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NFL News

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

Monday, January 12

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Enters Concussion Protocol

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New England Patriots starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez has officially entered concussion protocol after suffering a head injury during Sunday's 16-3 playoff victory against the Chargers. He was ruled out of the game due raising immediate concerns about his availability for the Patriots' upcoming divisional round game. Gonzalez, in his third season, had a strong year after missing the first three regular season games with a hamstring injury.

Barkley Shoulders Blame, Defends OC Patullo After Eagles Loss

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley addressed offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo's future, declining an explicit endorsement but stating it's unfair to place all blame on him for the team's offensive struggles. Barkley admitted he didn't play to his previous year's level, saying 'I let him down, I let my teammates down,' and emphasized that the team's offensive shortcomings were a 'group thing' following their Wild Card loss.

QB Bailey Zappe Signs Futures Deal with Jets

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Quarterback Bailey Zappe is signing a futures contract with the New York Jets, securing a spot on their 90-man offseason roster for 2026. Zappe, 26, spent the 2025 season on the Browns' practice squad and previously started nine games for the Patriots (2022-23) and one for Cleveland (2024), accumulating 2,223 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his career. He is not expected to be in the mix to start for the Jets next season.

Packers RT Zach Tom to Undergo Surgery for Patellar Tendon Tear

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Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Tom, who missed the final four games of the season, will undergo surgery to repair a partial tear of his patellar tendon. The injury was sustained in the team's Week 14 loss to the Packers, and he faces an extended recovery period. Tom is targeting a return to action during training camp, with the team hoping to get him back to top form for next season.

George Kittle Suffers Achilles Injury in Wild Card Win

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49ers TE George Kittle sustained an Achilles injury during Sunday's Wild Card win over the Eagles. His absence impacted the 49ers' offensive strategy, with Demarcus Robinson stepping up. Christian McCaffrey stated the team will play for Kittle moving forward, underscoring the significance of the injury to a key offensive player.

Tom Brady Offers Expert Advice on Throwing in Windy Conditions

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Legendary quarterback Tom Brady shared his expertise, providing a lesson for other quarterbacks on how to effectively throw a football in challenging windy conditions. His insights aim to help players improve their performance when facing adverse weather conditions.

Texans QB Davis Mills Available for Wild Card Game After Child's Birth

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Houston Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills is traveling to Pittsburgh and will be available for the Wild Card matchup against the Steelers on Monday night, following the birth of his child this week. Mills stayed an extra night at home before joining the team. During the regular season, he appeared in six games, starting three, completing 57.2 percent of his passes for 915 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

Demarcus Robinson Posts Season Highs After Kittle Injury

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Demarcus Robinson stepped up for the San Francisco 49ers after George Kittle's injury during the Wild Card game. Robinson posted season highs in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and PFF receiving grade, answering the call for his team.

Cory Durden Leads Patriots Defense with 39 Pressures on Herbert

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Cory Durden spearheaded the New England Patriots' defensive effort during Wild Card weekend, leading the unit that overwhelmed Justin Herbert with 39 total pressures. His performance was a key factor in the Patriots' victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rome Odunze Hauls In Key Fourth-Down Strike from Caleb Williams

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Rome Odunze was on the receiving end of a defining play during Wild Card weekend, catching a crucial strike from Caleb Williams on fourth-and-8. This play, which earned a PFF grade of +1.5, highlighted Williams's six-big-time throw performance for the Chicago Bears.

Packers Reportedly Eyeing Contract Extension for Jordan Love

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The Green Bay Packers are reportedly looking to extend the contract of head coach Matt LaFleur, aiming to keep him with the team as quarterback Jordan Love continues to develop. This move comes despite the team's ongoing playoff struggles.

Giants RB Cam Skattebo Targets Training Camp Return

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New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is targeting a return for training camp as he recovers from a complex right leg injury. He suffered a tibia fracture, ruptured deltoid ligament, and dislocated ankle during the October 26 game against the Eagles. Skattebo has resumed jogging and reports his rehabilitation is progressing as planned.

Chase and Burrow Seek Bengals Changes, Differing from Team Vision

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Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are reportedly pushing for changes within the Cincinnati Bengals organization. However, their desired direction may not align with the front office's current vision for the team.

Drake Maye Throws Game-Sealing Touchdown in Patriots' Playoff Win

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Drake Maye delivered a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Hunter Henry, securing the New England Patriots' 16-3 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild-card game. Maye's play, combined with three field goals from Andy Borregales and a dominant defensive effort that sacked Justin Herbert six times, propelled the Patriots into the divisional round.

Andy Borregales Kicks Three Field Goals in Patriots' Wild Card Victory

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Andy Borregales was instrumental in the New England Patriots' 16-3 AFC wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, successfully kicking three field goals. His contributions, alongside Drake Maye's fourth-quarter touchdown to Hunter Henry, helped the Patriots advance to the divisional round. The New England defense also played a key role, sacking Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert six times.

Hunter Henry Scores Fourth-Quarter Touchdown in Patriots' Wild Card Win

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Hunter Henry caught a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Drake Maye, contributing to the New England Patriots' 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild-card game. The Patriots' defense dominated, sacking Justin Herbert six times, as New England advanced to the divisional round. Henry's score helped secure the win, with Andy Borregales adding three field goals.

Sunday, January 11

Patriots QB Drake Maye Leads Team to Divisional Round Win, Throws First Playoff TD

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Drake Maye guided the New England Patriots to a 16-3 wild-card victory over the Chargers, advancing to the AFC divisional round. In his playoff debut, Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, throwing his first postseason touchdown—a 28-yard pass to Hunter Henry. He also added 66 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a key 37-yard run. Despite two fumbles (one lost) and an interception, Maye's performance secured the win, though he admitted it 'wasn't pretty.'

Matt Harmon Provides Instant Reactions to NFL Wild Card Weekend

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Matt Harmon, co-host of the "Football 301" podcast, provided his instant reactions and takeaways from the NFL Wild Card Weekend. Alongside Nate Tice, Harmon discussed key games including the Patriots' win over the Chargers, the 49ers' upset over the Eagles, the Bills' victory against the Jaguars, the Bears' win over the Packers, and the Rams' narrow escape against the Panthers.

Justin Herbert Takes Blame for Chargers' Playoff Exit After 16-3 Loss

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Justin Herbert took responsibility for the Los Angeles Chargers' 16-3 wild-card loss to the Patriots, stating he "didn't play well enough." He completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards, rushed 10 times for 57 yards, and lost a fumble, failing to lead a touchdown drive. Herbert was sacked six times and hit 11 times, playing behind a patchwork offensive line. This marks his third playoff loss (0-3 career), ending a season where he was the league's most pressured QB. The Chargers now face an offseason with $103M in cap space to build around him.

Lamar Jackson's Role in Harbaugh's Ravens Departure Detailed

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An article delves into the factors that led to John Harbaugh's departure from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons. The report specifically highlights how quarterback Lamar Jackson, along with offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the overall locker room dynamics, significantly impacted the unraveling of the team and ultimately contributed to Harbaugh's firing.