no different with a record-tying 12 of the 14 teams that qualified for the postseason set to use a first-round pick as their starting quarterback. The only year in the Super Bowl era with two or fewer non first-round QBs starting a playoff game came in 2024 when Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson did it.
The NFL set a record this season with 219 of the 272 games won by a quarterback who was drafted in round one, besting the mark of 204 set the previous year.
And the record isn't about a longer season or more teams as the 80.5% of games won by a first-round quarterback easily the highest since the start of the common draft in 1967. The only other season with more than 70% of games won by a first-round QB came in 2024 when the rate was 75%.
The rate was less than half of games as recently as 2008 and down at 23% in 2001, when Tom Brady first became a starter in New England a year after being a sixth-round pick.
The only outlier will be the wild-card game on Sunday in Philadelphia when San Francisco’s former seventh-round pick Brock Purdy takes on former second-rounder Hurts and the Eagles.
Those teams have shown there is an alternate path to success as Hurts and Purdy have represented the NFC in the last three Super Bowls. But unless the winner of that game also wins the divisional round, this season will join the 2010 season as the only ones in the Super Bowl era with all four starting QBs in the conference title game being first-rounders.
This postseason will feature four quarterbacks picked first overall with Stafford and Carolina's Bryce Young facing off in the 13th playoff matchup of No. 1 pick quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era. Williams and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence are the other two top picks.
There were five others picked in the top 10, including 2024 No. 3 pick Maye and 2018 No. 7 pick Josh Allen of Buffalo. Houston's C.J. Stroud went second in 2023, while Darnold was picked third by the Jets in 2018 and Justin Herbert went sixth to the Chargers in 2020.
Three others went later in the first with Denver's Bo Nix going 12th in 2024 and two QBs picked by Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers at No. 24 in 2005 and Jordan Love at No. 26 in 2020.
Then there's Hurts at No. 53 in 2020 and Purdy, who was Mr. Irrelevant as the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 draft.
League leaders
Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record with 23, while several other league-leaders also had some noteworthy performances.
Stafford led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes and 4,707 yards passing, while throwing only eight interceptions for the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford joined Brady in his record-setting 2007 season as the only players to lead the league in TD passes and yards while throwing eight or fewer interceptions.
Maye, who is second in AP NFL MVP odds at BetMGM to Stafford, became the seventh player to throw for at least 4,000 yards and 30 TDs in a season before turning 24 and the first to do it with fewer than 10 interceptions.
Maye also led the NFL by completing 72% of his passes and with a 113.5 passer rating. The only player to exceed both those marks in the same season was Drew Brees in 2018 and '19.
Buffalo's James Cook edged out Baltimore's Derrick Henry for the rushing title with 1,621 yards to Henry's 1,595. Henry had his record-setting fourth season with at least 1,500 yards rushing and 15 TD runs, including back-to-back campaigns in his 30s. No other player has done that even once after turning 30.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba set a Seattle record and led the NFL with 1,793 yards receiving.
Arizona's Trey McBride finished with 126 catches, the most ever for a tight end and three shy of Puka Nacua's league-leading total this season.
Houston's Ka’imi Fairbairn tied the record set by David Akers for San Francisco in 2011 when he made 44 field goals.
Impact of kickoff rule
The tweaks to the kickoff rule this season had the desired effect when it came to the rate of returns.
Moving the touchback spot from the 30 to the 35, led to significantly more returns as kicking teams opted against touchbacks. In all, 74.5% of kickoffs were returned this season more than doubling the rate of 32.8% in 2024 in the first year of the so-called “dynamic kickoff.” It was the highest rate of returns since 2010 when it was at 80.1%.
The NFL changed the rules for kickoffs following a record-low 21.8% return rate in 2023, hoping to increase returns while limiting injuries.
While there were only six return touchdowns this season, there were 87 returns of at least 40 yards for the most in any season since 2010 with 114.
The average starting field position after kicks was 30.8 yards from the end zone, a slight increase from 2024 and more than 5 yards better than 2023. That helped contribute to the highest scoring season in the NFL since 2020 when teams averaged 23 points per game, up from 21.8 in the last year before the rule change.
Winning and losing divisions
The Detroit Lions went from NFC North champions last season to the basement this season.
They still finished with a better record than any team in the NFC South.
Those two divisions provided quite a dichotomy this season with all four teams in the North finishing with winning records and all four teams in the South having losing marks. Carolina won the division with an 8-9 record, becoming the fifth team to make the postseason with a losing record in a non-strike shortened season in NFL history.
Two of those four previous teams won their postseason opener with Carolina (7-8-1) beating Arizona (11-5) in 2014 and Seattle (7-9) topping New Orleans (11-5) in 2010.
The Lions went 9-8 but missed the playoffs as the NFC North joined the 2023 AFC North as the only divisions in the Super Bowl era with every team finishing with a winning mark.
Detroit was the second last-place team to finish with a better record than a first-place team with Washington (8-8-1) doing it in 2022 when Tampa Bay (8-9) won the NFC South.
The Bears won the NFC North with an 11-6 mark despite losing four of six division games. The only other teams since the merger to have a losing record in division games and still finish first were the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco in 1971.
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Do the Vikings know if McCarthy is worth committing to? His bruising, unsteady debut left a mystery By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press EAGAN, Minn.
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings lost their bet this season that they could develop J.J. McCarthy and still win at the same time, with a roster strong enough to withstand the typical inconsistencies of a young quarterback in his debut.
The worst part of their failed gamble for 2025 was that it left plenty more mystery for 2026. The Vikings have begun a new year with yet another quarterback quandary, a familiar scenario for this star-crossed franchise.
Asked after the final game on Sunday if he would be comfortable entering next season with McCarthy as the starter, coach Kevin O'Connell sidestepped the question.
“I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement," O'Connell said, "and I’m excited where he’s ending the season and know there’s some things we can really dive into as a group.”
The Vikings made sure not to miss out on the record quarterback rush at the top of the 2024 draft, confidently selecting McCarthy with the 10th pick as the promising prospect for their reputable system they could mold into a long-term fixture at this vital and vexing position.
But his injuries have put them behind on the evaluation. The fact that he has only started 10 games and finished eight over his first two years is the most concerning of any metric. Even when he was healthy, the struggles with accuracy were pronounced enough to make them consider alternatives despite the significant upside on display.
After winging it with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as the backups, at the very least the Vikings realize they need better depth if they're going to run McCarthy back next season. McCarthy, for his part, sounded aware that his hold on the starting job is tenuous, too.
"There’s nothing promised. That’s something I take very seriously. It’s not something you buy and you get for the rest of your life. You rent it and you lease it every single day, and I’m just trying to make daily deposits and make sure I’m in this house for a long time.”
So close, in the end
Finishing with a five-game winning streak put the Vikings (9-8) a half-game behind Green Bay for the last spot even though they were eliminated before taking the field in Week 14.
Consider this: If the Vikings just had better coverage on their kickoff after McCarthy's go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute in Week 11 , when Devin Duvernay's 56-yard return set Chicago up for the walk-off field goal, they would've won that game — and the NFC North title.
“It’s going to sting not being in the tournament for not only our team and the work that they’ve put in, but our fan base and our ownership,” O'Connell said.
The Vikings still took third in the division on a tiebreaker over Detroit, meaning a road game next season against San Francisco (12-5) instead of Arizona (3-14) from the NFC West and home games against Indianapolis (8-9) instead of Tennessee (3-14) from the AFC South and Washington (5-12) instead of New York (4-13) from the NFC East.
By the numbers
The Vikings were able to get Justin Jefferson past the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season to start his career, but the fact that he needed all 17 games to do that was ultimately one of many poor statistical reflections on this once-potent offense.
The Vikings were last in the NFL in turnovers, interceptions and third down conversions and second-to-last in sack percentage.
Bringing the band back?
The Vikings had another stellar performance under the direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finishing second in red zone touchdown rate and sack percentage and third in the league in yards allowed. They were seventh in points against, one of only two teams in the top 13 in the NFL to miss the playoffs, along with Kansas City.
Flores will again be a candidate for head coach vacancies around the league, and his contract is expiring, too, raising the question about whether he will return. The scene at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday felt like a farewell to 14-year veteran safety Harrison Smith , too. Salary cap management will likely force the Vikings to move from one or both of the veteran defensive linemen they signed this season, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
What's next?
The quarterback search will be complicated by an unfavorable salary cap situation, with the Vikings carrying the second-highest projected overage in the league into the offseason and thus needing to shed multiple important players before they can add new ones. More depth is needed on the offensive line, too, with the future of center Ryan Kelly in doubt after multiple concussions.
In the draft, they have the 18th pick in the first round and still possess their original second and third-round selections. They currently own five third-day picks and are in line to be awarded mid-round compensatory selections for the departure of free agent quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones last year.
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Ballard, Steichen getting another chance from Colts owners despite second-half collapse By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Carlie Irsay-Gordon liked what she saw during her first 10 games as the Indianapolis Colts' co-owner.
Quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor played at MVP levels, coach Shane Steichen's offense operated at a historically efficient clip and general manager Chris Ballard pulled the trigger on a midseason trade to fill the team's most glaring need.
Then Jones tried to play through a fractured lower left leg, suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and the season unraveled quickly as a season-ending seven-game losing streak knocked Indy (8-9) out of the playoffs again.
Yet in her most significant move since taking over the franchise's day-to-day operations from her late father, Jim, Irsay-Gordon ignored the urge — and the calls from some fans — to fire Ballard and Steichen and instead decided to give them another chance to replicate their early season success.
“We have been very clear with Chris and Shane that giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher,” Irsay-Gordon said. “Chris and Shane are both capable of facing this challenge head on and finding a way to achieve the results our fans deserve, which is winning games, getting to the postseason and ultimately winning championships.”
It might have been easier for Irsay-Gordon to explain if she moved on from Ballard, who has two playoff appearances and one postseason win in his nine-year tenure, or Steichen, who's 25-26 in three seasons and has never made it to the playoffs. Or perhaps both following the historic second-half collapse.
Indy became the first team since the 1995 Oakland Raiders and just the sixth since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to start 8-2 and not make the postseason.
Irsay-Gordon blames injuries for the second-half failures.
In addition to Jones, the Colts lost two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner for most of the final five games because of a strained calf, 2023 All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward for most of the second half because of two concussions and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for six of the final seven games because of a neck injury. The result: Indy's skid included four losses by six or fewer points.
And for that reason, Irsay-Gordon didn't see the need to start over in 2026. She said she made that decision last week.
“What we saw in that first half, we were on a record pace, dominating offensively,” she said. “I think we just have to be able to face adversity better, and I believe in the team. I believe in the team and hope to stay healthier next season.”
Quarterback conundrum
Ballard again finds himself entering an offseason dealing with questions about the sport's most important position.
Before the injury, Jones was expected to cash in on a comeback season with a big-dollar contract. Instead, he'll enter free agency for a second straight season dealing with questions about his injury history and how quickly he'll return to the field — likely decreasing his price tag.
“I'd love to be back here,” Jones said. “I think it's a great organization and I've enjoyed being here. Obviously, there's a business side to it and I understand that, but I've really enjoyed being around these people.”
Steichen and Ballard also must decide what to do with the oft-injured Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, who lost the starting job in training camp and wasn't even active after mid-October after fracturing the orbital bone near his eye in a bizarre pregame accident.
Paying Pierce
In his first two seasons, receiver Alec Pierce struggled to make a consistent impact. The last two years, he has produced the highest per-catch average among the league's qualifiers.
Now the soon-to-be free agency is likely to cash in. Pierce had 47 catches, his first 1,000-yard season (1,003) for a 21.3-yard average with six TDs this season while establishing himself as a favorite for three starting quarterbacks — Jones, 44-year-old Philip Rivers and rookie Riley Leonard.
“I guess it's more like being recruited because you actually have a say in it now,” Pierce said. “It's ultimately my decision.”
Ward ponders retirement
Ward had three concussions in his first season with Indy, and the second — suffered in a pregame collision with tight end Drew Ogletree — prompted Ward to contemplate retirement.
He might be going through that process again after finishing the season on injured reserve with his third concussion.
“I've got to talk to my family,” Ward said. “If I walk away, I feel like I'd be happy. I'd have won a Super Bowl, made a whole lot of money, made the Pro Bowl, made All-Pro. I did everything I wanted to. So I feel like if I walk away, I won't regret it. I'm good."
Next steps
Irsay-Gordon made it clear the sense of urgency next year is even higher next season and her comment is likely to resonate throughout the offseason as Ballard contemplates future moves. Steichen said he'll contemplate what went wrong late in games, late in the season and how he can get the Colts back to the postseason.
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Ravens have a lot to ask themselves after a season with Super Bowl hopes ended with an 8-9 record By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer The Associated Press OWINGS MILLS, Md.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — A few months ago, the question was whether the Baltimore Ravens could finally perform in the playoffs like they had in the regular season.
Instead, the heartache simply came earlier.
From Week 1 at Buffalo — when they blew a 15-point lead in the final four minutes — until Tyler Loop's missed field-goal attempt ended their season Sunday night, the Ravens consistently fell short of their lofty expectations. They were fortunate they still had a chance to win the division over the weekend, but even with Lamar Jackson looking like an MVP-caliber quarterback again in the fourth quarter, Baltimore still lost and finished 8-9.
“Preseason Super Bowl favorites, and don't make the playoffs,” tight end Charlie Kolar said. “It's hard to swallow.”
When Loop pushed his 44-yard field-goal attempt well to the right, sealing Baltimore's 26-24 loss at Pittsburgh, it had to remind Ravens fans of when Billy Cundiff pulled a game-tying attempt badly left at the end of the AFC title game 14 years ago. Following Cundiff's miss, the Ravens regrouped and won the Super Bowl the following season. The future this time looks a good bit murkier.
Baltimore players were in the locker room for an end-of-season availability with reporters, which proceeded as usual Monday. There was no announcement from the team about the future of coach John Harbaugh, suggesting if the Ravens do part ways with him, it wasn't going to be the type of quick firing immediately after the season that several other teams chose to carry out.
Harbaugh has been Baltimore's coach for 18 seasons and has a Super Bowl victory to his credit. His future and that of his assistants is unclear — but they are hardly the only ones.
Return to form
With 10 minutes to go Sunday, the football world was facing another polarizing week of discourse about Jackson, who hadn't done much of anything since a touchdown pass on the first drive of the game. Then he shook free of the Pittsburgh rush and found Zay Flowers for a 50-yard scoring pass. He later threw a 64-yard TD to Flowers and then helped Baltimore move into field-goal range at the end.
It wasn't enough because the Ravens couldn't stop Aaron Rodgers down the stretch and Loop missed the final kick, but Baltimore fans can take some solace in their quarterback's performance. If healthy, it's certainly possible Jackson could be an MVP candidate next season as he was in 2023 and 2024.
Still, there might be some drama on the horizon. Jackson has two years left on his contract, and his cap number balloons to $74.5 million for each of the next two seasons according to overthecap.com. An extension could help the Ravens gain more flexibility in the short term, but the last big negotiation between the team and Jackson was strained to say the least.
In the trenches
It's easy to wonder if Baltimore would have been a tough opponent if the Ravens had made the playoffs in a wide-open AFC, especially with a rejuvenated Jackson, but the final loss exposed a lot of their flaws. Nnamdi Madubuike's season-ending neck injury hurt the defensive line, and veteran Kyle Van Noy's sack total dropped from 12 1/2 to two.
Baltimore didn't have enough of a pass rush to bother Rodgers, and after star safety Kyle Hamilton entered the concussion protocol on the first drive of the third quarter, Pittsburgh scored three touchdowns and a field goal on its final five possessions.
The Ravens never looked all that good defensively this season against strong competition, and a big question is what they'll do with veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey as he enters the final season of his contract.
On the offensive line, Baltimore had difficulties despite the presence of tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, the latter of whom made the Pro Bowl. With Jackson not as elusive as usual — he rushed for a career-low 349 yards — pass protection was a problem at times.
“As you grow up playing offensive line as a kid, you're never going to get praised enough for the work you do, and you're going to get scrutinized for the stuff you mess up,” tackle Roger Rosengarten said. “I think that's part of playing the position, especially the kind of up-and-down year we had this year. A lot of that fire's going to blow on us, and it's our job to take on the responsibility. We've got to play better.”
Next steps
Aside from figuring out what the coaching staff will look like, the Ravens must also decide how to proceed with Linderbaum, who is now a pending free agent. So are tight ends Isaiah Likely and Kolar. Baltimore did reach an extension ahead of time with tight end Mark Andrews.
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Panthers embrace 'championship opportunity' despite poor finish, being big home playoff underdogs By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — When Dave Canales noticed an incoming call from Carolina Panthers team owner David Tepper on Sunday, he excitedly picked up his iPhone and said, 'Is this the owner of the NFC South champions?"
Tepper chuckled at the response.
It's been a long time coming for Tepper whose Panthers hadn't been to the playoffs since he purchased the team from owner/founder Jerry Richardson in 2018.
That dubious streak came to an end in the strangest of ways — with the Falcons beating the Saints in a game between two teams out of playoff contention. Atlanta's win gave the Panthers a three-way division tiebreaker over the Buccaneers and Falcons and their first NFC South title since 2015 .
It also capped an emotional 24 hours in which the Panthers went from dejected over failing to clinch the NFC South title after losing 16-14 to the Buccaneers on Saturday on a rain-soaked field at Raymond James Stadium to overjoyed about the chance to host a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
It's easy to argue the Panthers backed into the playoffs after losing three of their final four games.
But bottom line is this: Carolina is in the postseason, perhaps a year sooner than anyone in the organization thought realistically possible.
Dan Morgan knew when he took over as general manager it would take a while to build the Panthers into a winner. He has been hesitant to thrust any expectations on such a young team with so many holes to fill on both sides of the ball while the team worked out of a salary cap jam inherited from the previous regime.
What the Panthers do with this second chance is anyone's guess.
They've been highly unpredictable all season, repeatedly winning games they seemingly should have lost (Rams and Packers) while losing games they should have won (the Saints twice). They enter Saturday's game as a double-digit underdog against the Rams, a team they beat 31-28 at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 30.
That could work in Carolina's favor as there is now a sense this team is playing with house money and won't be under pressure — something they have struggled to handle.
Carolina enters the game with a minus-69 point differential this season, the fourth worst among playoff teams in history behind only the 2004 Rams (minus-73), 2011 Broncos (minus-81) and 2010 Seahawks (minus-97) per NFL research . All three of those teams won their wild-card round game.
Canales will spend the week preaching to his players that records don't matter while reiterating his message about this being another “championship opportunity.”
“We are really excited about being back in Bank of America Stadium one more time," Canales said. "To have one more chance in front of our fans, with the energy they have brought, especially down the stretch this season, it's a very exciting opportunity for us.”
What’s working
Wide receiver Jalen Coker continues to be a bright spot for the slumping Panthers. He's replaced Xavier Legette as the starting wide receiver opposite rookie Tetairoa McMillan. Coker played 92% of the snaps against Tampa Bay and caught six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown while Legette was on the field just 31% of the time.
Coker, an undrafted rookie in 2024, has 19 catches for 244 yards and three touchdowns over the past five games, while Legette, a first-round pick that same year, has just eight receptions for 77 yards and no TDs during that span.
Canales called it a “celebration of Jalen just continuing to step up into a more starter role."
“It's a big time for Jalen and he has been stepping up and making plays for us,” Canales said. “We looked last week as an opportunity to get him out there. ... just because of the way he has been producing."
What needs help
The Panthers running game has gone from dominant midseason to dormant down the stretch.
Carolina was limited to 19 yards rushing on 14 carries by Tampa Bay. Rico Dowdle has not surpassed 60 yards rushing in the past eight games after getting 206 yards on the ground against Miami, 183 yards against Dallas and 130 yards against Green Bay earlier in the season.
"It's all of us,” Canales said of the team's struggles. “It's making sure we are running the right style of runs as a group. And it starts up front where we have to get movement. We cannot let people run through the line of scrimmage. Safeties and linebackers cannot run through the line of scrimmage.”
He also said Dowdle and backup Chuba Hubbard need to take what is given to them and sometimes settle for a 3- or 4-yard gains instead of trying to break one.
Stock up
Derrick Brown continues to show he is one of the best interior defensive lineman in the league, getting 13 tackles in the loss to Tampa Bay.
Stock down
Canales' decision to call for a flea-flicker on first-and-10 from the Bucs 20 with his team down 16-7 early in the fourth quarter backfired. Dowdle took the handoff from Bryce Young, slipped on the sloppy field and never got the toss back to Young. The Bucs recovered the loose ball and the drive ended.
Injuries
The Panthers are hoping to get guard Robert Hunt and wide receiver David Moore back for the wild-card game. Hunt has been out since Week 2 with a torn triceps, while Moore has missed more than two months with a shoulder injury. Both would add veteran experience.
Key number
31 — Number of players on the Carolina roster who've never been in a playoff game.
Next steps
The Panthers defense had a huge game in a 31-28 win over the Rams on Nov. 30, forcing three Matthew Stafford turnovers . Carolina did that despite playing without two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn, who missed the game with a concussion. Horn will be ready to go in the rematch.
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Drake Maye's MVP-caliber season propelling Patriots entering playoffs By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer The Associated Press FOXBOROUGH, Mass.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye was the most accurate starting quarterback in the NFL this season.
He has also been adept at deflecting any praise that has come his way during the Patriots’ run to their first AFC East title since 2019.
But after playing an integral role in steering New England to one of the best one-season turnarounds in league history following its 38-10 win over Miami , the second-year quarterback may soon be tagged with something that’ll be difficult to shrug off: being selected NFL MVP.
“He’s been everything that we’ve asked and he continues to get better. He’s not satisfied,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. “So, I know that our success of where we are right now, today, has a lot to do with Drake Maye.”
Maye finished the regular season with a 72.0 completion percentage, the highest in team history and the sixth-best in NFL history. He bettered the mark of Tom Brady, who had a 68.9 completion percentage in 2007. That was also the last time a Patriots quarterback led the NFL in completion percentage.
The MVP that season? Brady.
While Maye listed his team’s 14 victories and 8-0 road record as accomplishments he takes pride in this season, he also referenced the ability to get multiple players involved in the offense. Though coaching and scheme certainly play a role, it is something that hinges heavily on the play of the quarterback.
“I think that’s one of the toughest things about ways to defend us,” Maye said. “So that’s probably what I’m most proud of.”
Maye has also inspired the teammates around him.
Even before he signed with the Patriots in the offseason, wide receiver Stefon Diggs noticed something from afar.
“I just knew that they had a good young quarterback. You can’t say he had a promising future, but it sure looked like it,” Diggs said. “We played them last year when I was in Houston and I was like, ‘That kid got some stuff in there.’ You never know when they’re super young.”
Now 23, Maye is in the mix to be the youngest league MVP since Lamar Jackson won it at 22 during the 2019 season.
“I’ve told everybody that has said some things in the locker room, ’It’s us. It’s not just me, it’s us in the locker room.’ It’s really a team deal, I think. They say ‘player,’ but I think wins help that,” Maye said. “Obviously, there’s been some great seasons around the league from a lot of players, and it’s an honor. But also at the same time, we’ve got work to do.”
What’s working
The Patriots showed they can run the football this season. They finished third in the AFC, averaging 128.9 yards per game on the ground. Among AFC playoff teams, that ranks second behind only Buffalo (159.6).
What’s more, the Patriots enter the playoffs with two productive options in running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson missed three games with a toe injury, but finished with seven rushing and two receiving touchdowns. It's the fourth time in his five seasons with at least five rushing TDs.
Henderson ranked fifth in the AFC, averaging 5.1 yards per carry with nine touchdowns. Four of his TD runs were over 50 yards, underscoring his ability to impact games at any moment.
What needs help
New England’s defense started strong before being pushed around in a second quarter during which the Dolphins scored 10 points and pulled within 17-10 at halftime in what Vrabel called a “lull.” The good news is the defense had an interception to end the Dolphins’ opening drive of the second half and forced five consecutive punts to end the game.
Stock up
With a 34-yard catch at the end of the third quarter, Diggs eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards (1,013) for the seventh time in his career. It’s the first 1,000-yard season by a Patriots receiver since 2019, when Julian Edelman had 1,117 yards receiving.
Stock down
Special teams. Andy Borregales had a 38-yard field goal attempt blocked by Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler late in second quarter. It set up a 52-yard field goal by Miami’s Riley Patterson that helped pull the Dolphins within 14-10.
Injuries
LB Harold Landry III (knee) missed his second straight game. ... LB Robert Spillane (ankle) has missed the past four games. ... LG Jared Wilson (concussion protocol) missed his second straight game. ... DL Khyiris Tonga also sat as he continues to deal with a foot issue.
Key number
3 – 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 with a team. Seifert’s 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl that season. Caldwell’s Colts lost in the Super Bowl to New Orleans.
Next steps
The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round Sunday night. It'll be New England’s first home playoff game since a 20-13 loss to the Vrabel-coached Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round in the 2019 season.
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