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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, January 16

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named Game Captain; Key to Seahawks Playoff Success

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been named a game captain for Saturday's Divisional Playoff matchup against the 49ers, his fourth time this season. The third-year wideout earned his second Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honors in 2025, leading the league in receiving yards (1,793) and setting a new franchise high in receptions (119). The Seahawks' offense has ascended with him as WR1, and his receiving prowess is considered vital for Seattle's success, with opposing defenses expected to focus on stopping him.

Cooper Kupp Highlighted as Anytime Touchdown Scorer for Divisional Round

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is highlighted as a strong anytime touchdown pick for the Divisional Round. Kupp, a reliable route-runner with sticky hands, was targeted 12 times in the red zone during the regular season, with eight of those coming in the final six weeks after Tory Horton's injury. His experience is considered invaluable, and he could be a key factor, especially with opposing defenses potentially focusing on other playmakers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Rams Guard Dotson Returns from Ankle Injury for Divisional Round

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Los Angeles Rams right guard Kevin Dotson is set to return from an ankle injury for the divisional-round playoff game against the Bears. Coach Sean McVay confirmed Dotson's return, providing a significant boost to the Rams' offensive line as they prepare for their crucial postseason matchup.

Zach Charbonnet Favored for Over 46.5 Rushing Yards vs. 49ers

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is a strong prop bet for over 46.5 rushing yards in the Divisional Round against the 49ers. His touches surged late in the regular season, including 17 carries for 74 yards against San Francisco in the season finale and 18 carries for 110 yards against Carolina. Despite often facing stacked boxes, the 49ers' defense ranks 31st in defensive rush success rate and has struggled with tackling due to linebacker injuries, creating a favorable matchup for Charbonnet.

Former Dolphins CB Cam Smith Selected by Ted Ginn's UFL Columbus Aviators

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Former Miami Dolphins second-round pick Cam Smith was selected by Ted Ginn's Columbus Aviators in the fifth round of the 2026 UFL Draft. Smith, a 2023 NFL Draft pick, appeared in 21 games over three years with the Dolphins, recording only 18 tackles, and reportedly never seemed mentally ready for the NFL. He now hopes to revitalize his career and make a name for himself in the UFL, with this opportunity potentially serving as a last chance.

DJ Moore Cleared to Play in Divisional Round vs. Rams

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Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore (knee) has no designation for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Rams, indicating he is clear to play. Moore followed an LP/LP/FP practice regimen this week. He played 86 percent of snaps in the recent wild-card win against the Packers, and a similar snap distribution is possible if fellow WR Rome Odunze is also available for Sunday's contest.

Terron Armstead Discusses Key NFL Playoff Matchups & Darnold Injury

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Terron Armstead joined Jason McIntyre for an interview on "The Herd," where he discussed several prominent NFL playoff matchups. His commentary included insights on the Broncos vs. Bills game, the Bears vs. 49ers contest, and the oblique injury sustained by Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. The interview provided analysis on these significant league developments.

Stafford's Playoff Passing Performance Under Next Gen Stats Spotlight

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Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford's passing performance is a key focus in the latest Next Gen Stats intel, providing insights into his play ahead of this weekend's critical divisional-round matchup. The analysis offers a deeper look into his on-field contributions as the Rams prepare to face the Bears. This highly anticipated game is expected to feature key questions and X-factors, with Stafford's performance being a central element in the playoff narrative.

Drake Maye Faces C.J. Stroud in Critical Divisional Round Matchup

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Drake Maye is set to clash with C.J. Stroud in a pivotal NFL Divisional Round matchup between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. This Sunday night game carries high stakes, with a coveted trip to the AFC Championship on the line. The contest is expected to feature key questions and X-factors that will determine the outcome, highlighting Maye's crucial role in his team's pursuit of a conference title.

C.J. Stroud Faces Drake Maye in Critical Divisional Round Matchup

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C.J. Stroud is slated for a significant NFL Divisional Round showdown against Drake Maye, as the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots. This high-stakes Sunday night matchup will determine which team earns a coveted spot in the AFC Championship. The game is anticipated to involve key questions and X-factors, emphasizing Stroud's pivotal role in leading his team towards a potential conference title.

Kyren Williams: SportsLine Model's Top Divisional Round TD Pick

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Kyren Williams has been identified by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as one of its top anytime touchdown scorer picks for the upcoming NFL Divisional Round. This designation underscores Williams' potential to make a significant impact on the scoreboard and suggests he is a player to closely watch for scoring opportunities in the critical playoff matchup, reflecting confidence in his ability to find the end zone.

Courtland Sutton: SportsLine Model's Top Divisional Round TD Pick

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Courtland Sutton has been identified by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as one of its top anytime touchdown scorer picks for the upcoming NFL Divisional Round. This designation underscores Sutton's potential to make a significant impact on the scoreboard and suggests he is a player to closely watch for scoring opportunities in the critical playoff matchup, reflecting confidence in his ability to find the end zone.

Christian McCaffrey: Key Divisional Round Matchup & Top TD Scorer Pick

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Christian McCaffrey is highlighted as a critical factor in the 2026 NFL Divisional Round, with his performance against the Seahawks' second-level defenders expected to be a deciding factor for the 49ers' playoff aspirations. Additionally, the SportsLine Machine Learning Model has identified McCaffrey as one of its top anytime touchdown scorer picks for the Divisional Round, underscoring his high-impact potential in the upcoming game.

Bears Rookie Luther Burden III a Threat vs. Rams Coverage

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Bears rookie WR Luther Burden III is poised to challenge the Rams' struggling coverage unit in the Divisional Round. Burden III has been surging, ranking fifth among receivers with at least 100 routes run, averaging 2.51 yards per route run. His performance suggests he could be a key factor in the upcoming playoff game.

George Kittle Sidelined for Divisional Round Game vs. Seahawks

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George Kittle has been sidelined for the San Francisco 49ers' Divisional Round matchup against the Seahawks. His absence means Jake Tonges is expected to take on an important red-zone role in the offense.

Jake Tonges to See Important Red-Zone Role with Kittle Sidelined

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With George Kittle sidelined, Jake Tonges is anticipated to step into an important red-zone role for the San Francisco 49ers. Tonges will be a key target in scoring situations during the Divisional Round game against the Seahawks.

Jaleel McLaughlin Ranks Top 10 in YPC Since Week 11

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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been highly efficient, averaging 5.2 yards per carry since Week 11. This impressive stat places him in the top 10 among qualifying backs and has allowed him to exceed betting lines in six of his last seven games, highlighting his consistent performance.

Ricky Pearsall (Knee) Questionable for Divisional Round vs. Seahawks

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49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's Divisional Round game against the Seahawks after a limited week of practice. Despite his optimism earlier in the week, his status remains uncertain. The team expects to provide further updates on Pearsall's availability and San Francisco's inactives around 6:30 pm ET on Saturday.

Seahawks TE Elijah Arroyo Out for Divisional Round vs. 49ers with Knee Injury

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Seattle Seahawks TE Elijah Arroyo (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday night's Divisional Round game against the 49ers. The rookie had returned to a full week of practice, but he is evidently not yet ready for game action. His absence keeps A.J. Barner locked in as Seattle's clear top tight end for the crucial playoff contest.

Drew Lock Poised to Start if Sam Darnold Sits Out Divisional Round

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Seattle Seahawks QB Drew Lock is on standby as a potential starter for Saturday night's Divisional Round game against the 49ers. This comes after Sam Darnold was listed as questionable with an oblique injury. Lock would get the call if Darnold is ultimately unable to play, making him a key player to monitor ahead of the critical playoff matchup.