National Football League

National Football League

Signed off Raiders' practice squad: QB Cam Miller

PASADENA, Calif. -- Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was replaced by backup Austin Mack in the third quarter of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl with an apparent injury. Simpson fumbled on a hard hit to his midsection late in the first half against Indiana and was on the field to start the second half for the Crimson Tide, but he was benched after a three-and-out.

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

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.

"I'm not trying to plateau, I'm not trying to break even. I'm not trying to peak. I'm just trying to get better," Davis said. "And like when I'm getting better, it's like an indicator that I'm on the right track. And so, because I've done that, I think that gives me a lot of confidence that I'm looking forward to returning."

[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.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Ahead of their final regular-season game at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills are once again requesting help shoveling snow out of the stands.

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.

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.