NFL – Winnipeg Free Press

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates his touchdown catch next to Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Riq Woolen’s ill-advised taunting penalty nearly foils Seahawks’ bid for Super Bowl berth

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 4 minute read 1:14 AM CST

SEATTLE (AP) — An alternate reality exists in which Riq Woolen’s name becomes infamous for countless Seattle sports fans.

Thankfully for those aficionados, such isn’t the case on account of the Seattle Seahawks’ 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game that clinched the franchise's fourth Super Bowl berth. Still, that didn’t keep Woolen from taking ownership for an ill-advised taunting penalty.

With the Seahawks leading 31-20 late in the third quarter on Sam Darnold’s 13-yard TD pass, Woolen was flagged for taunting after breaking up a pass to Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua on third-and-12, giving Los Angeles a first down.

On the next play, Stafford threw at Woolen again, and Nacua beat him in the corner of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown.

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Patriots punch ticket to 12th Super Bowl with gritty 10-7 win over Broncos in snowy Denver

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Patriots punch ticket to 12th Super Bowl with gritty 10-7 win over Broncos in snowy Denver

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:14 PM CST

DENVER (AP) — Drake Maye handled the sloppy, snowy conditions better than the home team and he scored New England’s only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game Sunday.

Maye threw for just 86 yards, but ran for 65 and iced the win with a 7-yard keeper on third-and-5 in the waning minutes to send the Patriots (17-3) to the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel's first year as coach.

The Patriots will play the Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game, on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.

“I’m just proud of this team,” said the 23-year-old Maye, who's the second-youngest starting quarterback to reach the Super Bowl, behind only Miami's Dan Marino. “Don’t have many words. Just thankful for this team. Love each and every one of them. It took everybody.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:14 PM CST

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands off against the Denver Broncos during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Patriots weather Broncos, Seahawks beat Rams to set Super Bowl matchup

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Patriots weather Broncos, Seahawks beat Rams to set Super Bowl matchup

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:13 PM CST

DENVER (AP) — Drake Maye ran for 68 yards and threw for 86 in sloppy, snowy conditions and scored New England’s only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Christian Gonzalez intercepted Jarrett Stidham, starting in place of an injured Bo Nix, at New England’s 36 with 2:11 remaining and the Patriots (17-3) iced their first playoff win in Denver when Maye ran for 7 yards on third-and-5 from his 41.

New England became the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with 10 points or less. Buffalo beat Denver 10-7 in the 1991 AFC title game, and the Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay 9-0 in the 1979 NFC championship game.

The Broncos (15-4) finished one step shy of fulfilling Sean Payton’s preseason prediction of a trip to Super Bowl 60.

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Yesterday at 9:13 PM CST

New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses (76) and tight end Hunter Henry celebrate after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker arrested on gun possession charge at LaGuardia Airport

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker arrested on gun possession charge at LaGuardia Airport

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker has been arrested after police say he presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials at LaGuardia Airport.

Port Authority police said Walker was arrested Friday morning after they responded to a request for a firearms check at LaGuardia’s Terminal C. Police said the 25-year-old had checked in at Delta and had presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials.

Arthur Aidala, the lawyer representing Walker, said his client voluntarily disclosed an unloaded, secured firearm upon his arrival at the airport. Aidala said Walker was arrested because his license wasn’t valid in New York.

“We are confident the matter will eventually be dismissed,” Aidala said via email.

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Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026

FILE - Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker (63) blocks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko, File)

Rams’ McVay and Stafford lament missed opportunities as they fall short of Super Bowl

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Rams’ McVay and Stafford lament missed opportunities as they fall short of Super Bowl

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 4 minute read 12:33 AM CST

SEATTLE (AP) — Sean McVay had zero interest in discussing whether Matthew Stafford, his soon-to-be 38-year-old quarterback, will be back for the Los Angeles Rams next year.

McVay had a bit more to say about how his team came up short against the Seattle Seahawks yet again on Sunday, losing 31-27 in the NFC championship game. The Rams lost twice in a two-month span at Seattle, falling 38-37 in December when the Seahawks converted two 2-point conversions in regulation and a third in overtime.

This loss denied the Rams a chance of winning the franchise's third Super Bowl and the second and five years for McVay and Stafford.

“I’m never really short on words, and I am right now,” McVay said. “It’s tough, but this is sports, and you got to be able to deal with it.”

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12:33 AM CST

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches from the sideline during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Sharpe scores 27 points as Trail Blazers beat Heat 127-110 for 4th straight win

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Sharpe scores 27 points as Trail Blazers beat Heat 127-110 for 4th straight win

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shaedon Sharpe scored 27 points and had seven rebounds and four steals, and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak to four games with a 127-110 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Deni Avdija added 20 points before leaving with a back injury. Caleb Love also had 20 points, Toumani Camara had 16 and Jrue Holiday 15 for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 21 and won for the 11th time in 14 games. Their 9-2 mark in January is the best in the NBA.

At 23-22, it's the first time the Trail Blazers are over .500 through 45 games since the 2020-2021 season.

Bam Adebayo scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Heat. Norman Powell added 18 points and Simone Fontecchio had 17.

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Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Jesse Minter to be their next head coach

The Associated Press 1 minute read Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Jesse Minter to be their next head coach.

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He lined fields. He did laundry. Jeff Hafley took the hard road toward coaching the Miami Dolphins

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

He lined fields. He did laundry. Jeff Hafley took the hard road toward coaching the Miami Dolphins

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jeff Hafley was a football coach before he was a football coach.

The new coach of the Miami Dolphins played his college football at Siena, with home games before small crowds at what was a decaying minor-league baseball field in a suburb of Albany, New York. Hafley dealt with multiple injuries in those years but was eager to stay involved, so he helped coaches break down film and even was in the booth with them on many game days.

Little did he know he'd found his calling.

Those Siena teams weren't very good. The program folded in 2003 for financial reasons. Even the field that the team called home has long since been demolished.

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Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, right, walks off the field with his daughters Leah, left, Hope, second from left, and wife Gina, second from right, after a news conference at the teams NFL football training facility, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Buccaneers hired Zac Robinson to be their offensive coordinator

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

The Buccaneers hired Zac Robinson to be their offensive coordinator

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Zac Robinson to be their offensive coordinator.

Robinson was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons after serving as pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach for two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, where Baker Mayfield started four games in 2022.

“Zac is one of the bright offensive minds in our game, and during the interview process, I was very impressed with his plan for getting the most out of the talent we have on that side of the ball," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. "He has a very good understanding of the strengths of our top offensive players from his time in the division the past two years and I am very confident in his ability to teach and develop our young players.”

Robinson is Tampa Bay’s fifth offensive coordinator in five years. Byron Leftwich was fired after the 2022 season. Dave Canales helped Mayfield revive his career in 2023 and became Carolina’s head coach. Mayfield had his best season in 2024 under Liam Coen, who left to become Jacksonville’s head coach.

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Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

FILE - Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson works during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Sean Payton has second thoughts about passing up easy field goal in Broncos’ AFC title game loss

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Sean Payton has second thoughts about passing up easy field goal in Broncos’ AFC title game loss

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:45 PM CST

DENVER (AP) — Sean Payton conceded he will have second thoughts about his decision to pass up an easy field goal, as well as the play he called instead.

The Denver Broncos and their fans now have the entire offseason to argue over which part of that critical fourth-and-1 play was worse.

Because Payton decided not to kick a chip-shot field goal for a 10-0 lead in good weather in the first half of Sunday's AFC championship game against the New England Patriots, the Broncos ended up needing to make a kick once the blowing snow and wind rolled in after halftime. The decision played an integral role in Denver's 10-7 loss.

“There’s always regrets,” Payton said. “I felt like here were are, fourth-and-1, close enough — it’s also a call you make based on the team you’re playing and what you’re watching on the other side of the ball. Yeah, there will always be second thoughts.”

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Yesterday at 7:45 PM CST

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) misses a field goal attempt against the New England Patriots during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Eric Bieniemy returns to Kansas City Chiefs as offensive coordinator

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Eric Bieniemy returns to Kansas City Chiefs as offensive coordinator

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back Eric Bieniemy to serve as their offensive coordinator next season.

The 56-year-old Bieniemy spent a decade working alongside coach Andy Reid in Kansas City, first over five seasons as the running backs coach and then five seasons as the offensive coordinator. He was part of the braintrust that helped turn Patrick Mahomes into one of the NFL's biggest stars and the Chiefs into a perennial Super Bowl contender.

Bieniemy took over Friday for Matt Nagy, who has been linked to several head coaching vacancies, and who may ultimately end up as the offensive coordinator elsewhere. Nagy recently interviewed for that position in Philadelphia.

"Thank you coach for everything! Made me a better player and man!” Mahomes told Nagy in a post on social media Friday.

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Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

FILE - Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy smiles before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Dec. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

Seattle Seahawks advance to Super Bowl, beating Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in NFC championship game

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 8:53 PM CST

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Seahawks advance to Super Bowl, beating Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in NFC championship game.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski gets 2nd interview for Browns’ head coach opening

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski gets 2nd interview for Browns’ head coach opening

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

CLEVELAND (AP) — Grant Udinski completed his second interview with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy on Friday.

The 30-year old Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator had his first interview with the team on Jan. 17.

Udinski just completed his first season with the Jaguars. Even though coach Liam Coen called the offensive plays, Udinski directed a unit that was sixth in the league in scoring (27.9 points per game) and 11th in total offense (337.4 points per game).

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence accounted for 38 touchdowns (29 passing, nine rushing) as Jacksonville went 13-4 in the regular season and won the AFC South for the first time since 2022. The Jaguars lost to Buffalo in the wild-card round last Sunday.

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Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski walks the sideline during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

New England Patriots advance to their 12th Super Bowl, beating Denver Broncos 10-7 in snowy AFC championship game

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 5:04 PM CST

DENVER (AP) — New England Patriots advance to their 12th Super Bowl, beating Denver Broncos 10-7 in snowy AFC championship game.

WR Cooper Kupp remains invaluable to Seahawks ahead of NFC championship game against former team

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

WR Cooper Kupp remains invaluable to Seahawks ahead of NFC championship game against former team

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Perhaps it was because of his ever-growing playoff beard that veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp felt inclined to comment on how hot it was inside the Seattle Seahawks’ meeting room Thursday.

On a balmy January day in the Emerald City, Kupp stood before a gaggle of reporters in a tank top after cracking wise, just as he has so often in his first season with the Seahawks. But for those who know him best, it’s hardly a facade that Kupp puts on in front of the press.

Rather, it’s an extension of who the 32-year-old Kupp, in his ninth NFL season, is and always has been ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game between the Seahawks and his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. He is consistently optimistic.

"He’s the same person every day, and you can count on him,” said Seahawks running back Cam Akers, who was also Kupp’s teammate with the Rams. “You can count on him to be exactly where you need him to be at the right time every time. So, consistency, being a true leader without having to say much.”

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Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a ball during practice Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Seattle at the team's facilities ahead of the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Cowboys are close to hiring Philadelphia’s Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, AP sources say

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Cowboys are close to hiring Philadelphia’s Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, AP sources say

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

The Dallas Cowboys are close to an agreement to hire Philadelphia passing game coordinator Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator, two people with knowledge of the plan said Thursday.

Parker interviewed in person on Wednesday. The sides were finalizing the contract a day later, the people told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't official.

The 34-year-old Parker just finished his second season in his current role with the Eagles, who were NFC East champions both times and won the Super Bowl last season. Philadelphia is the first repeat winner in the division in 21 years.

The Eagles were among the NFL's best overall and against the pass on defense the past two seasons, including leading the league in pass defense in 2024.

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Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

January 26, 2026

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