National Football League

National Football League

When Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers' fourth-and-goal pass sailed incomplete to seal Cleveland's unlikely 13-6 victory, the Ravens erupted in a celebration that Harbaugh described as "uncorked and raucous." They jumped around. They hugged each other -- a lot. All of this sets up a historic -- and some might say inevitable -- showdown in one of the NFL's most heated rivalries: The Ravens and Steelers will battle for the AFC North crown Sunday night in the final regular-season game of the 2025 season.

[Kliff] Kingsbury's head coaching candidacy is interesting despite Washington's struggles. He's a potential fit in Tennessee, with a young quarterback in Cam Ward who fits his style of offense. Las Vegas, should that job open as many around the league expect, will take a hard look at improving its offense. Kingsbury has been selective but is also open to becoming a head coach again. So while he's not the shiniest name because of Washington's record, I could see him being in the mix again.

The 49ers don't come to mind when assessing the NFL's top rushing defenses. They've given ground at 4.3 yards per carry in an area where the term stout isn't used until it gets below 4.0. But the last two games, wins over Indianapolis and Chicago, came against teams that figured to challenge the 49ers at the line of scrimmage and impose their will.

New Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham is bringing Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck with him to be his play-caller at Michigan, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. While the deal has not officially been announced, Whittingham acknowledged the hire during an appearance on ESPN's College Gameday on Thursday, calling the move "huge" for Michigan. "It's going to be a big plus having him there in Ann Arbor," Whittingham said.

I feel like we've found our stride and we've just got to keep it up, Purdy said Wednesday.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Arch Manning made big plays with his arm and his legs Wednesday in the Citrus Bowl, throwing two touchdown passes and putting it away with a 60-yard scoring run in a 41-27 victory that ended a rough month for No. 14 Michigan. Manning was an easy choice as the Citrus Bowl MVP, and that was before he burst up the middle on his 60-yarder that gave the Longhorns (10-3) a 38-27 lead, the first time all game either team led by more than one score.

Before even taking a snap for the Commanders, he was a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, case closed. Wagner never had to come to Washington. He had nothing left to prove. He could have hung up his cleats after the 2023 season, his homecoming to Seattle after spending the prior campaign with the Rams, and he'd have been a surefire bet to be enshrined in Canton exactly five years later.

As we get set for the final weekend of 2025 NFL regular-season games, the handful of remaining playoff races will get most of the attention. But the annual coaching carousel is also on deck, and we could see a lot of movement there as teams hit the offseason. Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been calling sources around the NFL for the latest news and buzz on key coaching situations heading into Week 18.

It goes without saying that the 2025 season has been a disappointment for the Detroit Lions after being eliminated from playoff contention following a Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Following back-to-back NFC North division titles, and a franchise-best 15-win season in 2024, head coach Dan Campbell likened Detroit's current situation to hitting "rock bottom" after being viewed as early Super Bowl contenders to becoming a non-playoff team.

Adversity brings opportunity and this was an opportunity to make things right. I know that not only was I getting scrutinized, but our head coach was as well. As much respect as I have for him, I had to scratch and claw and find some way to get better. With more time, more reps, more games in general, I got better.

His vision between the tackles stands out first, as he consistently identifies creases early, presses his leverage effectively, and understands how to manipulate second-level defenders to create extra yardage. That vision is paired with an electric first step following the mesh point, allowing him to capitalize before the lanes close. And while the former Alabama State-to-Arizona product isn't a back who needs perfect blocking surfaces to be productive, his ability to get north quickly and generate momentum through contact has translated to the professional level.

"He looks like he's doing well from that," coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday. Oliver, who has appeared in only three games this season, has been on injured reserve since Oct. 28 and has had surgery for a torn left bicep. He also dealt with an ankle injury early in the season and has three sacks and a forced fumble. "It probably adds a little bit of cloudiness to his return window," McDermott said.

Hopefully I get to shadow JSN, Lenoir said Sunday night after a 42-38 win over the Bears. I'm ready for this. I hope he's ready. Man to man coverage. Me and him. That's what I want. It's what the Seahawks want as well, given Smith-Njigba's season which has him in the running to be the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year.

I turn into a robot that has no emotions,

"I thought he did some good things," Gannon said of Harrison. "We moved him around the formation. He scored points for us. He got open, caught it. I don't think he's hit his ceiling and look forward to the future with that."

"Luckily for all of us, he's had experience in similar systems," LaFleur said. "He was with Vegas last year with [Packers senior assistant Luke] Getsy. He's been in Atlanta with Arthur Smith, and Arthur and I have obviously worked together before. So there is some common language, I would say. I know, just talking to him, he was in Minnesota, and I'm sure that Kevin [O'Connell's] got so

It was not the only factor. I'm not the Grinch that Stole Christmas. I love Christmas. I love my family. But at the end of the day we have a protocol that we go through, and the process was not followed.

A ton of stuff during this win streak has been about stacking plays, stacking for our team, just positives of complementary football and finding a way to win by any means necessary every single game. And that's credit to players. That's what they've done. And J.J.'s been a huge part of that, really looking at starts seven, eight, nine, and would love to get him another one. But obviously, only if he's medically cleared and can 100% do his job.

Two more NFL teams officially made the postseason during Week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season, and three division titles were clinched. On Christmas Day, a loss for the Lions meant the Packers clinched a playoff spot. But Green Bay's loss to the Ravens on Saturday night allowed the Bears to secure the NFC North title. On Saturday afternoon, the Texans made the playoffs with a win over the Chargers, which also helped the Broncos clinch the AFC West title.