Brandin Cooks made clear what he expects for his future after the Houston Texans limped to another disappointing season."I'm not going into this offseason thinking I want to be a part of a rebuild," Cooks said Monday, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime.He added: "I trust my camp and my representation to be able to get a map from here to there and to see what that looks like to be a part of something that has a trusted plan."The Texans finished the 2022 season with a 3-13-1 record and fired head coach Lovie Smith just hours after their victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.Cooks is under contract through the 2024 campaign. He received heavy interest prior to this season's trade deadline and posted a cryptic tweet minutes after the deadline passed.The 29-year-old recorded over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Texans before registering 699 in 2022.Cooks is set to earn a base salary of $18 million in 2023, all of which is fully guaranteed, per Spotrac.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans parted ways with offensive coordinator Todd Downing, the team announced Monday.Tennessee also fired offensive line coach Keith Carter, secondary coach Anthony Midget, and offensive skill assistant Erik Frazier.The Titans finished the season with a 7-10 record and a bottom-three offense, averaging just 296.8 total yards per game. They had the fifth-worst scoring offense at 17.5 points per contest.Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill missed five games with injuries this season, but even with him under center, the offense only eclipsed 300 yards passing in one matchup.Running back Derrick Henry was one of the few bright spots from a statistical standpoint, finishing with 1,936 yards from scrimmage, including 1,538 on the ground. He scored 13 touchdowns en route to his third Pro Bowl selection.Although Henry finished second in the NFL in rushing yards - behind Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs - the Titans were only 13th in team rushing.Downing joined Tennessee in 2019 and became offensive coordinator in 2021.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans have begun the search for their next head coach.Houston has requested permission to interview Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, as well as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll isn't worried about his team's lack of playoff experience as it prepares for its wild-card game against the Minnesota Vikings."The experience is probably overrated, to be honest with you," Daboll said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "It's how you prepare, how you practice, and, ultimately, how you play the game and coach the game on whatever day it is."The Giants will make their first postseason appearance since 2016 on Sunday, which will also mark the first taste of the playoffs for several of their top players. Only one of their 10 team captains - kicker Graham Gano - has ever appeared in an NFL playoff game.Daboll, who served on the coaching staff of five Super Bowl winners, pointed to how Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl win in his first season as a starter."I've been on a lot of different teams that had varying levels of experience," Daboll said. "Some a lot, some a little. I know someone mentioned Malcolm Butler. I think really what matters is taking advantage of your opportunities when they come. And playing a good football game. Coaching a good football game."He added: "No, really, I think (experience is) an overrated thing."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley announced wide receiver Mike Williams avoided a fracture or muscle injury to his back in the team's Week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper.Williams is dealing with a contusion and is expected to return to practice later this week.Los Angeles was locked in as the AFC's No. 5 seed before kicking off against the Broncos in a game without playoff implications. The Chargers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round Saturday.Williams has missed four contests this season due to injury. He sprained his right ankle in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the Chargers' Week 9 and 10 matchups after their Week 8 bye. The 28-year-old returned in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs but aggravated the injury, forcing him to miss the next two games.The 2017 seventh overall pick caught four passes for 32 yards before exiting against the Broncos, bringing his season totals to 63 receptions, 895 yards, and four touchdowns.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is not backing down from a potential training-camp battle."I'm gonna make that dude's life hell in practice every day," Wilson said with a smile Monday when asked how he would feel if the Jets sign a veteran to be the starting quarterback, according to SNY TV.Wilson struggled in his second season as the starter. He injured his knee in the preseason and was never able to get on track.The 24-year-old lost the starting job after completing only nine passes in Week 11 against the New England Patriots. He started two more games after quarterback Mike White got injured in Week 14 and completed 51% of his passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions."I'm going to go out there and do my best to show the coaches that I deserve to be there. You know, it's not in a negative way, it's a positive way. It's making everybody else better hopefully and you go out there and just attack," Wilson continued.Wilson's struggles since entering the league have sparked dialogue about whether the Jets will keep him in 2023. General manager Joe Douglas reportedly doesn't plan to shop the 23-year-old signal-caller, as the Jets view him as a good teammate and a hard worker.Head coach Robert Saleh said Monday that Wilson will have a chance to compete for the No. 1 job next season, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.Wilson finishes the 2022 season with a 5-4 record, having thrown for 1,688 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday he doesn't think he is done coaching but will take some time to decide whether he'll return to the team for the 2023 season."(I will) take the next couple of days to really be able to reflect and (have) a lot of conversations that will dictate and determine the decision that's best for me and my family," McVay said Monday, according to Greg Beacham of The Associated Press.The 36-year-old added that he's going to "take the appropriate time" to make a decision about his future, but also said, "I don't get the sense in the least bit that I'm done coaching," according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.McVay is coming off his worst campaign with the Rams, who finished the 2022 season with a 5-12 record. Injuries to the likes of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp bothered Los Angeles all year, keeping the team away from playoff contention just months after winning Super Bowl LVI.Speculation about McVay's future began last February. When asked about his coaching future following Los Angeles' championship win, he responded, "We'll see." McVay ultimately not only returned for another year with the Rams but also signed an extension through the 2026 campaign."This has been years. This is not a new thing," McVay said Monday when asked about the possibility of stepping away, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.McVay is 60-38 since joining the Rams in 2017. He became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win the Super Bowl with a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last year. He also led Los Angeles to Super Bowl LIII but fell short against the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We're through another wild regular season in the NFL. From a props and futures standpoint, we got ahead of the game with an early big cash on the Eagles to be the last undefeated team, and now that Week 18 is over, a collection of other tickets are reflected in the accounts. Justin Jefferson bets to lead the league in receiving yards more than compensated for losses on the rushing and passing yardage titles, while divisional winners in the NFC overcame swings and misses in the AFC.Dramatically, a handful of bad preseason bets like those in win totals and make/miss playoff markets were wiped out Sunday, with a miracle touchdown and two-point conversion by the Texans that gave the Bears the worst record in the NFL. Plus, there are still awards to be handed out, and we'll be anxious to hear specific names called for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year.Now it's on to the final 13 most important games of the campaign. We've had our eye on team ratings in the marketplace all season, and 14 teams remain. All you need to know about the difficulty of betting point spreads in the regular season is that the team with the best record against the spread (Giants, 13-4) and the worst record against the spread (Buccaneers, 4-12-1) both made the playoffs. Meanwhile, the top seeds in the playoffs finished 5-11-1 (Chiefs) and 8-9 (Eagles) against the closing line.Despite some quarterback uncertainty for a pair of teams, point spreads for Wild Card Weekend opened Sunday night and have settled as of Monday afternoon.Seahawks @ 49ers (-10)

Rookies don't get a second chance to make a first impression in the NFL. Here, we evaluate how every 2022 first-round pick fared in their debut seasons.1. Travon Walker, LB, JaguarsBest game: at Titans (Week 14)

The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury, just one year after signing him to a contract extension through the 2027 season, sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.Arizona also won't retain Steve Keim - who's on a health-related absence - as general manager, though he could be brought back in a lesser role, Schultz adds. Keim had also been given a new deal through 2027.The Cardinals later announced Kingbury's firing and Keim's decision to step down to focus on his health Monday.Kingsbury was hired in 2019 after six seasons in charge of Texas Tech. Known for his high-powered offense, the 43-year-old was brought in to help develop Kyler Murray, whom Arizona selected No. 1 in the draft the same year.While the Cardinals' offense improved under Kingsbury and Murray, the coach was often questioned over his inconsistent play-calling and the team's struggles late on in multiple seasons. He also publicly clashed with Murray on occasion.Kingsbury appeared to turn a corner last season, leading Arizona to its first playoff berth of his tenure. However, the Cardinals were embarrassed in a blowout wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, putting Kingsbury back on the hot seat entering 2022.The NFC West club, which lost Murray for the season after he tore his ACL and meniscus Dec. 12., sputtered to a 4-13 finish. Kingsbury leaves Arizona with a 28-37-1 record.Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill reportedly began vetting candidates prior to Kingsbury's dismissal, including former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Arizona is also expected to consider defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for the role, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Meanwhile, Keim exits his current role after 10 years. He was promoted to GM in 2013 after joining the franchise in 1999 and working in various front-office roles.Vice president of player personnel Quentin Harris and vice president of pro scouting Adrian Wilson have led Arizona's front office in Keim's absence. Owner Michael Bidwill is strongly considering promoting both of them to form a co-GM setup, reports Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.With Kingsbury's exit, the NFL is now up to five head coaching vacancies. The Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans are also looking for a new coach.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said Monday he's hopeful the team will give him the full-time job this offseason."If I get this job, there's going to be significant change," Saturday said, according to Joel A. Erickson of IndyStar. "... The way I do things is not the way it's been done.""I have a very clear vision for how I can turn this football team around," said the 47-year-old, adding that he doesn't have an interview with Indy set up yet, per James Boyd of The Athletic.The Colts hired Saturday - who had never coached above the high school level - in a stunning move in November to replace Frank Reich, who was fired midway through the season amid a 3-5-1 record. Indy beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Saturday's first game as head coach but then lost the final seven games of the season to finish 4-12-1."It's been a true honor to represent the organization for these eight games," Saturday said, according to Kevin Bowen of 1075 The Fan."Incredible learning experience so far, about myself, my leadership style, how you carry yourself in difficult times," added Saturday, who also said he has a definite idea of staff members he'd want in his crew in 2023.Colts owner Jim Irsay reportedly hired Saturday despite members of the team's front office - including team president Pete Ward and general manager Chris Ballard - expressing concerns regarding the move at the time. Saturday is a member of the team's Ring of Honor, having played center for Indianapolis from 1999-2011. He made five Pro Bowls with the Colts and helped them win one Super Bowl.Indy struggled on both sides of the ball in 2022, ranking 30th in points scored and 28th in points allowed. The quarterback position remains the team's biggest issue, as former NFL MVP Matt Ryan failed to meet expectations after joining the club in an offseason trade from the Atlanta Falcons.Ryan started 12 games this season, tossing just 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions before being benched for the second time in the final three games. Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles started three and two contests, respectively.

The Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods following the conclusion of his third season with the team.The Browns have requested to interview New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to fill the position, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. They've also requested to interview Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores, per Schefter.The list doesn't stop there, as they have also requested to interview Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant Sean Desai, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The firing comes one day after the Browns lost their season finale to the Pittsburgh Steelers and ended the campaign with a 7-10 record. The Browns finished 20th in points per game allowed this season.Woods has been the defensive coordinator for the Browns since 2020. Kevin Stefanski brought him aboard when he was hired as Cleveland's head coach.Since making the playoffs in their first season together, Stefanski and Woods have gone 15-19 and struggled to maximize the talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Browns' run defense finished 25th in yards allowed per game this season.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers left his future open-ended Sunday, mentioning retirement as a serious possibility for the third straight year."It could be time to step away," Rodgers said after a 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions that eliminated the Packers from the playoff picture in the regular-season finale. "But I could take some time and say, 'Hell no, I need to go on another run.' But I would have to see what it feels like once I'm away from it."Speculation about Rodgers' future began shortly after the game, as the future Hall of Famer declined to exchange his jersey with Lions rookie Jameson Williams."I'm gonna hold on to this one," Rodgers told Williams on the field.

The Denver Broncos have begun requesting interviews with potential head coach candidates, including Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, according to 9NEWS' Mike Klis.Klis also reported that the Broncos have requested an interview with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.Morris has previously interviewed for head coaching opportunities with four franchises, including the Broncos in 2009. He served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11 after an internal promotion and acted as the Atlanta Falcons' interim coach for 11 games in 2020. Morris' combined record is 21-38. The 46-year-old helped the Rams capture Super Bowl LVI last year, and his defenses have forced 47 combined turnovers over the last two seasons.Ryans interviewed for the Vikings' vacancy once last season but declined a second interview to remain with the 49ers. The former linebacker's defensive unit allowed a league-best 16.3 points per game this season and had 30 takeaways, tied for second-best.Quinn acted as the Falcons' head man from 2015-19, plus the first five games of 2020. His defense led the NFL in takeaways this season with 33 while allowing just 20.1 points per contest, which ranked fifth in the league. The 52-year-old has accumulated a 43-42 record.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals won't bring back Steve Keim, who is on a health-related absence, as general manager but could give him a lesser role upon his return, sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker was ejected from Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions for shoving a member of the Lions' training staff.

The New England Patriots' season finished in disappointment Sunday, with a loss to the Buffalo Bills ending their hopes of an 18th playoff appearance under head coach Bill Belichick.Although the Patriots have now missed the postseason twice since Tom Brady left and haven't won a playoff game since their Super Bowl victory in 2018, the 70-year-old Belichick isn't considering retirement and is already thinking about next year."The process will start today," Belichick said, according to NESN's Zack Cox."Nobody's satisfied with (finishing 8-9)," he added. "That's not our goal. We need to improve on that."Mac Jones' future as New England's starter will be one of the key storylines of the team's offseason ahead of Belichick's 24th year in charge.Following a standout rookie campaign, Jones struggled as a sophomore. He threw for just 2,997 yards and 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 14 starts.Belichick said the Patriots have to give the 24-year-old more help if he's to return to form."Mac has the ability to play quarterback in this league. We all have to work together to be more productive than we were this year."Pressure mounted on the offensive coaching staff throughout the season, namely, play-caller Matt Patricia and offensive assistant Joe Judge. Belichick, who opted not to have an official offensive coordinator this campaign, addressed the offense's regression."That'll be part of the whole process that we go through," Belichick said, according to Chris Mason of MassLive. "We need to be more productive on all levels: offense, defense, and special teams ... But that's certainly something we need to do: Score more points."New England ranked 17th in points per game (21.4), 26th in yards per game (314.6), and 32nd in red-zone touchdown percentage (42.2%) this season.Copyright © 2023 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.New era in NFC North Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyBiters of kneecaps, breakers of hearts.The Packers managed to make things interesting down the stretch, running off four straight victories to set themselves up for a win-and-in scenario at home in Week 18 against Detroit. Naturally, most of us assumed they'd go ahead and finish the job. But this was no cupcake matchup - not anymore.For the Lions to be the team to end the Packers' season, and perhaps the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay - all at Lambeau in January, no less - is the ultimate statement for what lies ahead in the NFC North. Would it have been cool to see Detroit go against the heavyweights in the playoffs? Of course. But in a strange way, it feels like this changing-of-the-guard moment means more than a brief trip to the postseason ever could.There were bumps along the way - a disappointing Week 16 loss to the Panthers ultimately kept the Lions from storming all the way back from a 1-6 start to earn a wild-card spot. Record aside, though, it became clear over the second half of the season that this organization was building something special.Dan Campbell and his coaching staff successfully laid the foundation. With an offseason to load up on defense to complement the dynamic group now in place on the offensive side, the rise to true contender status atop the NFC North could be swift.And if it seems odd to dub Detroit the division's next powerhouse when the Vikings are on their way to the playoffs with 13 wins, consider how Minnesota fared when faced with a similar opportunity in Green Bay the previous week.The Lions are the new top dog, and they're only getting started.The end for Rodgers? Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's tough to read too much into these things, especially when you're talking about a quarterback who just loves to keep everyone guessing. But that sure felt like it could be Rodgers' last game in Green Bay, didn't it?First came the midfield exchange with Jameson Williams after the season-ending loss. When the Lions' rookie receiver asked for his jersey, Rodgers declined. "I'm gonna hold onto this one," he said.Shortly thereafter, the 39-year-old appeared to be taking in the Lambeau Field atmosphere as he walked off with longtime teammate and close friend Randall Cobb. His postgame comments all but confirmed that there's a decision to be made in the offseason ahead."It could be time to step away, but I could take some time and say, 'Hell no, man, I need to get back out there and go on another run,'" he said. "But I'll have to see what it feels like once I'm away from it."Rodgers also suggested it's possible the Packers could be the ones opting to move on from him.For the third time in as many years, it does seem like all options are on the table for Rodgers: retiring, returning to the Packers, or playing elsewhere. None of which could possibly be considered a surprise at this point - there's a reason this song and dance has become something of an annual tradition.After each decision to return to Green Bay ended in disappointment, though, might this finally be the time one party, or both, decides it's time to move on? Retirement seems like the most likely scenario if he's not back with the Packers. But Rodgers and Tom Brady finding new teams in the same offseason would be one heck of a storyline.Texans win but lose Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / GettyLet's get one thing straight: in-game tanking isn't a real thing. You're never going to see players or coaches - the people who directly impact the outcomes of games - actively trying to lose in the NFL. It's not their job to worry about draft position, especially when their place in the organization is anything but guaranteed year over year.That's why the Texans were doing everything they could to beat the Colts in Sunday's season finale. Lovie Smith, who was evidently going to be fired after one year as head coach either way, would have no reason to do anything but win. The same goes for the players, whose status in the league depends on what they put on tape every week.With all that said, it was still surreal to watch the Texans racing down for a late touchdown and the game-winning 2-point conversion to knock off the Colts and, in the process, lose the No. 1 overall pick they'd been on track to get all season long.Picking at No. 2 in no way takes them out of the market for a top rookie quarterback. And for all we know, the one the Texans prefer between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, or even Will Levis, could end up falling into their laps. All's well that ends well, if that ends up being the case.But how can you watch this unfold and not think back to the 2019 Jets? After starting the season 0-13, New York's back-to-back wins over a pair of playoff teams in the Rams and Browns saw the Jaguars end up with the No. 1 pick and the right to draft Trevor Lawrence. The Jets were happy with Zach Wilson at No. 2, but we know how that worked out - one team has a franchise player at quarterback, and the other has nothing.The likely outcome here is that the Bears, who appear to have their long-term quarterback in Justin Fields, trade back with another QB-needy team in the top 10 for a franchise-changing haul of picks. Barring a Mitch Trubisky-like deal for the Texans to move up one spot instead, that'd mean Houston is stuck picking from whichever top signal-caller remains.There's a real chance that a meaningless Week 18 win over the Colts will dramatically change the trajectory of the Texans franchise in a negative way. That's tough to swallow.Why, Chargers? Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThis space should've been dedicated to hyping up the Chargers as an AFC dark horse. The path was fairly clear: Justin Herbert can go shot for shot with any quarterback in the league, and L.A.'s second-half defensive improvement could theoretically pose some problems for the high-powered passing attacks of the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals. If there was one underdog to bet on, this was it.But that was before Sunday's game against the Broncos. Perhaps we should have known that this team, which has a penchant for making fools out of believers, would once again find a way to let us down. Talent only gets you so far if you've got a thing for getting in your own way.The Ravens falling to the Bengals earlier in the day meant that the Chargers, no matter what happened in Denver, would be locked into the No. 5 seed. It was only fair to assume, then, that Los Angeles would respond by resting its key players. The 4-12 Broncos were even a considerable betting favorite heading into the weekend as a result.But Brandon Staley stuck with his starters anyway. That may prove to be a costly decision.Disaster struck in the first half when Mike Williams was carted to the locker room with a back injury. Staley didn't have an update on the status of his star receiver postgame, but the broadcast clip of him struggling to get off the cart in the tunnel wasn't exactly encouraging. Williams later had to be helped to the team bus and couldn't walk on his own, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic.Joey Bosa, who recently returned to action following a lengthy recovery from groin surgery, also left in the first half with an undisclosed injury.Either player being forced to miss next week's wild-card game in Jacksonville would be a major loss for the Chargers. Williams is the only big-play threat among an otherwise underwhelming group of offensive playmakers, and Bosa remains one of the league's premier pass-rushers.And despite running out their full starting lineup, the Chargers got beat by a Broncos team that's been a dumpster fire throughout the season. All for nothing.Staley is going to have a lot of questions to answer if L.A. goes one-and-done.Cowboys backing in Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettySpeaking of teams making bizarre Week 18 decisions, how 'bout them Cowboys?Dallas playing its starters in Sunday's meaningless game in Washington didn't have any sort of major injury consequences, so at least Mike McCarthy has that going for him. But not resting players only to get steamrolled by the Commanders and a rookie quarterback making his first career start is at least a little bit concerning.The Cowboys won't shake their reputation for choking in the playoffs until they, well, don't choke in the playoffs. And while this game ultimately doesn't matter in that regard, it didn't do anything to help them go into the postseason on a high note, either.As we've discussed several times throughout the year, there's no ceiling on what this team can achieve. The Cowboys have all the talent they could need on both sides of the ball, and the NFC doesn't exactly provide much resistance on the path to the Super Bowl. Nobody would be surprised if Dallas takes home the Lombardi Trophy at season's end.But it's moments like these, both in terms of the decision-making from leadership and the disappointing on-field results, that make you wonder whether Dallas will ever get over the hump.It doesn't help matters that, for all the Bucs' faults, it's going to be Brady standing on the other side of the field next week. Tampa Bay seems like a favorable first-round opponent on paper, but we all know better than to bet against Brady in the playoffs. And what do the Bucs have to lose?All the pressure is on Dallas. Get by this first obstacle, and we could be looking at the kind of playoff run Jerry Jones has been chasing since the mid-90s. Come up short, and the Cowboys owner could pull the plug on McCarthy and pay up for Sean Payton.Perhaps it's fitting that both feel equally possible.Quick slantsHines puts on a show Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyNyheim Hines provided perhaps the best moment of the season when he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Buffalo's first game since Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest. But he wasn't done there. The trade deadline acquisition doubled up later in the game, becoming the first player since Leon Washington in 2010 to record two kick-return scores in a single game. Hines' standout performance was ultimately the difference in a huge win over the Patriots, which both secured the No. 2 seed for the Bills and eliminated their division rivals. That's a hell of a way to win over your new team and its rabid fan base.Respect for SeahawksNobody had the Seahawks in the postseason following the offseason trade of Russell Wilson, and Pete Carroll's confidence in his group seemed like little more than false bravado from a coach who's never really experienced failure. As we came to find out, though, there was a reason for Carroll's belief. And, perhaps more importantly, there's a reason he's never really experienced failure. Carroll's ability to coach up a young group and Geno Smith making the most of his long-awaited opportunity as a starter has made Seattle one of the best stories of the year. Its trip to the playoffs may be short, as a first-round matchup with the 49ers is about as tough as it gets, but that doesn't take anything away from the accomplishment. Carroll's case for Coach of the Year honors is as strong as anyone's. There'll be no more doubting the Seahawks for as long as he's leading the way.Concern for HurtsJalen Hurts getting back on the field three weeks after suffering an injury to his throwing shoulder was an extremely positive sign, but it's clear that he's nowhere near full strength. The Eagles quarterback completed 20-of-35 passes for 229 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception against the Giants' backups in a closer-than-expected win. Head coach Nick Sirianni admitted postgame that his quarterback was "hurting bad" - not exactly the most reassuring words for Eagles fans. Philly getting the win, ugly as it may have been, gives Hurts a bye week to rest up some more. Whether he can get healthy enough to even approach the level at which he played prior to the injury will likely decide the Eagles' season.Tomlin's historic streakWe've touched on this in recent weeks, but it's worth revisiting now that the Steelers have officially registered a winning season. That makes it 16 consecutive years without a losing season for Mike Tomlin as the head coach in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have long been known for stability, but this kind of run is truly incredible. And for Tomlin to keep it going with this Steelers roster, which nobody even expected to be in the playoff mix, let alone fighting for a spot on the last day of the season, might be his best work yet. Pittsburgh is in great hands for as long as its head coach sticks around to lead his team in a way that so few in the history of the game have done.Bears set for megadeal Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Bears ending up with the No. 1 pick creates a fascinating situation atop the draft in April. It feels like a foregone conclusion that, for the first time since 2016, the top selection will be traded. Justin Fields establishing himself as Chicago's quarterback of the future means that the front office can pivot to using any and all resources to improve the team around him, and the Bears need as many as they can get. Not only because the roster is in such rough shape, but also because of a particularly bizarre midseason move that's severely impacted their draft capital.Claypool deal a bustThat trade, of course, is the Chase Claypool deal. Now that we've had a half-season to evaluate the Bears' new receiver, it's fair to ask what in the world they were thinking. Chicago sending its own second-rounder to Pittsburgh, rather than the one acquired from Baltimore in the Roquan Smith trade, was a curious move from the start. But the Bears finishing at the bottom of the league makes the decision even more costly, as they'll have parted with the No. 32 overall pick. Claypool started in three of his seven appearances after landing in Chicago, recording 14 receptions for 140 yards and no touchdowns. While they had the right idea of getting aggressive for offensive weapons, deadline deals don't get much worse than that.Watson fails to impressThe Browns can tell themselves all they want that Deshaun Watson's play has been a matter of him trying to shake off the rust. Surely they would've liked to see something, anything, to justify their gamble. To this point, it's safe to say they haven't. There was no room for failure when the Browns made the controversial move to surrender multiple first-round picks and hand Watson a fully guaranteed $230-million deal. After a six-game stretch in which their new quarterback topped 200 yards only twice, throwing for seven touchdowns and five interceptions, there has to be some concern that the Watson trade is going to be a disaster for Cleveland.Under-the-radar superstarChristian Wilkins might be the best defensive player that most people don't know about. The Dolphins defensive tackle has been so unbelievably dominant against the run this year that he finished the regular season with 98 tackles, a record for defensive linemen. Those are linebacker numbers for a 310-pounder who has to shed at least one, and often two, opposing linemen before making plays on the ball carrier. For reference: J.J. Watt, a prolific tackler among defensive linemen, had a career-high of 82 in 2012. Wilkins should be in line for a contract extension before playing out his fifth-year option next season, and his ridiculous performance in 2022 should help him push for $20 million per year.Stat of the week

The NFL playoff field is set.Following the Detroit Lions' victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks - who defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 - clinched the last available playoff spot to put a bow on the regular season.Here are the Wild Card Weekend matchups:AFCMatchupDateTimeNetworkChargers (5) at Jaguars (4)Saturday8:15 p.m.NBCDolphins (7) at Bills (2)Sunday1 p.m.CBSRavens (6) at Bengals (3)Sunday8:15 p.m.NBC(All times eastern)The Miami Dolphins earned the AFC's last wild-card spot with an 11-6 victory over the New York Jets, combined with the Buffalo Bills' win over the New England Patriots, who entered Week 18 as the conference's No. 7 seed. Six teams had already punched postseason tickets in the AFC before Sunday.On Saturday, the Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Tennessee Titans to claim their first AFC South title since 2017, while the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders to clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.The wild-card round in the AFC will feature two big divisional rivalries. Buffalo and Miami, as well as the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, split their regular-season series this season. All eyes will also be on the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Jaguars, which will mark the first playoff games for Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence, two of football's best young quarterbacks.AFC playoff standingsSeedTeamDivisionRecord1ChiefsWest14-32BillsEast13-33BengalsNorth12-44JaguarsSouth9-85ChargersWest10-76RavensNorth10-77DolphinsEast9-8The Bills and Bengals will each finish the regular season with only 16 games due to the cancellation of their Monday Night Football matchup in Week 17. The contest was called off after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the field.NFCMatchupDateTimeNetworkSeahawks (7) at 49ers (2)Saturday4:30 p.m.FOXGiants (6) at Vikings (3)Sunday4:30 p.m.FOXCowboys (5) at Buccaneers (4)Monday8:15 p.m.ESPN(All times eastern)The road to Super Bowl LVII goes through Philly. The Philadelphia Eagles capped a dominant regular season with a victory over the New York Giants to claim the NFC's No. 1 seed and secure a first-round bye.The biggest clash of Wild Card Weekend will take place in Florida as the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys. Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants will face off for the second time in four weeks after a thrilling regular-season matchup that ended with a last-second 61-yard Minnesota field goal.Led by Geno Smith - who had started only five games under center between 2015-21 - Seattle will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers. This marks a stunning campaign for the Seahawks, who traded longtime quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in the offseason and were expected to rebuild.NFC playoff standingsSeedTeamDivisionRecord1EaglesEast14-3249ersWest13-43VikingsNorth13-44BuccaneersSouth8-95CowboysEast12-56GiantsEast9-7-17SeahawksWest9-8The 2023 draft order for non-playoff teams can be found here.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans fired head coach Lovie Smith after going 3-13-1 this season, the team announced Sunday.Smith, who still had three years left on his contract, is the second straight Houston coach to be fired after just one season on the job. Here are the Texans' head coaches in recent years:CoachRecord SeasonBill O'Brien0-42020Romeo Crennel*4-82020David Culley4-132021Lovie Smith3-13-12022*Crennel served on an interim basis after O'Brien's firing.The 64-year-old Smith, who was named Coach of the Year in 2005 while on the Chicago Bears, became head coach after serving as the team's defensive coordinator in 2021."I appreciate Coach Smith and his entire family for their contributions over the last two seasons," Texans CEO Cal McNair said in a statement. "We are grateful for his leadership and character, and we wish him the best moving forward. While we understand the results have not been what we had hoped for, we are committed to building a program that produces long-term, sustainable success. Our fans and city deserve a team that they can be proud of."The Texans posted an 11-38-1 record since last winning the AFC South in 2019. Houston won consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019 and was considered a potential Super Bowl contender while rostering the likes of J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, and Deshaun Watson. However, the team traded away Hopkins in the 2020 offseason and has since failed to be competitive. Watt left in free agency in 2021, and Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns last March in exchange for a package that includes three first-round picks.Houston's next head coach will inherit a team with glaring holes on both sides of the ball but with plenty of draft capital and salary cap space. The Texans - who own two top-12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including the second overall choice - are currently projected to have $47.7 million in cap space next season, according to Spotrac. The club has 11 total draft picks this year.The Texans were favorites to pick first overall for most of the 2022 season, but the Chicago Bears - who lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 to drop to 3-14 - ultimately landed the top selection after Houston defeated the Indianapolis Colts with a last-minute comeback."Whenever you play, you play to win the game," Smith said after Sunday's 32-31 win.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears clinched the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts on a last-minute touchdown and two-point conversion in Week 18.The Bears were positioned to pick second after falling to the Minnesota Vikings. However, the Texans scored on fourth-and-20 and converted the go-ahead 2-point attempt to flip-flop Chicago in the standings.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams left Sunday's 31-28 loss against the Denver Broncos due to back spasms, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.However, he's expected to be available for next week's wild-card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars after his X-ray results came back negative, per Thiry.Williams limped off the field with the help of trainers late in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room and initially listed as questionable to return before being ruled out for the remainder of the game. He was spotted leaving the locker room with the assistance of a staff member, according to Thiry.The 28-year-old recorded four receptions for 32 yards before his injury.Star pass-rusher Joey Bosa and linebacker Kenneth Murray also left Sunday's contest before halftime with undisclosed ailments.Head coach Brandon Staley was asked after the game about his decision to give his starters extended playing time with little to play for Sunday."These aren't easy decisions, and in hindsight, it's perfect for everyone to decide," he said.The Chargers played most of their starters throughout the entire first half and several starters into the third quarter.Los Angeles concluded the regular season with a 10-7 record and is locked into the AFC's fifth seed.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts returned from a two-game absence Sunday in a 22-16 win over the New York Giants but has yet to fully recover from his shoulder injury."We didn't feel like there was more risk (of further injury), but I know he was hurting, and he was hurting bad," head coach Nick Sirianni said postgame, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.Sirianni added: "But that's the kind of competitor he is, that's the kind of person he is and kind of teammate and leader he is that he was able to go out there and tough through it."Hurts had been sidelined since Week 15 due to the shoulder injury. The Eagles dropped both games he missed. He returned with the No. 1 seed in the NFC at stake for Philadelphia.The 24-year-old completed 20 of his 35 pass attempts for 229 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against the Giants.Philadelphia clinched a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason with its victory over New York.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Burrow believes the Cincinnati Bengals will be Super Bowl contenders for as long as he's their quarterback."The window is my whole career," Burrow said Sunday when asked if he thinks about Cincy's championship window with him under center. "Everybody that we have in that locker room, all the coaches we have, things are going to change year to year, but our window is always open."Burrow led the Bengals to a 27-16 victory over the Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, extending their win streak to eight games. The triumph helps Cincinnati - which had its Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills canceled - finish the regular season 12-4, good for first place in the AFC North and the No. 3 seed in the conference.Cincy will face Baltimore again in the wild-card round."Love where we're at," Burrow added. "How many have we won in a row? Seven? Eight? That's the longest winning streak right now. (We're) going into the playoffs with a lot of momentum."Burrow's taken the NFL by storm since the Bengals drafted him first overall in 2020. The 26-year-old - who led LSU to the national championship in 2019 - passed for 13 touchdowns to five interceptions before a torn ACL ended his rookie year.He bounced back in 2021, posting a league-high 70.4% completion rate with 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns while helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years. Cincinnati ultimately fell short in the big game, losing to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20.The 2021 Comeback Player of the Year passed for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions this season, helping Cincinnati win the AFC North in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history."I told you guys to relax. We relaxed," Burrow said Sunday in reference to his "relax" remark in September amid Cincinnati's 0-2 start.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins will go to the playoffs as the seventh seed in the AFC following a 11-6 win over the New York Jets, edging out the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots for the final spot.Miami will travel to Buffalo for a meeting with the division-rival Bills on Wild Card Weekend.Pittsburgh beat the Cleveland Browns 28-14 but needed the Dolphins and Patriots to lose to make the postseason. Though the Steelers will miss the playoffs, the victory over their divisional rival means Mike Tomlin will record his 16th straight non-losing season after a 9-8 finish in 2022.The Patriots would have clinched the seventh spot with a win over the Bills, but they fell 35-23. New England entered Week 18 controlling their own destiny, needing to only beat Buffalo in order to qualify for the postseason.Miami came into the final week of the regular season on the outside looking in after losing to the Patriots in Week 17, their fifth straight loss in a row at the time.The Dolphins were locked in a 6-6 deadlock with the Jets before Jason Sanders nailed a 50-yard field goal in the final 20 seconds to take a 9-6 lead. Miami then added a late safety on the Jets' final play of regulation.Seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson drew the start at quarterback for the Dolphins in the must-win game against the Jets following injuries to Teddy Bridgewater and Tua Tagovailoa. Thompson completed 20 of his 31 passes for 152 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Sunday's win.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens will start rookie quarterback Anthony Brown in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.Tyler Huntley is inactive due to a shoulder injury, as the Ravens want to keep him healthy for the playoffs in case Lamar Jackson can't play, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Star tight end Mark Andrews and running back J.K. Dobbins are also being rested for the Week 18 matchup.Jackson is reportedly confident that he'll be ready for the Ravens' wild-card matchup after missing the last five games of the regular season with a knee injury. However, those around him are apparently less convinced he'll be ready for the first round of the playoffs.Brown, an undrafted free agent, will be making his first career start. He made his NFL debut in Week 14, taking over for an injured Huntley in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Bengals clinched the AFC North as part of the NFL's decision not to resume their matchup against the Buffalo Bills. However, with a Baltimore win over Cincinnati and a Los Angeles Chargers win over the Denver Broncos, the host of a wild-card rematch between the two AFC North clubs will be determined by a coin flip.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will start Sunday's regular-season finale against the New York Giants after missing the last two games with a throwing shoulder injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Tim McManus.The Eagles lost both games without Hurts but can still clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed with a win or a tie against the Giants. Philadelphia will also secure the first-round bye if the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Washington Commanders.Head coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that Hurts was on track to return for the NFC East clash.Hurts was a frontrunner for MVP before being injured. He has thrown for 22 touchdowns and 3,472 yards while adding 747 yards and 13 scores on the ground this season.With New York locked into the No. 6 seed, coach Brian Daboll is opting to rest starting quarterback Daniel Jones against the Eagles. Davis Webb is reportedly expected to start after being elevated from the practice squad, while Tyrod Taylor will act as the backup.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill has been gathering information on head coaching candidates as he weighs Kliff Kingsbury's future with the club, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Bidwill reportedly hasn't informed Kingsbury of any decision ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers.Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton would be a candidate for the job if it becomes available, added Rapoport and Pelissero. The Denver Broncos have also reportedly received permission from the Saints to speak to Payton.Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is also apparently expected to be a contender for the job.Complicating Bidwill's planning is the absence of general manager Steve Keim, who took an indefinite leave in November for health reasons and is reportedly unlikely to return to that role.Arizona signed Kingsbury and Keim to extensions through the 2027 campaign after making the playoffs last season.But the NFC West club has struggled this year. The Cardinals enter Week 18 with a 4-12 record and without quarterback Kyler Murray, who tore his ACL and meniscus on Dec. 12.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos plan to interview Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for their head coaching job early this week, sources told Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Harbaugh will meet with the Broncos virtually, along with several other candidates including Sean Payton, note Pelissero and Rapoport. The New Orleans Saints reportedly granted Denver permission to speak to Payton.Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is also reportedly expected to be among the top candidates. The Broncos have said they will also interview their defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to replace Nathaniel Hackett, whom they fired in December amid a poor rookie season.Harbaugh said last offseason that the door was shut on an NFL return after he opted to return to the Wolverines following an interview with the Minnesota Vikings.While the 59-year-old reiterated Thursday that he expects to return to Ann Arbor, he also indicated he may be considering his options."As I stated in December, while no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023," he said.A lack of movement on a new contract for Harbaugh could be pushing him to explore NFL opportunities, according to Pelissero and Rapoport.Harbaugh earned $8.05 million in 2022, and while there reportedly have been talks about a raise, Michigan has yet to give him the long-term commitment he's seeking.Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper reportedly reached out to Harbaugh to discuss his team's coaching vacancy, while the Indianapolis Colts - Harbaugh's former team - have been rumored as a possible fit.Michigan fell short in the College Football Playoff semifinals for a second straight season, suffering an upset loss to TCU.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Sean McVay's immediate future with the Los Angeles Rams is up in the air, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.McVay is reportedly expected to take time after the Rams' season finale to decide whether he'll return in 2023.The 36-year-old McVay has contemplated this decision and wants time to process everything that's gone on in his personal and professional lives, Schefter adds.It's believed that the team's decimated roster - which includes injuries to key players such as Aaron Donald and Matthew Stafford - has taken a toll on McVay, per Schefter.The 5-11 Rams are currently third in the NFC West. It's McVay's first losing campaign since the team hired him in 2017.McVay is under contract with L.A. through the 2026 season.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos have received permission from the New Orleans Saints to interview Sean Payton for their vacant head coaching position, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Sean Payton spoke on the phone with Broncos ownership, and there's mutual interest, sources tell theScore's Jordan Schultz.The 59-year-old Payton is still under contract with the Saints. No team can conduct an in-person interview with him until at least Jan. 17, per the NFL.The Broncos would need to compensate the Saints if they hire Payton. The two sides appear to be on the same page regarding what the compensation would look like, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Payton stepped down as New Orleans' head coach after the 2021 season. He spent 16 years as the Saints' head boss.The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after he posted a 4-11 record during his first season. There have been no other reported interviews scheduled for Denver's vacancy.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin thanked the public Saturday for its support in his first public statement since suffering a cardiac arrest Monday."When you put real love out into the world, it comes back to you (three times) as much," Hamlin wrote on Instagram. "The love has been overwhelming, but I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brought the world back together behind this. If you know me, you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road, keep praying for me! #3strong."

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has "a strong chance" to return for his team's wild-card matchup next weekend, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Jackson is set to miss his fifth straight game Sunday due to a knee injury. He still has swelling in his knee and hasn't practiced since suffering the PCL sprain.The 26-year-old has indicated to people close to him that he's confident he'll play in the playoffs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. However, those around him reportedly aren't as convinced he'll be able to play in the postseason's opening round.If Jackson can't suit up for the wild-card matchup, the team believes he'll be ready for the following week if the Ravens advance, Rapoport added.Head coach John Harbaugh said Friday that he was hopeful the 2019 MVP would be cleared for the start of the playoffs.Tyler Huntley is set to start in the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith has been meeting with owner Cal McNair to state his case for a second year in Houston, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Texans reportedly intend to evaluate Smith's future at the end of the season, his first with the club.Houston has the worst record in the NFL (2-13-1) ahead of its regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. A loss to the Colts - or a win or tie by the Chicago Bears - will secure the No. 1 overall pick for the Texans.Frustration has reportedly mounted in the locker room and elsewhere in the building over Smith's approach.If the Texans fire Smith, it would be their second straight one-and-done coach. Houston fired David Culley last offseason after a 4-13 rookie campaign.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will play in Saturday's regular-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs after spending several days in Tulsa with his father, who underwent emergency heart surgery this week, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Jacobs' father, Marty, reportedly told him to play in the Week 18 matchup, and the veteran flew back to Las Vegas on Friday night. Marty remains in intensive care but plans to watch his son play.Although the running back has also been dealing with hip and oblique injuries, he has been given the all-clear to play.Jacobs' six-year-old son, Braxton, found Marty in pain Tuesday and called 911, Pelissero added.The 24-year-old Jacobs can earn the NFL's rushing title against the Chiefs, as he enters the matchup with 1,608 yards, 179 yards ahead of second-place Derrick Henry.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The well-being of Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin has been at the top of mind for the NFL, the Bills, and personnel throughout the league this week. The incident, broadcast live during Monday Night Football, shook the league to its foundation."When this happened, I tweeted basically instantaneously when I saw the replay that, let's worry about the player," said orthopedic surgeon David Chao, who was the Chargers' team doctor from 1997 to 2013. "This is his heart. But I had no idea they were doing CPR and all this other stuff. To get some insight into how medical care is provided during games, theScore's NFL insider Jordan Schultz spoke with Chao this week. In addition to his practice, Chao now provides injury analysis at the Sports Injury Clinic website and on Twitter.The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.theScore: How has on-field medical care changed since the '90s?Chao: Well, a lot of things have changed from the '90s. I mean, heck, we didn't take concussions as seriously as we should have as an entire profession, not just the NFL. We didn't know about CTE in the '90s.I don't know that it was the '90s, but certainly in the 2000s, we drilled an emergency action plan. And part of this whole frightening situation that I want to call everyone's attention to is that the Bills, and especially the Bengals, did a great job. Every team in the NFL drills an emergency action plan every preseason. You get the emergency doctor, the airway physician there, the paramedics there. … All the doctors, athletic trainers, everyone on the home staff get together and run a drill for cardiac and for spine. And then you put it away, and that's it.For everyone who has criticized the NFL's concussion protocol, rightly or wrongly, they should be singing the NFL's praises for their forward thinking. For two decades-plus, teams have been preparing for this one incident that really hasn't happened. At least the cardiac side; the spine-board side happens not infrequently - had this last week in Josh Sweat, and he was discharged and he's back at the facility.The other thing I'd say - this is clearly not just (commotio cordis). Chris Pronger had commotio cordis in 1998, I believe, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Pronger returned to the ice four days later and played 13 more seasons.) This is not Damar Hamlin. Christian Eriksen, the Denmark soccer player that collapsed (with) sudden cardiac arrest and was revived and returned, is not Damar Hamlin. Damar Hamlin had some pulmonary issues, pulmonary contusion, pulmonary edema, and cardiac. Commotio cordis may be part of this, but this is not just commotio cordis. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesFrom a medical standpoint, what about the defibrillators? When did they become available on the NFL field?The AEDs (automated external defibrillators) have been around for over 20 years, I believe. In the NFL, each team travels with an AED device. I mean, literally, one of the athletic trainers brings it on the team bus and brings it to the team plane and brings it to a walkthrough practice when we're on the road. And just like we bring a medical bag, they bring the AED device everywhere. So, there were at least three AED devices on the field. One on the Bills' sideline, one on the Bengals' sideline, and one on the paramedic in the back of the ambulance. And that's how prepared everyone is. Medicine, (an) oxygen tank, the whole deal. I mean, like I said, unless you're physically in a hospital when you collapse and have (a) cardiac arrest, there's no better place than an NFL field.I hope and wish the biggest thing to come out of this - Commotio cordis is most common in young male adults. Young as in Little League, young as in high school. It's actually less common as you get older in life because your chest wall gets thicker, and that's when a baseball hits you in the right spot on the chest in the right moment, or that hockey puck, or that lacrosse ball. So, what I think I would love the messaging to be coming out of it: There should be an athletic trainer and an AED device at any sporting event for youth that involves a projectile ball or any type of contact. And that device should not be locked up in the school nurse's office, it needs to be out on the field. Cindy Ord / Getty ImagesI am wondering if we can expand on (that) a little bit. What changes can be made, if at all, from a concussion-spotting standpoint? Can we get better at that?Well, you know, I have sympathy for the people involved in concussion spotting because I have been there, and I (believe) that the NFL and NFLPA are trying to do the right things. But in reality, there are some things that can maybe be done, but boy, it is an impossible task. If you just take (Tua Tagovailoa)'s most recent concussion, where now everyone looks back and says he clearly hits his head. If the spotter runs down to have him checked there and he doesn't have a concussion or doesn't develop a concussion, and they don't get a first down, you have people yelling that you are affecting the game. The referee has a role in that, too, since he watches the play until the end.If (the player) doesn't have any symptoms of a concussion, which is entirely possible since sometimes symptoms from concussions develop later, even then, you still get blamed for missing it. So, it's a very tough job. Should they maybe have even more spotters in the booth? There are three of them right now. There's (an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant) in the booth, two (athletic trainers) and a fourth video guy who is not medical.Yeah, that's a lot of guys.But then again, on any given play, there are 22 guys on the field. How can your eyes stay with all 22, scan the game, and follow all of that? We're looking at it in retrospect. I didn't see it in live time, either. Because concussions are hard enough to diagnose, and because you have to rely on players reporting symptoms, and because concussions can go in different directions, what I've used over time is, this whole thing is either one degree too hot or one degree too cold. Doctors and spotters are asked to use a Goldilocks analogy: Tell me the temperature of the porridge an hour from now by just looking at it and not touching it or tasting it. I mean, come on.What was the process of getting all these protocols in place?There was a player - and I don't even remember his name right now - who collapsed in the locker room after a game. And this was decades ago, but that was when the league said, OK, we need to be prepared. One of the immediate changes that they made was to say that the paramedics can't leave until they check out with both head teams, no matter what. They are there until the buses roll out for the visiting teams and the locker rooms are empty.That was one immediate change that was easy, we always had paramedics. And out of that I believe, there was a call to have trauma positions on the sidelines. And our team said trauma positions are great, but we're not cracking any chests on the sideline or in the locker room, we need emergency medicine to help run a code and/or an airway physician. That's what they are called now. That came out of that, and that has been instituted for a couple of decades. The NFL gets a lot of grief, and I can tell you from behind the scenes that they do try and do the right thing.Doctor, this is phenomenal and very helpful.I think there's a way to provide a medical perspective without speculating. And that's kind of our discussion here of perspective and framework without getting into what he had and the long-term effects and the specifics.To this day, he's not out of the woods yet, but I remain cautiously optimistic. Why? Because the medical team got there so quickly. There were so many of them.When the Bills said his heart was restarted in the field, that gave me added optimism and hope. I'm still cautious, but I think those are the things that the lay public could benefit from and know in these types of horrifying, frightening, visual situations.Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott can't wait to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's highly anticipated NFC North clash."They don't respect us. A-Rod doesn't respect us, that team doesn't respect us," Elliott said Friday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic."We're used to being the underdog. No matter what the record says, we're going out there, and we're gonna fight our ass off, play smashmouth football, just because of the respect factor. We all got here someway, somehow."Yeah, (Rodgers is) a Hall of Famer, but I just don't like the way he's been talking about my guys all year, the way that team views us. We wanna go out there and prove something."Elliott didn't specify which comments he took an issue with, but after Detroit defeated Green Bay 15-9 in November, Rodgers said, "Can't lose a game like that against that team." The four-time NFL MVP threw three interceptions in that game."That's gonna hurt for a while," Rodgers, who's praised the Lions' turnaround this season, also said at the time.Sunday night's matchup has a lot at stake for the Packers and Lions, who are both 8-8 and fighting for the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Green Bay will clinch a playoff berth with a victory, while Detroit can punch its postseason ticket with a victory and a Seattle Seahawks loss in Week 18. The Seahawks - who need a win and a Packers loss to reach the playoffs - host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.Rodgers has completed 64.7% of his passes and tossed 25 touchdowns to 11 interceptions through 16 games this season, down from a 68.9% completion rate, 37 TD passes, and four picks in 2021.Elliott, in his first year in Detroit, ranks second on the team with 91 tackles to go along with three pass breakups and an interception. The 25-year-old has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Friday that he's "pretty confident" Elliott will face the Packers, according to Jeff Risdon of The Lions Wire.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni announced quarterback Jalen Hurts is trending toward starting Sunday against the New York Giants, according to NFL Network's James Palmer.He's listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup.The 24-year-old missed the last two games after sustaining a shoulder injury in a Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears.Gardner Minshew has played in Hurts' place, completing 42 of 72 pass attempts for 629 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Eagles went 0-2.One of those losses was to the division rival Dallas Cowboys, who enter Week 18 as one of three clubs that can finish with the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Eagles (13-3) will earn the top spot with a victory. The Cowboys (12-4) and San Francisco 49ers (12-4) both have a chance at the bye but will need to win and get some help from other results.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL owners voted Friday to approve a resolution modifying this year's playoff format in light of the cancellation of Monday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The modifications make it possible for the AFC Championship Game to be held at a neutral site and potentially call for a coin flip to determine who gets home field in the event of a wild-card game between the Baltimore Ravens and Bengals.The AFC title game will be played at a neutral site selected by the NFL if the two teams played a different number of regular-season games and if the lower-seeded team in the game could have been the No. 1 seed if a full schedule had been played. A coin toss will only determine home-field advantage between the Ravens and Bengals if the two teams are scheduled to meet in the wild-card round and Baltimore defeats Cincinnati in Week 18.Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expressed his displeasure with the playoff resolution earlier Friday. Although Cincinnati clinched the AFC North title, it may not get to host a wild-card game."We had control and now we don't. There are positives for a lot of teams and negatives for us," Taylor said.Rich McKay, the NFL competition committee's chairman, stressed flexibility when asked why the league didn't just stick with winning percentage as the deciding factor in a possible Ravens-Bengals wild-card meeting."I would say it's not necessarily (rules) weren't followed," McKay said, according to Pelissero. He added, "We don't capture everything in every rule and every policy manual. Sometimes when you face situations, you have to try to make adjustments."McKay noted that the possibility of a neutral site for a wild-card game between the AFC North rivals was discussed on Friday's call, but "the response back to that was, not enough time" for the necessary logistical adjustments.Monday night's game between the Bengals and Bills was suspended after Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field in the first quarter. The NFL announced Thursday it will not resume the contest at any point.Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field before he was taken by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. Hamlin's agent said Friday that the defensive back had his breathing tube removed and was breathing on his own. He also joined a Bills team meeting Friday via video to talk to his teammates.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his fifth straight game due to injury when the Baltimore Ravens face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.Head coach John Harbaugh remains "hopeful" that Jackson could be available next week during the wild-card round."There really are no updates," Harbaugh told reporters Friday, per the Baltimore Banner's Jonas Shaffer. He added, "When we have an update, definitely you'll have it. But injuries are so hard to predict."Jackson was initially expected to miss a few weeks after sustaining a knee injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 13. However, concern has grown as Jackson remains unable to practice a week before postseason action."The truth is we really don't know," Harbaugh said. "Everyone is working as hard as they can. Lamar is working as hard as he can, the trainers are working as hard as they can. Can't wait for him to get back."The 2019 MVP led the Ravens to an 8-4 mark prior to being sidelined. He passed for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added 764 rushing yards alongside three scores on the ground.Jackson is in the final year of his rookie contract. The Ravens have the option to place the franchise tag on the dynamic signal-caller this offseason.Baltimore has relied on Tyler Huntley in Jackson's absence. The 24-year-old has established a 2-2 record as a starter this season. Huntley, who has been limited with shoulder and wrist ailments, is optimistic that he'll be able to play Sunday against the Bengals.The Ravens won't have the opportunity to play for the AFC North title after the Bengals' Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills was declared a no-contest. However, the Ravens can still earn a home playoff game if they defeat the Bengals, the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Denver Broncos, and then Baltimore wins a coin toss.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's television viewership dominance in the United States is showing no signs of slowing down.NFL games accounted for 82 of the 100 most-watched U.S. TV broadcasts of 2022, according to a report by Anthony Crupi of Sportico. That number is up from the previous year, when the NFL had 75 of the top 100 broadcasts.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been recognized as AFC North champions, regardless of what happens in Week 18's contest with the Baltimore Ravens.Cincinnati takes the AFC North crown after Week 17's matchup with the Buffalo Bills was ruled a no-contest. The game was originally suspended Monday night after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the field.As division winners, Cincy will have a harder schedule next season and a later draft pick. However, the team won't necessarily have the benefits of being champions in the playoffs and may not have home-field advantage in a wild-card game, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The NFL's competition committee approved on Thursday a proposal for the playoffs stating that if the Ravens beat the Bengals in Week 18 and the two sides are scheduled to play again in the wild-card round, the site for that game would be determined by a coin toss. NFL owners approved the proposal Friday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cincinnati would've clinched the AFC North with a win over Buffalo on Monday. However, if the Bengals didn't beat the Bills, Baltimore would've had a chance to leapfrog Cincy for the division's first place with a win in their Week 18 clash. With the cancellation of the Bills-Bengals contest, Cincy will have the higher winning percentage even if Baltimore sweeps their season series on Sunday. Both teams have already clinched a playoff berth.Team Record %Bengals11-4.733Ravens10-6.625The Bengals and Ravens are currently the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds in the AFC, respectively.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced Friday that Skylar Thompson will start the team's must-win game against the New York Jets on Sunday, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.The Dolphins ruled out Tua Tagovailoa due to a concussion, but McDaniel hopes Teddy Bridgewater will be available in a backup role, per Jonathan Jones of CBS. Bridgewater has reportedly been battling a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand.Thompson stepped in for Bridgewater after the latter was injured in last Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots. He completed 12 of his 21 pass attempts for 104 yards with one touchdown and one interception.The 2022 seventh-round pick will make his second start of the season. He's made six appearances in his rookie campaign, notching one passing score and three picks.Miami heads into the regular-season finale clinging on to its playoff hopes amid a five-game losing streak. The Dolphins need to beat the Jets and the Patriots to lose to the Buffalo Bills in order to secure a wild-card spot.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets will start quarterback Joe Flacco on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after Mike White was ruled out, head coach Robert Saleh announced Friday.Zach Wilson is expected to be the backup for the regular-season finale.The Jets also ruled out offensive linemen Duane Brown, George Fant, and Nate Herbig.Flacco has established a 1-2 record as a starter this season. He has thrown for 902 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in four games.White has been dealing with a rib injury that caused him to miss two games after being named the Jets' starter prior to Week 12. He returned to the lineup last weekend but did not look comfortable in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.Head coach Robert Saleh lamented the Jets' quarterback carousel. "It's something we're going to get fixed in the offseason," he said, per The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt.New York (7-9) was eliminated from playoff contention last week following its fifth consecutive loss.Meanwhile, the Dolphins enter Week 18 needing a win and a New England Patriots loss to clinch a playoff berth. Miami's passers are dealing with injuries of their own as Tua Tagovailoa remains in concussion protocol and backup Teddy Bridgewater continues to deal with a hand injury.Miami tabbed rookie Skylar Thompson to start Sunday with its season on the line.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore football editors Jack Browne, Caio Miari, Daniel Valente, and Dan Wilkins make their weekly predictions for every game on the NFL calendar.Last weekBrowneMiariValenteWilkins13-210-512-38-7Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney expects Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers to be his last with the Cleveland Browns.On Tuesday, Clowney said, "95% sure I won't be back," according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "But there's still that 5%. You never know what can happen."I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. ... (It can't) just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody."Clowney - who's amassed two sacks this year, down from nine in 2021 - is unhappy with his role in Cleveland. He feels the Browns have removed him from favorable matchups throughout the season and instead overmatch Myles Garrett to showcase the All-Pro defensive end, Cabot added."I don't even think (Garrett) notices," Clowney said. "I ain't trying to say it's him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don't have a problem. It ain't his fault. It's just B.S., and I don't have time for it."But Clowney isn't fully ruling out a return for a third campaign with the Browns due to potential changes to the team's coaching staff. Multiple Cleveland coaches are in the hot seat, including third-year coordinator Joe Woods, whose defense has struggled for most of the 2022 season."There's supposed to be a lot of changes around here next year, so they might not be back, and I might," Clowney said.Clowney, 29, returned to Cleveland in 2022 on a one-year, $10-million contract. He's racked up 28 tackles (four for loss), three pass breakups, and one forced fumble through 12 games this season.The 7-9 Browns have already been eliminated from playoff contention.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich doesn't think the team deserves all the criticism it's received this season."I think you guys overexaggerate because we look different," Leftwich said Thursday, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. "The numbers say we're not that far off. ... For some reason, everybody wants to throw dirt on the Bucs."Tampa Bay entered the 2022 campaign as one of the favorites in the NFC after winning 13 games last season and the Super Bowl two years ago. However, it hasn't met those expectations, especially on offense.The Buccaneers, who claimed the NFC South title last Sunday despite being only 8-8, rank 24th in scoring, 11th in yards, and 20th in expected points added per play."When you really listen to people talk about us, it's emotions talking," Leftwich said, per Auman. "That's not really people that are watching us, watching us get better every week."He added: "I know it looks bad to everybody, but I think we're the 12th-best offense in the league. Ain't that something? We still have a long way to go."Leftwich does see flaws in his offense, though."We're awful from third down and red zone," he said. "It's disappointing, those two things, for us as a team with who we have."Tampa Bay's offense ranks 22nd on third down and 25th in the red zone this season, scoring a touchdown in just 51.1% of its red-zone trips.The Buccaneers are coming off a win over the Carolina Panthers in which they scored at least 30 points for only the second time this season. Tampa Bay, which has already clinched the No. 4 seed in the NFC, closes out its regular season against the Atlanta Falcons before hosting a wild-card game.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons are expected to be available for Saturday's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.Both players were held out of last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys but were removed from the injury report Thursday. Defensive lineman Denico Autry also missed Week 17 but is slated to return for the game that will decide the AFC South winner.Henry was a full participant in practice throughout the week after being sidelined with a hip ailment. The three-time Pro Bowler remains the league's third-highest rusher this season with 1,429 yards and has scored 13 touchdowns.Meanwhile, Tennessee will see the return of its most disruptive force with the return of Simmons. The Mississippi State product has racked up 53 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, on his way to his second Pro Bowl nod this season.The Titans are expected to lean on quarterback Josh Dobbs, who will make just his second start with the franchise Saturday. He passed for 232 yards, one touchdown, and an interception last week against the Cowboys.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur believes the franchise did quarterback Zach Wilson a disservice by playing him immediately as a rookie."In hindsight, it probably would have benefited (him) just to sit back and learn a little bit and watch a veteran do it and just kind of grow in this league, kind of in the back seat watching and getting better in practice," LaFleur said, according to the New York Post's Brian Costello.Wilson has established an 8-14 record as a starter over his first two seasons in the league. The BYU product was touted for his arm strength and superstar potential coming out of college.However, the 2021 second overall pick has been benched twice this season after missing the first three games of the year due to a knee injury. He was unable to hold onto the starting role following an injury to Mike White, as he continued to struggle in his return.Wilson has thrown for 1,688 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 54.5% of his pass attempts through nine games in his second year.LaFleur shouldered some of the blame for Wilson's shortcomings while insisting Wilson could still develop into the quarterback the franchise believes he can be."Through two years, yeah we haven't done our job with him," LaFleur said. "Any player at any position that isn't producing to the level that they're capable of, as a coach you've failed them."LaFleur has come under fire for the offense's struggles in 2022. New York is currently averaging just 18.1 points per game (27th in NFL) with one week remaining in the schedule.Head coach Robert Saleh suggested Wilson needs to get away from football this offseason and unplug."Go read a book, go do something, get away from this game, just reset," Saleh said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.The Jets reportedly don't plan to shop Wilson around this offseason but haven't committed to him as their starter in 2023.New York was eliminated from playoff contention following its fifth consecutive loss last weekend.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin "has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours" but remains in critical condition, the Bills said in a statement Thursday.