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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career. He was perfect in Week 18, hitting all six field goal attempts (from 51, 48, 29, 43, 44, and 43 yards) and both extra points in the Texans' 38-30 victory. His strong performance helped secure the AFC's No. 5 seed for Houston.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 18. Gonzalez made four field goals and an extra point, contributing to the Falcons' 19-17 victory over the Saints. He finished the season 19-of-22 on field goals and 17-of-18 on extra points, having been the third kicker for the Falcons this year.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown and recorded 14 total tackles. Bush is the first player since 2000 to achieve at least 14 tackles and a 95+ yard interception in a single game. This marks his second career defensive player of the week award.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta is entering the next phase of rehab from back surgery and expects full clearance before training camp. He missed the final eight games of 2025 due to a herniated disk but is progressing as anticipated. Before his Week 9 injury, LaPorta was on pace for over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns, finishing with 489 yards and 6 TDs. The 25-year-old, eligible for an extension, is optimistic for OTAs and a 100% return for 2026.
Giants LB Bobby Okereke earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his Week 18 performance. In a 34-17 victory over the Cowboys, Okereke recorded six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. He concluded the season with 143 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Okereke is under contract for the 2026 season, the final year of his current deal.
The Buffalo Bills have signed quarterback Shane Buechele to their practice squad. Buechele rejoins the Bills organization after previously being released by the Kansas City Chiefs. This move comes as the Bills make several roster adjustments ahead of their wild-card game this weekend.
The Buffalo Bills have placed defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on injured reserve, effectively ending his season. Phillips sustained a right ankle injury in Week 15, causing him to miss two games before returning for 18 snaps in Week 18. He concludes his season with 11 games played, recording nine tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes tore both his ACL and LCL in Week 15, missing the final two games of the 2025 season. Despite the injury, he finished as a top-10 fantasy QB with 296.2 points, boosted by a career-high 422 rushing yards and five rushing TDs. His rushing upside may be limited in 2026, and there's a chance he won't be ready for Week 1. This presents considerable risk for fantasy drafts, potentially lowering his ADP.
Giants WR Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of the 2025 season, has an optimistic outlook for 2026. The 23-year-old is expected to bounce back to elite WR status after a rookie season that included a 9-167-2 explosion in Week 2 and a 109-1,204-7 line with poor QB play before his injury. While a risky first-round pick, he's a strong second-round target for fantasy drafts, pending offseason monitoring.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce remains undecided about his 2026 return, stating he needs time to assess his body's recovery and still has "a lot of love" for the game. He'd return "in a heartbeat" if physically confident. His decision is complicated by Patrick Mahomes' torn ACL, which impacted Kelce's production late in 2025 (no TDs after Mahomes' injury) and could mean catching passes from backups early in 2026. Kelce had a bounce-back 2025 season with 76 catches, 851 yards, and 5 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs' speed was recognized by Next Gen Stats as one of the most thrilling plays of the 2025 NFL season. His performance was featured alongside other notable moments and players, including Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers was highlighted in Next Gen Stats' compilation of the most thrilling NFL plays of 2025, alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. The article focuses on the speed and impact of various plays throughout the season.
Khalil Mack spoke about his mentorship of Tuli Tuipulotu, highlighting the young defensive star's potential. Mack's return to the Los Angeles Chargers was also discussed, with Tuipulotu identified as a key part of the team's future.
Khalil Mack discussed his decision to return to the Los Angeles Chargers, revealing that he turned down other offers. He also spoke about his developing relationship and mentorship role with emerging defensive star Tuli Tuipulotu.
The Seattle Seahawks' run game is hitting its stride at a critical time, just before the playoffs. Key contributors Zach Charbonnet and Ken Walker III are reportedly performing well, indicating the offense is finding its rhythm.
Patriots veteran David Andrews, discussing the team's Week 18 flea-flicker with Brian Hoyer, highlighted its strategic value. Andrews emphasized that offensive coordinators like Josh McDaniels force opposing defensive coordinators to "go over everything," including trick plays, wildcat formations, and jumbo sets. This comprehensive approach makes game-planning against the Patriots a more tedious and challenging task for opponents.
Former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer, alongside David Andrews, discussed the strategic use of New England's flea-flicker play in Week 18. Hoyer explained that deploying the trick play early forces opponents like the Chargers to prepare for it, adding another layer of complexity to their game plan. He lauded the Patriots' offense for its balanced attack and coordinator Josh McDaniels' ability to stress defenses across the field.
Denver Broncos tackle Garett Bolles played a key role in the team's offensive line securing the top spot in the final 2025 NFL offensive line rankings. His performance, alongside guard Quinn Meinerz, was crucial in powering the Broncos to this prestigious recognition, underscoring his significant contribution to the unit's overall success throughout the season.
Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz was instrumental in the team's offensive line achieving the top spot in the final 2025 NFL offensive line rankings. His performance, alongside tackle Garett Bolles, helped power the Broncos to claim this prestigious recognition, highlighting his significant contribution to the unit's success throughout the season.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator Davis Webb is scheduled to interview virtually with the Las Vegas Raiders for their head coaching vacancy on Wednesday. Webb, 30, has been on Sean Payton's staff for three seasons. A 2017 third-round pick, he appeared in two NFL games before transitioning to coaching in 2023. This marks the Raiders' first head coach interview since firing Pete Carroll.
