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'You just want this guy around': How a journeyman lineman became a cult hero in Detroit
The backup lineman gets huge ovations, even in road stadiums, when his name is announced. Here's how it happened and the man behind the cheers.

New owners, musical meetings and a rookie sensation: How Washington quickly rebooted
New owners, new culture and a game-changing QB have breathed new life into a once-listless franchise.

Texans' Mixon questionable to play against Chiefs
Texans running back Joe Mixon didn't practice Thursday because of an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round playoff game against the Chiefs.

Rodgers says Jets future hinges on new GM, HC
Aaron Rodgers made it sound Thursday like the Jets' incoming new general manager and coach, not owner Woody Johnson, will determine whether he's back with the team in 2025.

Source: Chiefs plan to activate CB Watson off IR
The Chiefs are planning to activate starting cornerback Jaylen Watson off the injured reserve list in time to play in Saturday's playoff game against the Texans, a source tells ESPN.

O'Connell: 'Great' bond, dialogue with Vikes brass
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell met with the team's ownership group this week and said Thursday that he wants to sign a contract extension to remain with the team.

NFL, feds tighten Super Bowl security after attack
The NFL and federal law enforcement are increasing security for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in response to the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people, officials told ESPN.

Three finalists for Salute to Service award named
Vikings running back Aaron Jones, 49ers tight end George Kittle and Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox are the finalists for the NFL's 14th annual Salute to Service award presented by USAA.

Ratings for NFL wild-card round down 9.3% YOY
Viewer audiences for the NFL wild-card round were down 9.3% from last year, a bigger decline than what the league experienced during the regular season.

Ravens claim WR Johnson; could yield extra pick
Receiver Diontae Johnson was claimed by the Ravens after he was waived by the Texans. He can't join Baltimore until after the Super Bowl and will be a free agent.

Is the NFL’s playoff format broken? Barnwell offers up six fixes, from more teams to picking opponents
Add two teams? Go back to 12 teams? Let teams choose their opponents in the wild-card round? Here's how the league could make tweaks to its postseason.

'We just had to show him he left it in good hands:' Rams' young defense filling Aaron Donald-sized hole
The defense, sans Donald, has gone from perhaps the Rams' Achilles heel to a group that impressed in their victory over the Vikings on Monday.

Sirianni's confounding public behavior is relished by his players
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni often takes the heat for his players' missteps. His players know it.

2024 fantasy football awards: MVP, rookie of the year, breakout, top pickup and more
Our Fantasy Focus Football podcast crew unveils the best -- and worst -- of the 2024 fantasy football season.

What's next for the Chargers after disappointing playoff exit?
The Chargers restored their credibility as an organization in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh. The quest to take the next step begins now.

How will the Broncos build on their playoff breakthrough? We answered six questions
Can the Broncos get back to the postseason in 2025, and how can they improve this offseason?

Steve Wilks? Wink Martindale? Who might fit best as the Falcons' defensive coordinator?
The Falcons' slide out of playoff contention coincided with a defensive tailspin that led to firings.

'We are big dogs': The Texans' defense is soaring off belief, guidance from DeMeco Ryans
As Houston prepares for its divisional round matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ryans has his defense playing at its best.

Hall of Fame resume, 12 NFL seasons, zero Super Bowls: Can DeAndre Hopkins finally get there?
In his 12th NFL season, Hopkins is hoping to capture his first Super Bowl ring.

Full list of 2025 NFL draft declarations: Which underclassmen joined the class?
Seventy underclassmen have declared for the 2025 NFL draft, which begins April 24 in Green Bay.

From Mike McCarthy to Ben Johnson, sizing up the Bears' coaching candidates
The key for the next Bears coach will be to develop Caleb Williams. Some already have a relationship with the QB.

Mike Clay's top 20 predicted anytime TD scorers in the divisional round
Mike Clay's projection system reveals the top 20 predicted touchdown scorers for the divisional round in the NFL playoffs.

Three things Mike Tomlin and the Steelers must fix this offseason
From the quarterback room to the coaching staff, Pittsburgh has some tough calls ahead.

One final kneel-down: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye proposes to girlfriend
The New England Patriots quarterback has said he has been dating his now fiancée, Ann Michael Hudson, since the seventh grade.

'Some secrets can be fun': Groom surprises bride with Bills tickets during wedding vows
As the groom commenced with his wedding vows, he displayed Bills tickets for Sunday's divisional round game.

'Borderline inhumane': A wind chill of minus 27, a fan narrowly avoiding amputations and a wild NFL playoff night
In the grips of a polar vortex in Kansas City last winter, a playoff game between the Chiefs and Dolphins took place.

The divisional round is set! What to know about all four matchups, plus how every team could win
Let's preview the divisional round's four matchups. How can each team win next weekend and advance? Here's what to know.

The No. 1 seed question: How much does the bye really help in the NFL playoffs?
This will be the fifth postseason where No. 1 seeds hold the only byes. The data reveals a mixed blessing.