Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts missed the final two games of the regular season after suffering a concussion, but the team rested starters in Week 18 and that made it unclear whether Hurts was progressing toward a return to the lineup or not. On Wednesday, anyone worried that Hurts wouldn’t make it back for the playoff … Read more
The Steelers have been talking up the possibility of using both of their quarterbacks during Saturday’s game in Baltimore and Justin Fields said this week that part of the benefit of that comes from making the Ravens prepare for a wider range of possibilities heading into the game. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr acknowledged that … Read more
After the Broncos beat the Chiefs last Sunday to wrap up a playoff spot, wide receiver Courtland Sutton called it “really dope” to make it to the postseason for the first time in his seven-year NFL career. On Wednesday, Sutton made sure to let people know that making the playoffs wasn’t all he’d like to … Read more
(Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups this week. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Record last week 12-4 (.750); season 189-83 (.695). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-7 (.563); season … Read more
(Clockwise from top left) Patrick Mahomes, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Dan Campbell, Saquon Barkley and Lamar Jackson will all play a huge part in this season’s playoffs. Composite: Getty Images Team that will be most missed in the playoffs Cincinnati Bengals. This is the obvious answer, as it’s a bummer when the team with one … Read more
Silver and Black roots. What it means to be a Raider. Understanding “The Raider Way.” These are the ties that suffocate. Another year, another head coach, all in the pursuit of the fading, yellowing images of what a franchise used to be and how it might be again. All setting the stage for the next … Read more
From time to time, arguments are made that the entire hiring process for new head coaches should be delayed until after the Super Bowl. And there’s a very good reason for that. With coordinators of playoff teams among the prime candidates for new jobs, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to interview for … Read more
NFL wild-card weekend! Six games from Saturday to Monday that launch us into the second football season. For this week’s Playbook, I looked at each game and one specific matchup or aspect (sometimes multiple because I can’t help myself) that could swing things. Starting with the Saturday afternoon game that should just be called “Texans … Read more
Pearsall’s ‘unbelievable’ rookie year exceeds Shanahan’s expectations originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area After a tumultuous start to his NFL career that was anything but normal, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall impressed both 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan. The two figureheads spoke about the rookie’s ability to persevere and put together … Read more
He arrived with a bang, fueled by a vow to bite kneecaps. Three years later, he has transformed the perpetually dysfunctional Detroit Lions into one of the finest franchises in all of football. And, yes, the Lions were supposed to be good. Usually, the coach of the year is the coach of the team that … Read more