VICIS, the helmet manufacturer that produced Patrick Mahomes' lid, says the piece of equipment didn't fail despite it breaking in the Kansas City Chiefs' wild-card victory over the Miami Dolphins."Extreme conditions like those experienced in Saturday evening's NFL playoff game are bound to test the limits of even the highest-performing products," VICIS said in a statement Tuesday. "While outer shell damage is not ideal, the ZERO2 helmet did its job of protecting Patrick Mahomes during a head-to-head impact in unprecedented cold temperatures."The company added: "The exclusive multi-layer technology employed in the VICIS ZERO2 helmet model utilizes a deformable outer shell (and an) RFLX impact-absorption layer, followed by a stiff inner shell. This design approach is similar to the crumple zone of modern cars, effectively absorbing and dispersing impact forces at the point of contact."

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider says there's an important requirement for the franchise's next head coach: keep the organization's culture in place."We want to keep our positive culture, everything that's been created here," Schneider said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "There's so many special people in this building. It's amazing to be on the phone with all these agents and the people that are interested in this position and to be able to explain to them, 'Hey, there's a foundation here that's incredible.'"For the first time since 2010, the Seahawks are looking for a new head coach after the team elected to move Pete Carroll to an adviser position.With Carroll gone, Schneider will be in charge of personnel for the first time. The new coach will also report to the general manager.Seattle has already reportedly requested interviews with several candidates, including Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who previously served on the Seahawks' staff.Other candidates include Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.Schneider said the position is attractive to candidates due to the Seahawks being "right on the cusp," per NFL.com's Bobby Kownack."I think it's a great core," Schneider added. "I think, again, we're a very attractive job because of that. I think there's young talent all over the place. I think we're the fourth-youngest team in the league or something like that."The Seahawks have finished 9-8 in each of their last two seasons.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told his players Tuesday that he plans on returning for the 2024 season, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The report comes amid speculation that Tomlin would step away from the team. He also told his players those rumors are unfounded, Garafolo adds.Tomlin is set to enter the final year of his contract. He's expected to address the media this week, per Garafolo.Pittsburgh is coming off a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. Tomlin walked out of the postgame press conference when he was asked about his future with the club.

The subzero temperatures at Saturday's wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs led to dozens of hypothermia-related calls to first responders.A spokesperson for the Kansas City Fire Department told ABC News that the agency received 69 calls from inside Arrowhead Stadium and the parking lot during the game, half of which were related to hypothermia."We set up four field aid stations throughout the parking lot and ... either someone flagged us down or we were sent by our operations to locate those individuals in their seats," the spokesperson said.A total of 15 individuals were transported to local hospitals, with at least seven being treated for hypothermia and three for frostbite. Those numbers don't include people who were walk-ins at the University of Kansas Medical Center aid stations.Temperatures were minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) at kickoff with a windchill of minus-27 degrees Fahrenheit (-32.7 degrees Celsius), making Saturday's game one of the coldest in NFL history, according to the Chiefs.The Chiefs defeated the Dolphins 26-7 to advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they'll face the Buffalo Bills.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This cheat sheet is intended to brief fantasy managers on the top skill position players available in free agency and where they'll be playing in 2024.Free agents are ranked based on their projected fantasy impact. They may move up or down the table depending on their new team.The lists will be updated as players get signed, released, tagged, or if they retire.QuarterbacksRunning BacksWide ReceiversTight EndsFT - Franchise tag

New Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters believes the team can compete in the near future without a complete teardown."This is not a total rebuild. There are a ton of wonderful people here that just need leadership," Peters said during his introductory press conference, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.He added, "I believe that there are a few cornerstone pieces on this roster. I believe there's a lot of work to do. ... That's an ongoing process. I've started a little bit, but we have a lot of work to do."The Commanders have a few key players scheduled for free agency, including cornerback Kendall Fuller, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, and linebacker Cody Barton. However, the club is in a good spot to replace departing players and build for the future.Washington currently has the most cap space in the league with $75.3 million, according to Over The Cap. Only four players are slated to carry a cap hit of $10 million-plus in 2024, setting Peters up with the financial wiggle room to make additions.The Commanders also hold nine picks in the 2024 draft, including the No. 2 selection. The upcoming draft is stacked with quarterback talent, with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye headlining the group."It's a great opportunity," Peters said of holding the No. 2 pick. "But we still have to hire a head coach, and we're going to do that full process collaboratively. ... We're far from making a decision on that, but really looking forward to diving into that process."The 44-year-old Peters will help the Commanders find their next head coach. They have interviewed or requested to speak with many candidates. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is their top target, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic."We want the best leader for this team. ... It's not going to be in a box - offense or defense - it's going to be the best leader for this organization," Peters said of what Washington is looking for in its next head coach.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the NFL, as in life, when someone tells you who they are, believe them.The Cowboys have long proven unserious when it comes to the postseason, so the biggest upset of Wild Card Weekend couldn't have surprised anyone other than Jerry Jones. Meanwhile, the Eagles didn't do anything down the stretch to show you they should be favored over anyone. Neither the Buccaneers' nor the Packers' win felt like an outlier result.The Texans' blowout of the Browns was impressive but did feel like it came from one end of a game-result bell curve. After a six-game Super Wild Card Weekend, that matchup also feels like it happened before the Ice Age - and in some ways, it did, considering the state of Andy Reid's mustache in Kansas City on Saturday night. Predictably, like actual Dolphins in arctic conditions, Miami's offense had no chance against the Chiefs' defense.The most interesting second half of the six games came in Detroit without so much as one touchdown. Thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who had the over, but the Rams had to thread the eye of a needle by covering +3 without ever having a lead and facing an 11-point deficit to the Lions at one point. That's hard to do.In terms of our wagers, we'll remember the 2023 Wild Card Weekend for long-shot touchdowns that came home. We scored with Brevin Jordan (+800), Dawson Knox (+700), and Calvin Austin III (+1200), making it somewhat surprising that we didn't have tickets for unlikely TD-scorers David Moore, Trey Palmer, or Luke Musgrave.As we turn the page to the divisional round, let's look at where the betting lines have settled and what that says about each team.Texans @ Ravens (-9, 44.5)The Ravens opened as 8.5-point favorites. Whether there was early money on Baltimore at that number or it created vulnerability for 6-point teasers to bring the Ravens down to -2.5, the line has been pushed up to -9. This is likely where it should have started, regardless of how well the Texans played. The total has ticked down from an open of 46.Packers @ 49ers (-9.5, 50.5)This line is teetering between -9.5 and -10. It sits outside of teaser range while also accounting for another upgrade to the Packers' market rating to counteract any rest advantage the 49ers have. The total has held steady so far, as this is expected to be the highest-scoring game next weekend.Buccaneers @ Lions (-6.5, 48.5)Some bettors might have been willing to knock aside the elderly to get the Lions at -5.5 before it moved up to -6 in mere minutes late Monday night. As of Tuesday afternoon, the line's headed even further Detroit's way, with many books offering a flat -6.5 on either side. There's been no movement on the total.Chiefs @ Bills (-2.5, 46.5)The headlining closer for the divisional round might end up being this week's cat-and-mouse game within the betting market. Will there ever be enough interest in the Bills at -2.5 (-115) that we see -110 odds on either side of -3, and at that point, how long does Chiefs +3 last before sharp bettors pounce?Using these lines, we can decipher how the market rates the remaining eight teams.Playoff team power ratingsThe ratings below are out of 100 and suggest the likelihood, as a percentage, of that team beating an average team on a neutral field. They are estimates based on recent point spreads.TEAMRATING (/100)49ers84Ravens77Bills72Chiefs70Lions60Packers54Texans44Buccaneers43This is a helpful reminder that the 49ers are still considered head and shoulders above even the Ravens. On a neutral field, San Francisco would be a 2-point favorite should all things remain equal.It's also noteworthy that the 49ers' path to Las Vegas improved this past weekend while they weren't even playing. The Cowboys and the cratering Eagles were rated higher than the Lions. Should the home teams win in the NFC games this coming weekend, San Francisco should be over a converted-touchdown favorite at home to Detroit in the NFC championship. Meanwhile, the Ravens wouldn't be much higher than -3 against the Chiefs or Bills.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, the team announced Tuesday.Carmichael has been the Saints' OC since 2009 and part of the coaching staff since 2006.The 52-year-old came to the NFC South club with former head coach Sean Payton as the quarterbacks coach and was promoted three years later.Carmichael retained his position when Payton stepped down following the 2021 season and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen took over as coach.While Payton was the play-caller during his tenure, Carmichael was part of a record-breaking offense with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees under center. The Saints finished as a top-10 scoring offense 13 times and a top-five unit on 10 occasions in 16 seasons.New Orleans' offense struggled in 2022, finishing 22nd in points per game and 19th in yards per game. Carmichael's group bounced back in 2023 to rank ninth in points, but the 9-8 Saints still missed the playoffs.New Orleans also dismissed senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns on Tuesday."I would like to thank Pete, Bob, and Kodi for their service to the New Orleans Saints and to this coaching staff," said Allen. "These types of decisions are never easy to come to, but are necessary as we move forward."I would especially like to thank Pete for his contributions to this staff for 18 seasons. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the job he has done and as a colleague."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.A rare opportunity Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHow 'bout them Cowboys?This was supposed to be the year. Entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and fresh off posting their best point differential since 1968, anything short of a trip to the NFC title game was going to be a disappointment for Dallas. Yet that somehow doesn't even begin to describe what happened Sunday afternoon.Green Bay raced out to a 27-0 lead before Dallas could get its bearings on either side of the ball. The offense made a charge in the second half, but it was too little, too late - there was no coming back from that start. The 48-32 loss makes the Cowboys the first team to fall to a No. 7 seed since the NFL's playoff expansion. And it was also their first home defeat of the season.Naturally, the football world is now waiting to hear about Mike McCarthy's future. Fans were calling for his job before halftime, and Jerry Jones dodging coaching questions postgame only added to the speculation.It would be wildly unfair to pin all of this on McCarthy alone. He's led Dallas to three consecutive 12-win seasons, the organization's most victories over three years since the Super Bowl teams of the '90s. And it should be noted that Jones has stood by his coaches amid much less regular-season success before. But this one still feels different.Even the biggest Cowboys haters will admit this team is close. The pieces are in place. McCarthy might get them there; he might not. But the mounting pressure to get it done now, combined with a truly historic crop of available coaches, should lead to Jones making a change.Whether it's Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel, Pete Carroll, or one of the rising star assistants, there is no shortage of candidates for ownership to make a meaningful upgrade at head coach. Even if Jones hasn't lost complete faith in McCarthy, the time is now.Running it back isn't an option if you can get one of the best coaches in the game.Implosion complete Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / GettySpeaking of coaches on the hot seat: Nick Sirianni might be in trouble.The Eagles were 10-1 at the end of November. They went 1-6 from that point forward, with the dagger being a blowout loss to the Bucs in wild-card action on Monday night. It's not often we see a team go from Super Bowl favorite to colossal embarrassment in seven short weeks.We could say it came out of nowhere, but that wouldn't quite be true. Despite the impressive start, it always felt like the defending NFC champs were missing something.Jalen Hurts wasn't playing at the level he had enjoyed last season, even though some all-important QB wins were vaulting him to the top of the MVP conversation. By the end of the year, he looked lost in the pocket. While the Eagles would like to get more out of their $51-million quarterback, a milquetoast offense so regularly asking him to create his own answers for the blitz, among other things, certainly isn't helping.Sirianni did attempt to make adjustments on the defensive side of the ball, installing Matt Patricia as the play-caller down the stretch. But the issues only snowballed from there. Coverage busts and tackling calamities saw Philly's defense get picked apart by Tampa Bay's 17th-ranked passing attack.Firing Sirianni so soon after a Super Bowl appearance would be bold. It's entirely possible that the front office isn't even willing to consider it. But after a meaningful stretch in which the Eagles were legitimately one of the worst teams in football, and the coaching staff was doing nothing to help pull them out of the funk, how can you have any confidence that he's the one to salvage this mess?There are a number of star coaches on the market, many of whom would likely jump at the opportunity to coach this roster. Can the Eagles afford to pass that up?There's no time for patience when you're chasing a Super Bowl.Love ascending Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyDon't let Dallas choking in the playoffs steal all the spotlight from Sunday's blowout - that's not exactly a new development.The Packers going on the road to beat the Cowboys on Wild Card Weekend was also, and perhaps more importantly, the confirmation of everything we saw from their young quarterback down the stretch. Jordan Love is a budding superstar.It hasn't been the cleanest of seasons for the first-time starter. After a spectacular debut against the Bears, I wrote about how Green Bay could be transitioning to a third straight franchise-caliber quarterback. That notion seemed a little premature by the end of October when some offensive struggles resulted in the Packers dropping to 2-5.As it turns out, though, there was bound to be some growing pains with such a young roster. The flashes were the real indicator of what was to come. The Packers offense started to clean up some rookie-like mistakes in November, and the wins soon followed.Love has been the key to it all, showing exactly why the Packers were willing to make him a first-round pick in 2020 despite Aaron Rodgers' presence. He was near perfect in Dallas, completing 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards (13 yards per attempt!), three touchdowns, and no turnovers.The Utah State product has always had top-end arm talent and the athleticism to create outside of structure. After taking a few years to develop behind Rodgers, he's also now demonstrating the accuracy, poise, and vision to put it all together.The Packers have their work cut out for them next week in San Francisco, but that's more about Joe Barry's responsibilities to slow down Kyle Shanahan's offense. This season is an enormous victory for Green Bay, no matter what happens from here on out.Love might be a top-10 quarterback heading into next season. How in the world do the Packers keep doing this?Texans vindicated Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyThis space could again be used to talk about how fun the Texans are right now. Houston seems destined for great things with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud leading the way, and a playoff victory in Year 1 of this new era is only the beginning of that journey.But Houston's resurgence has been clear for the better part of the last few months. Instead, let's take it back to April's draft.The Texans stole the show in the first round by following up the Stroud pick by striking a blockbuster deal, moving from No. 12 to No. 3 to get Will Anderson Jr. While the Alabama pass-rusher certainly deserved such a high selection, the Texans drew some intense criticism for surrendering a package of picks that, among other assets, included their 2024 first-rounder.Even with Stroud and Anderson in the mix, it seemed reasonable to suggest that this team was still at least another year away from opening a competitive window. Had that pick ended up in the top five, for example, Houston could have been passing up an opportunity to land a generational receiver talent like Marvin Harrison Jr.Well, so much for that.The Texans eliminating the Browns in the wild-card round guarantees that the pick sent to Arizona will be later than the 2024 first-rounder they still own from Cleveland in the Deshaun Watson trade.Did the Texans make the Anderson trade knowing they'd be in this position? Probably not. But it sure seems like they did so with supreme confidence that they'd be competitive enough to have no regrets next April. And they were right.It's been an incredible year in Houston, and it's not done yet.Quick slantsRight on time Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe've been waiting all year for this. No matter what Patrick Mahomes did, this offense was always going to need another reliable target for the Chiefs to make a run. Enter Rashee Rice. The second-round rookie proved more than capable of a high-volume role in Saturday's win over the Dolphins, turning his 12 targets into eight catches for a season-high 130 yards and one touchdown. You didn't think the Chiefs would go away that quietly, did you?Lions won the trade, tooThe Rams will forever be seen as the big winners of the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade. That's how it works when you swing big for the quarterback who leads you to a Super Bowl. But that deal was every bit as crucial for the Lions. Detroit received a pair of first-round picks that, through some savvy trade work, helped it land key pieces like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta. And while it seemed like Goff was a throw-in, the veteran quarterback has been a key figure in revitalizing this organization. Goff and the Lions outdueling Stafford and the Rams for the franchise's first playoff win in 32 years is as good as it gets for playoff football. Detroit is going to be an incredible postseason atmosphere for years to come.Rams back in the mixThe Rams' short- and long-term future was decidedly murky this time last year. Sean McVay was worn out and considering retirement after a 5-12 season, injuries were mounting for an aging Stafford, and some ultra-aggressive personnel moves left the roster in shambles. And yet here they were, a few plays away from knocking off an outstanding Lions team on the road in the playoffs. McVay recommitted himself early in the offseason and teamed up with Les Snead to rebuild the roster with a loaded draft class. The on-field work was equally impressive, and turning such a young group into a legitimate contender should be considered McVay's best work yet. The Rams can expect to be back here next year. And they'll likely be there more often than not for as long as McVay leads the way.Bills injuries piling upThe Bills are an absolute wagon. They've completely righted the ship after some midseason turmoil, and Josh Allen is playing as well as any quarterback in the league. This season could very well be Buffalo's best opportunity to chase down its first Super Bowl in franchise history. Keep an eye on the injury situation, though. An already thin defense lost several more starters in Monday's win over the Steelers, with Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard among those sidelined. That's not how you want to head into a divisional-round matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Bills will have to hope that at least a few of their banged-up starters can get back in time for Sunday night.Decision time in Miami Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyTua Tagovailoa is a productive player. He's also been a good fit for Mike McDaniel's system. After leading the league in passing this season, Tagovailoa will be looking for an extension that makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks. Saturday's loss to the Chiefs all but confirms that the Dolphins should have no interest in such a deal. Those contracts are difficult to justify if your quarterback hasn't shown the ability to elevate the offense around him. To this point, that's where we are with Tagovailoa. While letting him play out the last year of his deal is the most likely scenario, there should be nothing stopping Miami from going in a new direction as soon as next season. It's worth considering whether veteran quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith could be the final piece for this team.Don't blame TomlinSteelers fans are going to be annoyed at the continued lack of playoff success. That's a fair gripe. But let's be honest: Pittsburgh had no business even being in the postseason with the quarterbacks on this roster. Looking beyond the final game, this was yet another year of the Steelers outperforming their talent level and willing their way into the playoffs. That's a credit, first and foremost, to Mike Tomlin. There have been rumblings that his future with the team is somewhat unsettled, and the longtime head coach walking out of his postgame presser won't exactly put those questions to bed. But the Steelers need to find a way to get this sorted out. There aren't many teams in the league who wouldn't jump at the chance to hire one of the best coaches in football.Bucs defy the oddsThe Bucs are off to the divisional round after putting the Eagles out of their misery on Monday night. Philly's collapse will be the main talking point from the wild-card finale, but be sure to give Tampa Bay its credit, too. An all-in approach to win with Tom Brady left the organization carrying more than $81 million in dead money on the salary cap this season. That would have been a totally reasonable excuse for a rough year. Except the Bucs, led by a resurgent Baker Mayfield on a $4-million deal, went on to win the NFC South. It'll be fascinating to see what this team can do with some money to spend in the offseason ahead.Browns' road failuresThe Browns defense getting shredded by the Texans was a surprising development over the weekend. Maybe it shouldn't have been. In one of the most bizarre statistical splits you'll ever see, Cleveland's defense finished the year allowing 13.9 points per game at home and 31.3 points per contest on the road. That's the NFL's largest home-road differential since 1982, according to ESPN. How could this possibly happen? Your guess is as good as mine.Stat of the week

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce told teammates he's retiring following Monday's wild-card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Kelce, 36, was visibly emotional toward the conclusion of Monday's loss and declined to speak with reporters postgame. "No guys, not today," he said, according to Schefter.Right tackle Lane Johnson said Kelce "hinted" to teammates that it would be his final season."I love him. He's one of the best to ever play the game," Johnson said. "The things he can do on the football field athletically - I don't think we'll see another one like him for a long time."The six-time first-team All-Pro contemplated retirement over the past few seasons, but this time he's expected to go through with it, Schefter adds."He's special, and I love him," head coach Nick Sirianni said, per NFL.com's Grant Gordon. "He's one of the most special guys I've been around."The future Hall of Famer was a sixth-round pick who went on to play 193 regular-season games and 12 postseason contests, including anchoring the offensive line in a Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots.Kelce has seen his profile rise over the past couple seasons. He has starred in several commercials and co-hosts the "New Heights" podcast alongside his brother, All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nick Sirianni isn't paying any attention to speculation that he could be fired after the Philadelphia Eagles' 2023 implosion was capped off with a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round."I'm not thinking about that," Sirianni said postgame Monday, according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano. "I'm thinking about the guys. I'm not worried about me."After jumping out to a 10-1 start, the Eagles appeared on track for another playoff run before dropping six of their final seven games, including Monday's wild-card loss. In the process, Philadelphia also lost the right to host a playoff game, surrendering the NFC East lead to the Dallas Cowboys.Sirianni pointed the finger at himself when asked about the team's collapse down the stretch."I always look at myself first," Sirianni said. "I didn't do a good enough job."He added: "We couldn't get out of the rut we were in."Sirianni's disappointing 2023 campaign comes only one season after he led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance. The team's collapse, coupled with rumors of a disconnect on offense between star quarterback Jalen Hurts, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, and the head coach, has led to chatter over whether the franchise could fire Sirianni despite his recent postseason success.Philadelphia hasn't been shy to fire Super Bowl coaches before. Doug Pederson was dismissed three seasons removed from bringing the franchise its first and only Lombardi Trophy.Issues within the Eagles reportedly include players being confused over who is calling offensive plays and when, as Sirianni sometimes overrides Johnson's play calls. Hurts was also apparently not happy with the direction of the Eagles' offense in 2023.The Eagles' boss also made the decision to demote Sean Desai from defensive play-calling duties and promote Matt Patricia in his place. The move was heavily criticized and the team's defense failed to make any significant improvements.Sirianni, who has made the playoffs in each of his three seasons in Philadelphia, has accumulated a record of 34-17.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Wild Card Weekend in the books, here's what next week's divisional round schedule looks like:AFCMatchupDayTime (ET)NetworkTexans at RavensSaturday4:30 p.m.ESPNChiefs at BillsSunday6:30 p.m.CBSNFCMatchupDayTime (ET)NetworkPackers at 49ersSaturday8 p.m.FoxBuccaneers at LionsSunday3 p.m.NBCLed by Josh Allen's four combined touchdowns, the Buffalo Bills took down the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday to advance to play Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in another highly anticipated playoff matchup between AFC heavyweights on Sunday. It'll be the first road playoff start of Mahomes' career. Also in the conference, the No. 1 Baltimore Ravens - who had a bye this past weekend - will host the Houston Texans. Houston and Kansas City advanced Saturday with wins over the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, respectively.The Ravens and Texans also squared off in Week 1, with Baltimore claiming a 25-9 victory. The teams are led by stud quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and C.J. Stroud, the favorites to be named MVP and Offensive Rookie of the Year this season, respectively.The Green Bay Packers put on a show to eliminate the Dallas Cowboys and book a divisional-round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, who had a wild-card bye as the NFC's No. 1 seed. Green Bay visits San Francisco on Saturday.Finally, the Detroit Lions claimed their first playoff victory since the 1991 season on Sunday by topping the Los Angeles Rams in Matthew Stafford's return to Ford Field. Detroit now hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after Baker Mayfield and Co. eliminated the reeling Philadelphia Eagles.The NFL also announced Sunday that the AFC Championship Game will take place on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m. ET. The NFC title matchup is scheduled for that same day at 6 p.m. ET.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin left his press conference early after being asked about his coaching future following Monday's wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Atlanta Falcons interviewed Bill Belichick for their vacant head coaching job, the team announced Monday.No deal is imminent, but there's mutual interest as the two sides continue to talk, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.This is Belichick's first head coaching interview since parting ways with the New England Patriots after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles. The legendary coach also acted as New England's de facto general manager. However, it's been rumored that the 71-year-old is open to giving up GM duties on his new team. Terry Fontenot has been Atlanta's general manager since 2021.Arguably the most remarkable win of Belichick's head coaching career came against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, as the Patriots came back from a 28-3 third-quarter deficit to earn a 34-28 victory in overtime.The Falcons' job became vacant after the team dismissed Arthur Smith following a third straight 7-10 season. Atlanta showed improvement on defense this past campaign but struggled offensively, particularly at the quarterback position while starting Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder.Belichick owns a career record of 333-178, including the playoffs. However, the Patriots went 4-13 in 2023, their second straight losing season. Though New England's offense has struggled since Tom Brady left the team, the club's defense - Belichick's area of expertise - has ranked in the top 10 in points or yards allowed each year since 2012.Belichick is 15 victories away from becoming the NFL's all-time winningest head coach.In addition to Belichick, the Falcons have had head coaching interviews with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver.Atlanta has also requested to speak with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and Antonio Pierce, who finished the 2023 regular season as the Las Vegas Raiders' interim sideline boss.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens believes his team was up against the Buffalo Bills and the officials in Monday's 31-17 wild-card loss."Refs, refs, refs. That's the only thing that's really on my mind when it's blatant," Pickens said postgame, according to Nick Farabaugh of SteelersNow."You're not gonna win a game when you play the refs and the Buffalo Bills. That's really what I feel like happened to us today."With the Steelers trailing 31-17 in the fourth quarter, Pickens appeared to be held by Bills cornerback Dane Jackson on an incomplete fourth-down pass. However, the referees didn't call a penalty.

The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their search for a new head coach on Monday, requesting interviews with multiple candidates.Seattle asked to speak with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In addition to Quinn, the Seahawks reportedly requested interviews with five other coordinators:

USC quarterback and possible No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Monday, he announced on Instagram.Williams is the favorite to be the first player selected in April, with fellow quarterback Drake Maye of North Carolina expected to be his main competition.After transferring from Oklahoma, Williams won the Heisman Trophy in his first campaign at USC in 2022. In that effort, he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against five interceptions in 14 appearances.But Williams' 2023 season fell short of expectations, with the Trojans finishing the campaign 8-5. While the quarterback's production was still strong - 3,633 yards and 30 scores against five picks in 12 games - he wasn't among the top 10 players in Heisman voting.Still, Williams remains arguably one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects of the last decade-plus, alongside Trevor Lawrence and Andrew Luck.The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 selection for a second straight season. Chicago traded the top pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers, who selected quarterback Bryce Young and sent their 2024 first-rounder, wide receiver D.J. Moore, and other picks to the Bears.Chicago will need to decide whether to draft either Williams or Maye at No. 1 and trade current starter Justin Fields, or stick with Fields and again move the top selection.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is proud of what his team has accomplished so far this season."There's a different energy about our team. It's so much fun to come to work every day," LaFleur said after Sunday's 48-32 wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today.The Packers, who made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in their first season after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, dominated the Cowboys. Green Bay started the contest on a 27-0 run and took a 48-16 lead early in the fourth quarter.LaFleur's outfit put on a clinic offensively and averaged 7.7 yards per play. Quarterback Jordan Love had 272 yards and three touchdowns on 16-for-21 passing. He posted a 157.2 passer rating in his first career playoff start."Jordan Love. Wow. That's about all I can say. Wow," LaFleur said of Love postgame. "What he did, the poise he shows, the command he shows. ... But what a moment for him. To me, that was a big-time play. It just shows the growth that he's had since his first start against (the Kansas City Chiefs) to now. Just so proud and happy for him."Love joined the Packers as a surprise first-round pick in 2020. He made only one start as a rookie against the Chiefs in a game Rodgers didn't play due to the league's COVID-19 protocols. Green Bay moved on from former Super Bowl MVP Rodgers and named Love its QB1 in 2023.Love completed 64.2% of his passes while tossing 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns - the second-most in the league - against 11 interceptions during the 2023 regular season.The Packers didn't pick up the Utah State product's fifth-year option, but the 25-year-old is under contract through the 2024 season after inking a one-year extension last May."Can't say enough how proud I am of everybody in the locker room," Love said Sunday, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "It's been a long season. We've been counted out a lot of the season, so just the way everybody keeps battling, keeps competing ... It's a great feeling."Green Bay will now visit the San Francisco 49ers, who had a bye on Wild Card Weekend as the NFC's No. 1 seed.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fans in attendance for the wild-card matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers had to search for their seats in a snow-covered Highmark Stadium on Monday, providing viral moments as supporters dug through piles of snow pregame.The playoff matchup was originally scheduled for Sunday, but the NFL moved the game to Monday due to inclement weather in Buffalo.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is disappointed that Philadelphia hasn't taken the offense in his desired direction, a source told ESPN's Tim McManus.The lack of identity for the Eagles' offense - which averaged just over 20 points per game during a 1-6 finish to the regular season - reportedly has been caused by a disconnect between Hurts' vision, head coach Nick Sirianni, and first-year offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.Hurts hoped to move away from relying too heavily on downfield throws in favor of short-to-intermediate and middle-of-the-field throws, adds McManus.Johnson was promoted to OC from quarterbacks coach after Shane Steichen left to become the Indianapolis Colts' head coach last offseason, with an eye on maintaining continuity for an offense that ranked first in points scored and propelled the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2022.However, with Sirianni occasionally overruling Johnson's in-game decisions, some players are reportedly unsure who is calling the plays and when.After finishing second in MVP voting last season, Hurts - who's been nursing a knee injury this year - has seen his interception total jump from six to 15 while his passer rating has dropped from 101.5 to 89.5.The quarterback has remained a rare threat to score with his legs - he collected 15 rushing touchdowns in 2023 after earning 13 in 2022 - but he has rushed for 605 yards in 17 games compared to 760 in two fewer appearances last year.Philadelphia will go on the road to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Monday's wild-card game.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has high hopes of signing Tua Tagovailoa to a contract extension."The goal is to have him long term playing at a high level," Grier told reporters Monday, including South Florida Sun Sentinel's Chris Perkins.Grier added that he stayed in touch and had "good conversations" with Tagovailoa's agent throughout the year, but the sides never discussed money."We'll work through things and have productive conversations," Grier said, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.Tagovailoa will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2024.The former No. 5 overall pick won a career-high 11 games in 2023 while leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. His 29 touchdowns were also a personal best, though so were his 14 interceptions.However, Tagovailoa's play faltered down the stretch along with Miami's results. The Dolphins lost four of their last six, including Saturday night's 26-7 wild-card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tagovailoa averaged a season-low 5.1 yards per pass attempt in the defeat.Head coach Mike McDaniel said the Chiefs' coverage schemes caused the lack of downfield passes and that it wasn't a reflection of Tagovailoa, per Pro Football Network's Adam Beasley.When asked about giving up play-calling duties, McDaniel responded that nothing is off the table. Grier promised that the team would "look different" next season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford congratulated his former team on its playoff breakthrough Sunday but stopped short of saluting Detroit Lions fans."I'm happy for the players," Stafford responded when asked if he felt happy for the city of Detroit.

Martin Luther King III and his family will be on hand for Monday night's wild-card game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles.King, who is the son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with his wife Arndrea Waters King and their daughter Yolanda Renee King will serve as honorary team captains for the Bucs and will participate in the coin toss, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.The appearance will mark the first time the King family has helped to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at an NFL game."Having the King family in attendance to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on this special evening is an honor and a privilege," Bucs co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said in a press release. "The work being done by the Martin Luther King III Foundation is truly inspirational and aligns with the Buccaneers' social justice mission to effect meaningful and positive change through purposeful dialogue and impactful programs."The Bucs will honor Dr. King throughout the game with video board tributes and graphics. The Bethune-Cookman University concert chorale will also perform at halftime.The NFL recently announced a five-year commitment to Realizing the Dream, a platform created by the King family that aims to unite people through initiatives focused on social change and community impact.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Snow continues to wreak havoc on Highmark Stadium ahead of the Buffalo Bills' wild-card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Photos and videos posted Monday morning on X showed snow covering most of the seats at the Bills' stadium while shovelers worked to get the building ready for kickoff. One shoveler said fans attending the game should be prepared to sit on piles of snow, as crews were told to only clear walkways and not seats.

A year ago, Sean McVay was unsure if he would remain the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Following Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round, McVay was appreciative of the club's remarkable turnaround."I'm so proud of this football team," McVay said postgame, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "And the finality of it ... doesn't totally resonate. But man, did I learn a lot and really appreciate this group."They helped me find my way again and how much I love this and love the people that I'm around," he added.McVay considered walking away from his role last offseason after the Rams went 5-12. The franchise revamped the roster by parting ways with some of its veterans in favor of a youth movement save for core pieces such as Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp.Following their worst campaign since McVay took over in 2017, the Rams entered the 2023 season with projections of missing the playoffs again. But after a 3-6 start to their campaign and despite injuries to several starters, including Kyren Williams and Stafford, the Rams racked up seven wins in their final eight games to clinch the NFC's No. 6 spot.L.A. finished in the league's top 10 averaging 23.8 points and 359.3 total yards per game after finishing toward the bottom of each category in 2022."Nobody gave us a chance to even be sniffing where we are right now, and (we) gave a really good football team a run for their money," Stafford said. The star QB described 2023 as "a fun year" while also saying he plans to return for a 16th season in 2024."I think the further that you get away from the raw emotions of it, the more appreciation they'll have for what they did," McVay said. "And I think there's a lot of things that we can build on, but you got to do it. And this group is an example of it."The Rams will enter the offseason looking to build around a young nucleus that includes Puka Nacua, whose 181 yards on nine receptions Sunday set a rookie record for most receiving yards in a postseason game.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams fell short against the Detroit Lions, but Puka Nacua added another impressive achievement to his rookie season.The Rams receiver set the rookie record for most receiving yards in a playoff game during Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Lions.The record previously belonged to Seattle Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf, who caught 160 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2020. Nacua broke Metcalf's mark with a long catch in the fourth quarter.

There may never be a better time for the Dallas Cowboys to move on from Mike McCarthy than right now.Another disappointing postseason loss under McCarthy - this time a 48-32 upset to the Green Bay Packers - is bad enough, but with the abundance of top coaching talent available, this is almost too good of an opportunity for Jerry Jones to pass up on.Here are five big names the franchise could pursue if McCarthy is fired:Bill Belichick Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe trendiest pick of the candidates, Belichick joining the Cowboys feels like a perfect match. For starters, at 71 years old, the legendary coach likely has little to no appetite for heading a rebuild. That's what makes Dallas such an attractive destination. If Jones were to lure Belichick, he would obtain a roster that contains the most talented quarterback he's had since Tom Brady in Dak Prescott. The Cowboys also have star power on defense.The one ingredient this team has really been lacking is a steep culture change that can erase the stench of falling short and replace it with winning. There's no one better equipped for that than a head coach with 302 wins and six Super Bowl championships.Mike VrabelVrabel was dismissed by the Tennessee Titans after posting a positive record of 54-45 over six seasons. While his last two seasons were rough - carrying a combined mark of 13-21 - Vrabel had already established himself as a made man among coaching circles. The Titans posted winning records in each of his first four seasons and earned three playoff appearances. His most memorable moment came in 2019 when he guided the sixth-seed Titans all the way to a conference title game. That's more than the Cowboys can say they've done over the last 28 years.If the Cowboys are eyeing a leader of men and former player who might have better luck extracting success from the locker room, Vrabel could be a good choice.Jim Harbaugh Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyHarbaugh is taking NFL head coaching interviews again, and, while he hasn't officially confirmed that he's trying to return, this is as real as it's ever felt. If the Cowboys move on from McCarthy and want a proven winner, then Harbaugh's name should be at the top of Jones' shortlist.Harbaugh has proven he can get it done wherever he goes. He's coming off a national championship with Michigan in which he rallied his players to rise above all attention brought upon by investigations over an alleged sign-stealing scandal. He's also demonstrated he can lead professional adults, taking the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl during the 2012 season.Pete CarrollThe Seattle Seahawks gifted Carroll a gracious exit after 14 years as head coach. However, it's clear that the 72-year-old does not want to stop coaching. In his exit press conference, Carroll left the possibility of coaching elsewhere open, and his resume should certainly fetch the attention of the Cowboys.Carroll has made two Super Bowls - winning one - while also leading the Seahawks to a 10-9 record in the postseason. Seattle's excellence under Carroll was built off a dangerous defense, especially in the secondary. The Cowboys also fit that description. Plus, Dallas already owns one piece of Seattle's Super Bowl run in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, assuming he doesn't leave. A reunion could be enticing.Ben Johnson Mike Mulholland / Getty Images Sport / GettyJohnson is thought to be one of the most in-demand coaching candidates after turning the Jared Goff-led Lions into a juggernaut offense. Detroit has ranked in the top five in points scored in each of his two seasons calling plays. The 2023 campaign really solidified Johnson as a can't-miss coaching candidate, as the Lions went 12-5 and won their division for the first time since 1993.Johnson is already in heavy demand with numerous interview requests coming Detroit's way. However, the Cowboys' position - which comes with the likes of Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and a statistically stout defense - easily makes it the top job if it's available. Dallas could use some new ideas on offense after multiple failed years with the likes of Kellen Moore and McCarthy calling plays, and Johnson could be the fresh voice the franchise so desperately needs.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time since the 1991 season, the Detroit Lions have won a playoff game.The Lions captured their first postseason victory in 32 years and ruined Matthew Stafford's Detroit homecoming in the process with their 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.Stafford, who spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Lions, threw for over 350 yards and two touchdowns, but the Lions' defense hung on for the long-awaited postseason win.More to come.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott showed support for head coach Mike McCarthy following Sunday's 48-32 wild-card home loss to the Green Bay Packers."He's been amazing," Prescott said of McCarthy postgame, according to Joseph Hoyt of LoneStarLive.com. "I don't know how there could be (speculation about McCarthy's future). I understand the business, and in that case, there should be (speculation) about me as well."I've had the season I've had because of that guy. This team has had the success it has had because of him. I understand it's about winning the Super Bowl. That's the standard of the league and that's damn sure the standard of this place."The Packers controlled Sunday's matchup from start to finish and scored the contest's first 27 points. Green Bay also had a 48-16 fourth-quarter lead before Dallas scored two touchdowns with the game already out of hand.Prescott completed 41 of 60 pass attempts for 403 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions, including a 64-yard pick-6. He was outplayed by Jordan Love, who was 16-for-21 passing with 272 yards and three TDs in his first playoff start."I sucked tonight," said Prescott, who added that he's "shocked" after his team's latest elimination, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.A second-team All-Pro in 2023, Prescott was an MVP contender during the regular season after leading the NFL with 36 TD passes. The 30-year-old threw only nine interceptions and had just one multi-INT game while helping Dallas post an 8-0 home record."I think like anything you're always trying to get your quarterback into a rhythm. It took a little longer than I would've liked," McCarthy said of Prescott's performance, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.Prescott has posted a 73-41 regular-season record since joining the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick in 2016. However, he's only 2-5 in the playoffs. Dallas has been a one-and-done in the postseason eight times since 1996.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's "floored" by the loss, adding that it was possibly "the most painful" playoff defeat his team has suffered. Jones declined to comment on McCarthy's future.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys collected another playoff disappointment on Sunday by losing at home to the Green Bay Packers 48-32 in the wild-card round.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed his team's latest loss postgame, saying he is stunned by the outcome."I'm floored," Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic."This was one of my most surprises since I've been involved in sports," he added, according to CBS Sports. " ... This seems like the most painful (playoff loss) because we all had such great expectation and we had hope for this team. I thought we were aligned and in great shape."The Cowboys entered Sunday as the NFC's No. 2 seed and with a perfect record in eight regular-season home games in 2023. They also ranked first and fifth in points scored and allowed, respectively.Dallas won 12 games in each of the last three seasons. However, the team continues to struggle in the playoffs and has won just one postseason contest since 2019. This is the eighth time Dallas has gone one-and-done in the playoffs since 1996.Head coach Mike McCarthy has posted a 42-25 record in the regular season across four years with Dallas but is only 1-3 in the postseason. Jones declined to discuss McCarthy's future postgame on Sunday."There's nothing set on that," Jones said when asked about meeting with McCarthy, according to Machota. "What I had planned to do was be with him tomorrow going over how we played today and getting ready for the coming week. ... Tomorrow, my agenda will be to dismiss the team."The Packers opened a 27-0 lead in the second quarter and were also up 48-16 early in the fourth quarter before the Cowboys scored a pair of garbage-time touchdowns. Dallas did finish the matchup with 510 total yards and 37 first downs. However, Green Bay won the turnover battle (0-2) and averaged 7.7 yards per play."I don't think anyone saw this coming. We didn't get it done in any of the phases," McCarthy said Sunday."I think the biggest thing is we're disappointed," he added. " ... I haven't thought past the outcome of this game."Packers quarterback Jordan Love put on a show in his playoff debut, completing 16 of 21 pass attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns, good for a passer rating of 157.2.Meanwhile, Dak Prescott - an MVP contender during the regular season - was 41-for-60 in passing with 403 yards and three TDs against two interceptions, including a 64-yard pick-6.Several high-profile head coaches are available in 2024, and social media instantly started calling for Bill Belichick to become Dallas' next sideline boss during Sunday's embarrassing defeat.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Love could cash in on his strong first season as the Green Bay Packers' starter.Green Bay and the ascending quarterback will have a "serious conversation" about a potential new deal in the offseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.The 25-year-old is contracted through the 2024 campaign after inking a short-term deal last May.The Packers opted not to pick up the fifth-year option in Love's rookie deal that would've cost $20.272 million fully guaranteed for the 2024 season. Instead, Green Bay gave its new top signal-caller a one-year extension worth up to $22.5 million, including $13.5 million fully guaranteed.Love earned $4.5 million in escalators after getting the Packers back to the playoffs and will take home another $500,000 after helping to stun the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round Sunday.The 2020 first-round pick has caught fire since Week 11, leading Green Bay to a 6-2 record while throwing 18 touchdowns to just one interception. He finished the season second in passing scores (32), seventh in passing yards (4,159), and ninth in success rate (47.6%) and QBR (62.0).Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Love completed 16 of 21 pass attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns in his playoff debut and Aaron Jones scored three rushing TDs to help the Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys 48-32 in Sunday's wild-card game at AT&T Stadium.The NFC's No. 7 seed, Green Bay will now visit the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Meanwhile, the loss marks another disappointing playoff exit for Dallas.More to come.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys turned in the latest entry in their expansive history of playoff letdowns Sunday, putting up little resistance as the Green Bay Packers ran roughshod in Jerry World.Social media users had a field day with "America's Team's" misery, with many making the same connection to a certain eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach recently on the job market.These are the best reactions we saw:

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is officially active for Sunday's wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams.LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise in the final game of the regular season. He's expected to wear a brace against the Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.The second-team All-Pro selection was listed as a nonparticipant in the team's Wednesday and Thursday practices but participated in full on Friday.The rookie was an immediate contributor for Detroit after being selected 34th overall in the draft. LaPorta hauled in 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season.The Iowa product's 10 scores are tied with Rob Gronkowski for the second most by a rookie tight end, trailing only Mike Ditka's 12.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson and cornerback Jaire Alexander are set to play in Sunday's wild-card game versus the Dallas Cowboys.However, running back AJ Dillon will miss the playoff matchup with thumb and neck injuries after being designated as doubtful Friday.Watson has been sidelined since Dec. 3 with a hamstring issue, while Alexander's status was up in the air due to shoulder and ankle ailments. Both were listed as questionable.Alexander sustained the ankle injury in practice this week and did not practice Thursday or Friday.Watson had 28 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns before his injury. The second-year deep threat rejoins a young wide receiver corps that's flourished in quarterback Jordan Love's first season under center.Rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are first and third on the team in receiving yards, respectively, and sophomore Romeo Doubs is second.With Dillon out, Patrick Taylor will back up Aaron Jones.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite the 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is thankful for the opportunity the team gave him."I was so fortunate to become part of this team - it's a special group," Flacco said after the contest, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN. "To be given a chance to do this with those guys, I'm super grateful for it. ... Stinks the way it ended. But it was a lot of fun and I'm grateful for the time that we had."Flacco's Cinderella run came to an end on Saturday. The Browns scored two touchdowns on their first four drives, but everything came crashing down in the second quarter. The club failed to score on their next eight drives, and Flacco tossed two pick-6s in the third quarter that all but iced the game.Cleveland's defense didn't help Flacco, especially early in the contest. The Browns surrendered 286 yards in the first half, the most they've allowed in the first half of any game this season. Houston totaled 24 points heading into halftime, scoring on four of their first six drives. Flacco finished the outing with 307 passing yards on 34 completions for one touchdown and two turnovers.After being signed in November, the 38-year-old carried Cleveland to the playoffs. He started his first contest in Week 13 after rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was injured against the Denver Broncos a game earlier.Flacco took the reins as the starter and never looked back, throwing for 1,923 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in six games. Cleveland went 4-2 under Flacco, clinching a playoff spot after a Thursday Night victory over the New York Jets on Dec. 28.The Delaware product has the same amount of touchdown passes as Deshaun Watson has with the Browns in six fewer games."Listen, I love it here and we're dealing with so much right now, just going through the emotions of this game and being so excited to be in this position and now to come up empty," Flacco said when asked if he would consider returning to Cleveland as a backup."That's where my head is. Trying to soak it all in and let this digest a little bit."The Texans own the Browns' 2024 first-round pick due to the Watson trade. The 28-year-old Watson has a $63.9-million cap hit in 2024, according to Over The Cap.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tua Tagovailoa is confident he can be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins as he heads into the final year of his contract."I don't feel any pressure at all. I have full trust in myself," Tagovailoa said following the Dolphins' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN."I have full trust in what I'm capable of doing for our organization, but outside of that, we're focusing on tonight and what happened, we're going to simmer on this and see what we can do to get better from it."Tagovailoa struggled in the 26-7 defeat, throwing for 199 yards on only 20 completions with one touchdown and one interception. The Alabama product's 63.9 passer rating was his second-worst mark in a single contest this season.Miami exercised Tagovailoa's fifth-year option in March, meaning the signal-caller will carry a $23-million cap hit next season before being scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The Dolphins need to decide whether to sign Tagovailoa long term this offseason or wait to see how 2024 plays out.The 25-year-old played in all of Miami's 18 games this season after battling concussion issues last year. The Dolphins got off to a hot start this year but sputtered down the stretch.Miami went 2-4 in their last six games, including the playoffs. Tagovailoa averaged only 227 passing yards per contest during that stretch, with six touchdowns and six turnovers. He averaged 288 passing yards with 24 scores in his previous 12 appearances."I would say there's been a lot of ups and downs," Tagovailoa of the 2023 campaign. "A lot of guys that started the season out with us and then weren't able to finish the season with us. So, a lot of ups and downs with the injuries. But for our team, we never want to use any of those things as an excuse."The Dolphins finished the campaign with a 1-6 record against playoff teams. Their point differential of minus-110 against postseason clubs is the second-worst mark of any team this season, only behind the Washington Commanders.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looked like he belonged under the lights of the NFL postseason as he threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 rout over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.The Texans' defense also did its part, scoring two pick-sixes off Browns quarterback Joe Flacco in the wild-card contest.More to come.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert are officially active for Saturday's wild-card game against the Kansas City Chiefs.Waddle and Mostert were limited participants at practice this week and listed as questionable for the Chiefs matchup. The wideout has been dealing with an ankle injury, while the tailback is battling knee and ankle ailments.The pair missed Miami's final two regular-season games.Waddle's and Mostert's return is great news for a Dolphins team missing several key players due to injury. Center Connor Williams (knee), edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (knee), and linebacker Jerome Baker (wrist) are among the starters Miami has ruled out for the remainder of the season. The Dolphins also won't have Xavien Howard against Kansas City, as the veteran corner remains sidelined with a foot injury.One of football's best young receivers, Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns through 14 games in 2023. The 25-year-old has topped 1,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons.Mostert topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career during the 2023 campaign and also led the NFL with 18 TDs on the ground.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday's wild-card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills is being postponed until Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Saturday."The decision to move the game to Monday was made in consultation with New York governor Kathy Hochul in the best interest of public safety, and with the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the region prepares for the storm," the league announced in a statement.A full travel ban is being issued in Erie County beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Hochul added. The area expects to see 2-3 inches of snow per hour during the height of this weekend's winter storm.New York's governor said the storm will be at its fiercest in south Buffalo on Sunday afternoon, per CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. The wild-card matchup was slated to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET.Concerns about the weather have been raised throughout the week with freezing temperatures and high winds projected for Sunday's forecast.The last time a postseason matchup was moved due to inclement weather was in 2016 when a divisional playoff game between the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs was moved from 1:05 p.m. ET to 8:20 p.m. ET due to an ice storm, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg.The Bills previously had a game against the Cleveland Browns moved from Buffalo to Ford Field in Detroit due to a snow and wind event in the city in November during their 2022 campaign.The winner of Monday's contest between Pittsburgh and Buffalo is expected to play the following Sunday as opposed to Saturday, Jones reports.The upcoming matchup will be the fourth playoff meeting between the two teams, although it's the first one set in Buffalo.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The future of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appears to be up in the air.Tomlin, who has one year remaining on his contract, will meet with his family after the season and make a decision on his future with the Steelers, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports.The 51-year-old has coached the Steelers for the past 17 seasons, compiling a record of 173-100-2. Pittsburgh has never finished the season with a losing record under Tomlin.Tomlin guided the Steelers to a 10-7 record in 2023, their best result since 2020, and a postseason berth, their third over the last four seasons.Pittsburgh is slated to take on the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round Monday, where Tomlin will be aiming for his first postseason victory since the 2016 campaign.Numerous teams have already moved on from veteran coaches in the 2024 coaching cycle, with the New England Patriots parting ways with Bill Belichick, the Seattle Seahawks moving on from Pete Carroll, and the Tennessee Titans dismissing Mike Vrabel.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is questionable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Saturday.Mayfield, who's battling ankle and rib injuries, missed practice Thursday but was a limited participant Friday and Saturday.The 28-year-old has been dealing with his rib injury for multiple weeks but has yet to miss time this season. Tampa Bay added his ankle ailment to the injury report following a win over the Carolina Panthers that helped the 9-8 Bucs clinch the NFC South title last week.Mayfield joined the Buccaneers during the 2023 offseason and has revived his career after playing for three different teams in 2021 and 2022 combined. He completed 64.3% of his passes this past regular season while tossing career highs with 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.The former No. 1 pick is 1-1 in his career in the postseason, with both of his playoff appearances coming during the 2020 campaign.Tampa Bay's quarterback depth chart also features Kyle Trask and John Wolford.The Eagles have been dealing with their own injury issues as they ruled out star receiver A.J. Brown ahead of Monday's wild-card matchup.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby will explore a trade request if Las Vegas doesn't make Antonio Pierce its full-time head coach, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.Pierce has reportedly emerged as the Raiders' leading candidate for the position, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, Las Vegas is considering making a run at Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, per Pelissero and Rapoport.Crosby didn't confirm the trade request rumor but said all options are on the table if the Raiders don't hire Pierce."I want to be a Raider. ... But if we go in a different direction, there is nothing that is off the table," Crosby said on his podcast "The Rush," according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 mark this past season after taking over for Josh McDaniels on an interim basis. The former linebackers coach has received public support from players such as Crosby and Davante Adams. As a result, there's believed to be mounting pressure on owner Mark Davis to promote Pierce before the team has conducted any head coaching interviews, Pelissero reports.Las Vegas' interest in Harbaugh comes as the Michigan head coach is currently weighing a return to the NFL after leading his alma mater to a CFP national championship this past week.A Harbaugh camp and a Pierce camp have emerged within the Raiders' extended family, which includes fans and ex-players, Pelissero and Rapoport note. However, Davis has been impressed by the support from the locker room for Pierce, as well as from the fanbase on gamedays and otherwise, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Pierce is keeping his options open. He's scheduled to interview with the Tennessee Titans this weekend after they dismissed Mike Vrabel on Tuesday, per Pelissero and Rapoport. Shortly after news of Pierce's upcoming interview became public, Crosby tweeted on Friday "#HireAP."The Raiders have had three different interim coaches since 2012. The most recent of which was Rich Bisaccia, who posted a 7-5 record in 2021 and helped Las Vegas make the playoffs. He received backing from players like Crosby for the full-time job but ultimately wasn't hired permanently by the club.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is set to miss the team's wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a sprained knee, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Saturday, including The Philadelphia Inquirer's Tim McManus.There's optimism that he could return to action if the Eagles advance to the divisional round, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Brown wants to fully heal as much as possible and try to play next week, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The second-team All-Pro wideout didn't participate in practice this week.Brown suffered a knee injury in the Eagles' Week 18 game against the New York Giants. It'll mark the first contest he's missed all season.The Pro Bowl receiver led the Eagles with 106 catches for 1,456 yards to go along with seven touchdowns during the regular season.Philadelphia is expected to lean on DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Quez Watkins, and Julio Jones in the passing game with Brown sidelined. Smith is set to return to the starting lineup after missing the regular-season finale against the Giants with an ankle injury.Quarterback Jalen Hurts is trending in a positive direction ahead of Monday night's contest as he works through a finger ailment. Hurts appeared to suffer a gruesome injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand in Week 18. He was upgraded to a full participant in the team's Friday practice after being limited to start the week.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wild Card Weekend concludes on Monday night and, for the second straight year, the final game is happening in Tampa Bay. Instead of Tom Brady versus the Cowboys, Baker Mayfield faces the Eagles, who are sputtering badly to end the season. But Philadelphia is still the favorite on the road.Eagles @ Buccaneers (+3, 43.5)TEAMRATINGPROJECTED LINEEagles60/100-3Buccaneers43/100A month ago, amidst a run in which they took on the Cowboys, Chiefs, Bills, 49ers and Cowboys again, the betting market rated the Eagles as a Super Bowl contender. Not anymore. The win over Buffalo required a small miracle kick, and the Eagles nearly coughed up a 20-3 halftime lead to the Giants in their lone win down the stretch. So is a rating drop to the level of the Lions or Browns far enough of a plunge?Truthfully, we don't know what to expect from the Buccaneers on a week-to-week basis. Their 9-0 division-clinching win over the Panthers wasn't awe-inspiring, especially after getting beaten soundly at home by the Saints in their first attempt to secure another NFC South title.Before we sell the Bucs, though, it's worth mentioning that the offense racked up 7.0 yards per play in that loss to the Saints' defense, which tied for ninth this season in yards per pass attempt. Tampa turned the ball over four times, unable to make up an early 14-0 deficit. While the win over Carolina was ugly, the Panthers at least boast a defense that was sixth in yards per play allowed but couldn't create turnovers (last in the NFL).The Eagles couldn't create turnovers (seventh-worst in the league) and also allowed opponents to move the ball on a per-play basis (sixth-worst), so there's reason to believe that Mayfield and Co. won't get the resistance they did from good defenses.When at their best the last few years, the Buccaneers excel at stopping the run. If they can slow the Eagles' run game and force Jalen Hurts to play in the pocket, the Bucs should join the Giants and Cardinals as teams to upset Philadelphia.Pick: Buccaneers (+3)Player propsMike Evans: Over 67.5 receiving yardsNo team gave up more receptions to wide receivers than the Eagles (14.9), and Mayfield is always willing to take deep shots down the field. Evans' game average this season was 73.8, which doesn't account for his preference for playing in Tampa Bay. Amazingly, he averaged 6.4 more yards per catch at home than on the road this season.Chase Edmonds: Over 19.5 rushing+receiving yardsChase Edmonds' rushing and receiving totals have amounted to 58, 13, 25, 56 and 24 in the final five games of the campaign. That's come with more opportunity, as he's played in 10+ snaps in each game and got five touches in four of them. Before that stretch, he was on the field for double-digit snaps just twice in eight games.Jalen Hurts: Under 219.5 passing yardsHurts - last seen with a finger bent the wrong way - didn't throw the ball in the Eagles' practices at the beginning of the week. Even before leaving the Giants' game early, Hurts was 2-6 to the over on his passing yardage total, which has coincided with the Eagles' free fall. Now A.J. Brown has been ruled out, which makes life even more difficult for Philly's quarterback.Anytime touchdownsMike Evans (+125)The 2023 co-leader in receiving touchdowns this season gets to face a secondary that's struggled mightily in the second half, and we're getting plus-money on Evans to score? We'll take that.Cade Otton (+440)Other than Mayfield, no one was on the field for the Bucs more than Cade Otton this season, and he's got four touchdowns for his troubles. Having scored in three of 17 games, fair odds might be +468, but that doesn't account for the Eagles' pass defense, who will be keeping a close eye on Evans in the red zone.Kenneth Gainwell (+500)Gainwell hasn't scored since early November, so his odds are appropriately long. But given the trust he's earned in Philadelphia and D'Andre Swift's odds (+155), he's worth a bet with this kind of payout.Mega-long-shot SGPIf you promise to play all your other bets as single bets this postseason, we'll go for ice cream, metaphorically speaking. The same-game parlay is the high-calorie treat of sports betting but, for a couple of bucks, we'll take a shot with the following:PARLAY+Buccaneers moneylineOver 40.5 total pointsCade Otton: Anytime TDKenneth Gainwell: Anytime TDMike Evans: Over 3.5 RECBaker Mayfield: Over 1.5 pass TD+10000Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills are calling on fans to lend a helping hand in getting Highmark Stadium ready for Sunday's wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Bills announced that they're looking for people age 18 and over to shovel snow inside the stadium beginning Saturday night and continuing into Sunday morning if needed. Shovelers will be paid $20 an hour and provided with complimentary food and breaks.

The Washington Commanders are targeting Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their top choice for its next head coach, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic.While the Commanders want Johnson, they intend to conduct a search "with openness and flexibility," adds Russini.Johnson is among the most in-demand candidates of the 2024 hiring cycle.The Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Atlanta Falcons have reportedly requested to interview the 37-year-old. Carolina also views Johnson as its No. 1 candidate, adds Russini.In his two seasons as offensive coordinator, Johnson has transformed the Lions into one of the NFL's best offenses. Detroit finished fifth in scoring in both 2023 and 2022.The Commanders are attempting to kickstart a new era following Josh Harris' purchase of the team from longtime owner Dan Snyder. Washington fired Ron Rivera after four seasons in charge and reportedly hired Adam Peters as its new general manager.The NFC East club holds the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft and is widely expected to select a quarterback.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to meet with Michigan bench boss Jim Harbaugh about their coaching vacancy next week, sources told Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Harbaugh has reportedly suggested to associates there's a real possibility he could leave the Wolverines to become Los Angeles' head coach.It was previously reported that the 60-year-old is a top candidate for the Chargers, who fired Brandon Staley in mid-December.The Raiders could also pursue Harbaugh, who led his alma mater to a national title this season, add Pelissero and Rapoport. However, interim coach Antonio Pierce is reportedly the leading contender for the job and has the support of key players.Michigan is reportedly attempting to retain Harbaugh. Negotiations for a new deal are ongoing.As a college coach, Harbaugh can interview with NFL teams immediately as he's not subject to the new rule barring in-person meetings until after the divisional round.Harbaugh, who previously led the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, will not require the team he joins to allow him to hire his own general manager, sources told Pelissero and Rapoport.Potential suspensions from multiple pending NCAA investigations into possible sign-stealing and recruitment violations complicate Harbaugh's situation.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Our favorite type of bet each week in the NFL is the round-robin underdog moneyline parlay. With as many as 16 games on the board during the regular season, we'll inevitably like a handful of underdogs against the spread. We also like to take a unit and spread it around on those 'dogs, just in case they really come through and win outright.Then the playoffs come around, and, unless you happen to like all but one underdog (unlikely to be a winning strategy), there's suddenly a hole in the betting portfolio.Luckily, not all hope is lost on Wild Card Weekend. We can pick five anytime touchdown scorers at odds similar to an underdog moneyline and round-robin those for a modified gambit.Last year on Wild Card Weekend, we almost pulled off the illustrious five-for-five, but Tom Brady couldn't find Chris Godwin in the end zone.How it worksWe parlay five touchdown scorers in 10 different three-player parlays. Using every combination of a three-player parlay is called a round robin. We'll use a total of 1.1 units to make 11 different bets: 10 three-player parlays and one five-player parlay, each for .1 units. You'll likely double your money if three players find the end zone. If four score, you're connecting on four separate parlays and will be very pleased with the return. If all five players score, you'll be diving into a silo of gold doubloons like a young Scrooge McDuck.Who to playDavid Njoku (+175)David Njoku's was targeted 45 times in the five games that Joe Flacco started after joining the Browns, and he scored in three of those. No one gave up more receptions to opposing tight ends than Houston this season. That means there's a high probability that Njoku - who appears to be as difficult to tackle as a Clydesdale - will be galloping toward the end zone more than a few times on Saturday.Raheem Mostert (+135)The injury report indicates that, while questionable, Raheem Mostert will be healthy enough to play in Kansas City. For a game in freezing conditions - where the ball will be tough to throw and catch - the best bet to score is someone who led the entire NFL in touchdowns on a team with an elaborate menu of run plays.Brandin Cooks (+200)When Brandin Cooks catches the ball, he does so with his whole body. Dak Prescott knows this, so when the situation is high-leverage, and the opponent is doubling CeeDee Lamb, he looks to Cooks.After a loss in Philadelphia, where Cooks only got two targets, Prescott threw him the ball 52 times in nine games - 37 of those were caught, and six of those for touchdowns. Odds of +150 suggest a 40% likelihood of something happening, so any payout at that or better is worth including here.Demarcus Robinson (+320)Puka Nacua got attention for his impact as a rookie and setting the rookie yardage record. Cooper Kupp is Matthew Stafford's reliable compadre, especially in the red zone. Meanwhile, veteran Demarcus Robinson - who had a playoff touchdown last year with the Chiefs - is the definitive third receiver on a team that plays in three-receiver sets almost exclusively. Even with touchdowns in four straight December games, Robinson should be open in the end zone in a game that is expected to be high-scoring.Cade Otton (+420)Behind Mike Evans, Cade Otton is the second-biggest red-zone target for Baker Mayfield against an Eagles secondary that went from bad to worse over the season. I'm sure Godwin will score to spite us from last year, but Otton should get at least one look near the goal line and is just as good of an option as the other players listed at shorter odds.Here's how the odds look:PARLAY SEGMENTODDS (Approx.)Njoku+Mostert+Cooks+1800Njoku+Mostert+Robinson+2700Njoku+Mostert+Otton+3300Njoku+Cooks+Robinson+3500Njoku+Cooks+Otton+4200Njoku+Robinson+Otton+6200Mostert+Cooks+Robinson+3000Mostert+Cooks+Otton+3600Mostert+Robinson+Otton+5300Cooks+Robinson+Otton+6800Njoku+Mostert+Cooks+Robinson+Otton+44000If you've been intrigued by some of the long shot touchdown bets from our Wild Card Weekend game previews, you can put five of them together in a round-robin for a fraction of a unit for a total payout of over 10,000-to-1. Even getting just three scorers at the shortest odds still pays out at better than 200-1.Brevin Jordan (+600)

Pete Carroll opened up about the Seattle Seahawks' surprising decision to transition him from head coach into an advisory role this week after the team missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record.Carroll, who coached Seattle for 14 years, explained on Friday that he tried to make his case to the team's ownership group while getting to the bottom of what happened with the club this past year at his end-of-season meeting. However, the 72-year-old said it was hard to communicate with ownership because "they're not football people," according to ESPN's Brady Henderson."The first thing that we do is we go through the season and what happened and what took place and what were the reasons why, what could have done better along the way and what would be the choices to move ahead," Carroll said. "I have very, very strong feelings about what we did and where we screwed it up and why we didn't come through the way we wanted to."He added: "Then, OK, what is the essence of the adjustments that are necessary? That's where maybe we don't see eye to eye on. Because I see it one way and I think I've got a way to fix it and I'm not going to kind of halfway fix it. I'm trying to fix it so it's perfect. ... They may not agree with it. They may not see that that's the right answer or that's not the answer that makes them feel good. It's really hard because they're not football people. They're not coaches, so to get to the real details of it is really difficult for other people. ... There's times where I kind of shrug my shoulders, 'OK, that's as far as we got and I can't take you any farther in this timeframe we have and you're going to understand it that way and we're going to see it another way and we're not going to see eye to eye.'"The winningest coach in franchise history, Carroll said Wednesday that he fought to remain the team's head coach. He posted a 137-89-1 record as Seattle's sideline boss and helped the club make two Super Bowl appearances, winning one in February 2014.The Seahawks made the playoffs during the 2022 season but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round. Seattle hasn't won a postseason game since the 2019 campaign.Carroll isn't sure if he sees himself coaching again at the moment."I've got plenty of energy for it and thought and willingness, but I can't imagine there's a place, the right one. I don't know," he said. "I'm open to everything, but I'm not holding my breath on that. There's a lot of world out here that I'm excited about challenging and going after."Seattle hasn't officially requested interviews with any potential head coaching candidates.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.