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Greg Cote's NFL conference championship picks
I didn’t mind 2-2 straight-up last week. Ravens-Bills was a crapshoot; still think the better team lost. And I’d pick Lions over Commanders again. But no excuses ATS. At least I avoided a complete shutout by salvaging a push with Eagles winning by 6. Three games left in the postseason. No more misses allowed!
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Divisional round: 2-...Read more
Sean McVay says Rams need to address Matthew Stafford situation ASAP
LOS ANGELES — Rams coach Sean McVay, typically unflappable during news conferences, did not look or sound like his usual self.
Last April, on the first night of the 2024 NFL draft, news leaked that Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford wanted his contract adjusted. The public disclosure unsettled McVay and general manager Les Snead that evening ...Read more
Lions' Jared Goff an MVP finalist; Dan Campbell finalist for Coach of the Year
DETROIT — Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff turned in one of the best season's of his career in 2024, and he's an MVP finalist because of it.
Goff, who is a finalist along with fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), and running back Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia ...Read more
Eagles' Saquon Barkley showed heart of gold by giving away his gold medal
PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley might strike fear in the hearts of NFL opponents, but it turns out the Philadelphia Eagles star is a really nice guy.
And Rachel Panek has the gold medal to prove it.
Roll back the clock to a Pennsylvania high school track meet in 2015 when Panek was a sophomore hurdler for Saucon Valley High and Barkley was a ...Read more
Ravens TE Mark Andrews addresses playoff drop on Instagram: 'I'm devastated'
BALTIMORE — Mark Andrews broke his silence.
The Ravens’ highly regarded, veteran tight end did not speak to reporters Sunday night in Buffalo after dropping a potential game-tying 2-point conversion in Baltimore’s AFC divisional round loss. Nor did he make himself available to reporters the following afternoon at the team’s locker room ...Read more
Sam Farmer's NFL conference championship picks
Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups this week in the NFC and AFC championship games. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Farmer had a regular-season winning percentage of .695 and, using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, .533 against the spread. Record for the divisional round of the ...Read more
Chris Perkins: Dolphins' Big Three -- Tua, Tyreek and Waddle -- can't continue choking in big games
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It was the Miami Dolphins’ opening drive in one of the biggest games of the season, Buffalo. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a pass behind wide receiver Grant DuBose. It bounced off DuBose’s shoulder and was intercepted, setting the stage for a disappointing Dolphins loss (31-10) and a disappointing Dolphins season (...Read more
Joe Starkey: Are the Kansas City Chiefs the most hated team in American sports history?
PITTSBURGH — I consider my daughter-in-law to be among the kindest, most even-tempered people I have met. The next time I see her angry will be the first — but then, I have never watched a Kansas City Chiefs game with her.
Apparently, that is when Dr. Jekyll becomes Mrs. Hyde.
She's a Philly girl and still loves Andy Reid, but that is ...Read more
Marcus Hayes: 'I guess these moments are destined for me': Disgraced gambler Isaiah Rodgers helped save the Eagles' season
PHILADELPHIA — This time last year, Isaiah Rodgers wore the scarlet “G.” On Sunday, he was running back a fumble that helped the Eagles reach the NFC championship game.
“It’s a crazy turnaround,” he said after the win.
Crazy, indeed.
Rodgers was suspended in June 2023 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy a year earlier while ...Read more
Patrick Mahomes not thinking about possibility of Travis Kelce's final game at Arrowhead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs in April, which would indicate he has no plans to retire following this season.
But Kelce is 35 years old, has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowl championships and is one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Away from football, Kelce has started...Read more
Bob Wojnowski: As coordinators depart, Lions' renowned culture under Campbell to be tested
DETROIT — For the Lions, the hangover is getting hazier. The losses — a playoff game, a coordinator, another coordinator, maybe a couple of assistants, a sense of continuity — keep piling up.
No, it’s not the end of the Lions’ run as Super Bowl contenders. It’s practical proof that as different as they try to be, they’re not ...Read more
Antwan Staley: Now that Aaron Glenn is the Jets' new head coach, the real work is just beginning
NEW YORK — Three months after firing Robert Saleh, the Jets finally have a new coach.
Aaron Glenn returned home to where his career began after agreeing to become the Jets' head coach on Wednesday afternoon.
Now, the real offseason work begins for the Jets. They still need to find a new general manager who will work with Glenn in hopes of ...Read more
Eagles' Jalen Hurts on track to play in the NFC title game despite knee injury: 'There won't be any excuses'
PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts is committed to doing what it takes to win, even if that means he must play through injury.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
The 26-year-old Eagles quarterback confirmed Wednesday that he is on track to play in Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders despite suffering a knee injury in the...Read more
Brad Biggs: Guided by self-awareness, Ben Johnson is finally prepared for his role as head coach of the Bears
CHICAGO — Ben Johnson launched into his virtual interview with the Chicago Bears leaving no question as to his intentions.
“I want this job,” Johnson said, Chairman George McCaskey recalled.
The feeling was mutual and the Bears agreed to terms with Johnson on Monday. On Tuesday, general manager Ryan Poles and his wife Katie flew to ...Read more
How will new Bears coach Ben Johnson elevate Caleb Williams? 'This offense will be calibrated with him in mind.'
CHICAGO — Quarterback Caleb Williams was driving on the highway when he received the call from Chicago Bears leaders with the news Monday. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was set to become his new head coach.
Williams thanked the Bears, and when he hung up, he let out his emotion.
“I don’t know if it was safe or not, but ...Read more
La Velle E. Neal III: From first to worst, NFC North disappoints in postseason
MINNEAPOLIS — This initially was meant to be a eulogy for the NFC North, the most underachieving division in football. The past few days have changed that. The division might be the best soap opera in the National Football League.
Here’s why I felt it was necessary to gather us and pay our final respects to the division.
The Detroit Lions ...Read more
Mike Sielski: The Eagles are trying to win a Super Bowl in an unusual way. There's one model for how to do it.
PHILADELPHIA — It's the question that has defined most of the Eagles' season and their entire postseason: Can they keep winning like this? Everyone acknowledges that when it comes to the Eagles' Super Bowl chances, that question cuts to the core of the matter. But there's some murkiness in the last bit of it. That is, what does like this ...Read more
Jets hiring Lions coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach: source
NEW YORK — After an extensive search, the Jets finally have a new head coach.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the pick to lead Gang Green, according to sources.
Glenn met with the team starting on Tuesday in Florham Park, N.J. This was his second interview with the team, following a virtual interview earlier this month.
No other ...Read more
Bucs assistant GM John Spytek to be hired as Raiders general manager
TAMPA, Fla. — John Spytek was instrumental in a secret plan to bring Tom Brady to Tampa Bay, and his former Michigan teammate rewarded that decision by winning Super Bowl 55 with the Buccaneers.
Now, Brady is hoping Spytek can do the same for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Spytek will be hired as the Raiders general manager, reuniting the Bucs ...Read more
Liam Coen to remain with Bucs as offensive coordinator
TAMPA, Fla. — No promises were made to Liam Coen by the Buccaneers.
No coach-in-waiting stipulations were added to his contract, similar to what the New England Patriots did with Jerod Mayo.
He simply saw remaining in Tampa Bay as the best opportunity for his future.
So, rather than meet with the Jaguars Wednesday in Jacksonville to ...Read more
Popular Stories
- Joe Starkey: Are the Kansas City Chiefs the most hated team in American sports history?
- Bob Wojnowski: As coordinators depart, Lions' renowned culture under Campbell to be tested
- How will new Bears coach Ben Johnson elevate Caleb Williams? 'This offense will be calibrated with him in mind.'
- Brad Biggs: Guided by self-awareness, Ben Johnson is finally prepared for his role as head coach of the Bears
- Patrick Mahomes not thinking about possibility of Travis Kelce's final game at Arrowhead
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