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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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FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year
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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NFL Films and X Renew ‘NFL Top 100’ for a Second Season as X Original Series
| NEW YORK — Jan. 6, 2026 — NFL Films and X today announced the renewal of NFL Top 100 on X, extending the acclaimed player-voted countdown series for a second season on X in 2026. Building on the success of its 2025 debut as an X Originals series, NFL Top 100 will deliver fans premium, short-form episodes throughout the preseason, highlighting the league’s elite players in a digital-first format tailored for the X timeline.
NFL Top 100 features under five-minute episodes revealing the league’s top players as voted on exclusively by the players themselves. Produced by NFL Films, the legendary series will once again run over multiple weeks on X creating massive buzz leading into the NFL season, sparking real-time debates, viral reactions and engagement where football conversations thrive. “We are thrilled to renew our NFL Top 100 for a second season on X and continue delivering great content to our fans,” said Ross Ketover, NFL Films senior executive. “The 2025 relaunch of the series was a perfect fit, allowing us to amplify player voices and connect directly with fans around one of the most debated topics in football over the past 15 years.” “The first season of NFL Top 100 delivered massive viewership, engagement and viewer retention, proving that premium original quick-hitting sports content thrives on X,” said Mitchell Smith, X’s head of original content. “The show delivered an exceptional 440 million impressions during the inaugural season, reinforcing that X is the center of sports conversation. The NFL remains one of the hottest topics on the platform, and we’re excited to go bigger and bolder in season two with the immensely creative minds at NFL Films.” NFL Top 100’s second season will premiere exclusively on X, where sports fandom fuels year-round global conversations. Additional details coming soon. NFL programming is the most valuable content in all of sports and entertainment. NFL programs rank as 48 of the top 50 shows on television since the start of the 2025 season. For the latest news on NFL Media – comprising NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL+, the NFL app, NFL RedZone and free ad-supported television streaming service NFL Channel – please follow @NFLMedia on X and Instagram. Additionally, for general league news visit media.nfl.com. NFL Contact: Andrew Howard, Andrew.Howard@nfl.com X Contact: Rosemarie Esposito, resposito@x.com |
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2026 Opponents Determined
| 2026 Opponents Determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW YORK — Jan. 5, 2026 — The NFL has determined each team’s 2026 regular-season opponents, the league announced today.
Under the NFL scheduling formula, every team plays 17 games as follows:
The 2026 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the Spring. Following is the 2026 scheduling rotation and team-by-team opponents.
2026 OPPONENTS AFC EAST 1. New England Patriots Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Seattle 2. Buffalo Bills Home: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers Away: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams, Minnesota 3. Miami Dolphins Home: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers Away: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, San Francisco 4. New York Jets Home: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Cleveland, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota Away: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Arizona, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Tennessee AFC NORTH1. Pittsburgh SteelersHome: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Atlanta, Carolina, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, New England, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Tennessee 2. Baltimore Ravens Home: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, L.A. Chargers, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee Away: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis 3. Cincinnati Bengals Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Washington 4. Cleveland Browns Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets, Tennessee 1. Jacksonville Jaguars Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Cleveland, New England, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, N.Y. Giants 2. Houston Texans Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Dallas, N.Y. Giants Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Green Bay, L.A. Chargers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington 3. Indianapolis Colts Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Miami, N.Y. Giants Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington 4. Tennessee Titans Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, N.Y. Giants 1. Denver Broncos Home: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Buffalo, Jacksonville, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle Away: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Carolina, New England, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco 2. Los Angeles Chargers Home: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Arizona, Houston, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco Away: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay 3. Kansas City Chiefs Home: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Indianapolis, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco Away: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle 4. Las Vegas Raiders Home: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Tennessee Away: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Cleveland, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco 1. Philadelphia Eagles Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh, Seattle Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Arizona, Chicago, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Tennessee 2. Dallas Cowboys Home: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, Baltimore, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Tennessee Away: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle 3. Washington Commanders Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Arizona, Jacksonville, Minnesota, San Francisco, Tennessee 4. New York Giants Home: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, Cleveland, Jacksonville, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tennessee Away: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle 1. Chicago Bears Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Jacksonville, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami, Seattle 2. Green Bay Packers Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Miami Away: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, L.A. Rams, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay 3. Minnesota Vikings Home: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Indianapolis, Miami, Washington Away: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Tampa Bay 4. Detroit Lions Home: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay, Tennessee Away: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami 1. Carolina Panthers Home: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Seattle Away: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Cleveland, Green Bay, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Minnesota, Pittsburgh Away: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit 3. Atlanta Falcons Home: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, San Francisco Away: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Washington 4. New Orleans Saints Home: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh Away: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, N.Y. Giants 1. Seattle Seahawks Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, New England, N.Y. Giants Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Carolina, Denver, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Washington 2. Los Angeles Rams Home: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Buffalo, Dallas, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, N.Y. Giants Away: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington
3. San Francisco 49ers Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Washington Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, N.Y. Giants
4. Arizona Cardinals Home: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Washington Away: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, New Orleans, N.Y. Giants Media Contact: Sam Drexler, Sam.Drexler@nfl.com |
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Arizona Opens Big 12 Play with Dominant 97–78 Win Over Utah
Big 12 Conference play tipped off this weekend, marking the most crucial stretch of the regular season. Teams are expected to perform at their best as they compete not only for a conference championship, but also for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The nation’s top-ranked team, the Arizona Wildcats (13–0), traveled to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes (8–5).
Arizona put together a dominant non-conference campaign, going undefeated against five Top 25 opponents and securing the No. 1 ranking. The Wildcats entered conference play riding an eight-game streak of 20-plus-point victories, with hopes of extending that run in their Big 12 debut. On the other side, Utah has endured a shaky start to the season, dropping five winnable games, including a loss to Cal Poly. The Utes faced significant offseason adversity, welcoming twelve new faces through the transfer portal and recruiting. While their non-conference slate helped build chemistry, they hoped conference play would spark a turnaround and generate momentum—though they drew a tough opening matchup.
1st Half:
Arizona came out aggressive and precise from the opening tip, jumping out to a 16–6 run and forcing four turnovers in the first five minutes. The Wildcats’ game plan was clear: push the tempo and maximize possessions. Utah struggled to find a rhythm on either end of the floor during the first ten minutes, allowing easy offensive rebounds and failing to generate consistent perimeter shots.
Once the Utes adjusted, they made a brief run to cut the lead to eight, but that would be as close as the game would get the rest of the way. Arizona capitalized on Utah’s lack of depth, as 26 of their 36 first-half shots came from their three best players. Utah’s underwhelming bench minutes failed to slow Arizona’s momentum, allowing the Wildcats to attack both the paint and perimeter while drawing fouls with ease. The free-throw disparity proved costly, as Utah committed eight fouls compared to Arizona’s five, sending the Wildcats to the line 12 times. Arizona closed the half with another strong run, taking a commanding 58–39 lead into halftime.
Photo Cred: KUTV
2nd Half:
After an all-gas, no-brakes first half, Arizona showed no intention of letting Utah back into the game. Slowing down the Utes’ pace and protecting offensive possessions were key to maintaining their advantage. Arizona’s elite bench unit proved crucial, allowing for consistent fresh rotations that boosted production on both ends of the floor. The ability to deploy multiple trusted lineups often determines outcomes, and Utah was unable to match that depth.
The Utes managed to put together a few very short runs, but Arizona answered each one with superior stamina and execution. The Wildcats did an excellent job of keeping the ball out of Utah’s primary shot creators’ hands, forcing poor shot selection and easy turnovers. The remainder of the game stayed relatively even, with Arizona’s lead hovering between 15 and 24 points before closing out a 97–78 victory.
This matchup exposed Utah as unprepared and outmatched from the moment they took the floor. Their lack of length and elite athleticism was evident, making it easy for Arizona to adjust its game plan. By the middle of the second half, the Utes appeared gassed due to an underperforming bench unit that must provide more production if they hope to compete with Big 12 opponents.
Photo Cred: KSL News
Meanwhile, Arizona carried its non-conference momentum into league play, improving to 14–0 while reinforcing why it deserves the No. 1 ranking over Michigan. The Wildcats boast a near-flawless roster with few weaknesses, featuring shot creators throughout the lineup, top-10 rankings in both offense and defense, and the ability to control games in a matter of minutes. While their turnover margins can be concerning at times, slowing the tempo often reduces those issues. Arizona looks ready for Big 12 competition, and matchups against conference contenders like Iowa State, Houston, and BYU should be must-watch battles.
2026 NFL Draft Order
1 Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
2. New York Jets (3-14)
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
5. New York Giants (4-13)
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta – 8-9)
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis – 8-9)
17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay – 9-7-1)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
24. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
26. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
27. Houston Texans (12-5)
28. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville – 13-4)
29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
30. New England Patriots (14-3)
31. Denver Broncos (14-3)
32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Statement from Bengals President Mike Brown
Jon Hamm to Host NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign
| NEW YORK – Jan. 4, 2026 – Jon Hamm, one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors, will host the 15th annual NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The primetime awards special recognizing the standout performances and achievements on and off the field from the 2025 season will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+.
Prior to the award presentations, the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign will air at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network leading up to NFL Honors. Local blackout restrictions may apply. The NFL Honors program will not air live in all time zones. “Week after week, the NFL delivers performances that remind you why this game means so much to so many people,” said Hamm. “I’m honored to host an evening that celebrates the players, their immense talents and the unforgettable moments that defined this season.” Hamm has earned numerous accolades for his nuanced portrayal of the high-powered advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series Mad Men, including an Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Awards in 2008 and 2016, Television Critics Association Awards in 2011 and 2015, a Critics’ Choice Television Award in 2011, as well as multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations. He has since built a body of work spanning television, streaming, animation and film as an actor and executive producer. Hamm will return as executive producer and star of the Apple TV series Your Friends and Neighbors, set to premiere in April 2026. Also upcoming, Hamm will lead the highly anticipated live-action television series adaptation of the psychological thriller podcast, American Hostage, for MGM+ and he will be featured in the upcoming animated Pixar film, Hoppers, which will be released in March 2026. “We’re thrilled to have Jon Hamm host NFL Honors, as we mark the show’s 15th year,” said Angela Ellis, NFL vice president of original content & entertainment. “His impressive acting career, passionate football fandom and overall charisma will create an unforgettable night that celebrates the very best of the league, from the performances on the field to the people and stories that define the season.” NFL Honors debuted in 2012 and includes the announcement of the Associated Press’ annual accolades, the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide and the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class presented by Novartis in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. The NFL is debuting a new Protector of the Year Award to honor the league’s best offensive lineman in 2025, which will be presented annually at NFL Honors. It is intended to spotlight an overlooked, yet essential role in the sport – the offensive linemen responsible for protecting the quarterback and blocking defenders. Top tackles, guards and centers will be considered for the award that was championed by Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen including LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth. The award is the only on-field award decided by Legends that played the position. The panel will select the recipient based on criteria including skills metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of the opponent. The awards announced at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign include:
Further details regarding this year’s NFL Honors presented by Invisalign will be announced at a later date. NFL Honors is an NFL Network production in association with Rock Garden Media. For more information about NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, fans may visit www.nfl.com/honors and follow the #NFLHonors conversation on X. NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo will present Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Media Contacts: Paula Ngon, NFL, paula.ngon@nfl.com Liz McCollum, BZA PR on behalf of the NFL, elizabethm@bzapr.com Allie Jenkins, Jon Hamm, alliej@wk-pr.com Dan Masonson, NBC, Dan.Masonson@nbcuni.com |
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