The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could get a boost along their defensive line ahead of the NFC Championship Game.Defensive tackle Vita Vea is being designated to return from the injured reserve and is expected to practice on Wednesday, the team announced.Vea has been out since October after fracturing his ankle. It was initially feared the 25-year-old would miss the remainder of the season. Vea tallied 10 tackles - including three for a loss - and two sacks through five games.The third-year pro would join a Buccaneers defensive line that also features Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston.The Bucs will attempt to make their second-ever Super Bowl appearance with a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A somewhat surprising candidate may have emerged in the Philadelphia Eagles' search for a new head coach.New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is a prime candidate to replace Doug Pederson, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will interview with Philadelphia on Monday and has some support within the Eagles organization, Fowler adds.McDaniels has a lengthy history of success with New England, leading the club's offense from 2005-08 and again from 2012 to the present. His units consistently produced with Tom Brady, but the Patriots' offense took a step back in 2020 with Cam Newton under center.Once considered one of the NFL's brightest young offensive minds, McDaniels previously served as the Denver Broncos' head coach from 2009-10, but his tenure was mired with controversy.The 44-year-old was also announced as the Indianapolis Colts' head coach in February 2018, but he withdrew from the position on the same day the move was announced. He opted to stay with the Patriots in a decision that was met with significant backlash.The longtime assistant has been with the Patriots for all six of the franchise's Super Bowl championships and helped the team field a top-eight scoring attack from 2013-19.Philadelphia has cast a wide net in its search for its next head coach. The team interviewed Robert Saleh, Arthur Smith, and Brandon Staley before the trio took jobs with other organizations.The Eagles have also expressed interest in Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy; they have yet to schedule an interview with the latter, notes Fowler.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks have spoken to former New York Jets head coach Adam Gase about their vacant offensive coordinator job, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The Seahawks also plan to meet with Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Kafka, Fowler adds.Seattle dismissed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer following its wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.The Seahawks ranked in the top 10 in scoring in each of Schottenheimer's three campaigns with the team. However, Seattle failed to top 30 points in each of its final four contests this season after eclipsing that mark in all but one of the team's first eight games.Gase previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2013-14) and Chicago Bears (2015). However, the 42-year-old's teams failed to rank higher than 17th in scoring over his five seasons as a head coach with the Jets and Miami Dolphins.Kafka joined the Chiefs in 2017. He's been praised for helping turn Kansas City into one of the NFL's most prolific offenses.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While Texans fans are planning to march Monday to support Deshaun Watson in the hopes of keeping the disgruntled quarterback in Houston, Watson doesn't want anyone to risk spreading COVID-19 on his behalf."Although I am humbled, I ask that whoever is organizing the march cancel for the sake of public safety," Watson tweeted. "COVID is spreading at a high rate and I don't want any fans to unnecessarily expose themselves to infection."Watson has been involved in trade speculation after he reportedly expressed frustration with the club over being left out of the team's general manager search. Houston also apparently ignored Watson's request for the club to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for its vacant head coaching job.People within the Texans organization have reportedly speculated that Watson has played his final snap with the club.However, Texans CEO and chairman Cal McNair recently said he wants Watson "in the loop and part" of the team's process in finding a new head coach.Houston is reportedly now expected to interview Bieniemy on Monday.Watson, 25, set career highs with 4,823 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 2020.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields announced Monday that he'll forgo his senior season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.Fields is slated to be one of the top overall prospects in this year's class. He's in contention to be the second quarterback off the board after Trevor Lawrence."My path to The Ohio State University was not a direct one, but I could not have asked for a better final destination," Fields said in a statement. "I knew this was a special place the moment I stepped on campus. ... Buckeye Nation, you immediately adopted me as one of your own, and for that, I am forever grateful."The dual-threat passer began his college career at Georgia as a five-star freshman, serving as a backup to Jake Fromm. Fields transferred to Ohio State a year later and spent the last two seasons leading the Buckeyes.Despite his short tenure, Fields ranks second in Ohio State history with 63 passing touchdowns and sits fourth in total scores. He also won two Big Ten championships and finished third in Heisman voting last season.The quarterback is viewed as a high-level prospect with the ability to impact the game with his arm and legs. He's likely locked into the top half of the first round and could be a top-five selection.The New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers are among teams with high draft slots that could target Fields this April.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The hunt for the Lombardi Trophy and a trip to Super Bowl LV is down to the final four.NFC Championship GameMatchupDateTime (ET)NetworkBuccaneers at PackersJan. 243:05 p.m.FOXAn NFC Championship Game for the ages is slated for next Sunday, as the red-hot Green Bay Packers prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Aaron Rodgers is back in the NFC title game again, but for the first time, he'll have the benefit of home-field advantage. A leading candidate for MVP honors, Rodgers rolled through the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, throwing two touchdowns en route to a 32-18 victory. The veteran passer has Green Bay on the doorstep of their first Super Bowl appearance in a decade and he's looked unstoppable of late.The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady in hopes of bringing the franchise a Super Bowl, and he's almost got them there. Brady outdueled Drew Brees in the divisional round, securing a date against Rodgers at Lambeau Field. While the Bucs will be playing in their first NFC title game since 2002, it's a familiar setting for Brady, who will be appearing in his 14th career conference championship game.AFC Championship GameMatchupDateTime (ET)NetworkBills at ChiefsJan. 246:40 p.m.CBSThe right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl will come down to the conference's top two seeds - the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.The Chiefs and Chad Henne narrowly hung on to defeat the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round after Patrick Mahomes exited with a concussion. Mahomes' status will likely be determined as the week progresses but Andy Reid noted his quarterback was "doing great" following the game. Kansas City will still be powered by their most talented pass-catchers, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. The duo combined for 16 receptions and 219 yards against the Browns.The Bills are faced with the task of eliminating the champs on their home turf. After knocking off reigning MVP Lamar Jackson in the divisional round, Buffalo will likely need a repeat performance against Mahomes - the 2018 MVP. Thanks to an almost telepathic connection between Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, the Bills are just one win away from circling their wagons all the way to the Super Bowl.The Chiefs and Bills faced off once this season, with Kansas City taking that meeting by a score of 26-17.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions are expected to hire New Orleans Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell as their new head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The two sides have yet to work out a deal but that isn't considered an obstacle, Schefter adds.Campbell's considered one of Sean Payton's most trusted assistants in New Orleans and will take over for Matt Patricia - who was fired earlier this season - and interim coach Darell Bevell.The 44-year-old has ties to the Lions, spending three seasons of his playing career with the team. Campbell first dabbled in coaching in 2010, serving as an intern with the Miami Dolphins before moving up to tight ends coach. He led the Dolphins as an interim head coach to close out the 2015 season before departing for New Orleans in 2016.The Lions will be counting on Campbell to bring some much-needed stability after Patricia finished with a 13-29 record during his tenure. Detroit has also missed the playoffs in each of its last four seasons and has just three postseason appearances since 2000.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their next head coach, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Staley joined the Rams this past season and quickly emerged as a solid head coaching candidate. He helped L.A.'s defense finish the year as the NFL's top-ranked scoring unit just one year after it ranked 17th.The 38-year-old previously served as the outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears (2017-18) and the Denver Broncos (2019).The Chargers fired ex-head coach Anthony Lynn two weeks ago. Lynn posted a 34-32 record - including the playoffs - through four seasons in Los Angeles.Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett also generated interest from the Chargers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay raised eyebrows following his team's divisional-round loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday when he said Jared Goff was the team's starting quarterback "right now."McVay was asked to clarify his comment Sunday, and he again opted to stay uncommitted to Goff holding the top job next season."Everything is being evaluated," he said, according to Greg Beacham of The Associated Press. "I'm not ready to make any sort of statements with regards to any starting position or not. We're going to have a level of competition in anything that we do."Goff struggled during the season's second half, throwing eight touchdowns to nine interceptions between Weeks 8 and 16 before missing L.A.'s regular-season finale due to thumb surgery.Backup quarterback John Wolford stepped in and helped the Rams seal a wild-card spot with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. He then started the team's first playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, despite Goff being healthy enough to be the No. 2.Goff was forced to take over for an injured Wolford in the win over Seattle and remained the starter against Green Bay the following week. He completed 21-of-27 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown in the 32-18 defeat.Goff, the 2016 NFL Draft's first overall pick, inked a four-year, $134-million contract last September.While McVay is seemingly leaving the door open for the Rams to bring in competition for their top quarterback, Goff's contract means his place on the roster is secure for at least one more season. Cutting the 26-year-old would incur a $65.5-million dead-money hit in 2021 for L.A., per Spotrac.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not having his superstar quarterback on the field for a crucial fourth-down attempt Sunday wasn't an issue for Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.Leading the Cleveland Browns by five with just over 1:15 left on the clock and Chad Henne replacing an injured Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs needed to convert a fourth-and-inches from their own 49-yard line to seal the contest and advance to the AFC Championship Game.The reigning Super Bowl champions called a passing play for Henne and converted the attempt to beat the Browns. Reid explained postgame that punting the ball back to Cleveland - which had no timeouts remaining - wasn't an option."There was no doubt. No doubt," Reid said of his late-game decision, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic."There's no tomorrow, let's roll," he added, per Harold R. Kuntz of FOX4 News.

The Cleveland Browns ended an 18-year playoff drought this season and Baker Mayfield is confident the team won't have to wait as long for another appearance after a heartbreaking 22-17 loss to the defending Super Bowl champions.In their first postseason run since 2002, the Browns managed to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road during Wild Card Weekend and battled the Kansas City Chiefs until the final whistle."We're setting a new standard here. We're going to be back," Mayfield said following the contest, according to Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram."We've come a long way since I got here, but we're not done yet. That's the best part," Mayfield added.Mayfield is part of an impressive turnaround since the Browns finished 1-31 in the two seasons prior to the 2018 first overall pick's arrival. While Mayfield has transformed the offense, Myles Garrett, drafted with the first pick in 2017, has worked similar wonders on the defense."I like our odds next year because we have a lot of guys that are young and we can keep on getting better," Garrett said, according to Nate Ulrich of The Beacon Journal.Mayfield, 25, is coming off arguably his best showing as a pro, setting a personal best in passer rating (95.9) while also throwing a career-low eight interceptions.The passer also held his own in the postseason, finishing with four touchdowns against one interception.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Mahomes watched the end of the Kansas City Chiefs' divisional-round win over the Cleveland Browns after being evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter.Mahomes was helped off the field after being tackled on a third-down run. His head didn't seem to make hard contact with the turf, though he was taken down by the head/neck area.Mahomes was 21 of 30 for 255 yards and a touchdown when he was replaced by Chad Henne. The Super Bowl LIV MVP also recorded a rushing score in the contest.In the first half, Mahomes briefly received treatment on the sideline for a toe injury.Despite his absence, the Chiefs held on for a 22-17 victory, punching their ticket to the AFC Championship Game for the third consecutive year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones is active for Sunday's playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.Jones was considered a game-time decision due to quad and finger injuries.

The New Orleans Saints will be down two offensive contributors for Sunday's divisional-round game, as quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Latavius Murray are inactive for their bout against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Hill is battling a knee injury, while Murray hurt his quad during last week's win over the Chicago Bears.Both players didn't practice all week and were listed as questionable heading into Sunday's matchup.Hill is a key member of head coach Sean Payton's offense as a jack of all trades. While also ready as Drew Brees' backup, the 30-year-old rushed four times for 15 yards and caught two passes against Chicago.Murray averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns this season as New Orleans' No. 2 running back. Being without him will likely mean more touches for Alvin Kamara, with Ty Montgomery receiving a few snaps behind him.The Saints are looking to defeat Tampa Bay for the third time this campaign after winning the NFC South matchup in Week 1 and Week 9.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's speculation among people within the Houston Texans organization that quarterback Deshaun Watson has played his final snap for the team, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Watson has voiced his frustration with Houston multiple times after being left out of the new general manager search despite being told the club would value his input.There's still plenty of time for the two sides to mend fences, but the star passer's feelings towards the organization should not be underestimated, Schefter adds."(The Texans have) gone from the least desirable head coaching (opening) to the most undesirable head coaching job in the NFL," a source told Schefter. "That's a fact. That's how that job is now looked at by everybody."Watson reportedly advocated for Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to get a head coaching interview, but the franchise ignored his requests until recently.On Friday, Texans CEO and chairman Cal McNair said he communicated with the disgruntled quarterback through text messages and also took responsibility for the ongoing turmoil surrounding his team.Initial reports of Watson's unhappiness surfaced last week, indicating he was interested in a trade to the Miami Dolphins that would send Tua Tagovailoa and additional draft-pick compensation back to Houston.The 25-year-old set career highs with 4,823 passing yards - a mark he led the league with - and 33 touchdowns in 2020, but the Texans finished with a disappointing 4-12 record.Watson has a no-trade clause in his recently signed $156-million extension.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rob Gronkowski plans to play another season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, and he won't retire again."Yeah, you gotta," the future Hall of Fame tight end told NFL Network's Willie McGinest when asked if he'll return alongside quarterback Tom Brady next season."I feel like this team was built to win right now, it was put together this year to win right now," he added. "It always pops up in your mind, you're thinking about the future a little bit. I can definitely see this team also having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year as well, with me."Gronkowski earned $9 million in base salary in 2020, and he isn't under contract past this season.After nine illustrious seasons with the New England Patriots from 2010 to 2018, Gronkowski took a year off from professional football. He returned in 2020, reuniting with Brady and helping the Buccaneers reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007.Gronkowski started slowly during his debut campaign with the Bucs, but he finished with a respectable 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. The 31-year-old made it through the season without suffering any major injuries, appearing in all 16 games for the first time since his sophomore campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is listed as inactive and will miss his third straight game on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns due to ankle and hip injuries.The rookie should be ready to return in the AFC Championship Game if the Chiefs get past the Browns in the divisional round, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Edwards-Helaire started all 13 regular-season games he appeared in this campaign, racking up 803 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He was listed as questionable for Kansas City's playoff opener on Sunday.With Edwards-Helaire unavailable, the Chiefs figure to deploy a backfield committee of Le'Veon Bell, Darrel Williams, and Darwin Thompson.The Chiefs will also begin their postseason without wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was previously ruled out with a calf injury.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris has spoken to Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars about becoming their defensive coordinator, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.Morris, who went 4-7 after his promotion in Atlanta this season, has reportedly been mulling his options for the 2021 campaign. He's expected to formally interview with Jacksonville on Wednesday after dining with Meyer and Co. on Tuesday night, according to NFL reporter Josina Anderson.The Jaguars are looking to fill out Meyer's staff after luring him out of retirement. Meyer, who enjoyed a storied career in the college ranks, was first rumored to be eyeing Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen for the coordinator role.Morris spent the last six seasons with the Falcons. He began as the defensive backs coach and the assistant head coach to Dan Quinn, and the 44-year-old became the defensive coordinator in 2020 before taking over after Quinn was dismissed when the Falcons were 0-5.Morris is known primarily for his three-year stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Saturday's divisional-round doubleheader ended with the Green Bay Packers rolling over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC, and the Buffalo Bills taking out the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC. Let's take a closer look at some of what went down and what it means.Can the Packers' offense be stopped? Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt doesn't look like it, does it? The Rams schemed to take away the deep throw, but Green Bay consistently moved the ball by pounding it on the ground and tossing a lot of short, quick passes. Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, and A.J. Dillon combined for 191 rushing yards on 32 carries, while Aaron Rodgers - who registered 0.47 expected points added per dropback - was clinically efficient.The Packers scored on their first five possessions, were 8-for-11 on third down (not including a kneel down on the game's final play), and had no turnovers or sacks. Rodgers was hit just once. Did anyone even notice that all-world left tackle David Bakhtiari is out for the season with a knee injury? That's how seamless it all looked.Of course, L.A.'s all-world defensive tackle, Aaron Donald, was limited by a rib injury. But still, Green Bay used its usual mix of motion, misdirection, and shifts to constantly stress the Rams' defense - and even took it up a notch. According to Next Gen Stats, the Packers used pre-snap motion or shifts a season-high 71% of the time, including 88% of the time in the red zone. All four of their touchdowns were scored on plays that featured shift or motion.After L.A. got within a touchdown and started to key on the run, Rodgers deftly used play-action to set up a deep shot to Allen Lazard that put the game away. Watch the way safeties John Johnson (No. 43) and Jordan Fuller (No. 32) bit on the play-fake. Fuller had no chance to recover to give cornerback Troy Hill, who was playing with outside leverage, the help he needed on the inside:

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a concussion in Saturday's 17-3 divisional-round loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed after the game, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.Jackson headed to the locker room for concussion evaluation after taking a big hit at the end of the third quarter, and the Ravens quickly announced he would miss the rest of the contest.The reigning MVP was hurt while attempting to throw the ball away on a bad snap, appearing to hit his head on the ground.

Led by a strong defensive performance that included a 101-yard pick-6, the Buffalo Bills held on for a 17-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, advancing to the AFC title game for the first time since the 1993 season.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams' defense looked out of sorts without anchor Aaron Donald fully healthy for Saturday's divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.The NFL's No. 1 defense allowed 484 total yards and 32 points against.Donald, the league's premier defensive tackle, only played in 39 of 72 defensive snaps as he battled through a torn rib cartilage suffered last week. The 29-year-old saw just 12 snaps in the second half, and the Packers responded by gashing the Rams on the ground."I love Aaron Donald, it means a lot to him. It's unfortunate that he wasn't at full strength today," Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the loss.The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was seen in tears on the sideline as the game came to a close.

The Green Bay Packers welcomed ticketed fans to Lambeau Field for the first time this season for Saturday's playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, and though capacity was limited, the supporters who were there made their presence felt."It's special. There's absolutely nothing like it," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after Green Bay's 32-18 win, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "We have really missed that part of this experience. So to run out of the tunnel tonight with fans was unbelievable."It's hard to explain how much the presence means on the field and just having that energy from the crowd. Being able to play in front of them tonight, to hear the chants, to hear them banging the boards they got was really special."A total of 8,456 people - including 7,439 ticketed fans - looked on as Rodgers racked up 296 passing yards and three total touchdowns versus the NFL's top-ranked defense, helping Green Bay reach the NFC Championship Game for the second straight year."You could feel the energy in the stadium," the 37-year-old signal-caller said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein.Packers head coach Matt LaFleur also praised the home fans for their impact."I think that definitely made a big difference," LaFleur said, according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Our guys really fed off of their energy."Rodgers will get to start at home in an NFC title game for the first time in his career on Jan. 24 against the winner of Sunday's matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Most receivers don't seek out a matchup with lockdown corner Jalen Ramsey, but Davante Adams isn't like most wideouts.The Green Bay Packers receiver approached the Los Angeles Rams defender before Saturday's playoff game and suggested the two All-Pros match up head-to-head throughout the contest.

The Green Bay Packers are one win away from the Super Bowl.Aaron Rodgers threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground as the Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the divisional round Saturday.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams listed wide receiver Cooper Kupp as inactive for Saturday's divisional-round matchup with the Green Bay Packers.Kupp is dealing with a knee injury. Reports earlier in the week indicated he was likely to play, but the wideout couldn't recover in time.The shifty pass-catcher has bursitis in his knee, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He suffered a non-contact injury late in last week's win over the Seattle Seahawks, but the diagnosis wasn't initially labeled as serious.Kupp was unable to practice this week and was set for a reduced role if he suited up versus Green Bay.Robert Woods, Josh Reynolds, and rookie Van Jefferson will operate as Jared Goff's top receivers Saturday. Tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett could also see increased targets against a stingy secondary.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to promote quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to offensive coordinator, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Canada also interviewed with the Miami Dolphins for their offensive coordinator position, but he's expected to remain in Pittsburgh to take over for Randy Fichtner, Rapoport adds.Canada logged extensive experience working with college offenses prior to the Steelers bringing him in before the 2020 season, serving as an offensive coordinator with Maryland, LSU, and Pittsburgh, among others.Many NFL coaches have consulted with Canada in the past due to his knowledge of emerging trends in college, Rapoport notes. He's been known to incorporate pre-snap motion into his offenses.Canada's promotion comes after the Steelers parted ways with Fichtner following three seasons. Fichtner enjoyed a successful first year with the team in 2018, and his unit ranked fourth in yardage. But he fell out of favor in recent campaigns. Pittsburgh's offense finished 30th in yardage in 2019, only slightly improving to 24th in 2020.The Steelers are coming off a disappointing season, winning 11 straight to start the year before dropping five of their last six contests, including a playoff defeat to the Cleveland Browns.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to balance their quarterback situation with a head coaching search.Philadelphia's brass has told coaching candidates during interviews that the head coach will have a say on who the quarterback is moving forward, but the team intends to keep Carson Wentz, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The Eagles still believe in Wentz despite his disastrous 2020 season and benching for rookie Jalen Hurts, Garafolo adds."If you're a head coach going into those meetings saying, 'I want Wentz out and Hurts in,' I think that's probably going to hurt your standing in this interview process," Garafolo said.Philly parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson after five seasons and a disappointing 4-11-1 record this past year. Reports of a rift between Pederson and Wentz emerged over the last few weeks.The former No. 2 overall pick may have to battle Hurts for the starting spot in 2021 if he returns. Where he stands with the club may also depend on who gets hired as head coach.The Eagles have interviewed a number of candidates since letting Pederson go. They've reportedly talked with Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and New England Patriots assistant Jerod Mayo.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to explore a contract extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson this offseason, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The 2019 MVP could be in line for a lucrative extension due to the fast-rising quarterback market and his numerous accolades. Jackson has compiled a 30-7 record as a starter while throwing for 7,085 yards. He's also added 2,906 rushing yards and is the first quarterback in NFL history to record multiple 1,000-plus-yard rushing campaigns.Patrick Mahomes is currently the league's highest-paid player while earning $45 million per year, according to Spotrac. Deshaun Watson is second behind the Kansas City Chiefs signal-caller, making $39 million per year. Russell Wilson is also not far behind, raking in $35 million annually.Jackson has emerged as one of the NFL's best dual-threat QBs since becoming a starter in 2018. The passer has led the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as a starter, and he notched his first postseason victory last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.The 2018 first-round pick will face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL fined Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters $15,000 for celebrating his game-sealing interception on the Tennessee Titans' logo last week, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The league said Peters' physical actions were directed at Tennessee's bench.Other Ravens players celebrated on the logo after Peters picked off Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but the star defender was the only one to receive a fine.Peters plans to appeal the punishment, a source told Pelissero.Baltimore defeated Tennessee 20-13 in the wild-card round and will face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday evening.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has surfaced as the favorite to land the Los Angeles Chargers' head coaching job, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The Chargers would have to wait to make the move official as they wouldn't be able to officially meet or hire Daboll until the Bills' postseason run concludes.Daboll's work with the Bills' offense has garnered much praise throughout the 2020 season. His offense ranked second in points scored and yardage. The 45-year-old has also overseen the development of Josh Allen, who's enjoyed a breakout campaign. The quarterback has thrown for over 4,500 yards with 37 passing touchdowns this season.A move to Los Angeles would allow Daboll to work with another promising passer in Justin Herbert. The young signal-caller has shattered numerous rookie records throughout an impressive year. No rookie in NFL history has completed more passes or thrown more touchdowns.The Bills coordinator has long-standing ties to the Chargers' upper management. Daboll has known general manager Tom Telesco since high school when they played on the same football team, Schefter adds.Daboll would replace Anthony Lynn, whom the Chargers fired after consecutive losing seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks have spoken with former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson regarding their offensive coordinator job, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Philadelphia parted ways with Pederson on Monday after five seasons. Reports surfaced this week that the former Super Bowl champion could take a year off, but his options are developing, and he could also draw interest for other head coaching vacancies, Pelissero adds.Former Los Angeles Chargers boss Anthony Lynn has also reportedly been in contact with Seattle regarding its OC opening and is among the top candidates for the job.The Seahawks recently dismissed Brian Schottenheimer, citing "philosophical differences." Head coach Pete Carroll stated his desire to establish the running game following his team's playoff exit.Pederson's offense ranked 25th this season while battling a number of injuries and inconsistencies at quarterback, but the coach fielded a scoring unit that finished in the top half from 2017-2019.He served as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator for three years before taking the Eagles job.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2021 NFL Scouting Combine likely won't happen as scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.League officials held a call Friday to address the event, and it doesn't appear any showcase resembling the traditional combine will proceed in Indianapolis, sources told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.The event will likely be split into pieces, Breer adds, with separate performance and medical components at multiple locations.One alternative reportedly discussed during the call would involve additional formalized pro days, with team or league officials conducting combine testing and drills on college campuses.The NFL has staged its scouting combine annually in Indianapolis since 1987, typically from the last week of February into the first week of March.The possibility of moving the combine to April has reportedly been discussed, but that scenario could create scheduling conflicts with the draft set for April 29.The league is reportedly expected to finalize a decision regarding the 2021 combine next week.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos star Von Miller is under criminal investigation in Colorado, but no other details are currently available."We're not commenting on nature of the allegations," Josh Hans, a spokesman for the Parker Police Department, told Mike Klis of 9News. "We haven't completed the investigation."A person familiar with the situation said the investigation is related to interactions between Miller and his former girlfriend, Megan Denise, according to the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala.Denise shared an ultrasound image and text messages she claimed were from Miller, saying: "I’m honestly praying for a miscarriage," and, "I hate you! … You gon get yours! Believe that."Miller's ex-girlfriend followed up the texts with a separate post on Instagram: "My heart goes out to any woman/or man who is or has ever dealt with mental, physical, or verbal abuse. Praying death on me and mine was enough!!"Following news of the investigation, Denise released a statement on Friday evening."In light of recent media reports regarding my relationship with Von, I feel that I need to address a couple of things. First and foremost, at no point in our relationship was there any type of physical abuse or violence by Von, whatsoever. For anyone to say otherwise, or to speculate such, is wrong."Miller missed the entire 2020 season after suffering a dislodged ankle tendon in training camp."We are aware of an investigation involving Von Miller and are in the process of gathering more information," the Broncos said in a statement.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Mario Edwards has been suspended for the first two games of the 2021 season, the league announced.The suspension stems from a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.A former second-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders, the 26-year-old signed a one-year, $910,000 deal with the Bears in September. He racked up 17 tackles and a career-high four sacks in his first season in Chicago.Edwards is scheduled to become a free agent in March.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon's conditional reinstatement has been rescinded, meaning he's now suspended indefinitely, according to ESPN's Field Yates.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins will miss their divisional-round game against the Cleveland Browns due to a calf injury, the team announced Friday.Watkins was injured during Week 16 and hasn't played since. He was one of many Kansas City players to sit the season finale, but the additional rest hasn't helped his progress. The 27-year-old wideout failed to participate in practice throughout the week.Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be questionable for the bout as he works his way back from ankle and hip injuries.Edwards-Helaire was in the midst of a fine rookie campaign before exiting against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. The organization expected the young rusher to miss the remainder of the regular season, but there was hope he could be back for a playoff run.The former LSU halfback practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday but hasn't improved in the following days, sitting out Thursday and Friday.Edwards-Helaire played a big factor in the backfield and as a receiving threat in his first pro season, accumulating 1,100 yards from scrimmage. If he cannot go, the club will count on veteran running back Le'Veon Bell to occupy a higher workload. Bell has added 254 rushing yards since joining the Chiefs as a mid-season pickup.Kansas City will go up against the upstart Browns, who are coming off a 48-37 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Wild Card Weekend.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Before you make your NFL bets in the divisional round, it's worth knowing which side other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing this week's slate.Rams @ Packers (-7, 45.5), Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ETA week after upsetting the Seahawks in the wild-card round, bettors like the Rams' chances again Saturday in a massive underdog spot against the Packers.Green Bay opened at -7 (-120) and was adjusted down to -7 flat before a couple of sharp plays moved the juice even more. By Friday, that line was adjusted to Rams +7 (-120) thanks to a 3-to-1 advantage in money wagered on Los Angeles."We’ve been basically flip-flopping the juice back and forth," Rood said.Still, the public is predictably riding the Packers, who have drawn twice as many straight-bet tickets and are pulling six times as much money in the parlay market. It's a similar story on teasers, where bettors are buying Green Bay as short chalk.Ravens @ Bills (-2.5, 49.5), Saturday, 8:15 p.m.The tightest game in oddsmakers' minds has been a mostly one-sided play for bettors, who are buying into the Bills despite a letdown performance a week ago.This contest opened at Buffalo -2.5 (-120), which drew some early attention from Ravens bettors and eventually nudged this line down to 2. A half-limit play on the Bills at that number bumped it back to 2.5, where bettors have played Buffalo at a 5-to-2 clip on money despite a marginal advantage in bet slips."Again, we’ve been basically flip-flopping to vig at 2.5," Rood said. “The last couple of big plays have been Bills, and I’d say they’ve been fairly sharp."Browns @ Chiefs (-9.5, 57), Sunday, 3:05 p.m.The week's biggest underdogs have also drawn a fair amount of attention from big-money bettors, who have prompted this line to shorten from 10 to 9.5 entering the weekend.The Chiefs saw a small bit of action at -10 (even), but a couple of sharp plays on the Browns at +10 have prompted an adjustment and given Cleveland a 2-to-1 advantage in money wagered on a near-even ticket count. Some bettors have even taken a shot on the underdogs at +375."The Browns are making believers," Rood said.Public bettors still like the Chiefs, laying twice as much money on them in parlays. That could be risky - the last 18 teams to rest their starters in Week 17 ahead of a first-round bye are 5-13 against the spread and just 9-9 straight up.Buccaneers @ Saints (-3, 51.5), Sunday, 6:40 p.m.The final game of the divisional round has also drawn the least money entering the weekend. Those who are betting this one are taking the points in the third matchup between these division rivals.The Buccaneers have enjoyed a 2-to-1 advantage in money wagered on straight bets on an even ticket count, thanks in part to one sharp player who took them at +3 (even). A few bettors have also taken a shot on Tampa Bay's moneyline (+145) after the team lost to the Saints in the prior two meetings.None of that was enough to move this game off 3, where it'll likely remain barring a surprise flood of sharp money in either direction.(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell has emerged as the favorite to be the new head coach of the Detroit Lions, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.An in-person interview can't be conducted until the Saints' season has concluded.The 44-year-old is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he's among Saints head coach Sean Payton's most trusted assistants.Campbell played in the NFL for 11 years, spending his final three seasons with the Lions. In 2010, Campbell was working as an intern for the Miami Dolphins and was promoted to tight ends coach the following season. He briefly served as the interim head coach after Miami fired Joe Philbin, leading the team to a 5-7 record. Campbell has been with New Orleans since 2016.Detroit is looking for a successor along the sidelines after the team fired Matt Patricia this past season. The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator put together a 13-29 record before being relieved of his duties.Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was scheduled to interview for the Lions' head coaching role, but the two sides decided to cancel, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The Lions recently hired Brad Holmes from the Los Angeles Rams to be the franchise's new general manager.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Fantasy championships have already been won and the volume on the board decreases, but that doesn't mean we should ignore individual player props. In fact, bettors might be surprised by how much value they can find in this market late in the year.Here are some of our favorites for this weekend's four-game divisional round.Patrick Mahomes' longest completion over 39.5 passing yardsMahomes and the Chiefs' offense went through some rough patches down the stretch. There was the narrow six-point win over the Broncos to kick off December, a three-interception outing for the all-world quarterback the following week in Miami, and then a mere 17-point performance at home against the Falcons in the penultimate game of the regular season.However, Kansas City quietly guided through its toughest window, playing five straight defenses ranking in the top half of the league in total DVOA.Week Opponent DVOA Defense Rank12Buccaneers313Broncos1314Dolphins1115Saints116Falcons14A rested Mahomes and his supporting cast should be salivating. The Browns rank No. 25 in the league against the pass and in total DVOA. The kicker? They've played the easiest slate of opposing offenses this season.It'll be bombs away at Arrowhead for Mahomes, who has his easiest matchup since Week 11.Jared Goff under 1.5 TD passesA wintery mix is expected to hit Lambeau Field on Saturday, which spells bad news for Rams quarterback Jared Goff. He's thrown five interceptions and zero touchdowns in two freezing-cold games in his career.L.A. has the lowest team total on the board this weekend, so the market isn't expecting a ton of points from the road team here. Goff also has a stingy matchup in general against a Packers secondary led by Jaire Alexander, who's PFF's No. 1 cornerback in the league.This under is a home run.Tom Brady over 2.5 TD passesThis is a solid number grab at +150. I'm willing to invest in Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Tom Brady, who hopefully have something up their sleeves for Round 3 against the Saints.Tampa Bay was outclassed by its division rival in two regular-season meetings, getting outscored 72-26. Brady logged 239 yards and two touchdowns in the first tilt back in the opener. In the second, Brady threw three picks in a 38-3 rout.However, no unit is gelling better than Tampa's offense right now. The Bucs are up to No. 3 in the NFL in DVOA offense, thanks to averaging north of 38 points per game over the previous four.New Orleans has allowed the second-fewest rushing touchdowns in the league. If Tampa's going to compete this time around, it'll have to score through the air.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.We've dished out our favorite spreads, totals, and best bets in general for this weekend's divisional round. Here, we'll change course and offer our best teaser.This one's a no-brainer.Rams @ Packers, 4:35 p.m. ET on Dec. 13Line: Packers -6.5Teaser line: Packers -0.5The Rams earned some support from the betting markets when they were +7, pushing it off the key number to +6.5. Now, the Packers are the more attractive side.Rams quarterback Jared Goff's struggles in cold weather have been well documented. He's 0-2 against the spread with no touchdowns and five picks in two games featuring freezing-cold temperatures prior to kickoff. A wintery mix is expected in Green Bay on Saturday night, putting an already banged-up offense behind the eight ball even more.Meanwhile, the Packers, behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers, have football's best offense, and there's no debate.No, really; it isn't even remotely close.Top-five 2020 DVOA offense rankingsTeam Total DVOAPackers29.1%Chiefs23.9%Buccaneers19.8%TItans18.4%Bills15.6%As our own C Jackson Cowart pointed out earlier this week, NFC West teams have oddly struggled in the postseason lately, going 1-8-1 ATS since 2014 when getting points versus non-divisional opponents.We'll just hope for an outright win here for the Packers, who have covered four of their last six playoff games as a favorite of three or more.Ravens @ Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET on Dec. 13Line: Ravens +2.5Teaser Line: Ravens +9.5The Ravens don't need any additional points. They're officially the hottest team in the league after the Bills' eight-game cover streak ended last weekend versus the Colts. Baltimore's won seven consecutive both straight up and against the spread and finds itself in a profitable situation this week.Head coach John Harbaugh's been lights out in this spot, covering 10 of the last 13 road playoff games. Also, road teams getting three points or fewer in the postseason are on a blistering 9-2-1 run ATS, with the most recent loss back in 2016.The best scoring margin in the league doesn't belong to the Chiefs, Packers, or Saints; it belongs to the Ravens - the lone team outscoring their opponents by double digits (plus-10.2).Quarterback Lamar Jackson and Co. don't need a cushion, but we'll take it to close out this teaser.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s divisional-round matchup against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Bruce Arians said Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.Arians also announced that Leonard Fournette will start.The sideline boss praised Fournette’s performance in Tampa Bay’s 31-23 victory over Washington in the wild-card round.“He’s a helluva player, he played really, really well last week and we’ve trusted him all year,” he said.Fournette rushed for 93 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown against Washington. He also added four receptions for 39 yards.Meanwhile, Jones was listed as active last week, but his quad issue flared up pregame. The 23-year-old didn't play a snap in the win. He returned to practice Thursday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans appear to be back on speaking terms.Texans CEO and chairman Cal McNair stated he has communicated with the disgruntled quarterback through text messages. At the introductory press conference of new general manager Nick Caserio - which is the root of Watson's unhappiness - McNair previously said he was unable to get in touch with Watson."Deshaun and I connected over text since he’s returned from vacation. It’s no secret he’s disappointed in the (lack of) communication during the hiring process," McNair said Friday, according to John McClain of The Houston Chronicle.Watson was frustrated after being left out of the new general manager search despite being told the team would value his input. The signal-caller had to find out about Caserio's hiring through social media, and McNair assured the same mistake would not happen during the hunt for the squad's future head coach."We want him in the loop and part of this process," McNair added.The 25-year-old passer reportedly advocated for Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, but the team ignored his viewpoint until recently. Houston put in a request to speak to Bieniemy earlier this week, but the club will have to wait until either the Chiefs are eliminated or the postseason concludes for an interview.The Texans CEO explained the delay in expressing interest in Bieniemy was due to wanting a general manager in place first."We were waiting on Nick’s list of coaching candidates," McNair answered.Jack Easterby's influence in Houston's organization has also come under heavy scrutiny after the franchise reportedly ignored its search firm to hire Caserio. McNair confirmed he has no plans to fire Easterby and defended the executive, calling the outside criticism "unjustified."McNair has taken responsibility for the ongoing turmoil surrounding the team and remains focused on winning a championship with Watson under center."I accept that everything hasn’t gone perfectly. We’re working through it. If players, media, and fans are upset, that’s on me. And I’ll apologize for my actions or communications that’s created mistrust," he noted.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer began analyzing the nuances of the NFL one year ago in preparation of a possible move to the pros."NFL has always been an intrigue," the college football legend acknowledged Friday at his introductory news conference. "Had some opportunities in the past but just wasn't the right time and then wasn't the right situation."A three-time national champion, Meyer went 187-32 across stints at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State. He retired at the end of the 2018 season, citing health issues."It's something I'm gonna be very conscientious of, I'm gonna watch very closely," Meyer said of his health. "I'm not gonna be running around like a nut on the practice field. Those days are gone."The 56-year-old will inherit a Jaguars roster that lost its final 15 games in 2020. Jacksonville, though, holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft - which Meyer called a "huge" factor in his decision to take the job - and the most cap space in the league entering the offseason."It's primed to put together a good team," he said. "I'm not going to jump into a situation where I don't believe we can win."Predictably, Meyer refused to reveal his plans for the No. 1 pick. However, he did name Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State's Justin Fields, and BYU's Zach Wilson as candidates to receive the first phone call on draft night."Who we pick at that quarterback position, that's going to be one of the most important decisions in my lifetime," he said. "My initial study - I like to use the word 'elite' - I see some elite quarterbacks out there right now."The Jaguars plan to hire a general manager in the next week or so, and whoever lands the job will be tasked with supporting Meyer's vision for the team.Meyer's next project will be filling out his staff. He said he won't ask Ohio State for more than one of his former assistants, lauding the staff in Columbus as "the best infrastructure in college sports."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.After a thrilling (and at times, shocking) wild-card round, only eight teams remain in the NFL playoffs. A pair of teams are massive favorites in the divisional round this week, while two games are priced as nail-biters.Here's how we're betting the games.Alex KolodziejChiefs team total over 34.5 vs. BrownsI love the matchup for the reigning Super Bowl champions in their first meaningful game. The Chiefs aren't a top-five scoring offense heading into the divisional round, but they'll dismantle the Browns' defense. Cleveland was handed the easiest slate of opposing offenses in the regular season and still finished No. 25 in both DVOA pass defense and total DVOA.Kansas City's Andy Reid normally kills it after a bye week, going 21-10 against the spread after an extra week of preparation. He and Patrick Mahomes - along with a rested supporting cast - will execute their offensive game plan at home and with fans.Alex MorettoBills -2.5 vs. RavensThe Bills probably should have lost last week. The Colts missed a field goal, dropped a touchdown on fourth-and-goal, and jumped offside and dropped an interception to extend a Buffalo touchdown drive. The Bills also uncharacteristically struggled on third down, converting just two of nine attempts.Despite having one of their least efficient offensive games of the season, the Bills still managed to score 27 points. This offense is potent and a mismatch against the Ravens' defense. That's not to discredit Baltimore's rushing attack or run defense, but there were three driving forces behind the Ravens' victory last week that were beyond their control: the Titans' refusal to adapt from their struggling running game, Mike Vrabel's puzzling coaching decisions, and Ryan Tannehill's disappointing play.The Titans found success when they threw the ball on early downs, averaging 0.40 EPA per play. But their refusal to keep doing so proved to be their demise. That won't be the case Saturday with a Bills team that threw the ball most often on early downs this season under Brian Daboll. Buffalo will also be without Zack Moss, who has led the team in carries since the start of November.It's hard to envision the Ravens generating enough stops to limit Buffalo's offense, which has been scoring at will. On the other side of the ball, what the Titans did do was develop something of a blueprint for slowing Baltimore's attack, with slot cornerback Desmond King spying Lamar Jackson and the secondary clogging the middle of the field, resulting in Jackson being sacked five times. That's a dangerous recipe for Baltimore, considering Jackson will have to drop back and throw more than he'd like in order to keep pace with the Bills' attack.We're getting this line at quite the discount here as a result of Buffalo's unconvincing display a week ago coupled with the Ravens' second-half dominance against Tennessee. Don't let recency bias sway you.C Jackson CowartRams +7 at PackersI loved the Packers coming into the postseason, and against any other team, I might be inclined to bet them. But this is a brutal matchup for Green Bay against a flawed but dangerous Rams squad.Los Angeles sacked Russell Wilson five times last week and ranked second in the regular season with 53 sacks despite a below-average blitz rate. Much of that is thanks to first-year defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, whose creative pass-rushing scheme provides the foundation for the Rams' top-ranked defense.The best way to beat Aaron Rodgers has historically been to generate pressure without blitzing (see: 2019 49ers) and keep him off the field with a strong running game. That should be no trouble for L.A., which let Cam Akers loose for 131 yards last week and will need to lean on its rushing attack with an injured quarterback in near-freezing temperatures.The Packers' run defense has long been an Achilles' heel, and their offensive line has struggled against unorthodox pass rushes. All told, this is simply the worst matchup Green Bay could have asked for in the divisional round; catching a touchdown on the Rams is merely a bonus.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has been in contact with the Seattle Seahawks for their offensive coordinator opening and would be among the top choices for the job, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Lynn hasn't decided on his plans for the 2021 season, Pelissero adds.The Seahawks recently dismissed former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, citing "philosophical differences." Head coach Pete Carroll spoke of wanting to establish the running game following the Seahawks' playoff exit, and Lynn's expertise in that area could make him a fit.Lynn has spent much of his career as a running backs coach, occupying that position with numerous teams from 2003 to 2016. His work earned him a promotion to head coach of the Chargers in 2017.The 52-year-old put together a 33-31 record with the Chargers over four seasons, but he was fired after missing the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns.Under Lynn, the Chargers' offense didn't finish lower than 11th in yards per game, ranking as high as fourth in 2017.The Seahawks marched to a 12-4 record in 2020, but they struggled to remain consistent. Seattle's offense was middle-of-the-pack in total yardage (17th), passing (16th), and rushing (12th).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have offered their vacant head coaching job to Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, ESPN's Dianna Russini reports.The Falcons have been zeroing in on Smith, interviewing him twice so far. Smith also had a trip scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions, but that trip has now been called off, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Smith has served as the Titans' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and has drawn much praise for his work. Tennessee has ranked in the top ten in scoring in each of Smith's two years, with the offense finishing second in yardage per game in 2020.The 38-year-old has been able to get the most out of his players since taking over the Titans' offense. Ryan Tannehill has enjoyed a career resurgence since arriving in Tennessee last season. Running back Derrick Henry is coming off the eighth 2,000-yard rushing campaign in NFL history, while wide receiver A.J. Brown also eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2020 and Corey Davis was not far behind with 984 yards.The offensive wiz began his tenure as the Titans defensive quality control coach in 2011 before transitioning to the other side of the ball the following year. Smith helped coach the offensive line and tight ends before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019.Smith would replace Dan Quinn, who was fired earlier this campaign after an 0-5 start, and Raheem Morris, who filled in for Quinn on an interim basis.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has agreed in principle to become the next head coach of the New York Jets.The deal will run for five years, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Saleh is expected to take 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur to the Jets as his offensive coordinator, Schefter reports.San Francisco will likely promote linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans as its new defensive coordinator, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Saleh spent the past four seasons as the 49ers' defensive coordinator. The 41-year-old was a key part of the team's Super Bowl LIV run.The Jets fired head coach Adam Gase earlier this month after he posted a 2-14 record this past season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers reached an agreement with Seattle Seahawks executive Scott Fitterer for their general manager position, the team announced Thursday.Fitterer's pact with the Panthers is a five-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.A member of the Seahawks' front office since 2001, Fitterer holds a background in college scouting. He was promoted last year to vice president of football operations. Previously, he served as Seattle's director of player personnel.Fitterer will take over for Marty Hurney, who was fired in December. The Panthers were known to be seeking a more analytics-minded executive to spearhead their football operations.Fitterer was one of four candidates to receive a second interview with Carolina, joining the Tennessee Titans' Monti Ossenfort, Ryan Poles of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Adam Peters of the San Francisco 49ers."We went through a thorough process and it was a great final four," Panthers owner David Tepper said. "We thought Scott was the best fit for the organization."The Panthers went 5-11 in 2020, their first season under head coach Matt Rhule. Carolina has posted just one winning season since losing Super Bowl 50 at the end of the 2015 campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the most successful and respected coaches in college football history is heading to the NFL.The Jacksonville Jaguars named Urban Meyer the sixth head coach in their history, the club announced Thursday."This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. "Urban Meyer is who we want and need, a leader, winner, and champion who demands excellence and produces results. While Urban already enjoys a legacy in the game of football that few will ever match, his passion for the opportunity in front of him here in Jacksonville is powerful and unmistakable."Meyer owns a 187-32 career record as a head coach in college football across stints at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State. The 56-year-old helped the Gators win two national titles during his six-season tenure from 2005-2010. He then coached the Buckeyes from 2012-2018, winning another national championship.Meyer retired after the 2018 season due to health issues. His name has been tied to many major college openings in the time since. The Ohio native has served as a college football analyst on Fox Sports."I'm ready to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars," Meyer said. "Jacksonville has an enthusiastic fan base, and the fans deserve a winning team. With upcoming opportunities in the NFL draft, and strong support from ownership, the Jaguars are well-positioned to become competitive. I've analyzed this decision from every angle - the time is right in Jacksonville, and the time is right for me to return to coaching. I'm excited about the future of this organization and our long-term prospect for success."The Los Angeles Chargers apparently eyed Meyer for their opening, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning that the Jaguars became the "one and only" for the head coach as the parties worked toward a deal.Jacksonville's head coaching job became vacant after Doug Marrone was fired two weeks ago. Marrone posted a 25-44 record through four-plus seasons, including the playoffs. He went 1-15 in 2020.The Jaguars own the first overall pick in the 2021 draft and are projected to have over $71 million in cap space next season, the most in the NFL, according to Spotrac.Jacksonville has yet to name a new general manager to replace David Caldwell, who was dismissed in November.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.