Courtesy of Footballguys.com
NE - Owner expects Bill Belichick back
Source: SI.com - Peter King
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he absolutely believes that head coach Bill Belichick will return to the team next season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Amid reports of problems between Kraft, Belichick and QB Tom Brady, of course the team would say that the veteran coach will return. There are other reports that Belichick could have interest in the Giants job and may force his way out of New England. It seems like the NFL's version of Rome is burning and it would not be a shock to see things change after the playoffs. On the other hand, people love talking about the Patriots and this could all be smoke.
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PIT - WR Antonio Brown will be ready to play
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown (calf) will be ready to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and should be completely recovered from his calf injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That was the plan all along. Brown missed the last two games of the regular season dealing with this calf injury. The Steelers are watching the playoffs this week as they have a bye because they finished as the no2 seed in the AFC. Getting Brown back will be huge for their chances in the playoffs.
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NO - WR Ted Ginn burns old teammates
Source: The Associated Press
New Orleans Saints WR Ted Ginn Jr. posted four receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 7. The big play was an 80-yard touchdown against his former team.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Ginn was certainly motivated going up against his old teammates. He showed off his trademark speed and came through with great concentration on his catches.
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CAR - WR Devin Funchess fights through injury
Source: The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess (ankle, shoulder) fought through multiple injuries in the NFC Wild Card Game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 7, finishing with four receptions for 79 yards. He rolled his ankle early in the game, and his pre-existing left shoulder injury caused him to play with his arm hanging limp at times during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The ankle injury looked gruesome, but Funchess was able to get back into the game and make big plays. The Panthers put up a fight but fell short to the Saints. Funchess will continue as the primary WR for the Panthers in 2018.
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TEN - RB Derrick Henry expected to start
Source: The Tennessean - Jason Wolf
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry is expected to start in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Mularkey indicated Sunday, Jan. 7.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That's the smart move for the Titans. Henry can be their battering ram against the Patriots, and their best shot of winning comes if the young runner can have a big game.
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TEN - RB DeMarco Murray not yet ruled out
Source: The Tennessean - Jason Wolf
Tennessee Titans RB DeMarco Murray (knee) has not yet been ruled out for the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Mularkey said Sunday, Jan. 7.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
They'll watch Murray as the week of practice goes on. Either way, they should turn to Derrick Henry as their lead back in the Divisional Round.
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BUF - RB LeSean McCoy surpasses 100 total yards
Source: ESPN.com
Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also caught six passes for 44 yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
McCoy clearly wasn't himself as he came into this game battling an ankle injury that limited him in practice all week. He did what he could and fought through the ankle problem but the Bills couldn't get much offense generated around him.
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JAX - Three Jaguars WRs not involved
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars WRs Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and Keelan Cole were each targeted one time against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7, but all three finished with zero receptions. Lee did have one carry for five yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The wind was about 20 MPH in Jacksonville, so QB Blake Bortles had a difficult time connecting on even the simplest passes. They'll need more from Bortles and these WRs in the Divisional Round against the Steelers.
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JAX - RB Leonard Fournette finishes with 57 yards
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette rushed for 57 yards on 21 carries against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also caught three passes for 21 yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Bills were really focused on shutting down Fournette and they did that for the most part. They wanted to dare QB Blake Bortles to beat them with his arm by taking Fournette away as a runner. It's ironic that it was Bortles rushing stats (88 yards, 10 carries) that successfully moved the ball for Jacksonville on Sunday. Next week against the Steelers, expect Fournette to get all the work he can handle in the Divisional Round.
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JAX - QB Blake Bortles more successful with legs
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also went 12-for-23 for 87 yards and one touchdown during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It was a windy day in Jacksonville, and Bortles did not look good even on simple throws. However, his game seemed to settle down once he started running. They'll need a better performance from Bortles if they get into an offensive shootout against the Steelers in the Divisional Round.
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NE - RB James White expects to be ready
Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots RB James White (ankle) said he expects to be available for the Divisional Round playoff game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Patriots are watching the playoffs this week as they get a bye as the AFC's top seed. White should be ready to go, and we should see Rex Burkhead out there for the Divisional Round as well. The Patriots backfield is getting healthy at the right time as they prepare to make yet another deep postseason run.
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TEN - Mike Mularkey will return
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey will return as the head coach next season, according to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There was a lot of buzz about the Titans wanting to make a run at Patriots OC Josh McDaniels. Then they made the playoffs...then they traveled to Kansas City and beat the Chiefs on Wild Card Weekend...and now Mularkey's job is safe.
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SF - WR Pierre Garcon should be ready for workouts
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers WR Pierre Garcon (neck) should be ready for the start of the offseason workouts.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Getting Garcon back out there should be a great boost for the 49ers passing game. They'll get together with QB Jimmy Garoppolo to sign him to a franchise quarterback-level contract, then they'll start to assemble better weapons around him for 2018 and beyond. In his first season with the 49ers, Garcon played in eight games catching 40 passes for 500 yards and zero touchdowns. If healthy, Garcon could easily double those numbers (and snare 5-7 touchdowns) in 2018.
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Source: footballguys.com
NE - Owner expects Bill Belichick back
Source: SI.com - Peter King
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he absolutely believes that head coach Bill Belichick will return to the team next season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Amid reports of problems between Kraft, Belichick and QB Tom Brady, of course the team would say that the veteran coach will return. There are other reports that Belichick could have interest in the Giants job and may force his way out of New England. It seems like the NFL's version of Rome is burning and it would not be a shock to see things change after the playoffs. On the other hand, people love talking about the Patriots and this could all be smoke.
Back to Top
PIT - WR Antonio Brown will be ready to play
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown (calf) will be ready to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and should be completely recovered from his calf injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That was the plan all along. Brown missed the last two games of the regular season dealing with this calf injury. The Steelers are watching the playoffs this week as they have a bye because they finished as the no2 seed in the AFC. Getting Brown back will be huge for their chances in the playoffs.
Back to Top
NO - WR Ted Ginn burns old teammates
Source: The Associated Press
New Orleans Saints WR Ted Ginn Jr. posted four receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 7. The big play was an 80-yard touchdown against his former team.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Ginn was certainly motivated going up against his old teammates. He showed off his trademark speed and came through with great concentration on his catches.
Back to Top
CAR - WR Devin Funchess fights through injury
Source: The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess (ankle, shoulder) fought through multiple injuries in the NFC Wild Card Game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 7, finishing with four receptions for 79 yards. He rolled his ankle early in the game, and his pre-existing left shoulder injury caused him to play with his arm hanging limp at times during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The ankle injury looked gruesome, but Funchess was able to get back into the game and make big plays. The Panthers put up a fight but fell short to the Saints. Funchess will continue as the primary WR for the Panthers in 2018.
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TEN - RB Derrick Henry expected to start
Source: The Tennessean - Jason Wolf
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry is expected to start in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Mularkey indicated Sunday, Jan. 7.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That's the smart move for the Titans. Henry can be their battering ram against the Patriots, and their best shot of winning comes if the young runner can have a big game.
Back to Top
TEN - RB DeMarco Murray not yet ruled out
Source: The Tennessean - Jason Wolf
Tennessee Titans RB DeMarco Murray (knee) has not yet been ruled out for the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Mularkey said Sunday, Jan. 7.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
They'll watch Murray as the week of practice goes on. Either way, they should turn to Derrick Henry as their lead back in the Divisional Round.
Back to Top
BUF - RB LeSean McCoy surpasses 100 total yards
Source: ESPN.com
Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also caught six passes for 44 yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
McCoy clearly wasn't himself as he came into this game battling an ankle injury that limited him in practice all week. He did what he could and fought through the ankle problem but the Bills couldn't get much offense generated around him.
Back to Top
JAX - Three Jaguars WRs not involved
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars WRs Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and Keelan Cole were each targeted one time against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7, but all three finished with zero receptions. Lee did have one carry for five yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The wind was about 20 MPH in Jacksonville, so QB Blake Bortles had a difficult time connecting on even the simplest passes. They'll need more from Bortles and these WRs in the Divisional Round against the Steelers.
Back to Top
JAX - RB Leonard Fournette finishes with 57 yards
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette rushed for 57 yards on 21 carries against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also caught three passes for 21 yards during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Bills were really focused on shutting down Fournette and they did that for the most part. They wanted to dare QB Blake Bortles to beat them with his arm by taking Fournette away as a runner. It's ironic that it was Bortles rushing stats (88 yards, 10 carries) that successfully moved the ball for Jacksonville on Sunday. Next week against the Steelers, expect Fournette to get all the work he can handle in the Divisional Round.
Back to Top
JAX - QB Blake Bortles more successful with legs
Source: ESPN.com
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 7. He also went 12-for-23 for 87 yards and one touchdown during the game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It was a windy day in Jacksonville, and Bortles did not look good even on simple throws. However, his game seemed to settle down once he started running. They'll need a better performance from Bortles if they get into an offensive shootout against the Steelers in the Divisional Round.
Back to Top
NE - RB James White expects to be ready
Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots RB James White (ankle) said he expects to be available for the Divisional Round playoff game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Patriots are watching the playoffs this week as they get a bye as the AFC's top seed. White should be ready to go, and we should see Rex Burkhead out there for the Divisional Round as well. The Patriots backfield is getting healthy at the right time as they prepare to make yet another deep postseason run.
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TEN - Mike Mularkey will return
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey will return as the head coach next season, according to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There was a lot of buzz about the Titans wanting to make a run at Patriots OC Josh McDaniels. Then they made the playoffs...then they traveled to Kansas City and beat the Chiefs on Wild Card Weekend...and now Mularkey's job is safe.
Back to Top
SF - WR Pierre Garcon should be ready for workouts
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers WR Pierre Garcon (neck) should be ready for the start of the offseason workouts.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Getting Garcon back out there should be a great boost for the 49ers passing game. They'll get together with QB Jimmy Garoppolo to sign him to a franchise quarterback-level contract, then they'll start to assemble better weapons around him for 2018 and beyond. In his first season with the 49ers, Garcon played in eight games catching 40 passes for 500 yards and zero touchdowns. If healthy, Garcon could easily double those numbers (and snare 5-7 touchdowns) in 2018.
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Source: footballguys.com