| NEW YORK –– Jan. 15, 2026 –– The National Football League announced today the names of 42 players who have been granted special eligibility for the 2026 NFL Draft and 21 underclassmen who have fulfilled their degree requirements with college football eligibility remaining and are also eligible for selection in the April 23-25 Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sixteen players applied for special eligibility prior to the newly instituted early “soft” deadline of Jan. 5, which was added to assist players and all-star game organizers in the planning and invitation process. Twenty-six additional players submitted their petitions prior to the traditional deadline of Jan. 14. This list does not include players that are playing in the FBS National Championship Game on Jan. 19. For those players, a “Championship” deadline of Jan. 23 has been added. Each of the 42 players listed below have met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their college football eligibility by submitting written notification to the league office on or before the Jan. 14 deadline. Consequently, they are eligible for selection. The players granted special eligibility for the 2026 NFL Draft:
The following underclassmen, have in timely fashion under NFL rules, officially notified the league office that they have fulfilled their degree requirements. Consequently, they are eligible for selection in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, Sam.Drexler@nfl.com |
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42 Players Granted Special Eligibility for 2026 NFL Draft
Finalists Announced for the 15th Annual NFL Salute to Service Award Presented by USAA
NEW YORK – Jan. 15, 2026 – The NFL and USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service partner, announced Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr., San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson as finalists for the 15th annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.
Jones, Sr., McCaffrey and Ferguson are being recognized for their exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community. The Salute to Service Award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors on February 5 during Super Bowl LX in San Francisco.
“The finalists for the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA have used their platforms to be exceptional advocates for the military community, reminding us that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off,” said Major General (Retired) Bob Whittle, Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs at USAA. “The NFL and USAA applaud Jake Ferguson, Aaron Jones, Sr., and Christian McCaffrey as deserving finalists who have demonstrated exactly what the award stands for – using the power of football to connect with, empower, appreciate and uplift our service members, veterans and their families.”
For the past 15 seasons, the Salute to Service Award has been an integral part of the NFL’s and USAA’s year-round commitment to recognize the military and veteran community. As the presenting sponsor of the award, USAA, a leading provider of insurance, banking and financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA’s contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the recipient’s military non-profit charity of choice. The award nominees from each team were announced in October and consist of current and former players, coaches and front office staff. To learn more about all 32 nominees and their stories, visit the link here.
Fans once again played a role in determining the award’s three finalists through an online vote. Fans’ favorite nominees were then evaluated through a combination of feedback from an NFL internal committee and USAA. The three finalists are assessed on the positive impact of their support for the military community, the nature and scope of their service, the thoroughness of their efforts, and their overall level of commitment.
A panel of judges, consisting of representatives from the U.S. military community, the NFL and USAA, will determine the final Salute to Service Award recipient. The judging panel includes:
- Major General (Ret.) Bob Whittle, USAA Senior Vice President, Head of Military Affairs and Army veteran
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers tight end and 2024 Salute to Service Award recipient
- Chad Hennings, Air Force Academy graduate and three-time Super Bowl champion
- Jim Mora, Sr., Marine Corps veteran and former NFL head coach
- Christina Dorfler, NFL Chief Financial Officer and Army veteran
Through the league’s Salute to Service initiative, the NFL and its teams unite to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families. To learn more about the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, please visit NFL.com/Salute.
Below are overviews of this year’s three finalists and their exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community:
Aaron Jones, Sr., Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron honors current and former U.S. military personnel through his A&A All the Way Foundation, founded by Aaron and his brother and inspired by his own family’s deep military roots and creating opportunities for support. His late father served 29 years in the U.S. Army, and his mother served 27 years, both retiring as sergeants major. His older brother, Xavier, currently serves in the U.S. Air Force.
His dedication to the military community connects families and young people navigating the challenges of deployment, relocation, and transition by providing resources and care. Aaron hosts annual galas to raise money for military families, and in August, he hosted a back-to-school event focused on equipping students from military families with classroom supplies and encouragement they need to thrive.
Last spring, Aaron spent time on an NFL-USO Tour, where he visited U.S. service members stationed at military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates. Included on the tour were visits to Camp Buehring and Camp Arifjan, the latter of which held special significance as his mother had previously been stationed there.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey’s commitment to the military community stems from a deep respect for service and a belief in supporting mental and physical wellness. Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, he honors and empowers veterans, especially those in Special Operations, with holistic health resources.
23 and Troops, the foundation’s flagship initiative, launched in 2021 and focuses on healing from post-traumatic stress using athlete-level care. McCaffrey advocates for veterans to be treated as athletes and receive the same elite treatment. The foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support, including $250,000 to REBOOT Recovery for trauma healing and another $250,000 to Resilience Code for personalized medical care.
The foundation also paid off holiday layaway balances for 515 military families. McCaffrey also actively participates in Salute to Service, connecting with active-duty members, veterans, and Gold Star families, and showcases 23 and Troops through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys tight end
Since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, tight end Jake Ferguson has made it a priority to honor, empower, and connect service members, veterans, and their families. He partners with USAA to visit local military bases and spend meaningful time with those currently serving.
Ferguson pays tribute to the sacrifices of service members by actively supporting the National Medal of Honor Museum (NMOHM) and its mission to inspire future generations of character-driven leaders. In 2024, he joined NMOHM President and CEO Chris Cassidy, Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief Britt Slabinski, and Washington Commanders legend Josh Morgan for a national Character Playbook LIVE event at AT&T Stadium. The event welcomed 900 students in person and thousands more virtually for a powerful discussion on commitment.
Media Contact:
A’Maiya Allen, NFL, AMaiya.Allen@nfl.com
Mitch Marier, USAA, mmarier@160over90.com
What to Look For – Divisional Playoffs
NEW YORK — Jan. 14, 2026 —Below are the players and teams that can set historic marks or reach career milestones during the 2025 Divisional playoffs, including:
WORST TO FIRST Chicago (NFC North), the No. 2 seed in the NFC and New England (AFC East), the No. 2 seed in the AFC, won division titles this season after finishing last in their divisions in 2024. Since 1970, seven teams have hosted a conference championship game after finishing in last or tied for last in their division the previous season. The Bears and Patriots can join the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles, 2009 New Orleans Saints, 1999 St. Louis Rams, 1988 Cincinnati Bengals, 1981 Cincinnati Bengals, 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 1970 San Francisco 49ers as the only teams in NFL history to host a conference championship game after finishing in last or tied for last in their division the previous season. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER & DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR MATCHUP On Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), Buffalo quarterback and 2024 Most Valuable Player Josh Allen will face Denver cornerback and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. The matchup will mark the fifth time in NFL history that a reigning Most Valuable Player and reigning Defensive Player of the Year will play each other in the postseason.
FAMILIAR MATCHUP San Francisco and Seattle will meet for the second time in three weeks, after the Seahawks visited the 49ers in Week 18 of the regular season and earned a 13-3 win. Saturday night’s game (8 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX One/FOX Deportes) will mark the fifth time since 2012 and the first since 2022 (Philadelphia vs. New York Giants) that two teams have met in the playoffs after previously meeting in the last week of the regular season. Additionally, when the 49ers visit the Seahawks on Saturday night, it will mark the first time in NFL history with two teams facing each other in the first week of the season, the last week of the regular season and the playoffs. JOSH ALLEN Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has 3,632 passing yards, 701 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns (26 passing, nine rushing, one receiving) in 14 playoff games. On Wild Card weekend, Allen, who has nine rushing touchdowns in the postseason, surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (eight rushing touchdowns with San Francisco) for the second-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in the postseason in NFL history. With a rushing touchdown on Saturday at Denver (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), Allen can tie Jalen Hurts (10 rushing touchdowns with Philadelphia) for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in the postseason in NFL history. With at least three combined passing and rushing touchdowns on Saturday, Allen, who has seven postseason games with at least three combined passing and rushing touchdowns, can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history with at least eight such games in the postseason, joining Tom Brady (15 games with New England and Tampa Bay), Patrick Mahomes (11 with Kansas City), Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (nine with San Francisco and Kansas City) and Aaron Rodgers (nine with Green Bay). The players with the most postseason games with at least three combined passing and rushing touchdowns in NFL history:
Allen has three career playoff games with multiple rushing touchdowns and on Saturday, can become the first quarterback and fifth player all-time with multiple rushing touchdowns in four career postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (five games), Terrell Davis (four), Franco Harris (four) and John Riggins (four). BROCK PURDY Since entering the NFL in 2022, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy ranks fourth with 1,605 passing yards and tied for sixth with eight touchdown passes in seven career postseason starts. Purdy has five postseason wins and with a win on Saturday night at Seattle (8 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX One/FOX Deportes), can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history with at least six postseason wins in their first four seasons, joining Russell Wilson (seven wins with Seattle), Tom Brady (six with New England) and Patrick Mahomes (six with Kansas City). The starting quarterbacks with the most postseason wins in their first four seasons in NFL history:
Additionally, with a win on Saturday night, Purdy, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 Draft, can become the sixth starting quarterback drafted in the seventh round or later or undrafted with at least six postseason wins in NFL history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Roger Staubach (10th round, 11 wins with Dallas), Bart Starr (17th round, nine with Green Bay), Kurt Warner (Undrafted, nine with St. Louis Rams and Arizona), Steve Young (Undrafted, eight with San Francisco) and Johnny Unitas (ninth round, six with Baltimore). The starting quarterbacks drafted in the seventh round or later or undrafted with the most postseason wins in NFL history:
MATTHEW STAFFORD Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes this season, has 3,300 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes in 11 career postseason starts. With at least two touchdown passes on Sunday at Chicago (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo), Stafford, who has eight consecutive playoff games with at least two touchdown passes, can tie Aaron Rodgers (nine consecutive games with Green Bay) as the only quarterbacks ever with multiple touchdown passes in nine consecutive postseason games. The quarterbacks with multiple touchdown passes in the most consecutive playoff games in NFL history:
YOUNG QUARTERBACKS New England quarterback Drake Maye (age 23) and Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud (age 24) will meet on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+/ESPN Deportes) in the Divisional Playoffs. If Maye and Stroud both start on Sunday, it will mark the sixth postseason matchup since 1950 to feature two starting quarterbacks under the age of 25. When Maye, who is 23 years old, and Stroud, who is 24 years old meet on Sunday, it will mark the sixth time since 1950 that a postseason matchup features starting quarterbacks under the age of 25:
Additionally, Maye and Stroud will have a combined age of 47 years, 248 days on Saturday, the fifth-youngest combined age between any opposing starting quarterbacks in the postseason since 1950. The youngest combined age between opposing starting quarterbacks in the postseason since 1950:
With a win on Sunday, Stroud, who has three postseason wins and turns 25 on Oct. 3, 2026, can become the fifth quarterback since 1950 with four postseason victories prior to his 25th birthday, joining Ben Roethlisberger (five wins), Patrick Mahomes (four), Brock Purdy (four) and Mark Sanchez (four). SECOND CAREER POSTSEASON START Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, Denver quarterback Bo Nix, New England quarterback Drake Maye and Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold are all expected to make their second career postseason start in the Divisional Playoffs this weekend. The quarterbacks with the most passing yards in their first two career playoff starts:
With at least 300 passing yards on Sunday against Los Angeles (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo), Williams, who had 361 passing yards in his first career postseason start against Green Bay on Wild Card Weekend, can join Marc Bulger, Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Fouts, Matt Hasselbeck and Matthew Stafford as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards in each of their first two playoff starts. CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, who ranked second with 2,126 scrimmage yards (1,202 rushing, 924 receiving) and third with 17 touchdowns (10 rushing, seven receiving) this season, has 950 scrimmage yards (570 rushing, 380 receiving) and 11 touchdowns (six rushing, five receiving) in eight career postseason games. With a touchdown on Saturday night at Seattle (8 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX One/FOX Deportes), McCaffrey, who has a touchdown in eight consecutive playoff games, can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas (nine consecutive games with Buffalo) as the only players in NFL history with a scrimmage touchdown in nine consecutive playoff games. The players with a scrimmage touchdown in the most consecutive playoff games in NFL history:
With at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on Saturday night, McCaffrey, who has at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in his last five playoff games, can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis (seven consecutive games with Denver) as the only players in NFL history with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in six consecutive postseason games. PUKA NACUA Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who led the NFL with 129 receptions and ranked second with 1,715 receiving yards this season, has 30 receptions for 433 yards and two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in four career playoff games. With at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards on Sunday at Chicago (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo), Nacua, who had 10 receptions for 111 yards on Wild Card weekend, can join Travis Kelce (2020 with Kansas City) as the only players with 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in consecutive games in a single postseason all-time. COLSTON LOVELAND Chicago rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who had eight receptions for 137 yards in the Bears 31-27 Wild Card win, became the first rookie tight end with at least eight receptions and 100 receiving yards in a playoff game in NFL history. With at least four receptions on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo), Loveland can surpass Doug Jolley (11 receptions in 2002 with the Oakland Raiders) for the second-most postseason receptions by a rookie tight end in NFL history, trailing only Sam LaPorta (21 receptions in 2023 with Detroit). With at least 40 receiving yards on Sunday, Loveland can surpass Sam LaPorta (176 receiving yards with Detroit) and Keith Jackson (142 with Philadelphia) for the most postseason receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history. The rookie tight ends with the most postseason receiving yards in NFL history:
With at least 100 receiving yards on Sunday, Loveland can join Ja’Marr Chase (2021 with Cincinnati) as the only rookies in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards in multiple playoff games. Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com |
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Growing Pains Continue for Young Golden Eagles
The St. John’s Red Storm put a damper on a night that should have belonged to Marquette star forward Chase Ross, who scored his 1,000th career point. Marquette fell into an early hole, trailing by 10 in the first two minutes, but managed to keep the first half competitive after St. John’s stars Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins entered foul trouble. Trailing 40–34 at halftime, the game was within reach for Marquette entering the second half. However, a suffocating 13–0 run by St. John’s quickly created a deficit the Golden Eagles could not overcome in the final minutes.
What We Liked
St. John’s veteran big three of Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, and Oziyah Sellers combined for 58 of the Red Storm’s 80 points.The youth movement is in full swing. After Zaide Lowry’s Dec. 28 departure from the program, the backcourt belonged to star freshman Nigel James Jr. Coming off a career-high 31-point performance against Villanova, James served as the primary ball handler once again.
The coaching staff continues to place increased trust in the freshman, who now holds the highest possession rate on the team. With absences from upperclassmen Ben Gold and Zaide Lowry, freshman forward Michael Phillips logged a season-high 16 minutes. Known for his intriguing upside as a lanky three-point shooter, Phillips has begun to show promise as a rebounding forward, averaging five rebounds in just 13 minutes over his past three games.
Photo Cred: Reuters
Sophomore Damarius Owens provided a much-needed spark alongside Chase Ross and Nigel James. The second-year forward delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor, finishing with 10 points, two steals, and one block. While consistency remains a question, the former top-100 prospect is building momentum after his second double-digit scoring performance of the season.
Areas for Improvement
As has been the case for the past 15 months, Marquette’s rebounding on both ends of the floor remains a concern. For the eighth time this season, the Golden Eagles lost the rebounding battle, 39–26. Limited frontcourt depth offered little help, but controlling the boards continues to be a persistent issue for Shaka Smart’s team.
Paint defense also resurfaced as a major problem. St. John’s forwards Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor consistently penetrated the interior of Marquette’s defense, leading to multiple second-chance opportunities. While the Golden Eagles’ perimeter defense continues to trend in the right direction, the interior lacks the physicality necessary to compete in the Big East.
The simplistic half-court offensive sets also played a significant role in Monday’s blowout loss. Too many possessions relied heavily on isolation scoring with limited off-ball movement. While it’s encouraging to see Smart entrust Nigel James with more offensive responsibility, quality shots are difficult to generate when the defense is keyed in on a single player. With just three assists in the first half and 10 total, limited ball movement defined Marquette’s offensive struggles throughout the night.
NFL Announces Nominees for 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award
| NEW YORK — Jan. 13, 2026 — The NFL announced today the 32 nominees for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award, representing the best in coaching at the high school football level.
The coaches will be celebrated by their local NFL clubs for the prestigious award, which is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. The coaches are judged based upon areas in which Coach Shula excelled during his career – character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. “High school football coaches serve as leaders dedicated to shaping the lives of young high school players across the country every year,” said Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development. “Don Shula was one of the games most celebrated coaches because of the people he impacted on and off the field. Today the NFL honors the 32 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees, as each exemplifies the integrity, commitment and character of Coach Shula.” The NFL will recognize one winner from each conference, AFC and NFC, to be announced the week prior to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX. These two winners will be invited to attend the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be recognized in special ways during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football. Throughout the week, coaches will receive VIP access and accommodation, including on-field access for the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, a chance to interact with and engage with various members of the football community and attend Super Bowl LX as special guests of the NFL. Jersey Mike’s, the presenting partner, and the NFL Foundation have teamed up to provide the two winners with a $15,000 award for their high school football programs and a $10,000 cash award. The other 30 club nominees will all receive a $1,000 cash award. The winners will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. NFL Honors will be televised on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+. “The 32 coaches nominated for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award embody the values that make football such a powerful force in our communities — leadership, integrity and a commitment to shaping young lives,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL VP of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. “The NFL Foundation is proud to support programs year-round that strengthen youth and high school football across the country, ensuring that the game continues to inspire and unite the next generation of players, coaches, and fans. Congratulations to all of this year’s incredible nominees for the difference they make in their communities every day.” The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winners are selected by a panel of distinguished individuals:
Below is a full list of the 2025 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit nflfoundation.org or follow @NFLFoundation on X.
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@nfl.com About Play Football The NFL celebrates youth and high school football year-round. Through camps, activities, NFL FLAG and tackle leagues, the Play Football initiative provides a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels, equipping young people with key life skills that are building blocks to success on and off the field. Play Football works to shape the football experience, advocate for safety, promote football values and connect football communities. For more information, featured football stories, best practices and resources aimed to create a positive playing experience, please visit PlayFootball.nfl.com or follow @PlayFootball. Join the conversation on social media using #PlayFootball. About NFL Foundation The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation and its members, the 32 NFL clubs, support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. Over the past half-century, the NFL Foundation has emerged as one of the leading philanthropic entities in America, contributing to NFL team communities, national and international disaster relief efforts, and societal issues. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: http://www.NFLFoundation.org. |
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NFL Announces Final Divisional Weekend Schedule
| NEW YORK — Jan. 12, 2026 — The NFL tonight announced the final schedule of sites, dates and times for Divisional Weekend, presented by Intuit TurboTax, Jan. 17-18 (all times ET).
Saturday, Jan. 17 4:30 p.m. Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (CBS, Paramount+) 8:00 p.m. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes) Sunday, Jan. 18 3:00 p.m. Houston Texans at New England Patriots (ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes) 6:30 p.m. Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo) The AFC and NFC Championship Games, presented by Intuit TurboTax, will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25: Sunday, Jan. 25 3:00 p.m. AFC Championship Game (CBS, Paramount+) 6:30 p.m. NFC Championship Game (FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes) |
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FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year
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The NFL announced today that nominees for FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year are:
For the first time in the program’s 23-year history, nine offensive nominees representing quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends will compete for a FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Year Award. Additionally, new for 2026, FedEx will reveal three trophies, one for the best of three quarterbacks, one for the best of three running backs as well as one for the winning wide receiver and/or tight end from a final nomination group of three. Fans can cast their vote for the top three players today through Wednesday, February 4 at 6 p.m. ET at nfl.com/fedex, via an X (formerly Twitter) poll on the @NFL official handle, or directly through the NFL Mobile App. FedEx will announce the 2025 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year at the 15th annual NFL Honors, presented by Invisalign. The primetime awards special will air nationally on Thursday, February 5 at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC and NFL Network from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, CA. Fans can also stream NFL Honors on Peacock and NFL+. With the crowning of the new FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year, FedEx will donate $15,000 to Feeding America food banks in each of the winning players’ home markets. The 2025 NFL season marked the first time the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Awards program supported Feeding America and its nationwide network of local food banks and pantries, with $117,000 donated to fight food insecurity throughout the season. Media Contact: Matt McCarthy, Matt.McCarthy@nfl.com |
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No. 1 Arizona Dominates Kansas State 101–76 at McKale Center
The Arizona Wildcats took on the Kansas State Wildcats at home in the McKale Center in their second conference game of the season. Following their strong road win against Utah this past weekend, Arizona secured the No. 1 ranking in the country after a narrow vote over the Michigan Wolverines. Looking to eliminate any doubt about who deserves the top spot, the Wildcats returned to Tucson determined to show dominance on their home floor.
Photo Cred: Arizona
This Arizona squad is eager to prove they are legitimate title contenders—one that should be feared throughout conference play and viewed as a dangerous matchup come March. Arizona, much like in their previous matchup, started fast with Krivas setting an aggressive and controlled tempo. The Wildcats allowed him to operate as a floor general from the block early, either taking advantage of mismatches at the rim or setting up teammates for easy finishes.
The game plan was clear: expose Kansas State’s defense, which does not rank inside the top 100 in any major defensive category. That strategy paid off immediately, as Arizona moved the ball at a high level, making extra passes to exploit double teams and defenders caught out of position. On the other end, Kansas State opened the game hitting its first two shots by using strong off-ball movement and screens, but that momentum quickly faded.
Arizona responded with a dominant 19–6 run over a six-minute stretch that created separation. To keep pace with Arizona’s high-tempo offense, Kansas State relied on off-ball movement, backdoor cuts, and floor spacing. Getting P.J. Haggerty going was a key part of the Wildcats’ offensive plan, as his gravity could open opportunities for others. However, missed open looks early allowed Arizona to dictate the pace.
Photo Cred:
Arizona’s strong interior defense forced Kansas State to rely heavily on perimeter shooting, which proved ineffective. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, combining to shoot just 4-for-30 from three in the first half. Foul trouble became the biggest issue for Kansas State, as they entered the double bonus with eight minutes remaining. Arizona capitalized at the free-throw line, attempting 19 free throws in the first half alone. Despite shooting 0-for-8 from three, Arizona maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for the remainder of the half.
Kansas State closed strong to cut the deficit to 15, heading into the locker room trailing 51–36. As both Wildcats teams returned to the floor, Arizona continued its dominance in the paint. The Wildcats finished the game with 56 points in the paint, as their three-point shot continued to struggle and forced a complete shift toward attacking the rim. Constant pressure on the basket kept Kansas State in foul trouble throughout the half, leading to three key contributors fouling out and exposing an inexperienced bench.
Kansas State briefly cut Arizona’s lead to nine during a small run with just over 16 minutes remaining, but the momentum was short-lived. Arizona quickly answered by scoring on three consecutive possessions, pushing the lead back to 15. From that point on, Arizona’s tempo became overwhelming. Foul trouble and defensive breakdowns left Kansas State unable to protect open space, making Arizona nearly unguardable offensively.
The lead soon ballooned to 25, and with five minutes remaining, the outcome was no longer in doubt. Arizona closed out a dominant 101–76 victory on its home floor. In this Wildcats showdown, Arizona once again demonstrated why it sits atop the Big 12. After two convincing conference wins against quality opponents, the rest of the league should already be studying film and preparing for Arizona early. Kansas State’s defense was overwhelmed by Arizona’s depth and versatility, as any player is capable of stepping up as a primary contributor.
Photo State: K State
On this night, Braden Burries led the charge, delivering an outstanding performance with 28 points, nine rebounds, and four assists while shooting 75 percent from the field. Performances like this explain why Arizona holds the No. 1 ranking and consistently defeats opponents by double digits, reinforcing its status as a top-tier program. Both teams return to action Saturday, as Kansas State travels north to Tempe to face Arizona State, while Arizona heads to Fort Worth for a matchup against TCU.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Devin Bush & Ka’imi Fairbairn Named Week 18 AFC Players of the Week
| NEW YORK — Jan. 7, 2026 — New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush and Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 18 (January 3-4).
OFFENSE: RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DEFENSE: LB DEVIN BUSH, CLEVELAND BROWNS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K KA’IMI FAIRBAIRN, HOUSTON TEXANS
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NFL Playoffs Preview & Wild Card Capsules
NEW YORK — Jan. 6, 2026 — The NFL playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon (Jan. 10-12), which for the fifth-consecutive year will conclude with a Monday night game. For the Wild Card capsules, click here.
The Philadelphia Eagles, the No. 3 seed in the NFC, aims to become the 10th team to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Denver Broncos earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015 after tying a franchise record with 14 wins this season (also won 14 games in 1998, when they won Super Bowl XXXIII). The Broncos have advanced to the Super Bowl six of the previous eight times they were the No. 1 seed. The Seattle Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the fourth time in franchise history (2005, 2013 and 2014) after setting a franchise record with 14 wins in 2025. The Seahawks have advanced to the Super Bowl each of the three previous times they have been the No. 1 seed. Six teams – Carolina, Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco and Seattle – qualified for the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2024. Since 1990 – a streak of 36 consecutive seasons (1990-2025) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before. Carolina, Chicago and New England won division titles after finishing in last or tied for last in their divisions in 2024. In 20 of the past 23 seasons (2003-25), at least one team finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last or tied for last place. Carolina, Chicago, New England and San Francisco clinched playoff berths after finishing in last or tied for last in their divisions in 2024. In 27 of the past 30 seasons (1996-2025), at least one team has made the playoffs the season after finishing in last or tied for last place. There were seven new division winners – Carolina, Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, New England, Pittsburgh and Seattle – tied with 2011 for the most in a season since 2002. There have been at least two new division winners in every season since 2003, a streak of 23 consecutive seasons, and since realignment in 2002, 31 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once. How the 2025 playoff teams have fared in the 24 seasons since realignment in 2002 (2025 division winners in bold/italics):
Seven of this season’s 14 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000, capturing 14 of the past 25 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are the Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII), Eagles (LII, LIX), Steelers (XL, XLIII), Broncos (50), Packers (XLV), Seahawks (XLVIII) and Rams (LVI).
New England (37-22, .627), San Francisco (39-25, .609) and Green Bay (37-27, .578) have the most playoff wins and the three highest postseason winning percentages in NFL history. The 14 playoff teams and their postseason records:
Quarterback Breakdown: 12 of the 14 expected starting quarterbacks in the 2025 playoffs are under the age of 30, the most in a postseason all-time. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers (age 42), expected to make his 22nd career postseason start (all with Green Bay), ranks tied for the third all-time in postseason touchdown passes (45) and fourth in postseason passing yards (5,894). Rodgers earned Super Bowl MVP honors when he led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV championship in 2010. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen (age 29) has 3,359 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 668 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and one touchdown reception in his first 13 career playoff starts. Among quarterbacks with at least 10 playoff starts, Allen’s 309.8 combined passing and rushing yards per game is the highest in NFL history. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (age 37) will make his 11th career postseason start and led the Rams to the Super Bowl LVI title following the 2021 season. During the 2021 postseason, he recorded 1,188 passing yards in four starts, the second-most passing yards in a single postseason all-time. Stafford led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes during the regular season and can join Tom Brady (2007 and 2020) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (2004 and 2013) as the only quarterbacks with at least 50 touchdown passes, including the postseason, in multiple career seasons. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (age 27) can make his 10th career playoff start and has led the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances (LVII and LIX) in the past three seasons. Last season, he was named Super Bowl LIX MVP and he is the only player in NFL history with 10 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in the postseason. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy (age 26) has a 4-2 record in six career playoff starts with seven touchdowns (six passing, one rushing) and a 96.2 rating in his postseason career. Purdy led the 49ers to an SB LVIII appearance following the 2023 season. In nine starts this season, he totaled 23 touchdowns (20 passing, three rushing) with a 100.5 rating. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud (age 24) is expected to make his fifth career postseason start on Wild Card weekend and can become the fourth quarterback ever to win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons, joining Joe Flacco, Pro Football Hall of Famer Otto Graham and Russell Wilson. Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love (age 27) can make a postseason start for the third-consecutive year and has at least two touchdown passes in two of his first three career playoff starts. Love passed for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns with a career-high 101.2 rating in 15 starts this season. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (age 27) can make his third career playoff start in the Wild Card round. He passed for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns and added a career-high 498 rushing yards in 16 starts this season. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence (age 26) can make his third postseason appearance after setting career highs in touchdown passes (29), rushing touchdowns (nine) and rushing yards (359) in 17 starts during the regular season. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold (age 28) will make his second-career postseason start in the Divisional playoffs after becoming the fifth quarterback all-time to record at least 13 wins in consecutive seasons and the first to do so with different teams. He passed for 245 yards and one touchdown in his postseason debut last season with Minnesota. Denver quarterback Bo Nix (age 25) can make his second postseason start in the Divisional playoffs and has 24 regular season wins since entering the NFL in 2024, tied with Russell Wilson for the most regular season wins by a starting quarterback in his first two seasons in NFL history. New England quarterback Drake Maye (age 23), Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams (age 24) and Carolina quarterback Bryce Young (age 24) can each make their first career postseason start after leading their respective teams to division titles this season. With Lawrence, Stafford, Williams and Young, the 2025 postseason will mark the fourth all-time to feature four quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall to start in the same playoffs. Wild Card notes: No. 5 L.A. Rams (12-5) at No. 4 Carolina (8-9) (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes): The Panthers defeated the Rams, 31-28, in Week 13 as quarterback Bryce Young recorded three touchdown passes and a career-high 147.1 rating in the win. Los Angeles led the NFL in scoring offense (30.5 points per game) and total offense (394.6 yards per game) this season as Matthew Stafford led the league in passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (career-high 46). In the only previous playoff meeting between the two clubs, Carolina defeated the St. Louis Rams, 29-23, in double overtime on Jan. 10, 2004, the sixth-longest postseason game in NFL history. No. 7 Green Bay (9-7-1) at No. 2 Chicago (11-6) (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Bears and Packers split the season series in 2025, with each team winning at home. Green Bay defeated Chicago, 28-21, in Week 14 while Chicago earned a 22-16 overtime win over Green Bay in Week 16. The Bears had the most takeaways (33) and fewest giveaways (11) in the NFL this season. The Packers and Bears have also split the two previous postseason meetings, both in Chicago. No. 6 Buffalo (12-5) at No. 3 Jacksonville (13-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+): The Jaguars enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak while the Bills won five of their final six games this season. Buffalo’s Josh Allen (39) and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence (38) ranked second and third this season in combined passing and rushing touchdowns. The Bills led the NFL with 2,714 rushing yards (159.6 per game) and 30 rushing touchdowns while the Jaguars allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (85.6) this season. No. 6 San Francisco (12-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia (11-6) (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes): The Eagles have won five consecutive home playoff games, including a 31-7 win over the 49ers in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (765 scrimmage yards in six playoff games, 127.5 per game) and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey (836 scrimmage yards in seven playoff games, 119.4 per game) have the second and fourth-highest scrimmage yard averages in NFL postseason history among players with at least five playoff games played. No. 7 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 2 New England (14-3) (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo): The Patriots, set to host their first playoff game since the 2019 Wild Card round, have won each of the three playoff meetings against the Chargers in the Super Bowl era. New England led the AFC in scoring offense (28.8 points per game) and total offense (379.4 yards per game) as quarterback Drake Maye led all qualified passers in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72.0). The Chargers, along with the Jaguars, were the only two teams to allow 20-or-fewer points in each of the final six weeks of the regular season. No. 5 Houston (12-5) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (10-7) (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ ESPN+/ ESPN Deportes/ManningCast-ESPN2/ESPN+): The Texans enter the 2025 playoffs having won nine consecutive games, the longest winning streak by a team entering the playoffs since San Francisco in 2022 (10 game winning streak). Houston led the NFL in total defense (277.2 yards per game allowed) and ranked second in scoring defense (17.4 points per game against) this season. The Steelers, winners of the AFC North for the first time since 2020, look for their first home playoff win since the 2016 Wild Card round (Jan. 8, 2017, vs. Miami). BEST NFL PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES (Single postseason)
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com |
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