Category: sports

The NFC playoffs will give us the NFL’s oldest quarterback matchup ever this weekend. In the AFC, it’s a different story. All four starting quarterbacks whose teams advanced to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs are 25 or younger. This is the first time ever that all four starting quarterbacks in the divisional playoffs [more]

The crop of quarterbacks still standing is an elite group, with nine Super Bowls, multiple MVPs and other accolades between them. But who is the best of the best?

As the Browns anxiously wait for Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and top cornerback Denzel Ward to return from COVID-19 and join their playoff run, the team lost their replacements to injuries. Cleveland placed guard Michael Dunn and cornerback Robert Jackson on injured reserve Tuesday, losing two players who started Sunday’s playoff win at Pittsburgh while Bitonio and Ward remain sidelined with the virus.

After his insane performance Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship, would it be crazy to say the Jets should be thinking about using their No. 2 overall pick on DeVonta Smith come April?

Around the NFL’s Dan Hanzus reveals the one X-factor working in the Cleveland Browns’ favor vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. This game is streaming live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app, or on NFL.com

Based on who’s still alive in the playoffs, it appears one of the NFL’s best young stars will face off against a legendary old veteran under center. And that’s a good thing.

For most Super Bowl-winning coaches, getting fired one day would mean getting hired elsewhere quickly. For Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who led the team to Super Bowl LII, will he find another head-coaching job without having to sit out a season, or longer? Super Bowl XLV-winning Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who was fired late in [more]

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald has received interest from multiple NFL teams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Fitzgerald has not agreed to any of the interview requests. In 15 years as the head coach at his alma mater, Fitzgerald is 106-81. He is coming off a 7-2 season and Citrus Bowl victory. Fitzgerald, 46, has [more]

The Dallas Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator and Dan Quinn is going to need a lot of reinforcements to get the ship going in the right direction. If the Cowboys can find some spending capital, they’ll need to address some of their biggest …

Chase Young had one request for Tom Brady after the Buccaneers beat the Washington Football Team in last weekend’s NFC Wild Card playoff game.

A rough 2020 season led to friction between Doug Pederson and his bosses with the Eagles, who ultimately decided to move on from him.

Dan Campbell played the 2006-08 seasons with the Detroit Lions and has spent the past 11 years as an NFL assistant coach

Here is what NFL stadium capacity is expected to look like this week as the league is allowing each of its  teams to determine whether or not fans can attend playoff games. Check out the full schedule of this week’s games, including TV info and this week’s Sunday Night Football game on NBC. On Saturday night,

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head coaching job.

With General Manager Nick Caserio in place, the Texans are moving on to filling their head coaching vacancy and Monday has seen a couple of names added to the list of candidates. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Ravens assistant head coach/wide receivers coach David Culley is expected to interview for the job. The [more]

The Browns last won a postseason game in the 1990s, were ravaged by Covid-19 and faced their bitter rivals on Sunday. So of course they strolled to victoryFor almost the entire modern NFL era the Cleveland Browns have been synonymous with Very Bad Things: embarrassed fans covering their faces with paper bags, a litany of tragic quarterbacks, and a painful string of lost seasons.Yet here we are in a pandemic full of oddities, including Cleveland’s transformation into a normal, respectable franchise. Helmed by first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski they went 11-5 in the regular season by not crumbling during the last second of games, by having a legitimate quarterback in Baker Mayfield who continues to evolve, and by instilling a cultural shift. Despite the organization’s clear upward trajectory – and despite a playoff berth for the first time since 2002 – an actual postseason win seemed like a bit of a stretch. Yes, some of that is a lingering stigma. This is still the Browns we’re talking about, a team that hadn’t won a playoff game since 1995, before Mayfield was even born. A team not far enough removed from Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens to feel a true sense of comfort. But most of the skepticism entering their wildcard bout against the Steelers was situational, namely the Browns’ untimely Covid-19 outbreak. Not only did they enter Heinz Field down four players, including starting corner Denzel Ward and All Pro left guard Joel Bitonio, they were without Stefanski. Because the Browns’ facility was shut down, almost all practices were virtual in the lead up to Sunday’s game. Stefanski handed the head coaching reins to special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, while he sat in his basement watching the game, unable to communicate with his staff and players. All the odds were stacked against Cleveland, including an opponent that has owned them over the past decade. Then the unthinkable happened. The Browns put in a legendary performance and beat the Steelers 48-37. Yes, the Cleveland Browns won a playoff game. The Browns came out possessed, as if some higher power decided enough was enough with the franchise’s misery. Cleveland’s party began in a blink of an eye when the game’s first snap sailed over Ben Roethlisberger’s head into the endzone where Browns safety Karl Joseph landed on it for a touchdown. (Just as Stefanski no doubt had planned). Somehow it was 28-0 before the end of the first quarter. Cleveland’s opportunistic defense took advantage of Pittsburgh’s mistakes including three errant Roethlisberger passes that they picked off. They stymied the Steelers aerial attack and, like most teams this season, their ground game. Roethlisberger looked frustrated and shell-shocked, a rare and welcome sight for Browns fans.Meanwhile, Mayfield was able to control the tempo by getting the ball out quickly and utilizing Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, both of whom had their way with Pittsburgh’s defensive front, especially in the red zone. Trailing 35-10 at the half, the Steelers soon cut the lead to 12 points. The sudden sense of dread was too familiar to Clevelanders. The momentum had clearly shifted. Losing in this fashion, to this team, in this circumstance would rank right up there on Cleveland’s pantheon of tragic losses. But then the Browns got a little assist from Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Despite getting into an offensive rhythm and backing the Browns into a corner, Tomlin perplexingly punted on fourth-and-one from the Pittsburgh 46 at the close of the third quarter.The Browns got their offensive mojo back and quickly responded when Nick Chubb muscled his way to a 40-yard score. Jarvis Landry was also crucial on the drive and a rock throughout the game. The Steelers would answer with a quick score but it was too little too late.The Browns emerged through their mountain of adversity with a signature win, one that won’t soon be forgotten and one that will bond these players forever. The Covid situation was so dire that when Bitonio’s replacement was hurt in the game, Mayfield wasn’t even sure who he was. “A guy named Blake who I literally introduced myself to before the game stepped up in the fourth quarter,” said Mayfield after the game. (For the record, his full name is Blake Hance.)We’ll see how much magic fairy dust is left when Cleveland head to Kansas City next week. But hey, they’re the Browns. Why would you count them out? MVP of the weekLamar Jackson could easily be MVP this week but we’ll go for Josh Allen. A regular in this section, Allen continued to showcase why he’s one of the NFL’s best in Buffalo’s 27-24 win over Indianapolis. His combination of physicality and arm strength was one display as was his decision-making and ability to hit his second and third options. Allen collected yet another honor, becoming the first QB in a playoff game to throw for 300+ yards, (324) run for 50+ yards (54) and complete at least 70% of his passes (74%). Video of the weekJackson misses out on MVP, but he definitely scored the touchdown of the weekend with this scorching 48-yard run. Some described it as the best run by a quarterback in playoff history. It’s certainly in the equation, and shows why the Ravens are a danger to any team they face. Stat of the weekDerrick Henry: 18 carries, 40 yards, 0 touchdowns. Jackson was huge as he finally won a playoff game but the biggest key to the Ravens’ win was stifling Henry. Henry’s yardage total was his lowest this season, as were his 2.2 yards per carry. It was also the first game of the season where Henry failed to get a rush of at least 10 yards. Quote of the week“Two weeks ago you saw them smoking cigars and getting all excited about beating us and winning the division and we’re able to come up here and beat them in their own place” – Jared Goff after the Rams’ victory over the Seahawks on Saturday.When the Seahawks donned championship gear, lit up cigars, and celebrated an NFC West title after beating the Rams in Week 16, they gave Los Angeles all the extra motivation it needed. Goff performed as well as a guy who had thumb surgery two weeks could be expected, but it was the Rams’ dominant defense that won this game. As is becoming tradition, Russell Wilson was crushed by the Rams’ defensive front and owned by the entire defense. Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd each had two sacks. Darious Williams jumped a bubble screen (a pass type that’s NEVER intercepted) for a pick six. The Let Russ Cook MVP candidate we saw in the first half of the season has been pedestrian at best over the last seven games. Elsewhere around the league — Indianapolis and Tennessee are going to have sour offseasons, thanks to questionable calls by their head coaches. With Tennessee trailing 17-13 in the early fourth quarter, Mike Vrabel chose to punt on fourth-and-two from the Ravens’ 40-yard line, despite having 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry on the field. It was a decision that defied analytics and basic logic. Meanwhile Frank Reich’s aggressive decision to go for it on fourth and goal from the four up 10-7 with 1:53 left in the first-half failed when Philip Rivers missed Michael Pittman. The Colts eventually lost by three points.– On paper, a game featuring Taylor Heinicke and Tom Brady under center seemed ridiculous. Heinicke was last seen toiling in the now defunct AAF and was only playing because of Alex Smith’s calf injury, while Tom Brady is, well, Tom Brady. Turns out we all underestimated Heinicke, who was sensational and kept Washington in it until the very end. His ability to throw dime after dime was impressive. But his third-quarter scramble that put Washington within two points of a tie instantly won him millions of fans, including Patrick Mahomes. Despite the eventual loss to Tampa Bay, Heinicke has the NFL’s attention and will be an interesting option for Washington next season as they sort the future of their quarterback position.– The Saints easily marched to the divisional round after ending the Bears’ season 21-9. Chicago imploded with a toxic mix of poor execution and lack of discipline, including four offsides penalties on third and fourth downs. It’s safe to say Mitchell Trubisky’s future in Chicago is doubtful and Matt Nagy’s should be questionable. Meanwhile Drew Brees did what Brees does and slowly picked apart the Bears defense.– CBS’s youth-oriented broadcast of the Bears-Saints matchup on Nickelodeon was a massive success. The end zone was renamed the slime zone, Young Sheldon popped up with cute explanations of basic football terms, and analyst Nate Burleson was a wizard with the analogies: “Mitch Trubisky’s season was like getting a C in class but the postseason is like the teacher giving you a chance for extra credit.”– Texans star QB Deshaun Watson is reportedly unhappy with the organization for not giving him a voice as they replenish key roles in the front office and hire a head coach. Specifically, Watson is said to be peeved that the Texans are not extending an in-person interview to his preferred candidate, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The potential of Watson demanding a trade has a number of fanbases salivating.

Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey sat on the bench, their 11th season together over. Cleveland’s Karl Joseph fell on it for a touchdown. The mistakes, the one the Steelers had either avoided or survived during their 11-0 start, rapidly piled up.

Lauren Carpenter reviews the surprise performances, revenge matchups and nail-biters from Super Wild Card Weekend. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Mitchell Trubisky showed Sunday why Chicago needs to find a new QB, but it’s also possible he can pull a Ryan Tannehill and revive his career elsewhere.

The 2021 NFL Playoffs are underway and Super Bowl 55 is right around the corner! Here are the final scores, results and updated bracket after Wild Card Weekend. Check out the full 2021 NFL playoff schedule here. 2021 NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Scores Saturday, January 9  (7) Indianapolis Colts 24, (2) Buffalo Bills 27  (6) Los Angeles Rams 30, (3) Seattle Seahawks 20

The Cleveland Browns overcame all of it, dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 in the wild-card round Sunday night. It’s the franchise’s first postseason victory in more than a quarter century and earned Cleveland a trip to Kansas City next Sunday to face the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Playing with first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski, Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and top cornerback Denzel Ward back in Cleveland after all tested positive for COVID-19, Cleveland (12-5) raced to the biggest first half by a road team in NFL playoff history then held on.

Cleveland punched Pittsburgh in the mouth early and averted disaster in the second half to end a 26-year drought without a playoff win.

Josh Allen and the Bills will get the prime-time spotlight in the divisional round.

Though there’s one game remaining in wild-card weekend, the NFL has announced the schedule for the four divisional-round games. The Packers and Rams will lead things off. The NFC’s No. 1 seed, Green Bay will come off its playoff bye to host Los Angeles at 4:35 p.m. ET on Fox. The Bills will host the [more]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees will get to celebrate his 42nd birthday by preparing for a playoff game that will also feature the one active NFL quarterback older than him.

The regular season has come to an end and the 2021 NFL Playoffs continue today with nine teams left in the hunt to win the 2021 Super Bowl. Teams left in the playoffs include: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and

Lamar Jackson finally has his first postseason victory, and coming away from Baltimore makes it even more impressive. Jackson ran for 136 yards and a 48-yard touchdown while throwing for 179 more as the Ravens rallied from 10 points down and beat the Tennessee Titans 20-13 Sunday in their AFC wild-card game. Baltimore also shut down 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry and held Tennessee to its fewest points all season.

Lamar Jackson has secured his elusive first playoff victory. Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens past the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in an AFC wild card game Sunday. Jackson ran for 16 times for 136 yards and scored on a 48-yard scamper that was part of a 20-3 run by Baltimore after falling behind 10-0 early on.

A loss to the Titans ended the Ravens’ season a year ago, but they’ll march on in the playoffs this time. Cornerback Marcus Peters picked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill off on the first play after the two-minute warning and Lamar Jackson ran for 33 yards a couple of plays later to help ensure that the [more]

Lamar Jackson put some narratives in his past by helping the Ravens get past the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in a tense wild-card playoff game.