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NFL News

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

Sunday, January 4

George Pickens Caps Career-Best Season with 1,423 Yards, 9 TDs

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Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens caught one of three targets for nine yards in the 34-17 loss to the Giants. He finishes the 2025 season with career-high totals of 93 receptions, 1,423 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns on 137 targets. Pickens, who posted his best season after being acquired from the Steelers, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, but the Cowboys are expected to retain him via an extension or franchise tag despite missing the playoffs.

Dak Prescott Finishes 2025 Season with 4,552 Yards, 30 TDs Before Halftime Exit

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Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott completed seven of 11 passes for 70 yards, rushed twice for minus-1 yard, and lost a fumble in the 34-17 loss to the Giants. He was replaced by Joe Milton at halftime as the Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention. Prescott finishes the 2025 season with 4,552 passing yards and a 30:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio, having led the NFL in passing yards, completions, and attempts entering the finale. He is expected to remain the Cowboys' quarterback despite a large 2026 cap hit.

Malik Washington Scores TD, Sees Expanded Role in Dolphins' Week 18 Finale

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Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington scored a two-yard touchdown from Quinn Ewers in the Week 18 finale against the Patriots. With key offensive playmakers Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and De'Von Achane (shoulder) sidelined, Washington was anticipated to see an expanded role and increased targets. He was part of the Dolphins' active receiver corps and capitalized on the opportunity with a scoring play.

Jaxson Dart Caps Rookie Season with 2 TDs, 2,272 Yards, 15:5 TD:INT

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New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart completed 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, adding 32 rushing yards on five carries, in the 34-17 win over the Cowboys. He connected with Daniel Bellinger for a 29-yard touchdown and Tyrone Tracy for a 13-yard score. Dart finishes his rookie season with 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 487 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns across 14 games (12 starts). Showing significant promise, Dart is expected to be the Giants' starting quarterback heading into his sophomore season.

Kyle Pitts Active, Productive in Finale with 6 Catches, 58 Yards, Sets Career Highs

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Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (knee) was active and productive in the season finale against the Saints, securing six of nine targets for 58 yards in the 19-17 win. Despite being questionable with a knee injury, Pitts played a key role, leading the team in receptions and targets. This performance capped a strong stretch run, and he finished the 2025 regular season with career-highs of 88 receptions, 928 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 17 games.

Chris Brooks Leads Packers in Rushing with 61 Yards in Week 18 Loss

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Green Bay Packers RB Chris Brooks carried the ball 13 times for 61 yards in the 16-3 loss to the Vikings. As the team rested Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle), Brooks, the No. 3 running back, saw his most extensive action of the season and led the Packers in rushing yards. Having entered the game with just 14 carries for 45 yards on the season, he is unlikely to have a significant impact in the wild-card round.

Wilson Leads Packers Backfield in Loss, Registers Historic Negative Carry

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Green Bay Packers RB Emanuel Wilson carried the ball 18 times for 44 yards and caught one pass for four yards in the 16-3 loss to the Vikings. With Josh Jacobs inactive, Wilson led the backfield but was outgained by Chris Brooks. He notably registered a disastrous 18-yard loss on a single carry, marking it as the worst running back carry in 31 years. Wilson finishes the regular season with 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries, but his role in the wild-card round is expected to be minimal.

Audric Estime Handles Workhorse Role, Shows Pass-Catching Prowess in Finale

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New Orleans Saints RB Audric Estime rushed 21 times for 63 yards and caught all five targets for 43 yards in the 19-17 loss to the Falcons. With Alvin Kamara (knee) sidelined, Estime led the Saints' ground attack for the second consecutive week. While less efficient rushing than Week 17, he had an impressive day as a pass catcher. Estime's strong performances over the last two games position him to potentially compete for significant playing time in 2026, given Kamara's uncertain future.

Dee Alford Secures Fourth-Quarter Interception in Falcons' Win

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dee Alford recorded a crucial fourth-quarter interception against the New Orleans Saints. This turnover contributed to the Falcons' 19-17 victory, which concluded their 2025 season with a four-game winning streak.

Andre Szmyt Drills Game-Winning 49-Yard Field Goal

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Cleveland Browns rookie kicker Andre Szmyt redeemed an earlier miss by drilling a 49-yard field goal at the buzzer, securing a 20-18 win for Cleveland over Cincinnati in NFL Week 18.

Tyrone Tracy Caps Season with Career-High 159 Scrimmage Yards, TD

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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy capped his sophomore season with a career-high 159 scrimmage yards in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys. He rushed 18 times for 103 yards and caught eight of nine targets for 56 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown from Jaxson Dart, though he lost a fumble. Tracy finished the 2025 season with 740 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 36 catches for 288 yards, and two receiving touchdowns, exceeding 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. He figures to maintain a substantial role in the Giants' 2026 backfield.

Drew Brees Declares Jaguars 'The Team to Beat' in Playoffs

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NFL analyst Drew Brees, after the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans to clinch the AFC South, declared the Jaguars "the team to beat" in the upcoming playoffs. Brees provided his breakdown of the game and the Jaguars' postseason prospects.

Titans QB Cam Ward Suffers Season-Ending AC Joint Sprain; No Surgery

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Titans QB Cam Ward's rookie season ended prematurely after he suffered a right shoulder AC joint sprain during Sunday's game against the Jaguars. The injury occurred after a 7-yard touchdown run, which gave Tennessee an early lead. Initial reports confirmed he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, and later, it was confirmed no surgery would be required. Ward completed 3 of 3 passes for 52 yards and rushed twice for 11 yards and a score before his exit. He finishes his rookie year with 3,169 passing yards, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, and 159 rushing yards with 2 TDs.

Rome Odunze Inactive for Week 18 Finale, Aims for Playoff Return

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Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (foot) is inactive for the Week 18 game against the Lions, marking his fifth consecutive absence. While he returned to a limited practice on Friday, the Bears are exercising caution with his lingering foot injury, hoping to have him healthy for the postseason. Odunze will focus on increasing his activity level next week for the playoffs. In his absence, DJ Moore and Luther Burden will serve as the top two wide receivers for Caleb Williams.

DJ Moore Remains Bears' Top Receiver, Healthy for Week 18 Finale

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Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore will remain the team's No. 1 receiver in Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Lions, with Rome Odunze (foot) inactive. Moore has performed well in Odunze's previous absences, recording a 9-166-3 line on 12 targets in Weeks 15-16. After a quiet Week 17 due to illness, he is expected to be back to full health as Chicago aims to clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Isiah Pacheco Inactive for Week 18 Finale Due to Rest

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Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (rest) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Raiders. Despite turning in a trio of limited practices, the Chiefs opted to rest him. His absence will leave the team's ground attack in the hands of Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, and Dameon Pierce, with Pierce garnering active status for the first time this season.

Jaylen Waddle Inactive for Dolphins' Week 18 Finale with Rib Injury

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Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (ribs) is officially inactive for the Week 18 season finale against the Patriots. After two limited practices, the Dolphins opted for caution. His absence, along with RB De'Von Achane, leaves Miami without key offensive playmakers, leading to an expected run-centric game plan. Waddle concludes his fifth NFL season with 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns on 100 targets, plus 28 rushing yards over 16 games. The active WR corps includes Malik Washington, Cedrick Wilson, Theo Wease, Tahj Washington, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, with TE Greg Dulcich potentially leading targets.

Xavier Worthy Inactive for Week 18 Finale with Illness

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Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy (illness) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 game against the Raiders, as expected after carrying a doubtful tag. He concludes his sophomore season with 532 receiving yards and one touchdown across 14 games. In his absence, veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquise Brown are set to operate as the top two wide receivers for starting quarterback Chris Oladokun.

De'Von Achane Inactive for Week 18 Finale with Shoulder Injury

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Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (shoulder) is officially inactive for the Week 18 season finale against the Patriots, as expected due to a minor shoulder injury. His absence, alongside WR Jaylen Waddle, leaves the Dolphins without key offensive playmakers. Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon, Donovan Edwards, and Jeff Wilson are active for Miami, with Wright expected to lead the backfield. Achane concludes his third NFL season with career-highs of 1,350 rushing yards (5.7 YPC), 67 catches for 488 yards, and 12 total touchdowns across 16 games.

Marquise Brown Steps Up as Top Receiver for Chiefs in Week 18

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With Xavier Worthy (illness) inactive for the Chiefs' Week 18 game against the Raiders, Marquise Brown (also known as Hollywood Brown) is set to operate as one of the top two wide receivers. He will be a primary target for starting quarterback Chris Oladokun, alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster.