Wild-card weekend is formally a wrap, with the Houston Texans steamrolling the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday evening.
The surprising loss, through which the NFL’s most costly protection compelled three turnovers towards Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud however in the end fell by a 24-point margin, preceded the announcement that Mike Tomlin would be stepping down as Pittsburgh’s head coach after 19 seasons. The crew made it official with an announcement from crew president Art Rooney II on Tuesday afternoon.
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In addition to loads of shakeups within the league’s teaching carousel — presently sitting with 9 head teaching vacancies — it was a record-setting wild-card spherical. This spherical marked the primary time in NFL historical past that four-plus video games had been determined by 4 or fewer factors in a single postseason spherical, per Opta Stats; it’s additionally the primary time there have been six-plus fourth-quarter lead adjustments in a single playoff spherical in NFL historical past, Dante Koplowitz-Fleming of NFL analysis noted.
The Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers opened issues up with a stunning thriller; after LA entered the week as historic highway favorites, its 34-31 win over Carolina got here down to the wire as MVP favourite Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard, go-ahead touchdown to tight end Colby Parkinson within the remaining minute of the sport. The Panthers obtained unhealthy information on high of the loss, as beginning left deal with Ikem Ekwonu reportedly suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, which might have an effect on his availability subsequent season.
That was adopted by one other Saturday thriller, as Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears mounted yet one more comeback win — this time, over their NFC North rival, the Green Bay Packers — to advance to the divisional spherical. The Packers had been off to a 21-3 lead in the first half earlier than the Bears dropped 25 factors within the fourth quarter to take the win.
On Sunday, the magic continued with the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills defeating Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending Liam Coen’s Cinderella-esque first season as a head coach. After Allen managed a speeding landing after the two-minute warning (proper after the best tush push ever, maybe?), a wonderfully timed interception from Bills security Cole Bishop put Allen in place to kneel it out and snag the team’s first road playoff win in 33 years.
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The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles adopted that up with one other recreation that got here down to the wire, as the Niners dethroned Philly with a late fourth-quarter landing drive (and a few trickery from wideout Jauan Jennings). Despite the thrilling win, the Niners must cope with yet one more brutal blow on the injury entrance, as All-Pro tight finish George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles injury, ending his season.
Despite holding Drake Maye to only one landing, the Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t muster up sufficient offense to take down the New England Patriots. Los Angeles failed to attain a landing in the course of the contest, losing 16-3 and welcoming questions over whether or not the Chargers’ teaching workers must be shaken up over the offseason.
What else is in retailer this postseason? Follow together with Yahoo Sports for the most recent NFL information and injury updates forward of the divisional spherical.
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Denver is trying fairly good heading into this divisional spherical week, having no DNPs to report for Wednesday’s practice.
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers has been coping with a hip injury, however was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.
Linebackers Dre Geenlaw (hamstring) and Drew Sanders (ankle) had been each limited in practice, together with tight finish Lucac Krull (foot).
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Chicago Bears security C.J. Gardner-Johnson was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday. He’s been battling a concussion.
Wide receivers D.J. Moore (knee) and Rome Odunze (foot) had been each limited in practice. Cornerback Nick McCloud didn’t take part in practice resulting from a groin injury.
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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. He’s coping with a sprained proper index finger.
Nose deal with Poona Ford was limited with an elbow injury, and guard Kevin Dotson was additionally limited with an ankle injury. Dotson hasn’t performed since Dec. 18.
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Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins (concussion), deal with Trent Brown (ankle), defensive finish Denico Autry (knee), and large receiver Justin Watson (concussion) had been the non-participants in Wednesday’s practice.
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New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced on Wednesday however wore a crimson non-contact jersey after being in concussion protocol earlier this week.
Linebacker Anfernee Jennings, offensive lineman Morgan Moses, offensive lineman Thayer Munford, and tight finish Hunter Henry had been all absent from Wednesday’s practice.
Running again Terrell Jennings was additionally in a crimson non-contact jersey in practice.
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Buffalo Bills defensive deal with Ed Oliver was again on the practice subject Wednesday for the primary time since Week 8 of the common season. Oliver was out coping with knee and biceps accidents.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was limited in practice on Tuesday with foot, knee, and proper finger accidents listed. Despite being limited, Allen informed reporters he feels good as the crew prepares for its divisional spherical matchup with the Denver Broncos on Saturday.
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Chicago positioned linebacker T.J. Edwards and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo on injured reserve and activated offensive lineman Braxton Jones from injured reserve.
The crew additionally signed linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the energetic roster and linebacker Nephi Sewell to the practice squad.
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Sean Leahy
Shavers was injured throughout Sunday’s wild-card spherical win over the Jaguars throughout a punt return. After being listed as questionable to return, he re-entered the sport in a while.
The 26-year-old out of San Diego State performed all 17 regular-season video games for the Bills, catching 15 passes on 23 targets for 245 yards and one landing. He recorded one catch for 14 yards previous to exiting the Jaguars recreation.
Following the losses of Gabe Davis and Joshua Palmer up to now week, the one wholesome receivers on the roster are Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, Keon Coleman.
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Sean Leahy
Warner has been out since Week after breaking and dislocating his ankle. The four-time first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler might return to the 49ers’ lineup if the crew advances to the NFC Championship Game.
“I’m ready whenever they’re ready. You know what I’m saying?” Warner mentioned final week on “The Ryen Russillo Show.” There’s some Ts that obtained to be crossed, Is that obtained to be dotted. If it had been simply as much as me, I’d be on the market this weekend, however it’s sadly not that manner. I obtained to verify I’m checking all of the packing containers and everyone has to get me the OK earlier than they let me go on the market.
“But I’m pushing, man. I’m training hard. I’m back doing full football drills and everything, so time will tell. We got to pull the win out first.”
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After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers has ended. Tomlin is stepping away from the Steelers sooner or later after a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans within the wild-card spherical. Tomlin, 53, by no means had a shedding season in Pittsburgh and led the franchise to a Super Bowl win in 2008.
Pittsburgh is now in an uncommon spot. The franchise can be conducting a search to interchange a head coach for under the third time ever. Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin are the one three coaches this franchise has identified.
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The Buffalo Bills have formally positioned large receiver Gabe Davis on injured reserve together with his torn ACL, as this transfer opens an energetic roster spot.
Buffalo additionally signed wideout Krisitan Wilkerson to the practice squad.
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Jason Owens
The Buffalo Bills have misplaced Gabe Davis to a torn ACL, however could also be getting again one other receiver forward of Saturday’s divisional-round tilt towards the top-seeded Denver Broncos.
Head coach Sean McDermott announced Davis’ diagnosis on Monday, a day after Davis was carted off the sphere with the knee injury in Buffalo’s wild-card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bills also announced Monday that they’ve opened the practice home windows for large receiver Curtis Samuel and defensive deal with Ed Oliver from injured reserve as they put together for Saturday’s recreation. Their designations open the door for both or each to play on Saturday.
For extra, read here.
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The Buffalo Bills are opening the practice home windows of large receiver Curtis Samuel and defensive deal with Ed Oliver from injured reserve, per head coach Sean McDermott.
Safety Jordan Poyer is week-to-week with a hamstring injury and never anticipated to play towards Denver on Saturday. Tight finish Dalton Kincaid was seen following the sport in a boot for precautionary causes.
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Ian Casselberry
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is in concussion protocol after he left Sunday evening’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers within the fourth quarter and didn’t return.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel mentioned on Boston radio station WEEI (via ESPN) that Gonzalez going into concussion protocol was customary process after he was not cleared to return to the sport.
Gonzalez was injured whereas defending a cross to Quentin Johnston. He almost intercepted the cross, stepping in entrance of Johnston. But as the 2 gamers fell to the bottom, Johnston landed on Gonzalez’s helmet. The again of Gonzalez’s head appeared to hit the turf.
In 15 begins this season (together with Sunday’s playoff recreation). Gonzalez has recorded 69 tackles and 12 passes defended. That earned him Pro Bowl honors for the primary time in his profession.
The Patriots will play the winner of Monday evening’s wild-card matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
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Chris Cwik
Houston Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills is anticipated to be obtainable when his crew takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday evening. Mills’ spouse just lately had a child, placing Mills’ availability in query for the competition.
The 27-year-old can be obtainable, nonetheless.
After beginning 26 video games over his first two NFL seasons, Mills was changed as the Texans’ beginning quarterback after the crew took C.J. Stroud within the draft. Mills has served in a backup position since then, although did begin three video games in 2025 when Stroud was injured.
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Buffalo Bills large receiver Gabe Davis will bear an MRI on a knee injury that compelled him to depart Sunday’s wild card win over Jacksonville on a cart. Davis had two catches for 14 yards earlier than struggling the injury.
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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay mentioned that Matthew Stafford sprained his index finger on his throwing hand within the win over Carolina, however can be able to go towards the Chicago on Sunday of their divisional spherical matchup.
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Chris Cwik
The Green Bay Packers are reportedly trying to prolong Matt LaFleur. The information comes simply two days after the Packers dropped one other recreation towards the rival Chicago Bears, this time within the playoffs.
Despite that, the crew is reportedly engaged on a contract extension with LaFleur, who’s signed by way of 2026, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
LaFleur has gone 76-40-1 in seven seasons as the Packers’ head coach. While the crew has skilled loads of regular-season success beneath LaFleur, he has a 3-6 file within the playoffs.
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Chris Cwik
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel goes to be busy earlier than the divisional spherical of the playoffs. McDaniel is about to satisfy with 4 groups about their vacant head-coaching positions.
Those 4 groups are the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans, in line with NFL Network.
McDaniel, 42, can also be anticipated to interview for the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator place.
McDaniel is looking for his subsequent alternative after going 35-33 over 4 seasons with the Dolphins. While issues appeared promising in Miami early in his tenure, it fell aside during the last two seasons, resulting in his firing.
