| Game to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from the Ford Center at the Star, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and will be televised on NFL Network
NEW YORK –– Jan. 16, 2026 –– The National Football League announced today the head coaches for the 101st East-West Shrine Bowl, Lunda Wells of the Dallas Cowboys and Marquice Williams of the Atlanta Falcons. “Coaches Marquice Williams and Lunda Wells have the opportunity to not only evaluate top athlete prospects, but also to showcase their skills in leading players and coaching staffs in this high-profile game,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations. “This is an important evaluation week for prospects as well as for coaches as they pursue their professional and personal goals. The game also shows the humanitarian side of football as participants greatly encourage the children and families at the Shriners Hospitals.” Wells recently completed his sixth season as the tight ends coach of the Dallas Cowboys (2020-25). Prior to his time in Dallas, he spent seven seasons with the New York Giants (2012-2019) as an offensive quality control and assistant offensive line coach. Wells, who also spent four seasons at LSU (2008-11), played offensive line for four seasons (2002-05) at Southern University. Williams, who was also a head coach in the East-West Shrine Bowl last year, recently completed his fifth season as the Falcons special team’s coordinator (2021-25) after serving two seasons as assistant special teams coach with the Detroit Lions. Williams participated in the Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum and Quarterback Coaching Summit in 2023, a program designed for the most promising front office personnel and coaches on the offensive side of the ball. “We are extremely excited to have two experienced and respected NFL coaches leading our East-West Shrine Bowl,” said Bob Roller, Vice President of Sports for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Marquice Williams is a returning head coach for us, and we love his passion for our game and the mission of Shriners Children’s. Having Coach Lunda Wells from the Cowboys is great for our game to attract more fans and interest in the Dallas metroplex.” At the conclusion of the NFL regular season, teams nominated deserving assistant coaches who were reviewed by a panel that includes NFL Football Operations staff, East-West Shrine Bowl leadership, members of the NFL’s General Managers Advisory Committee and the Fritz Pollard Alliance. Coaches nominated by NFL clubs must be active assistant coaches who display extraordinary teaching and communication skills and are recognized for their integrity and commitment to excellence in the coaching profession. The coaches must be accomplished at developing and preparing players to compete in the NFL. The 101st East-West Shrine Bowl, which features some of college football’s best prospects, will kick off at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) on Tuesday, January 27 from the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and will be televised on NFL Network. For more than 100 years, some of football’s greatest players and coaches have contributed to the tradition of the East-West Shrine Bowl, the nation’s first college all-star football game. Created by the Shriners in 1925, the game is driven by the desire to support Shriners Hospitals for Children in its mission to help children in need of expert medical care. Participating players make an annual visit to the local Shriners Hospital, visiting children and staff in an experience that they will truly never forget. Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@nfl.com |
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NFL Announces Head Coaches for 101st East-West Shrine Bowl
NFL Announces Head Coaches for 2026 Panini Senior Bowl
Game to kickoff at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 31 from University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be televised on NFL Network
NEW YORK –– Jan. 16, 2026 –– The National Football League announced today the head coaches for the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, Clint Hurtt of the Philadelphia Eagles and Joel Thomas of the New Orleans Saints.
“This is an opportunity for two excellent coaches, Joel Thomas of the New Orleans Saints and Clint Hurtt of the Philadelphia Eagles, to take the reins as head coaches in leading their staffs and top football athletes in the Senior Bowl’s week-long evaluation of NFL prospects,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations. “The Senior Bowl is not only a showcase for top football student-athletes, but also a wonderful opportunity for coaches that are nominated by their NFL clubs to further develop their skills and learn from one another.”
Hurtt recently completed his second season as the senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (2024-25) after spending seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2017-23), including two as defensive coordinator. Prior to his NFL career, he spent 13 years coaching college football, including four years as defensive line coach at both Louisville (2010-13) and his alma mater, the University of Miami (2006-09), where he played defensive line and was a three-year letterman (1997, 1999-2000).
“We are thrilled to have Clint Hurtt as our head coach of the National Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” said Drew Fabianich, the executive director of the Panini Senior Bowl. “He is a highly regarded coach with a proven track record throughout his career. Clint will make a positive impact on his players and coaches during the week with his leadership and deep knowledge of the game. He will be a great mentor for the top prospects in the 2026 Draft.”
Thomas, a 25-year coaching veteran, returned to the New Orleans Saints in 2025 as associate head coach/running backs coach after previously spending nine seasons (2015-23) with the club. In 2024, he coached running backs for the New York Giants. Prior to the NFL, he spent 13 seasons as a running backs coach in the college ranks, including time with Washington (2009-12), Purdue (2006-08), his alma mater Idaho (2004-05) and Louisville (2002-03). Thomas played running back at Idaho (1993-98) where he holds school records for rushing yards and touchdowns and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
“It’s a great pleasure to have Joel Thomas as our head coach of the American Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” Fabianich said. “Joel is highly respected throughout the league because of his leadership, work ethic, and his knowledge of the game. He has the ability to connect with players and coaches which further strengthens his credentials as a rising star among NFL coaches. He will serve our players well in their preparation for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.”
This is the fourth year the Senior Bowl is implementing a “Coach Up” format in which NFL coordinators and assistant coaches are placed into elevated or different roles from the ones they currently hold with their respective clubs. Head coaches and general managers from all non-playoff teams and Wild Card round participants had the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches. Hurtt and Thomas were then selected by a group composed of league office executives and representatives from the General Managers Advisory Committee.
The Panini Senior Bowl, widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process, is the longest continuously running all-star game and has taken place in Mobile, Ala., for the previous 75 years. The 76th Senior Bowl will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, Jan. 31, from the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be televised on NFL Network.
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@nfl.com
Super Bowl LX Décor Will Shine Throughout Bay Area
Local Artist Erin Fong to Design Theme Art for Digital Super Bowl Ticket and Vibrant Letterpress Artwork Display Honoring 60 Years of Super BowlFans Will Experience Ferry Terminal Building Super Bowl Projection Show, Bay Area Photo OpportunitiesNEW YORK – Jan. 15, 2026 – The NFL will showcase many décor elements throughout the Bay Area to celebrate Super Bowl LX and the local region’s culture. As the Bay Area prepares to welcome both locals and visitors from around the world, fans will be immersed in Super Bowl LX leading up to the game on Sunday, Feb. 8. Key décor elements include:
“We have the special opportunity to pay homage to the Bay Area’s vibrant culture and innovative spirit through our Super Bowl LX creative,” said Marissa Solis, NFL senior vice president of global brand and consumer marketing. “As we commemorate 60 years of Super Bowl, we’re thrilled to partner with local artists, spotlight iconic buildings and create memorable fan photo moments that celebrate our biggest event of the year alongside the Bay Area community helping to bring it all to life.” Local Artist Erin Fong Bay Area artist Erin Fong was selected to design the official theme art for Super Bowl LX, bringing the region’s rich printmaking tradition to life. An AAPI artist with deep roots in the Bay Area’s creative community, Fong’s work reflects a modern interpretation of the traditional letterpress, blending historic craftsmanship with bold design. For Super Bowl LX, Fong created custom letterpress prints hand-fed through a vintage 1960s Vandercook printing press, weighing nearly 1,000 pounds, to produce vibrant gradient backgrounds layered with antique wood type to honor 60 years of Super Bowl history. Her artwork will be featured across the Super Bowl game day digital tickets and official programs, as well as a large display in the lobby of Moscone North at Super Bowl Experience presented by Jersey Mike’s, the NFL’s immersive, interactive fan festival. For Super Bowl Experience, fans can visit https://SuperBowl.com/ExperienceTickets to purchase tickets. “The Super Bowl is a celebration rooted in legacy,” said Erin Fong. “Using a historic letterpress process to honor 60 years of the game, while infusing bright, joyful color into the work, felt like a meaningful way to celebrate that tradition.” At the core of Fong’s work is the belief that color has the power to heal. Drawing from her experience as a neurodivergent artist, Fong uses vibrant hues as a tool to create uplifting environments and contribute to collective well-being. More information can be found at her ErinLovesFun and ErinLovesColors Instagram handles. Ferry Terminal Building Projection Show Through a series of illustrations, the Ferry Terminal Building will transform into a time machine taking fans back through the last Sixty Years of Super Bowl and culminating with this year’s matchup in the Bay Area. Between shows there will be an interactive element that will gauge real-time fandom, allowing fans to vote for their favorite team to take over the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Ferry Terminal Building Super Bowl Projection Show will happen each evening starting Thursday, Feb. 5 through Saturday, Feb. 7. Fan Photo Opportunities Super Bowl LX photo opportunity areas will be set up near the Harry Bridges Plaza across the street from the Ferry Terminal Building and at the Ferry Terminal Plaza at the corner of Mission Street and The Embarcadero. Additionally, Bay Area residents and visitors will be greeted by large-format LX roman numerals that are installed at high-profile locations throughout the region including the San Francisco International Airport, San Jose County airport, Pier 39, Capital Corridor (Emeryville transit station), around the city of Santa Clara and SFMOMA (location for the BAHC Super Bowl LX Innovation Summit.) For more information on Super Bowl LX, visit: SuperBowl.com. |
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Rams Talent vs. Bears Magic in Playoff Showdown
The Los Angeles Rams will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears on Sunday in the final game of the NFL’s divisional round. The Rams boast the most complete roster and coaching staff in football, yet they underperformed this season, finishing 12–5 and failing to win their own division. They let games slip away in all five losses and realistically could have gone undefeated when examining how each loss unfolded.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
Meanwhile, the Bears went 11–6 and captured their division, a surprising outcome for a team many expected to finish last before the season began. Chicago won eight one-score games and pulled off several highly improbable late-game comebacks. That trend continued in their wild card matchup against Green Bay, as the Bears rallied from a 21–3 halftime deficit and a 21–6 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Despite their late-game magic, the Bears were not an eye-popping statistical team during the regular season. Chicago ranked 10th offensively and 17th defensively, while the Rams finished first in offense and sixth in defense. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford posted the best statistical season of his career at age 37, a performance that coincided with the strongest supporting cast he has ever had.
Even with Los Angeles holding clear advantages on paper, both in roster talent and team statistics, the Rams have consistently played down to their competition throughout the year. A blocked field goal, an ill-timed interception, a fumble, or a defensive breakdown has repeatedly cost them in losses. That pattern nearly resurfaced in the wild card round, when LA barely escaped with a 34–31 win over a Carolina Panthers team that finished the regular season with a losing record. If the Rams are not careful, this tendency could finally catch up to them against a Bears team that has seen everything go right in the biggest moments and thrives late in close games.
42 Players Granted Special Eligibility for 2026 NFL Draft
| 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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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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