Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll indicated Tuesday that safety Kam Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril, both suffering from neck injuries, could be forced to retire."Cliff and Kam are going to have a hard time playing football again," Carroll told reporters, according to The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta.Chancellor and Avril have been staples of the Seahawks' ferocious defense over the last handful of seasons, and were major contributors on the Super Bowl XLVIII championship team.Chancellor has been quiet about his future since being ruled out for the season in November. Avril, meanwhile, said in October he wasn't considering retirement.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford will practice on Tuesday for the first time since being shut down early in the season with a knee injury, the team announced.After undergoing a knee scope to rule out damage to his ACL, Bradford was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Nov. 8. The 30-year-old was eligible to come off IR after six weeks, but due to the play of quarterback Case Keenum, the Vikings brought Bradford along slowly. Minnesota will have three weeks to determine whether or not to include Bradford on its 53-man roster."I just want to see where he's at, how he's moving, things like that," head coach Mike Zimmer told ESPN's Courtney Cronin on Monday. "I hear he's moving good, I hear he's throwing the ball good, but it's all I do is hear. We'll just go about it and see how it goes."Bradford threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. After missing three games, he attempted a comeback in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, but was removed during halftime after suffering a setback. In his place, Keenum has been outstanding, throwing for 22 touchdowns with only seven interceptions, performing to a 98.3 passer rating.The Vikings will play the highest winning seed of the NFC Wild Card round at home on Sunday, Jan. 14.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The "Perfect Season Parade" is a go after the Cleveland Browns became only the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16 with their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.Organizer Chris McNeil came up with the idea last year, though he admits he never thought it would come to fruition."At the bottom of the graphic last year, I wrote, 'There's always next year.' I said that completely tongue in cheek," he told Lacey Crisp of Cleveland 19 News. "I never thought I would sit here right now, at the last game of the year, and say the Browns have not won a game in 2017."Related: City of Cleveland grants permission to Browns fan to host 0-16 paradeThe parade is scheduled for Jan. 6 at noon around FirstEnergy Stadium. The owner of the infamous Halloween "graveyard" of Browns quarterbacks, Tony Timoteo, will be among the participants."That guy and 27 of his buddies are going to carry the headstones in a procession. The creativity of Cleveland is also going to be on display," McNeil joked.

Longtime Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson will shift into the role of senior adviser to football operations and the franchise will immediately begin its search for a new GM, the team announced Tuesday.Thompson has served as general manager since 2005, a stretch including eight straight postseason appearances from 2009-16 (nine total). He helped construct the roster that won Super Bowl XLV, and was named Sporting News' NFL Executive of the Year in 2007 and 2011."This is a special place and we’ve had some success along the way, but it’s the relationships that I value most," Thompson said."I've been fortunate to have worked with many dedicated people throughout the organization and I can't thank (president) Mark Murphy, (head coach) Mike McCarthy, the football-operations staff, and our scouts enough for their friendship and support. Additionally, I want to thank every player that has stepped on the field for us."The Packers have reportedly already identified team executives Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst, and Russ Ball as in-house candidates for GM.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Bills are in the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, but they may have to start the postseason without their best offensive player.LeSean McCoy is expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle sprain suffered in the regular-season finale, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Even if McCoy can suit up, he reportedly won't be 100 percent healthy.The Jaguars' pass rush and secondary have been dominant throughout the regular season, but the run defense ranks 21st in the league. If McCoy can't play, the Bills will likely struggle to take advantage of that weakness.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants will interview former Denver Broncos assistant head coach/running backs coach Eric Studesville for their head coaching vacancy Friday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Studesville was fired by the Broncos on Monday, along with two other assistant coaches, following a disappointing season for Denver.The 50-year-old served as the Giants' running backs coach from 2001-03, helping Tiki Barber produce multiple 1,000-yard seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This season's MVP race will likely be remembered for what could've been, as injuries knocked out top candidates like Antonio Brown, Deshaun Watson, and Aaron Rodgers on a seemingly weekly basis.But, despite the misfortune surrounding some of the league's top players, two stars have separated themselves from the pack and formed legitimate cases for the NFL's most prestigious award.Here are the final MVP rankings following the conclusion of the regular season:1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots4,577 passing yards, 66.3 completion percentage, 32 TDs, 8 INTsBrady hasn't been at his best over the last month, tossing almost as many interceptions as touchdowns and appearing to struggle with his arm strength in the Week 17 win over the New York Jets.Luckily for him, no other quarterback has stepped up to challenge him.The third MVP award of his career is likely Brady's to lose.2. Todd Gurley, RB, Rams1,305 rushing yards, 64 catches, 788 receiving yards, 19 total touchdownsGurley was unable to build on his case in Week 17, as the Rams sat him following back-to-back spectacular performances that pushed the runner to the forefront of the MVP conversation.The Los Angels Rams' star back has produced great touchdown numbers, but his lack of yards and the perceived superior value of the quarterback position are likely too much for him to overcome.3. Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles3,296 passing yards, 60.2 completion percentage, 33 TDs, 7 INTsWentz has been absent from the MVP rankings since he tore his ACL in Week 14, but with the entire regular season in the books, his case remains valid.The second-year quarterback ended the year second in passing touchdowns despite his injury, and the Eagles' offense has looked much less dangerous without him under center over the past two games. Wentz won't win this year, but he'll likely be the only player not named Brady or Gurley to receive votes.4. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers1,291 rushing yards, 85 catches, 655 yards, 11 total touchdownsBell and Ben Roethlisberger sat out the regular-season finale, though barring a miraculous performance, neither was likely to challenge Brady or Gurley if they suited up.All three of the Steelers' triplets deserved to be in the MVP conversation, but Bell stands out due to his consistency and availability. Roethlisberger had a slow start to the season and Brown missed most of the last three games, but Bell was an outstanding constant for Pittsburgh.5. Case Keenum, QB, Vikings3,547 passing yards, 67.6 completion percentage, 22 TDs, 7 INTsKeenum's numbers don't blow you away, and the Vikings' defense deserves a huge amount of the credit for their 13-3 finish, but the journeyman pivot has been consistently good-to-great throughout the campaign.The 29-year-old's advanced stats paint a better picture of his performances, as he ended the year as the league's second-rated quarterback in ESPN's QBR metric, trailing only Wentz and surpassing Brady by one spot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders were well represented at the StubHub Center for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, leading to some tension between the opposing fan bases.According to the Chargers Domination Live Podcast, a Raiders supporter allegedly cut a fan-made Chargers flag with a knife in the parking lot.

The Buffalo Bills have granted the Houston Texans permission to interview vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.Gaine worked for the Texans' front office from 2014-16 and boasts nearly 19 years of NFL personnel experience.Houston is seeking a new general manager while Rick Smith takes a leave of absence. Smith said Monday the current plan is for him to take a year away from the team before returning as executive vice president.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions will interview Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for their vacant head coaching position Wednesday, a source told Albert Breer of MMQB.com.This season was Vrabel's first year as DC following an offseason promotion from linebackers coach. Before joining the Texans, he played 14 years in the NFL.The Lions are apparently seeking a defensive-minded head coach to succeed Jim Caldwell, with Matt Patricia, Steve Wilks, and the team's current defensive coordinator Teryl Austin among the candidates for the role.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans have begun the process of hiring a new general manager following current GM Rick Smith's decision to take a leave of absence due to his wife's recent cancer diagnosis, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Smith said Monday he's OK with Houston hiring a replacement and added he intends to return in his other role as the team's executive vice president. He currently holds both positions.Nick Caserio and Monti Ossenfort of the New England Patriots, Brian Gaine of the Buffalo Bills, and Brian Gutekunst of the Green Bay Packers are all expected to receive interest for the role, added Rapoport.Smith has acted as the Texans' GM since 2006.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.1. New England Patriots (13-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan1st1st1st1stPrevious Rank: 1stThe Patriots get a week off to gather their focus for the eighth straight campaign after a handful of sloppy performances to finish the regular season. But, they are still the Patriots. - Sanderson2. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan3rd2nd2nd2ndPrevious Rank: 3rdSteeler nation will likely be waiting for every update on star receiver Antonio Brown during their bye week. They stand little chance of knocking off New England without him. - Browne3. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan2nd3rd3rd4thPrevious Rank: 4thThe Vikings earned a first-round bye on the strength of their top-ranked defense, and after posting a 7-1 home record, few teams may be more potent in January. - Srinivasan4. New Orleans Saints (11-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan5th5th4th3rdPrevious Rank: 5thThe NFC South teams dwarf the rest of the conference in playoff experience and the Saints were crowned kings of the division this year. Let's see what the two-headed backfield monster can do in the playoffs. - Sanderson5. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan4th4th6th5thPrevious Rank: 2ndThe Rams are one of the youngest teams in the league with a 31-year-old head coach. L.A. has looked dominant, but will its collective inexperience be its downfall? - Browne6. Carolina Panthers (11-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan7th9th6th5thPrevious Rank: 7thThe Panthers slumped into the playoffs with a decisive loss to the Falcons and drew a first-round opponent they have lost to twice this season. Not ideal. - McClymont7. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan6th10th7th7thPrevious Rank: 10thThe Falcons have faced questions regarding their consistency all season, but now that they're in the playoffs, no one wants to see the defending NFC champions on their schedule. - Srinivasan8. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan8th8th8th8thPrevious Rank: 6thTwo weeks ago, the Jaguars looked like the third-best team in the AFC. But they've now backed into the playoffs and need to rediscover their form before it's too late. - Browne9. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan9th6th10th9thPrevious Rank: 8thIt's sad to see the Eagles play so well for so much of the season and turn into what they've become. With Nick Foles under center and the defense losing some of its confidence, they've transformed into the worst team in the NFC playoffs. - Sanderson10. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan10th7th9th10thPrevious Rank: 9thWinners of four straight, the Chiefs have regained their previous form. They're likely frothing at the mouth at the possibility of playing the Patriots again in the divisional round. - McClymont11. Buffalo Bills (9-7)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan11th12th11th11thPrevious Rank: 15thIt may be nearly impossible for the Bills to move the ball against Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, but the fan base will simply not care. The drought is over. - Srinivasan12. Tennessee Titans (9-7)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan12th11th12th12thPrevious Rank: 14thThe Music City must be singing after the Titans ended a playoff drought of nine years. The team's recent form hasn't elicited much confidence, however. - McClymontCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In addition to Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, the Chicago Bears have requested to interview offensive coordinators Josh McDaniels and Pat Shurmur for their vacant head coach position, sources informed NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Bears fired John Fox on Monday and appear to be targeting an offensive mind to help mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky.McDaniels is currently enjoying his second stint as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator. He left in 2009 for his first head coaching position with the Denver Broncos and, after a one-year stint with the then-St. Louis Rams, returned to New England in 2012.Shurmur is currently the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and has had to steer the team through a season in which three quarterbacks have taken snaps. He also has head coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns from 2011-12, and with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have requested an interview with Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard for their head coaching position, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Richard is among several candidates the Colts are interested in, including New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub.The 38-year-old has been Seattle's defensive coordinator since 2015, replacing Dan Quinn after he was hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Richard previously worked as the team's defensive backs coach and played in the NFL from 2002-06, most notably with the Seahawks from 2002-04.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Only 37 percent of NFL franchises will be participating in the playoffs, leaving the majority of teams and their fan bases on the sidelines.But, that doesn't mean they can't have a rooting interest in the 2017 postseason.There's a playoff team for everyone. If your team has been eliminated from January football, here's an easy guide to help you determine who to cheer for:ElitistNew England PatriotsCan't stand losing? Would you do absolutely anything to be successful? If you're a fan of accumulating hoards of jewelry, consider cheering for the Patriots this postseason.New England has been the cream of the crop for the better part of two decades and they're, again, the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl LII. The Patriots could match the Steelers for the most Lombardi Trophies in league history with another triumph.SympatheticPhiladelphia Eagles"Those poor Eagles can't catch a break." If you've found yourself uttering that phrase since Carson Wentz went down with a season-ending knee injury, perhaps you're a closet Eagles supporter.The Eagles haven't won a championship since 1960 and have lost the only two Super Bowls they've appeared in. Despite posting a league-best 13-3 record, few are convinced this Eagles squad led by a backup quarterback can reach the mountaintop. Philly needs all the support it can get.Always a BridesmaidPittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh may have the most Super Bowl titles, but this current crop of Steelers can't help but feel like they always finish short.The Steelers' last championship came in 2008. Since then, they've yet to win anything of consequence despite owning a potential Hall of Fame quarterback, the consensus best receiver in football, and one of the NFL's best running backs.The Steelers have steadily taken a step further in each of the previous three years, though, finishing in the wild-card round in 2014, the divisional round in 2015, and being eliminated in the conference championship game last season. Is this the year?Cinderella StoryJacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles RamsFew believed the Rams and Jaguars could reach the playoffs, much less challenge for a Super Bowl. Both rebounded from a dreadful 2016 to end playoff droughts of over 10 years.It's nearing midnight on the 2017 season, however, and the magic carriages could turn back into pumpkins at any moment.Root, Root, Root for the Home TeamMinnesota VikingsIf you believe sporting events are better when fans are sent home happy, the Vikings are the team for you.U.S. Bank Stadium is the home of Super Bowl LII, and the Vikings need only to avoid the Eagles to play every postseason game in Minnesota. They've already clinched a first-round bye and will host a divisional-round contest.Cheer for the purple and gold to become the first team to win a Super Bowl in its home stadium.Redemption StoryAtlanta FalconsIt's been done before. The NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers rebounded from heartbreaking defeat to win the championship a year later in 2016. The Golden State Warriors followed suit in 2017.The Falcons can redeem themselves from the biggest choke job in sports history by returning to the big stage this year and finishing the job. If there's one thing sports fans love, it's a comeback story.UnderdogTennessee Titans, Buffalo BillsThe Bills and Titans will enter the postseason with the largest odds to reach the Super Bowl. They'll be heavy underdogs in every game they play, but who doesn't love a long shot?Only 10 wild-card teams have ever reached the Super Bowl, and six went on to win the big game. It's a difficult feat to accomplish, but if either team can muster even one massive upset, space on the bandwagon will be scarce.Offensive juggernautsNew Orleans Saints, Kansas City ChiefsThe Saints and Chiefs represent two of the top five best regular-season offenses in football. New Orleans ranked fourth in terms of scoring points while Kansas City placed sixth on that list. For short, both clubs can score at will.If offense is your game and you prefer to see the scoreboard lighting up like a slot machine, cheer on the Saints or Chiefs. They'll both begin the playoffs at home, where they can tailor their offenses to cushy environments.SwagCarolina PanthersFinally, if you're looking for the troupe that may have the most fun participating in the playoffs, look no further than the Carolina Panthers. If 2015 MVP Cam Newton is on his game and the Panthers are putting up points, balls will be delivered to fans in the stands at an alarming rate.Carolina may bring the most eccentric mix of style and panache to the table, which makes for an entertaining watch.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson is expected to transition into a new role with the team, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.As a result, the Packers are beginning their search for their next general manager.Thompson has served as the Packers' general manager since 2005, building the nucleus of the team's 2010 Super Bowl-winning squad.Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst, and Russ Ball are among the internal candidates the Packers are considering for general manager, according to Rapoport. Wolf is the son of former Packers general manager Ron Wolf.The Packers fired defensive coordinator Dom Capers on Monday and more changes could be coming as the team watches the playoffs from home for the first time since 2008.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts' search for a new head coach is underway.Chuck Pagano was fired Sunday after leading the team to a disappointing 4-12 season. The franchise is now looking for an ideal candidate to replace him."I'm really excited about where we're headed and the direction that we're going," team owner Jim Irsay said Monday in a joint press conference with general manager Chris Ballard, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reports."I couldn't be more excited. I've had a chance to work with Chris and to see what kind of general manager the Colts have, it's something that reinforces the hire that was made."The duo said they won't look specifically for an offensive or defensive specialist, and previous head coaching experience will not be a requirement for the job. Ballard said the entire interview process - including the candidates - will be kept internal.But, he does have one specific ask:"I want somebody who wants to come to the Indianapolis Colts. I don't want somebody who's just coming here for Andrew Luck," Ballard said, according to RTV6 Indianapolis.Luck, the franchise quarterback, missed the entire 2017 season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He recently returned from a rehab stint in the Netherlands and will resume throwing soon.Irsay believes Luck will make a triumphant return."If you told me last year that he would've missed the whole year, I would not have believed you. Would not," Irsay said, according to Holder."I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew is going to come back. That kid is a special kid. Special. He was born to do great things in the National Football League," he added, via Mike Wells of ESPN.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears extended general manager Ryan Pace's contract through the 2021 season.Chicago fired head coach John Fox on Monday after three seasons with the club. Fox posted a 14-34 record during his tenure."I’m going to continue to do everything in my power to get the best coaches and staff in place to make this city proud," Pace said during his press conference.Pace said his objective is to put quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the best position to succeed. The Bears selected Trubisky second overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Trubisky completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 2,193 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

The Denver Broncos retained first-year head coach Vance Joseph after a disappointing season, but the coaching staff in its entirety underwent significant change.Hours after announcing Joseph will stay on for the 2018 season, the Broncos fired assistant head coach Eric Studesville, special teams coordinator Brock Olivo, offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, outside linebackers coach Fred Pagac, and assistant defensive backs coach Johnnie Lynn, the team announced.Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and defensive coordinator Joe Woods are safe, however.Super Bowl champions just two seasons ago, the Broncos failed to make the playoffs last year and slumped to 5-11 this campaign.The team finished 17th in total offense, which is what likely led to the purge on the offensive side of the coaching staff. The defense finished the year ranked third in the league.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have been granted permission to interview Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for their head coaching vacancy, a source told Albert Breer of the MMQB.Vrabel joins a list of reported candidates including Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, and Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub. The news comes a day after Chuck Pagano, who had led the team since 2012, was axed.The 42-year-old Vrabel - who played 14 years as a pro and won three Super Bowls with New England - joined the Texans' staff as a linebackers coach in 2014 before taking over the defense previously run by Romeo Crennel this year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andy Dalton has become an unexpected folk hero in Buffalo, and the Bills' fan base was quick to express its gratitude to the Bengals quarterback.Dalton threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with 44 seconds remaining against the Baltimore Ravens to give the Bengals a 31-27 win Sunday. In doing so, the Bengals eliminated the Ravens from the playoffs and cemented a berth for the Bills, who held the longest active playoff drought in North American professional sports.The team's rabid fans thanked Dalton by sending numerous donations to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, which focuses on helping children in the Cincinnati area.

The Green Bay Packers have parted ways with defensive coordinator Dom Capers, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Capers served as the Packers' defensive coordinator since January 2009 and helped the team win Super Bowl XLV in 2010.The Packers will make more changes to their defensive coaching personnel, reports ESPN's Rob Demovsky.No candidates have emerged for the vacant position.Capers has previous head coaching experience with the Carolina Panthers (1995-1998) and Houston Texans (2002-2005).Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears are scheduling an interview with Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for later this week regarding their head coaching vacancy, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The development comes hours after the team gave John Fox the axe following a trio of seasons with double-digit losses. A search for an offensive-minded coach was expected to ensue, and DeFilippo fits the bill.DeFilippo has seen his praises sung for his work with second-year signal-caller Carson Wentz, who had mounted an MVP-worthy campaign before suffering a torn ACL in Week 14. The 39-year-old joined the Eagles in 2016 after spending the previous campaign as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement Monday.Arians was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2014."I probably didn't know until that kick went through. Everybody speculated for months. Everybody had a story. You now have the story," Arians told reporters.Many believed Arians would retire at the end of the season but he said that he hadn't made a decision as recently as December 26.The Cardinals compiled a 49-30-1 record during Arians' five seasons with the team.It was speculated that concerns about Arians' health influenced his decision to retire, but the 65-year-old was candid about his choice to retire Monday.“There are so many reasons for the decision, but family is the one.”The Cardinals reportedly requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for their head coaching vacancy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals have made several interview requests as they look for their next head coach.Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement Monday, stepping down after five seasons, and the organization is trying to attract numerous top candidates to replace him.Arizona requested interviews with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team has added Patriots' linebackers coach Brian Flores to their list of candidates as well.Schwartz has previous head coaching experience, posting a 29-51 record with the Detroit Lions from 2009-13.The Cardinals also requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, sources told Rapoport.Arizona also requested an interview with Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, a source told Mike Garafolo. DeFilippo will interview with the Chicago Bears as well.Shurmur, who was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator in November 2016, has previous head coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns, posting a 9-23 record from 2011-12.Flores has spent his entire 13-year career with the Patriots, wearing a variety of different hats from scout to safeties coach. He held the latter position from 2012 to 2015 before getting the bump to linebackers coach.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Texans general manager Rick Smith announced Monday he expects to return to his role as executive vice president after taking a leave of absence to care for his wife following a cancer diagnosis.Smith said he'd be OK with Houston hiring a new GM while he's away, and that he'd come back as EVP even if another GM was in place. He currently holds both positions.The exec added that the plan is for him to step aside for one year.Smith has been the team's GM since 2006, though there were questions over his future due to a reportedly "toxic and dysfunctional" relationship between him and head coach Bill O'Brien.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vance Joseph will be returning as head coach of the Denver Broncos for the 2018 campaign, team GM John Elway confirmed Monday following a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 45-year-old heads into his sophomore campaign after going 5-11 in his first season as a head man. The Broncos had finished the previous year at 9-7 under Gary Kubiak and Joe DeCamillis, but despite the dip in victories in 2017, Elway and Co. remain invested in the Joseph project for the time being.Joseph cut his teeth as a defensive backs coach for the 49ers, Texans and Bengals before running the Miami Dolphins' D in 2016. He was hired by the Broncos in the ensuing offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.A wild ending to Week 17 of the NFL season led to a late change in the roster of 12 playoff teams, eight of which will be on the field next weekend for the wild card playoff round. Covers checks in on the opening lines and early action, with insights from Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.

The Detroit Lions aren't wasting any time.After firing head coach Jim Caldwell on Monday, the Lions have asked the Houston Texans for permission to interview defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, Albert Breer of MMQB.com reports.Detroit has also requested to interview Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports; and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, along with Green Bay Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Additionally, the Lions will interview defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Tuesday, a source told Josina Anderson of ESPN.Vrabel, a former NFL veteran of 14 seasons, has one season under his belt as defensive coordinator following a promotion from linebackers coach. The Texans ranked 20th in total defense, but were hit hard by injuries, including the loss of superstar pass-rusher J.J. Watt for the majority of the campaign.Meanwhile, the Panthers finished the year as the seventh-ranked defense in Wilks' first season in the role.Patrica's unit struggled mightily in 2017, but he's long been regarded as one of the league's top head coaching candidates.Shurmur kept the Vikings' offense on track despite losing starter Sam Bradford, helping backup Case Keenum produce a career year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is expected to retire from coaching, league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The 65-year-old excelled in his first three seasons in charge, racking up 34 regular-season wins.However, the Cardinals have missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons, and are now potentially facing a rebuild with franchise players Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald possibly hanging up their cleats.Arians has also dealt with multiple health concerns during his coaching career but hasn't missed a game since being hired in 2013.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have requested to interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their head coaching vacancy, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy are also expected to interview for the job, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.The Colts fired Chuck Pagano Monday after six seasons at the helm.The Patriots' offense led the league in yards per game and were second in points per game under McDaniels in 2017, while the Panthers finished seventh in total defense and third against the run under Wilks' tutelage.Toub has cultivated a reputation as one of the league's top special teams coordinators, spending nine years with the Chicago Bears before joining the Chiefs in 2013.Nagy has spent the last two seasons in charge of the Chiefs' offense. Head coach Andy Reid handed over play-calling duties to Nagy on Dec. 3 in an attempt to kickstart the unit, and K.C. won four of its next five games to seal the AFC West crown.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Longtime Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis' fate remains uncertain following Monday's annual meeting with team owner Mike Brown, and his future may not be decided until Tuesday, sources told Jim Owczarski of the Enquirer.The futures of the Bengals' assistant coaches also remain uncertain as a result, although defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is a top candidate to join Jon Gruden in Oakland if the former Raiders coach is hired to replace the recently fired Jack Del Rio, Owczarski reports.Lewis' 15th season as the team's head coach marked the last on his contract, with reports of his designs on leaving the organization at the conclusion of this year's 7-9 campaign surfacing in December. The longtime head man shot down the rumblings soon thereafter, although he's reportedly since set his sights on either a front-office role or coaching gig with another squad.He owns a career head coaching record of 125-112-3 with seven postseason losses in as many appearances.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants have requested to interview New England Patriots coordinators Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels for their head coaching vacancy, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Both McDaniels and Patricia are expected to be in high demand around the league.McDaniels has rebuilt his reputation after a disastrous stint as the Denver Broncos' head coach, while Patricia has spent the last six years in charge of the Patriots' defense.Giants new general manager Dave Gettleman is leading the team's search for a new head coach following the firing of Ben McAdoo on Dec. 4.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders are confident of hiring Jon Gruden as their new head coach following the dismissal of Jack Del Rio Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.Gruden is still set to broadcast a playoff game for ESPN this weekend, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.The Raiders will reportedly offer Gruden a package that includes an ownership stake to convince him to leave the booth.Gruden coached the Raiders from 1998-2001. He was then traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won Super Bowl XXXVII in his first year, besting his former team.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Larry Fitzgerald revealed in a tweet Sunday that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton started the final two games of the regular season despite tearing his ACL.

The Chicago Bears have fired head coach John Fox following a third straight season with a double-digit loss total, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The 62-year-old ended his tenure with a 14-34 record, including a 5-11 finish in 2017.Fox led both the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl appearances in previous head coaching stints, but wasn't able to accelerate the Bears' rebuild.Chicago will look to hire an offensive-minded head coach who can push the development of rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, added Rapoport, though Bears' current defensive coordinator Vic Fangio may be considered.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills star running back LeSean McCoy has a chance to play in the team's first playoff game since the 1999 season Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite sustaining a sprained ankle in Week 17, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.However, even if he can suit up, McCoy won't be 100 percent healthy, added Rapoport.The Bills' 29th-ranked offense revolves around their dynamic back, with McCoy rushing for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns, while adding another 448 yards through the air.If McCoy is unable to go, the Bills have just Marcus Murphy and Mike Tolbert at running back. Neither are starting-caliber players, meaning the offensive burden would be shifted to quarterback Tyrod Taylor.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions fired head coach Jim Caldwell after four seasons in charge, the team announced Monday.Caldwell posted a 36-28 regular-season record during his time in Detroit and had only one losing season (7-9 in 2015).However, despite two playoff appearances, the head coach was unable to break the Lions' winless streak in the postseason, which dates back to 1991.The Lions remained in the wild-card hunt until late in the 2017 campaign, but an embarrassing 26-17 loss to the struggling Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 eliminated the club from contention.General manager Bob Quinn will now seek out Caldwell's replacement. Quinn's ties to the Patriots makes New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia a prime candidate, and the Lions are expected to interview him for the vacancy, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett believes his time with the club may have come to an end.The Seahawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011 after losing 26-24 to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and Bennett thinks he'll be phased out over the winter."I probably won't be back next year," Bennett said to Gregg Bell of The News Tribune."Just seems like it's a young man's game. I can see them going younger, with younger players. That's part of the game."Bennett recorded 39 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 15 games this season while playing through injuries.The veteran defensive lineman expects he won't be the only key Seahawks member finding a new team for 2018.“I expect there to be a lot of changes,” Bennett said. “Especially when you lose, there’s always changes. ... Like I said, it’s a young man’s game. We lost a lot of players, and we’ve seen some of those great players, when those young people got in the game they had to be prepared. So I could see trying to get those guys going and seeing what happens.“With me, I’m fine. I mean, whatever happens, I’ve loved being a Seahawk. ... You love the organization. You love the players that you played with. We’ve won a lot of games. So if I am not here, I would never have any hard feelings toward the organization. I love Pete Carroll and (general manager) John Schneider, and we just move forward. It’s part of football."This is just part of sports. It just keep growing and you continuously play for another organization, if you have the opportunity."The Seahawks routinely have been in the running for the Super Bowl for the past five years, but 2017 marked the first year their core showed signs of decline, with the exceptions of Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, and Doug Baldwin. Bennett may be onto something with his thinking, and the Seahawks will be one of the more compelling teams to monitor during the offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following a victory to end the season, Dirk Koetter confirmed he will be returning as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018.Koetter spoke with team ownership ahead of Sunday's game and waited until the conclusion of the season to make the announcement."It took a lot of courage for the Glazer family to bring me back, bring the staff back, with the record what it is," Koetter said during his postgame press conference. "I really appreciate that, and we'll start the evaluation process tomorrow. We'll send these guys off on their vacation and we'll start working on 2018."The Bucs finished the season at 5-11 despite entering the campaign with high expectations.Koetter joined Tampa Bay as its offensive coordinator in 2015 and was given the head coaching position in 2016. He led the team to the brink of the playoffs and a 9-7 record, but his job was considered to to be in jeopardy after the franchise regressed this year.The three other teams in the NFC South qualified for the 2017 playoffs."This is a really tough division. New Orleans has had two or three losing seasons in a row and here they are winning our division," Koetter said. "They made a couple changes, they hit on a couple draft picks, and here they are. We're sitting here 1-5 in our division - other than the game at New Orleans, we were right there in every division game."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Home field is a distinct advantage in the playoffs, and the four teams that will be hosts on Wild Card Weekend opened as heavy favorites Sunday.The Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs are major betting favorites, according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.The Jaguars and Chiefs are both eight-point favorites. Jacksonville hosts a Buffalo Bills team making its first playoff appearance since 1999, while the Chiefs will welcome a Tennessee Titans club that hasn't made the playoffs since 2008.The Saints are 6.5-point favorites for their home date with the Carolina Panthers. The Saints swept the two-game season series with their divisional rivals. New Orleans won the first meeting 34-13 in Week 3 and then took Week 13's matchup 31-21 at home.The Rams open as six-point favorites against defending NFC champions the Atlanta Falcons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees set the NFL's single-season completion percentage record at 72.0 percent, completing 386 of 536 attempts in 2017.Brees breaks the record that was set at 71.6 percent last season by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford. Brees had previously held the record before Bradford, completing 71.2 percent of his passes in 2011.As the Saints went from a pass-oriented offense to a run-first team in 2017, the 38-year-old quarterback had his lowest yardage total (4,334) since joining New Orleans in 2006.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns will select No. 1 and No. 4 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, as Sunday's end of the regular season finalized draft slots for all teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs.While the 0-16 record the Browns posted this year secured the top pick, the No. 4 pick comes via the Houston Texans after last year's trade that saw the AFC South club draft Deshaun Watson.The New York Giants will pick No. 2, while the Indianapolis Colts at No. 3 and the Denver Broncos at No. 5 will round out to top selections.There will be a coin flip between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders to determine the 9th and 10th slots.PickTeam1Cleveland Browns2New York Giants3Indianapolis Colts4Cleveland Browns (via Texans)5Denver Broncos6New York Jets7Tampa Bay Buccaneers8Chicago Bears949ers/Raiders (coin flip)1049ers/Raiders (coin flip)11Miami Dolphins12Cincinnati Bengals13Washington Redskins14Green Bay Packers15Arizona Cardinals16Baltimore Ravens17Los Angeles Chargers18Seattle Seahawks19Dallas Cowboys20Detroit LionsPicks 21-32 will be determined by playoff results.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Saquon Barkley's brilliant college career is over as the Penn State star announced he's declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft on Sunday night.Since the moment he stepped foot on the Penn State campus, Barkley has been arguably the most exciting player in the country. He capped his college career with an incredible performance in Saturday's Fiesta Bowl win over Washington, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns.Barkley burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2015, finishing the campaign with 1,076 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns. His three-year stats with the Nittany Lions program are staggering.YearRushing yardsReceiving yardsTotal touchdowns20171271632242016149640222201510761618Barkley is widely regarded as the top running back in the draft, and with the success of top-5 picks Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette in recent years, it wouldn't be shocking to hear the talented junior's name as one of the first called in April.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2017 regular season has ended, so it is time for the real fun to begin. The final Sunday of the season saw a barrage of moving pieces sort out the final standings and determine who plays who in the first round of the playoffs.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord 1PatriotsEast13-32SteelersNorth13-33JaguarsSouth10-64ChiefsWest10-65TitansSouth9-76BillsEast9-7Wild-card scheduleMatchupDateTimeNetworkTitans at ChiefsSaturday Jan. 64:35 PM ETESPN/ABCBills at JaguarsSunday Jan. 71:00 PM ETCBSThe Patriots and Steelers locked up their first-round byes with wins in Week 16, though New England earned home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with its victory Sunday.The Bills ended the longest playoff drought in pro sports on Sunday by virtue of beating the Dolphins and the Ravens losing to the Bengals. They will face the Jaguars as the No. 6 seed in the AFC.The Chiefs, who secured their division title and the fourth seed last week, will host the Titans, who clinched a spot by beating the Jaguars on Sunday.The Chargers missed out on a postseason spot again due to wins by the Bills and Titans, despite winning their own Week 17 game. The Ravens also missed the playoffs after losing to the Bengals 31-27 in the final minute of the game.NFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord 1EaglesEast13-32VikingsNorth13-33RamsWest11-54SaintsSouth11-55PanthersSouth11-56FalconsSouth10-6Wild-card scheduleMatchupDateTimeNetworkFalcons at RamsSaturday Jan. 68:15 PM ETNBCPanthers at SaintsSunday Jan. 74:40 PM ETFOXThe Eagles will get a week to prepare Nick Foles for a home playoff game. The Vikings also secured a bye with their 11th win in their last 12 matchups.The NFC South title was claimed by the Saints, who will now face the Panthers thanks to the Falcons' win over Carolina.The Rams will host the Falcons, who return to the playoffs after the infamous Super Bowl collapse last season, in the first round.Seattle was the one other NFC team still alive in the playoff race on Sunday, but Atlanta's win killed their chances before the Seahawks lost to the Arizona Cardinals to fall to 9-7 and miss the postseason for the first time since 2011.Divisional scheduleMatchup Date Time NetworkTBD at EaglesSaturday Jan. 134:35 PM ETNBCTBD at PatriotsSaturday Jan. 138:15 PM ETCBSThe top seeds in both conferences will play on the opening day of the divisional round. The No. 1-seeded Eagles host the lowest remaining seed in the NFC on Saturday, Jan. 13. The Patriots will play the nightcap against the lowest remaining seed in the AFC.Matchup Date Time NetworkTBD at SteelersSunday Jan. 141:05 PM ETCBSTBD at VikingsSunday Jan. 144:40 PM ETFOXThe Steelers and Vikings will open their playoff campaigns on the Sunday of the divisional round.Conference championship scheduleMatchup Date Time NetworkTBD at TBDSunday Jan. 213:05 PM ETCBSTBD at TBDSunday Jan. 216:40 PM ETFOXThe AFC will kick off the conference championship round on Sunday, Jan. 21. The winner of that game will learn its Super Bowl opponent after the two final NFC teams standing do battle in the nightcap.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills have circled the wagons.By virtue of their victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills earned the sixth and final AFC playoff spot, ending the longest drought in pro sports. Their last playoff appearance came in 1999.The Bills defeated the Dolphins 22-16 to end the year at 9-7, and needed either a loss by the Ravens or losses by both the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans to get in. The Chargers and Titans both won, but the Ravens lost on a last-minute touchdown by the Bengals.The Bills enter the playoffs as the conference's sixth seed and will play the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 7.The game pits the Bills against the team's former coach, Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract with Buffalo in 2014 and took over the Jaguars in Week 14 of the 2016 season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders have dismissed head coach Jack Del Rio after signing him to a new four-year contract in February.Del Rio announced the news during his postgame press conference after Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers."Spoke with (owner) Mark Davis after the game and Mark let me know that he's not gonna be bringing me back and so he told me he loved me, appreciated all that I did to kind of get this program going in the right direction. But he felt he needed a change. I told him how much I appreciated the opportunity he gave me and I mean that. Very grateful. My childhood team. But it's a result business, I understand that," Del Rio said, according to Matt Schneidman of the Mercury News.The Raiders are confident they can lure former coach Jon Gruden out of the ESPN broadcast booth and back to the team, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Gruden previously coached the Raiders from 1998-2001, compiling a 38-26 record in the process. He eventually beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII as the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The Raiders followed their 2016 return to the playoffs with a disappointing 6-10 season. One major reason for their regression was the struggles of the offense under new coordinator Todd Downing. The team promoted Downing after parting ways with Bill Musgrave following last season.Oakland scored 26 points per game under Musgrave in 2016, good for sixth in the league, but the offense fell to 19th in the league in 2017, averaging just 19.4 points per contest.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints have clinched their first NFC South title since 2011 thanks to the Atlanta Falcons defeating the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, moving the team to 11-5 on the season.The Saints will now face the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the NFC, while the Falcons will match up with the Los Angeles Rams.New Orleans lost their regular-season finale to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-24 on Sunday, but needed either a win or a Panthers loss to clinch the division.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons' hopes of returning to the Super Bowl are still alive.The Falcons clinched the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC with a 22-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, eliminating the Seattle Seahawks from contention in the process.The Falcons won three of their final four games to finish the year at 10-6. They'll join the New Orleans Saints and Panthers as NFC South participants in the playoffs.The Seahawks needed a win and a Falcons loss to reach the postseason.The Falcons will visit the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams in the second game of the wild-card round at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 6.Atlanta represented the NFC in last year's Super Bowl but infamously blew a 28-3 lead to lose in overtime to the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.