NFL playoff area set after Lions rout Vikings to earn NFC’s high seed; Patriots fireplace Jerod Mayo

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🏈 The Soccer 5

1. With a bunch of eventualities in play within the AFC, the Broncos made it easy. In a win-and-in sport, Denver not solely received however dominated, beating the Chiefs, 38-0, the biggest shutout win in franchise historical past. Kansas Metropolis rested basically all of its starters. Bo Nix made some historical past in an impressive efficiency. It is Denver’s first playoff berth since 2015, when Peyton Manning led the Broncos to win the Tremendous Bowl.
2. The Buccaneers received the NFC South with a 27-19 victory over the Saints. Tampa Bay trailed by 13 at halftime, however Baker Mayfield rallied the troops with a pair of second-half landing passes. With the sport in hand, Mike Evans caught a move to cross 1,000 yards for the eleventh straight season, tying Jerry Rice‘s report. He additionally earned $3 million in incentives with that catch.
3. After Jayden Daniels was pulled at halftime, Marcus Mariota proved it is not simply the rookie who has a clutch gene, firing a 5-yard landing move to Terry McLaurin for a 23-19 Commanders win over the Cowboys. Washington clinched the No. 6 seed within the NFC, although …
4. They’d have clinched that seed even with a loss as a result of the Bears beat the Packers, 24-22, on Cairo Santos‘ 51-yard area purpose. Jordan Love exited the sport with an elbow damage and was nonetheless experiencing numbness in his throwing hand postgame, although he expects to play in subsequent week’s wild card sport towards the Eagles. Philadelphia can be hoping to have its beginning quarterback again. Jalen Hurts is making strides after a Week 16 concussion. He hasn’t performed since.
5. On Saturday, the Ravens clinched the AFC North with a 35-10 win over the Browns.

🏈 Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE DETROIT LIONS …

No staff is extra intense, and, conversely, no staff wants a break extra. The Lions claimed the NFC’s No. 1 seed (and accompanying Wild Card Weekend bye and home-field benefit) with a 31-9 romp over the Vikings.

On an evening when Jared Goff was removed from his greatest, Jahmyr Gibbs racked up 170 yards from scrimmage and 4 touchdowns, tying probably the most touchdowns scored in a sport in franchise historical past. He’s merely exceptional. This offense has so some ways to beat groups, and Gibbs joined some hallowed firm together with his newest exploits: the primary Lion with 150+ yards from scrimmage and a landing in three straight video games since Barry Sanders.

We thought Detroit’s injury-ravaged protection is likely to be its downfall, however as an alternative, it was completely excellent in essential conditions. Minnesota went 0 for 4 within the purple zone, with two area objectives and two turnovers on downs. If the Lions’ protection cannot be dominant down-to-down, it had higher be well timed, and it completely was Sunday evening. Alex Anzalone‘s return was big, and the move rush was actually spectacular.

Minnesota, in the meantime, should journey to Los Angeles to face the Rams. This was an unsightly one throughout, with Sam Darnold (18 for 41, 166 yards) lacking a number of open throws and seeming hesitant to let the ball go. The Vikings hope he received his big-game nerves out or no less than considerably calmed, as a result of the stakes solely get greater from right here.

… AND ALSO EVERY NFL PLAYOFF TEAM

The playoffs are set. This is what the bracket seems like (keep in mind, the NFL reseeds each spherical, so it is not a true bracket):

And here is the Wild Card Weekend schedule:

Saturday, Jan. 11

• (5) Chargers at (4) Texans, 4:30 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
• (6) Steelers at (3) Ravens, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)

Sunday, Jan. 12

• (7) Broncos at (2) Payments, 1 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
• (7) Packers at (2) Eagles, 4:30 p.m. (Fox)
• (6) Commanders at (3) Buccaneers, 8 p.m. (NBC)

Monday, Jan. 13

• (5) Vikings at (4) Rams, 8 p.m. (ESPN, ABC)

BYES: (1) Chiefs, (1) Lions

We now have an early wild card preview, rankings of each sport and postseason narratives for all 14 individuals.

😁 Honorable mentions

💔 And never such a great morning for …

THE NFL TEAMS ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION IN WEEK 18 …

What hurts probably the most is being so shut. The Falcons, Dolphins and Bengals noticed their playoff hopes dashed on the ultimate day of the common season.

Falcons:

• What a rollercoaster experience the final 12 months have been: hiring Raheem Morris over Invoice Belichick, signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. eighth total, benching Cousins (a shell of himself) for Penix and finally developing quick.
• Atlanta wants move rush reinforcements specifically as Penix takes over and Cousins probably heads elsewhere. Roster upgrades could also be financially tough contemplating Cousins’ lifeless cash.

Dolphins:

• Tua Tagovailoa missed Miami’s 32-20 loss to the Jets and performed in simply 11 video games this season. He has missed important time in 4 of his 5 NFL seasons. This yr, the Dolphins averaged 5.5 yards per play with Tagovailoa on the sphere and 4.5 with him off it. That is the distinction between a top-half offense and the worst offense within the league.
• Nonetheless, if a staff is so depending on one participant’s model — even a quarterback — that is a difficulty. Miami must bolster its offensive line and protection, and Mike McDaniel must discover a counterpunch. McDaniel and Chris Grier will return.
• Tyreek Hill seemingly needs out, so issues aren’t going nice!

Bengals:

• After a 19-17 win over the Steelers, Zac Taylor mentioned nobody wished to face his staff if it made the playoffs. Contemplating Joe Burrow‘s excellence, Ja’Marr Chase‘s receiving triple crown and the truth that the staff received its final 5 video games, Taylor was in all probability proper.
• Sadly, a 4-8 begin proved an excessive amount of to beat. The Bengals should patch up holes on protection and lengthen Chase and, probably, Tee Higgins. It is previous time for Cincinnati to nail some defensive draft picks.

… AND ALSO JEROD MAYO

After 24 years with Invoice Belichick, the Patriots are in search of his successor’s successor. Jerod Mayo is out as New England’s coach after a 4-13 debut marketing campaign. The announcement got here shortly after a 23-16 victory over the Payments, who principally performed backups.

Mayo had lengthy been the shoo-in as Belichick’s successor, however this season went off the rails rapidly. In October, Mayo known as his staff gentle and in December, he appeared to criticize offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, which he later walked again.

Mayo was put in a really tough spot. The staff was bereft of expertise throughout the board — largely because of Belichick’s poor roster constructing not too long ago — and that confirmed. Rob Gronkowki blasted the choice to fireside Mayo.

Wanting ahead, Mike Vrabel — like Mayo, a former Patriot — is the frontrunner for the job. The previous Titans coach is seen as a top-tier candidate this cycle, Jonathan Jones stories, and he solely interviewed with the Jets to put stress on New England, Aditi Kinkhabwala stories. We now have a full checklist of candidates from Cody Benjamin as effectively.

Mayo’s firing means “Black Monday” — when most coach and GM firings occur — started early. We now have our stay weblog operating and the most recent insider info from Jonathan.

😕 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 2025 NFL Draft order: Titans get No. 1 decide after Patriots win

So the Patriots received, however at what value? A giant one, it seems. New England’s win flipped the highest of the draft order on its head as soon as once more. The highest 18 picks are set, and here is the highest 5:

1. Titans (here is how)
2. Browns
3. Giants
4. Patriots
5. Jaguars

Ryan Wilson has a brand-new mock draft reflecting the brand new order.

🏀 No. 10 Kentucky tops No. 6 Florida; Cooper Flagg stars in packed faculty basketball weekend

On a completely loaded faculty basketball weekend, No. 10 Kentucky outlasted No. 6 Florida, 106-100, probably the most factors the Wildcats have ever scored at dwelling towards an AP top-10 opponent.

• Koby Brea made seven 3-pointers en path to 23 factors — each profession highs — off the bench. All 5 Kentucky starters additionally scored double-digit factors.
• Kentucky improved to 3-0 this season towards top-10 groups. Mark Pope joins Adolph Rupp, the namesake of the staff’s area, as the one two coaches in program historical past to win his first three video games towards top-10 groups.
• This was simply the fourth time in Rupp Enviornment historical past (since 1976) that each groups scored 100+.

Brea was the star Saturday, however with six gamers in double figures, Kentucky confirmed it has loads of depth, too, David Cobb writes.

Elsewhere, No. 1 Tennessee is the one remaining undefeated staff after the Volunteers thumped No. 23 Arkansas, 76-52, and No. 12 Oklahoma fell to No. 5 Alabama, 107-79.

This is extra from the weekend:

📺 What we’re watching Monday

⚽ SuperCoppa Italiana ultimate: AC Milan vs. Inter, 2 p.m. on CBS Sports activities Community/Paramount+
🏀 Suns at 76ers, 7 p.m. on NBA TV
🏀 Wisconsin at Rutgers (M), 7 p.m. on FS1
🏀 TCU at No. 14 Houston (M), 9 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Warmth at Kings, 10 p.m. on NBA TV