Philip Rivers withdraws from Bills head coach search
Philip Rivers will not be the Buffalo Bills’ next head coach.
Rivers withdrew his name from consideration for the Bills job, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The decision comes three days after he sat for a job interview.
Philip Rivers is out of the Bills HC sweepstakes. After interviewing with Buffalo, he’s withdrawing himself from consideration, per sources. pic.twitter.com/2RhouF270c
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 26, 2026
Rivers was a surprise candidate for the Buffalo job, but apparently a serious one. The opportunity to work with Josh Allen would certainly be appealing, even though Rivers has never coached at the NFL level before.
This is not the first time Rivers has been mentioned as a possible head coach candidate. In the past, he balked at the interest, and while things went further this time than they had previously, the same thing has happened again. That said, this might give teams encouragement that he may eventually be enticed into becoming a head coach.
The Bills will now have to pivot to other options as they seek to replace Sean McDermott, who was fired after the team’s AFC Divisional loss. That could be very good news for one coach who is thought to badly want the job.
Drew Lock had words for Sam Darnold after the NFC title game
Who doesn’t love a good story in the NFL? Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has become one, as he is now on the verge of winning a Super Bowl before many other bigger names in the league.
At one point in his career, Darnold appeared to be on the way out of the league after subpar stints with the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers, but he’s turned things around, with his story touching many, including his backup in Seattle, Drew Lock.
Darnold and Lock have known each other a long time, as they go all the way back to their high school day. Seeing Darnold become successful at his job with the Seahawks and watching him lead Seattle to a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game at Lumen Field on Sunday in Seattle, Wash., despite recently being bothered by an oblique issue, left Lock emotional and full of praise for the former USC Trojans star signal-caller.
“He is, in lack of better words, he is very, very good at his job,” Lock said about Darnold, via Kalyn Kahler of ESPN. (You can watch the entire clip here.)
“He is a competitor. He studies like no other. He’s so smart. Couple that with the throws that we all get to visually see. He’s outstanding. He’s really, really good at his job. He is a great leader for this team. He cares so much. And he’s just, he’s a silly dude.”
Darnold surely deserves getting flowers from Lock for the way he’s carried himself under center. Not many believed that he could lead Seattle this far in the NFL playoffs, but he’s turned critics into believers with the season he is having with his fifth team.
Darnold went toe to toe with Rams star Matthew Stafford in the NFC title gameand emerged on top, passing for 346 yards and 3 touchdowns on 25-of-36 pass completions.
Robert Griffin III gets called out for a glaring mistake in his comment on Drake Maye
Robert Griffin III tried to underscore the incredible season Drake Maye, but he ended up getting called out by the internet.
After Maye and the New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., the former NFL quarterback Griffin confidently shared to his followers on X that Maye has “made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence.”
Drake Maye made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 25, 2026
That appeared to be a simple statement of fact, except that it wasn’t.
As pointed out by many social media users, Jared Goff, who now plays for the Detroit Lions, has already seen action before in the Super Bowl, rendering Griffin’s take effectively false.
Goff was under center for the Los Angeles Rams at Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, who defeated Sean McVay’s team in that contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
It can be easy to forget about the quarterback of a losing team in the Super Bowl, but that doesn’t make Griffin’s claim correct.
Maye threw for only 86 yards and without a touchdown on 10-of-21 completions and was sacked five times in the snowy conference championship matchup against Denver. He’ll look to be better at Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., against the NFC champions Seattle Seahawks.
Tariq Woolen sets the record straight on his heated moment with teammates
The Seattle Seahawks are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since the Russell Wilson era, though cornerback Tariq Woolen nearly cost them the NFC Championship with a blunder.
After Woolen taunted the Rams in the third quarter, he was slapped with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, resulting in a fresh set of downs for Los Angeles. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford capitalized on the opportunity, as he found wide receiver Puka Nacua for a touchdown to trim Seattle’s lead from 11 to just four points.
Following Nacua’s touchdown, Woolen was seen on the broadcast seemingly having an argument with his teammates on the sidelines.
Riq Woolen getting pressed by his teammates after the taunting penalty and getting burnt for a TD
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) January 26, 2026
pic.twitter.com/pl4X7cUDLQ
It was understandable that some Seahawks were disappointed by Woolen’s blunder, given what was at stake. They didn’t go that far in the NFL playoffs just to get burned by his undeniably boneheaded play.
However, Seattle survived the Rams’ comeback bid and came away with a 31-27 victory at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., to book a ticket to Super Bowl XLIX.
Woolen also clarified what happened between him and his teammates.
“Wasn’t getting pressed. We brothers and we all chasing greatness we on the same mission,” the 26-year-old Woolen wrote in a post on X.
Still, the Seahawks will want better play from Woolen and the rest of their defense when they square off against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Video of Fred Hoiberg’s locker room eruption vs. Minnesota emerges
The No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers remain undefeated through 20 games, thanks in part to head coach Fred Hoiberg’s fiery halftime message during Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Cornhuskers found themselves trailing Minnesota by six points at halftime of their game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn., mainly because of their faulty defense. The Golden Gophers hit nine 3-pointers in the first half, which was a slap in the face of Nebraska’s stout defense.
Fortunately, Nebraska woke up just in time to turn things around, as the Cornhuskers responded to Hoiberg’s outburst.
Here is the video of Hoiberg giving it to his players in the locker room.
“That’s as bad as a half as we’ve played all year”
— Jake Bartecki NCN-TV (@bartecki_jake) January 25, 2026
Fred Hoiberg was HOT at the half against Minnesota.
These recaps are so electric.
🎥Nebraska Men’s Basketball #Huskers pic.twitter.com/ty4xF6QLJi
The Cornhuskers took control of the game with a 23-8 salvo in the first 10 minutes following the halftime break.
Minnesota showed some life with a mini 4-0 run after a timeout, but the Cornhuskers retaliated with a debilitating 14-0 run on their way to a 76-57 win to collect their ninth victory against a Big Ten opponent and match the program’s best start to conference play since going 9-0 in the Big Eight in the 1965-66 season.
As it stands, the Arizona Wildcats, Miami (OH) RedHawks and Nebraska are the only NCAA Division I teams with unblemished records through Sunday.
Nebraska, which ranked 11th nationally on KenPom with a 94.8 adjusted defensive rating, will have a tough assignment next, as Hoiberg’s squad is scheduled to face the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Tuesday.
Nathan Eovaldi provides a significant 2026 update
Nathan Eovaldi is feeling optimistic about his body as the 2026 Spring Training draws near.
The Texas Rangers right-hander was having a strong 2025 MLB campaign, but his campaign ended in August due to a rotator cuff strain. In October, he went under the knife to address a sports hernia.
But the 35-year-old Eovaldi appears to be raring to get back on the mound, as he expressed his readiness to pitch competitively again.
“I don’t expect to have any limitations coming into Spring Training,” Eovaldi said during an appearance on the “SportsDay Rangers podcast.”
“I’ve been throwing multiple bullpens, and my arm feels great, body feels great, and I’m ready for the season to get going.”
Given how far away the 2026 MLB season still is, what Eovaldi said about his health status is a great sign for his availability right from the get-go of the new campaign.
After winning the World Series in 2023, the Rangers have not been back to the MLB postseason and finished third in the American League West Division in 2024 and 2025 with 78 and 81 victories, respectively.
Having Eovaldi back and possibly in his old, reliable form will give the Rangers’ pitching staff a big shot in the arm after already finishing No. 1 in the big leagues in 2025 with a collective 3.41 ERA among starting pitchers. That takes into account Eovaldi’s 1.73 ERA and 0.854 WHIP across 22 starts.
Puka Nacua makes an honest admission about his chemistry with Matthew Stafford
The Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks had a thrilling back-and-forth in Sunday’s NFC Championship game at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., and when it was all said and done, Sam Darnold and company came away with a 31-27 win — and a ticket to Super Bowl LX.
For the Rams, it was another failed bid to return to football’s grandest stage.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua felt he could have done more to help Los Angeles overcome its NFC West rivals Seahawks, admitting he failed to capitalize on prime red-zone scoring chances and on some plays with quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“We had our opportunities in the red zone, and I just wasn’t on the same page as Matthew, just the opportunities that I missed,” Nacua told reporters after the game, via Arash Markazi of the Sporting Tribune.
“Those moments flash by in your head, and I apologize to the defense for putting them in those situations.”
In any case, Nacua made his presence felt and did not disappear in the all-important matchup against the Seahawks. He led all players in the game with 165 receiving yards and a touchdown on 9 receptions and 14 targets. His touchdown came in the third quarter while being covered by Seahawks defensive back Tariq Woolen, who got flagged for taunting in the previous play.
With the Rams down by four points, Nacua tried to keep Los Angeles’ hopes alive near the end of the fourth quarter, but he failed to stay inbounds after a 21-yard catch, as time ran out.
Stafford threw for 374 passing yards and 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions, while the Rams went 4-of-5 in the red zone. However, they were just 1-for-8 on third downs.
Nacua and the Rams concluded their 2025 NFL season with a 12-5 record and a pair of victories in the playoffs.
Davante Adams seen crying after losing yet another conference title game
Davante Adams still can’t shake his own personal curse.
Adams and the Los Angeles Rams saw their season come to an end on Sunday with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams fell by a final score of 31-27 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
With the loss, Adams’ personal record in conference title games dropped to a hapless 0-5. Though he had a strong individual game on Sunday with four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, the 33-year-old Adams extended his unsightly streak of never having made it to a single Super Bowl.
Speaking with reporters afterwards, Adams was visibly emotional. He had tears in his eyes and struggled to get his words out at times.
Davante Adams is emotional after losing the NFC Championship Game in Seattle. Adams is now 0-5 in conference championship games. pic.twitter.com/9bAYkGZYAn
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 26, 2026
A six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time NFL receiving TDs leader, Adams is one of the greatest wide receivers in league history to have never gotten to the Super Bowl. He lost four times in the NFC title game with the Green Bay Packers (in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020) and made it a quintet with the Rams by losing in Sunday’s NFC title game.
Adams is still under contract with the Rams for 2026 at a cap hit of $28 million (though the team does possess a potential out on the deal). He had 60 catches for 789 yards and an NFL-high 14 touchdowns this season and was recently even said to be recruiting a star defender to Los Angeles for next season.
Sean McVay snaps at reporter for asking question about Matthew Stafford’s future
Sean McVay was in no mood to stay polite Sunday after the Los Angeles Rams fell one game short of making the Super Bowl.
The Rams had 1st-and-10 at the Seahawks’ 12-yard line with a chance to take the lead with a touchdown. But quarterback Matthew Stafford could not find the end zone for a score and turned it over on downs, allowing the Seahawks to milk the clock for a 31-27 win at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
During his postgame press conference, McVay was asked if Stafford would be back as the Rams’ quarterback next season. The 40-year-old coach did not understand why such a question had to be asked.
“Yeah, I mean, if he still wants to play,” McVay said. “What the hell kind of question is that?”
“You’ll have to ask him. We’ve been totally present. I know that if he wants to, he’s still playing at a pretty damn good clip. I mean, he’s the MVP of the league … I’ve got respect for everybody else, but this guy played at a level that’s just different.”
"If he still wants to play, what the hell kind of question is that."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 26, 2026
Sean McVay on if Matthew Stafford is returning next season 👀 pic.twitter.com/XNRyA4pkdE
Stafford did not look like a QB on the verge of retirement during Sunday’s elimination game. He went 22/35 for 374 yards with 3 touchdowns.
Stafford and Sam Darnold combined to become just the second pair of opposing passers to each have at least 300 passing yards a 3 passing TDs in a conference championship game. Dan Marino and Mark Malone were the first pair to do it during the 1984 AFC Championship.
Stafford has had to fend off speculation on his potential retirement over the past few seasons. With Stafford dealing with a serious back injury before the 2025 campaign, some thought this could finally be the year he hangs it up at season’s end.
Instead, Stafford put up an MVP-worthy campaign for the Rams. There’s no question the team would welcome him back next season, so long as he doesn’t make a stunning retirement announcement in the coming months.
Russell Wilson sends a message to Sam Darnold after Super Bowl berth
The last Seattle Seahawks quarterback to lead the team to the Super Bowl is showing love to the one who just achieved the feat for himself this weekend.
Sam Darnold led the Seahawks to the first Super Bowl berth in over a decade with a win over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. Seattle was victorious at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. by a final score of 31-27 as Darnold went 25/36 for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
In the wake of the Seahawks’ triumph, New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (who used to star for Seattle) sent a notable message of congrats to Darnold. Wilson took to X to shout out Darnold over his “comeback story.”
“Sam Darnold’s comeback story over the past 2 years has been one of the most inspirational things to watch!” wrote Wilson. “Cool seeing him overcome!!! Congrats bro. Hope you win it! Go Hawks.”
Sam Darnold’s comeback story over the past 2 years has been one of the most inspirational things to watch! Cool seeing him overcome!!! Congrats bro.
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 26, 2026
Hope you win it!
Go Hawks
Wilson was the quarterback of the Seahawks from 2012-21, making nine Pro Bowl teams, earning one All-Pro nod, and leading the NFL in passer rating in 2015. He also twice led Seattle to the Super Bowl with a win in Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos in the 2013 season and a loss in Super Bowl XLIX to the New England Patriots in the 2014 season.
Now Darnold will be getting a chance at revenge for Seattle against those very same Patriots, who won in Sunday’s AFC title game over the Denver Broncos to advance to next month’s Super Bowl themselves. That is indeed quite the comeback story for Darnold, who has now made back-to-back Pro Bowl teams and a Super Bowl berth after being stuck fighting for a backup job as recently as 2023.
Tariq Woolen committed the most boneheaded taunting penalty
Tariq Woolen committed the most boneheaded taunting penalty during the NFC Championship game on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., but he was lucky it didn’t cost his team the game.
Woolen’s Seahawks were leading 31-20 in the third quarter and had the visiting Los Angeles Rams in a bad spot with a 3rd-and-12 at the Seattle 49-yard line. Matthew Stafford had thrown an interception, which would have likely brought up a punt. But Woolen was called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting the Rams after the incompletion.
Tariq Woolen controversial taunting penalty that leads to a Rams first down.
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 26, 2026
It was fourth down 🤦♂️
NO FUN LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SMHHH pic.twitter.com/4KLfzLqs2K
The penalty gave the Rams a first down at the Seahawks’ 35-yard line and made the game a lot closer than it otherwise would have been.
On the very next play, Stafford threw a touchdown pass to Puka Nacua — who was being defended by Woolen — to make it a one-score game at 31-27, which ended up being the final score.
Nobody is happier than Woolen, whose boneheaded penalty would have been viewed as the turning point had his team lost. He nearly gave away the game on that play and was lucky his team bailed him out.
The Seahawks are now headed to the Super Bowl to face the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.
Mike Vrabel had great message to Patriots after making Super Bowl
Mike Vrabel was giving the New England Patriots the license to celebrate for at least one night before locking in again for Super Bowl prep.
The Patriots outlasted the Denver Broncos in frigid conditions Sunday to win the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. After giving up a touchdown in the first quarter, New England kept Denver scoreless the rest of the way for a 10-7 win.
Reporters spoke to defensive tackle Milton Williams in the Patriots’ locker room after the game. Williams was asked about what Vrabel’s message was to the team following the gritty victory.
“That he enjoys coaching us, he’s proud of us,” shared Williams. “He said, ‘No curfew tonight, but the bus leaving at 8 in the morning, so if you ain’t on it, you ain’t playing in the [Super Bowl].’”
“I’m pretty sure everybody’s going to be on that bus. ‘I ain’t playing,’ he said.”
As Williams said, it’s hard to imagine any of the Patriots players missing that bus. Perhaps the biggest candidate to do so would be wild-card wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But after Diggs’ teary-eyed interview following Sunday’s win, even he probably wouldn’t dare risk not playing in the Super Bowl.
Vrabel has proven to be a no-nonsense head coach in every sense, which means he may very well stick to his word and bench any player not named Drake Maye who fails to show.
Patriots’ O-line had no clue Drake Maye was keeping it on his game-clinching run
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye kept his teammates in the dark Sunday on what turned out to be the play that clinched his team’s Super Bowl berth.
Maye had the run of a lifetime to seal the Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Facing 3rd-and-6 at his own 40, Maye faked a handoff and kept it himself for a gutsy first-down run with under two minutes left.
DRAKE MAYE OUTRUNS HIM
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2026
NEvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1FoNGda29L
Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss looked like he had a beat on Maye at the line of scrimmage. But the Patriots QB used a timely stiff arm on Elliss to create the separation necessary to eek out a first down.
Patriots center Garrett Bradbury revealed during his postgame press conference that Maye completely improvised his run. The O-line was anticipating Rhamondre Stevenson to get the ball and were just as shocked as everyone else that Maye got the first down himself.
“After the game, Drake’s like, ‘I debated telling you guys if I was gonna [keep] it or not. But I just decided not to’ … I’m expecting Rhamondre to try and hit a hole,” Bradbury said, via Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “And I turn around, Drake’s over there with the ball, and I’m like, ‘Go, go, go!’ Because we didn’t know.”
Maye confirmed it during his own press conference, stating that he had anticipated the Broncos’ defense to “get lackadaisical,” expecting Stevenson to run right. Maye’s gut was what turned out to be right.
Maye went 10/21 for 86 yards in the snowy Colorado conditions. The Patriots star also rushed 10 times for 65 yards, which proved to be the difference in the closing moments.
Sean Payton gets slammed for his ‘arrogance’ on call that swung Broncos-Patriots game
One poor play call from Sean Payton loomed large over the Denver Broncos’ playoff exit Sunday against the New England Patriots.
The Broncos were firmly in the driver’s seat early in the AFC Championship Game clash at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. The Broncos had a 7-0 lead, and possession deep in enemy territory midway through the second quarter.
Payton overcomplicated a 4th-and-1 opportunity at the Patriots’ 14. Instead of calling for a run play or simply kicking the field goal to make it a two-score game, Payton had Jarrett Stidham roll right on a pass play that was dead on arrival.
4th and less than a yard and Broncos go for it instead of kicking a field goal.
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 25, 2026
They decided a roll out right pass play with Stidham was better than a run when they are averaging 3.3 yards per rush this game… pic.twitter.com/90skwm58Bu
The Patriots were able to tie the game with a touchdown of their own later in the quarter. Several fans blamed Payton’s “arrogance” for the play call that came back to haunt the Broncos.
Sean Payton's arrogance is his demise. Not kicking it earlier & trusting a Stid lead offense on 4th down because u think u can scheme up anything, is pure ego.
— lael (@laelvc) January 25, 2026
Sean Payton's Arrogance kept him from going up 10-0 because he wanted to showcase Stidham now he in 7-7 Dogfight with a QB that's making Dumb Ass Decisions.
— The Dawgzilla (@TheDawgzilla) January 25, 2026
Why in the name of Sean Payton arrogance would you not kick that field goal? Answer: Sean Payton arrogance. You're playing with Jarrett Stidham and an elite defense. You go up by two scores and the game might be over.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) January 25, 2026
The call now looks far worse in hindsight as the Broncos wound up getting shut out for the rest of the game — one that was decided by three points.
Before Sunday, Stidham had not thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2023. Trusting him on a 4th-and-1 pass play did seem like pure hubris from Payton, who ended up getting humbled by the football gods.
Leonard Williams swipes at Davis Allen during Rams-Seahawks game
Leonard Williams swiped at Davis Allen during an altercation between the players in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
The Los Angeles Rams had the ball down 24-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter. Matthew Stafford completed a 35-yard pass to Colby Parkinson to set themselves up in Seattle territory. After the play, FOX showed a replay of an altercation between Williams and Allen, where Williams swiped down at Allen.
Leonard Williams and Davis Allen get heated, start shoving each other
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 26, 2026
WOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wbZ9T4mLl9
It’s unclear whether the officials missed the incident entirely, or saw it but decided not to throw any flags, because there was no penalty called.
The Rams ended up scoring a touchdown three players later and made it a 24-20 game. Seattle responded with another touchdown to go back up by two scores at 31-20.
The teams met twice during the regular season and split the series. The stakes for this game were the highest of their meetings as a Super Bowl berth was on the line.
Stefon Diggs had emotional message after Patriots advanced to Super Bowl
Stefon Diggs could not hold back his tears as he spoke out Sunday after the New England Patriots clinched their spot in Super Bowl 60.
The Patriots outlasted the Denver Broncos in a low-scoring AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Diggs tallied a team-best five receptions for 17 yards in New England’s 10-7 road win.
“I’m just so proud of this team, man,” Diggs said with tears streaming down his face. “You don’t know how hard this year has been, battling the injury and coming back. Being around the right group of guys: great quarterback, great OC, great team, great head coach. It made it all worth it, all the hard work.
“… They were calling me washed. Saying I didn’t have it no more. I just wanted to prove to myself I am who I say I am. [Patriots executive Eliot Wolf] took a chance on me. This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud.”
“They were calling me washed. Saying I didn’t have it anymore. I just wanted to prove to myself I am who I say I am.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 26, 2026
“This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud.”
1-on-1 with emotional #Patriots WR Stefon Diggs headed to 1st Super Bowl: pic.twitter.com/B2dD8Wq47h
Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL during his 2024 season with the Houston Texans. The Patriots took a flier on Diggs, who also came with some off-the-field baggage that drew negative headlines earlier in the season.
The 4-time Pro Bowler quieted his doubters with his play on the field. Diggs led the Patriots in catches (85) and receiving yards (1,013) while playing in all 17 regular-season games for New England.
Diggs entered Sunday with a pair of Championship Game losses during his time with the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. The third time proved to be the charm for Diggs, who’s now the top target on a Super Bowl-bound squad.
Patriots’ Will Campbell gets roasted for awful first half
New England Patriots rookie offensive lineman Will Campbell was under scrutiny during the first half of Sunday’s AFC Championship, and he did not exactly acquit himself well.
After a strong regular season, Campbell has struggled in the playoffs when facing several top pass rushers. He allowed nine pressures in the first two playoff games, and many fans were concerned about him going up against the Denver Broncos’ potent pass rush.
Those concerns appeared well-founded. Campbell again struggled in the first half, with Denver’s Nik Bonitto blowing past him multiple times early in the first half.
Will Campbell got beat here.
— Boston Buzzer (@TheBostonBuzzer) January 25, 2026
Drake was forced to get rid of the ball quickly.
Almost resulted in a pick.
pic.twitter.com/bSC1L4hBOe
Will Campbell pic.twitter.com/3mrHbu5btP
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 25, 2026
Many on social media were quick to pass judgment against Campbell for not giving Drake Maye enough time to work.
Will Campbell trying not to allow a pressure/sack challenge pic.twitter.com/v5CzNRjZfG
— Martínez Chiefs🙏🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@Martinez050408) January 25, 2026
Will Campbell pic.twitter.com/LTm9YU5v6x
— sports enthusiast 🫥 (@imspenser_6) January 25, 2026
Will Campbell is not fighting and dying to protect his quartback
— brandon* (@brndxix) January 25, 2026
Who told Will Campbell to do this? pic.twitter.com/HPzvBZ0Umj
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 25, 2026
Will Campbell pic.twitter.com/ZlgqBllShi
— Bradley (@BradIey98) January 25, 2026
Live look at will campbell in the locker room rn pic.twitter.com/g7Q9wUYeMF
— John Schreiber Enjoyer (@cousin_john4858) January 25, 2026
Campbell was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, so he came in with high expectations. He spent most of his rookie year meeting them, but elite pass rushers have given him a lot of trouble in the playoffs, where the importance of the games are magnified.
The Patriots obviously are not going away from Campbell now. By all accounts, they love him as much as they did when they drafted him. However, these moments are becoming quite noticeable, and they are happening at the wrong time.
Patriots lose out on touchdown because of premature whistle
The New England Patriots briefly lost out on six points during Sunday’s AFC Championship game due to an overeager whistle by the officiating crew.
Late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Co., Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham lost control of the football inside his own 15-yard line. Linebacker Elijah Ponder picked it up and took it to the end zone for the Patriots, seemingly giving them a defensive touchdown.
The play was whistled dead, however, just as Ponder picked up the ball. The officials initially called intentional grounding on the play, but after discussion, it was ruled that Stidham’s throw was a backwards pass and thus a live ball. Because of the whistle, however, the Patriots were not allowed to advance the fumble.
Refs blow the whistle early and take a potential TD off the boardpic.twitter.com/j5m2aSWJC0
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) January 25, 2026
New England scored two plays later, but the premature whistle threatened to take points off the board in a crucial spot. Had the Patriots not punched it in, that may well have become a story, and Mike Vrabel might have had to sound off about the officiating again.
The Broncos and Patriots both wound up missing field goals later in the half, ensuring a 7-7 tie at halftime.
Mavericks game postponed after team got stuck at airport
The Dallas Mavericks will not play Sunday evening in Milwaukee after their team plane got stuck at the airport in Dallas.
The Mavericks had been slated to play in Milwaukee against the Bucks at 7 P.M. Eastern on Sunday, but their scheduled flight for Sunday afternoon did not leave on time. Dallas, like much of the South, was heavily impacted by an ice storm, and the Mavericks simply could not get their plane de-iced quickly enough.
Mavs still have not taken off. Plane still being de-iced. Cutting it a bit close to making it to Milwaukee prior to 6 p.m. tip-off, but safety is the only priority here. https://t.co/DaJT7o0DV8
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) January 25, 2026
The weather in Milwaukee is fine, but the Mavericks simply could not get there. In a statement, the league said the postponement was because of “the Mavericks inability to leave Dallas as a result of inclement weather in the area.” No makeup date was announced.
Sunday’s scheduled game in Memphis between the Nuggets and Grizzlies was also postponed, but that was because Memphis is directly in the area heavily impacted by inclement weather.
The Mavericks have had a rough 24 hours. On Saturday, they lost to Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers after blowing a 15-point lead with just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Then they spent most of Sunday stuck waiting for a flight that never took off.
Notable update emerges on Sean McDermott’s future
Sean McDermott will likely be taking a sabbatical after being fired by the Buffalo Bills.
The former Bills head coach McDermott is expected to take a year off from coaching after his dismissal, according to a report on Sunday by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport adds that McDermott has not engaged to this point with any other head coach opening in the NFL.
McDermott, 51, was surprisingly fired by Buffalo earlier this month after nine seasons in charge. The decision came after the Bills lost in the divisional round to the Denver Broncos in an overtime heartbreaker.
When it comes to overall winning percentage, McDermott was one of the best — he was 98-50 (.662), which is the third-highest among active coaches and 15th-highest in NFL history. McDermott also led the Bills to five AFC East division titles and seven different seasons of 10 wins or more.
But despite having reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen at his disposal, McDermott was never able to successfully get Buffalo over the hump during the postseason. While they earned eight total playoff berths under McDermott, the Bills only made it to the AFC Championship Game twice and never once made it to the Super Bowl.
That said, McDermott was a very popular coach in Buffalo, and the news of his sudden firing was met with profane reactions from some Bills players. Thus, McDermott, who was also reportedly critical of Buffalo’s roster before his abrupt dismissal, will likely remain an extremely coveted head coach candidate after his expected gap year in 2026.
