The first day on the market, Lovie Smith review 4 interview invitations

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 31, 2012, 7:08 PM EST

Getty Images

Lovie Smith was one of seven NFL head coaches fired today. He’s also a candidate to replace four of the other six fired coaches.

Smith has already been contacted by four teams about their head-coaching vacancies, ESPN reported on SportsCenter. The report did not say which of the six other teams that fired their coaches — the Chiefs, Chargers, Browns, Cardinals, Bills and Eagles — are interested in Smith. But if Smith is interested, he’ll be a very busy man over the next couple of weeks.

Although Smith was fired after his team collapsed over the second half of back-to-back seasons, it’s easy to see why other teams would be interested: Smith won three division titles with the Bears, reached the Super Bowl and was the NFL’s coach of the year for the 2005 season.

Some NFL teams may also be eager to interview Smith because any team that interviews Smith has satisfied the requirements of the Rooney Rule, which states that any team with a head-coaching vacancy must interview at least one minority before making a hire.

Smith was also a well-regarded defensive assistant, first with the Buccaneers and then with the Rams, before becoming a head coach. So if Smith wants to work in 2013, he’ll find a job quickly.

Andy Reid to interview for Cardinals' coaching job

Posted by Darin Gantt on December 31, 2012, 6:04 PM EST

Getty Images

Current defensive coordinator Ray Horton was established as a candidate for the Cardinals head coaching job already.

But team president Michael Bidwill just said during a press conference that he was also going to interview former Eagles coach Andy Reid and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as well, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

One of these things is not like the others.

The Cardinals have never been known for their free-spending habits, and Reid represents a significant step up in price-range from Horton or McCoy.

Bidwill also said he was “not ready to give up on Kevin Kolb yet,” and that the Kolb issue would be one he brought up with potential candidates.

Reid has already fleeced the Cardinals on Kolb once, so perhaps this would be a chance to make it up to them. The Cardinals gave Reid’s Eagles a second-round pick and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for the right to give Kolb a $63 million contract.

Or it might be Reid’s realization that his market might not be as strong as he’d hoped, and that he might need to take the first chair offered.

Josh McDaniels tells teams he won't interview

Posted by Josh Alper on December 31, 2012, 5:56 PM EST

Getty Images

Earlier on Monday, we shared a quote from Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in which he said that he was going to keep his focus on the job he has “right now” in regard to queries about interest in head coaching vacancies.

The phrasing was such that it seemed McDaniels was being careful to note that he has responsibilities to the Patriots while making sure that potentially interested parties heard that he was also open to a change in title. According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, we parsed McDaniels’ words a bit too much.

It now seems McDaniels meant that his focus will only be on the job he has right now and that he’s not going to be actively pursuing another one this offseason. Schefter reports that McDaniels has called teams looking for head coaches to tell them that he will be remaining in New England and won’t be interviewing for another shot at being the man in charge of a team even though he would like to be a head coach again one day.

McDaniels’ stint as a head coach in Denver for most of two seasons did not go well, leading to his firing and a brief stay in St. Louis as the offensive coordinator before making his way back to New England before the end of last season. McDaniels has overseen another good Patriots offense this year, something that had pushed his name back into circulation for head coaching openings.

If this report is true, McDaniels isn’t a buyer of such chatter and thinks that he’ll be better served by another year at Bill Belichick’s side.

Mike Munchak will coach the Titans in 2013

Posted by Darin Gantt on December 31, 2012, 12:02 PM EST

AP

While several of his hot-seat brethren are already out of work today, Titans coach Mike Munchak just found out he gets to keep his chair.

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that Titans owner Bud Adams has told Munchakhe’s safe for next year.

Of course, Munchak will need to get a quarterback healthy and then make him better if he’s going to hang onto that job more than next year.

Munchak’s longtime ties to Adams from his days as an Oilers offensive lineman and assistant coach helped. With a 15-17 record, he probably won’t have many more chances to turn things around.

Bills, Bears, Chargers, Chiefs, Browns, Eagles and Cardinals fire their coaches

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 31, 2012, 12:10 PM EST

AP

I noted in my Monday morning column today that it’s the worst day of the NFL year: Black Monday, when coaches and executives lose their job.

This Black Monday is even crueler than most.

Before noon, six NFL teams had fired their head coaches: The Bills fired Chan Gailey, the Bears fired Lovie Smith, the Chiefs fired Romeo Crennel, the Browns fired Pat Shurmur and the Eagles fired Andy Reid, and although the Chargers haven’t formally announced that Norv Turner is fired, everyone in San Diego knows that decision has already been made and is just being announced later in the day because the Chargers are on Pacific time.

Four general managers — Cleveland’s Tom Heckert, San Diego’s A.J. Smith, Jacksonville’s Gene Smith and the Jets’ Mike Tannenbaum — are also out.

Coaches who haven’t yet learned their fates include Arizona’s Ken Whisenhunt, Carolina’s Ron Rivera and Jacksonville’s Mike Mularkey.

To keep on top of all of the news in the NFL coaching world, regularly refresh ourPFT coaching and front office hiring and firing tracker.

Note: The Cardinals have also fired GM Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Report: Lovie Smith fired in Chicago

Ian Rappaport just announced that the Chicago Bears have fired long-time head coach Lovie Smith.  No news on other personnel changes for the Bears at this time.

Playoff Picture - Wild Card Weekend

Adrian Peterson joins the 2,000 yard club, just misses all-time mark

ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS -- Adrian Peterson ran right past everyone this season. Past all those running backs before him who couldn't make it to 2,000 yards in a season. Past every doubter who dared to think he wouldn't make it back from a devastating knee injury.

Past everyone except Eric Dickerson.

Peterson became the seventh player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, plowing through the Green Bay Packers for a 20-yard gain that put him over the top in the third quarter Sunday. He finished with 199 yards and a touchdown in the 37-34 victory, leaving him nine yards shy of breaking Dickerson's single-season record.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Jim MoneJamarca Sanford carries Adrian Peterson off the field near the end of Sunday's game.

"Ultimately we got the 'W'," Peterson said after carrying the ball a career-high 34 times. "We said during the week, if it happens, it happens. Don't focus on it."

Peterson needed 208 yards when the day began to break Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. His 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter set up Blair Walsh's winning field goal, a kick that clinched a playoff berth for the Vikings. He'll have to settle for the second-best total -- 2,097 yards -- and a trip to Lambeau Field for a playoff rematch next Saturday night.

"I know Eric Dickerson is feeling so good right now," Peterson said with a chuckle, referencing public comments from Dickerson a few weeks back saying he hoped Peterson didn't break his record. "But God willing, I'll get it next year."

Dickerson exalted in keeping the record but also congratulated Peterson on Twitter.

"AdrianPeterson Just want to say that you are a Great player & if my record had to fall, I would like it to go to a player like you AP. ED," Dickerson tweeted.

The New Orleans Saints also rewrote the NFL record books Sunday, as Drew Brees became the first player to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season three times. His four TD passes gave him 43 in 2012, and he's the first player with 40 TD passes in consecutive seasons.

The Saints defense gave up 530 yards, raising their season total to 7,042 to break the old record of 6,793 allowed by the 1981 Baltimore Colts.

It also was a record-setting day for Seattle's Russell Wilson, who tied Peyton Manning's NFL record for most touchdown passes by a rookie with 26 after a third-quarter score in a 20-13 win over St. Louis.

Detroit's Matthew Stafford finished the season with an NFL-record 727 pass attempts, topping Drew Bledsoe's mark of 691 from 1994. But he fell short of a second consecutive 5,000-yard season, finishing at 4,967.

Magnificent Seven

Adrian Peterson became the seventh player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. Peterson ran for 2,097 yards in 2012, the second-most in NFL history and just 9 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season record.

Most Single-Season Rushing Yards,
NFL History

Year	Player	Yards	Team
1984	Eric Dickerson	2,105	Rams
2012	A. Peterson	2,097	MIN
2003	Jamal Lewis	2,066	BAL
1997	Barry Sanders	2,053	DET
1998	Terrell Davis	2,008	DEN
2009	Chris Johnson	2,006	TEN
1973	O.J. Simpson	2,003	BUF

• Stats & Info: 2012 NFL records

Houston's J.J. Watt failed to eclipse Michael Strahan's NFL sacks record (22 1/2). Watt finished with 20 1/2, while 49ers linebackerAldon Smith went without a sack for the third straight game, winding up with 19 1/2.

Even without the rushing record, Peterson's remarkable comeback season now has a magic number to punctuate it.

Peterson came in 102 yards shy of joining O.J. Simpson, Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis,Jamal Lewis and Chris Johnson in the 2,000-yard club. Peterson is the only one to do it after reconstructive knee surgery, and he did it on the one-year anniversary of his knee surgery.

"He is without question the best running back in our game and truly, in my mind, the MVP of our league," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "We don't win this game without Adrian Peterson."

Sanders also praised Peterson on Twitter.

"I'd like to congratulate @AdrianPeterson on an amazing season, comeback, and career thus far," Sanders tweeted. "Its nice to welcome you to the 2K club."

The Vikings punted a few plays after Peterson's big run, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation when the achievement was announced. Peterson took it all in stride, waving politely, but otherwise not making anything special out of it in a game the Vikings needed to win to make the playoffs. He simply didn't have time to reflect on the long, arduous path it took for him to get there after tearing the ACL in his left knee.

It was only last December when Peterson crumpled to the turf in Washington, two ligaments torn, leaving many to wonder if his career would ever be the same.

Well, it hasn't been.

Peterson vowed from the very beginning to return better than ever from an injury that has ended the careers of so many before him. There weren't many believers, including in his own locker room.

But a combination of uncommon genetics, unshakable determination and a smart rehabilitation plan from Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman had Peterson back in the starting lineup on opening day.

More Packers-Vikings Coverage

Will 2,097 yards and a playoff berth be enough to make Adrian Peterson the NFL's MVP? The Vikings running back thinks so, writes Kevin Seifert. Blog

• Seifert: Vikes surprise themselves
• Williamson: Vikes repeat in GB? 
• Reax | NFC North Blog | Playoff sked

Peterson scored two touchdowns in the opener but didn't top 100 yards in a game until Week 4 when he went for 102 against the Lions. As the season went on, the scar tissue in his knee started to break up and Peterson took off like a purple rocket.

His cuts are sharper, his vision better and his patience is making the difference between a 4-yard plunge through the line and a 40-yard dash down the sideline.

He went on a breathtaking eight-game run, amassing 1,313 yards and topping 200 yards twice in four games to vault into the MVP discussion and make 2,000 yards a possibility.

When asked this week to describe his running style in one word, Peterson replied: "Vicious."

That certainly sums it up.

He got off to a fast start with 61 yards and a touchdown on the first two drives, hearing chants of "MVP! MVP!" just before he surged into the end zone for a 7-yard score and a 10-0 Vikings lead. He also had runs of 12 and 21 yards early to get the Vikings going in this win-and-they're-in game.

"I don't let awards identify me," Peterson said. "I don't do it. I go out and define myself by what I do on the field. Whether I win it or not, and I'm not saying I don't want to, just like I wanted to break the record, either way, in my heart I'm the MVP. That's all that matters."

The Vikings have followed Peterson's lead in what most observers expected to be a rebuilding year. Peterson has carried the offense on his broad shoulders, turning the Vikings into a throwback attack that relies almost exclusively on the run for its big plays.

"Congrats to (Adrian) Peterson on becoming the 7th member of the 2K club," Johnson tweeted, "now let's see who can run down ED."

With second-year quarterback Christian Ponder going through some highs and lows, and the Vikings missing top receiver Percy Harvin with an ankle injury, the passing offense has ranked last in the league. Peterson is averaging more yards per rush than Ponder does per pass and his seven rushes of 50 yards tied him with Sanders in 1997 for the NFL record.

All the while, Peterson has said he'd take the first postseason berth in three years over 2,000 yards any day. But it was no secret that the individual achievement was important to him.

Unlike baseball, the NFL has few numbers that immediately grab the public's attention. One of those is 2,000 yards, especially in this new pass-happy league. Peterson entered the game with 1,898 yards, more than 400 better than Seattle's Marshawn Lynch, who was in second place.

"Adrian so many times made plays on his own," Frazier said. "He's special in every way."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Jets keep Rex Ryan, fire Tannenbaum

Posted by Josh Alper on December 31, 2012, 9:21 AM EST

AP

The Jets’ miserable season ended with a 28-9 loss to the Bills on Sunday and the fallout from the mess they made of 2012 started early on Monday morning.

A little after 9 a.m. ET, the team announced that General Manager Mike Tannenbaum will not return to the team in 2013. In a statement, owner Woody Johnson also announced that Rex Ryan would remain the team’s head coach.

“This morning, I informed Mike Tannenbaum that he will not return for the 2013 season,” Johnson said in the statement. “Mike devoted 15 years of service to the Jets, and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication.  Although he helped guide us to two consecutive AFC Championship games, we are not where we want to be, and a new General Manager will be critical to getting this team back on the right track.”

Tannenbaum helped put together the roster that went to a pair of AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010, but he wasn’t able to keep the roster stocked with enough talent to avoid a 14-18 record over the last two seasons. Most damningly, the Jets went into games with the least talented offensive skill position players in the league during the 2012 season and they never found a way to put an effective offense on the field.

Tannenbaum also made several questionable contract decisions in recent years, including guaranteeing money to fading players like Bart Scott and extending Mark Sanchez before this season. The latter move guaranteed Sanchez $8.25 million for 2013 and put a massive cap hit in place if the Jets decided to cut bait, complicating their quarterback position as they try to improve heading into next season. There’s a lot of work to be done to get the Jets under the cap heading into next season, something that will be job one for the next G.M.

Recent reports indicated that the Jets might try to keep Tannenbaum in a cap management role going forward while finding a new personnel man to serve as General Manager. They’ve opted not to go that route, though, and Johnson announced that the team has hired a search firm to help them find the next man to run their football operations.

Report: Chiefs fire Romeo Crennel, keep Scott Pioli

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 31, 2012, 9:12 AM EST

AP

As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs are firing head coach Romeo Crennel but not firing General Manager Scott Pioli today.

We noted on Sunday that the talk in league circles was that Crennel was gone but Pioli was not, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning that that’s exactly the situation in Kansas City: The Chiefs will announce today that Crennel is out, but they won’t fire Pioli, at least not yet.

The Chiefs earned the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft with this year’s 2-14 record, so Crennel’s firing is no surprise. The big question facing Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is whether he wants to entrust Pioli with the decision of how to use that first overall pick, which will go a long way toward shaping the Chiefs’ rebuilding effort.

Crennel has had some success as an NFL defensive coordinator, but his head coaching record is 28-55. At age 65, this was surely Crennel’s last chance to be a head coach in the NFL. The 47-year-old Pioli may not be done just yet.

Report: Browns axe Shurmer and Heckert

Posted by Josh Alper on December 31, 2012, 9:11 AM EST

Getty Images

The heads started rolling with Jaguars General Manager Gene Smith on Black Monday morning and it seems that Browns coach Pat Shurmur is the next man to walk the plank.

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that the Browns have done the expected and ended Shurmur’s tenure as coach after two years. Glazer also reports that General Manager Tom Heckert will be let go too as the Browns’ new owner Jimmy Haslam and new CEO Joe Banner install their own team this offseason.

Shurmur posted a 9-23 record in his two years as the coach of the Browns, extending the team’s run without a postseason berth to 10 years. The team does seem to be in better shape now than when Shurmur arrived to the team, with Heckert adding some useful talent over the last two drafts, but it didn’t develop enough for either man to stick around as part of the new regime remolding the team.

There wasn’t much mystery about what the Browns were going to do on Monday and it doesn’t look like they’ll be doing anything to stretch out the suspense. A press conference is expected to start shortly.

Jaguars have fired GM Gene Smith

Posted by Darin Gantt on December 31, 2012, 8:24 AM EST

AP

The Jaguars have made it official, announcing the firing of general manager Gene Smith Monday morning.

“Now it is time for the Jacksonville Jaguars to begin a new chapter,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “We’re not looking back. I’ve made it clear from Day One that we pledge nothing less than to deliver the first Super Bowl championship to Jacksonville.”

“Our fans have been remarkably loyal over the years, n they were truly outstanding this past season.We simply must do better for [ou]r fans

There’s been no word yet on a timetable, or the future of coach Mike Mularkey, though any GM candidate might reasonably want to hire his own guy.

Of course, there might also be pressure on those candidates to bring in a certain quarterback, something those candidates will have to weigh whether they want their name attached to.

Report: Jon Gruden will interview for NFL jobs

Posted by Darin Gantt on December 31, 2012, 8:46 AM EST

AP

ESPN analyst Jon Gruden has publicly proclaimed his intention to stay in the television booth.

But he’s telling teams who are about to have head coaching vacancies something different.

According to Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, Gruden’s representatives have told teams he will be willing to interview for their jobs once the season ended, even as soon as today.

Of course, Gruden’s representatives seem to love nothing better than seeing their guy’s name in the papers (see the never-made-sense rumors regarding the University of Tennessee job).

Freeman mentioned openings in San Diego and Philadelphia in particular.

Speculation linking Gruden with jobs is nothing new, but now that there are some official openings, there might be some fire to go with the perpetual smoke.

Monday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on December 31, 2012, 8:35 AM EST

AP

Bills RB C.J. Spiller squeezed in one more big play before the end of the season.

Dolphins RB Reggie Bush wound up 14 yardsshy of 1,000 for the season.

The Patriots’ offensive line put together a stronger game than in recent weeks.

Said Jets CB Antonio Cromartie, “I thinkthe biggest thing is, if guys want to be here, they need to come out and work harder during the off-season to make sure guys are getting ready.”

LB Paul Kruger picked up his ninth sack of the season in the Ravens finale.

The Bengals defense closed the regular season with another strong performance.

The highs and lows of Pat Shurmur’s tenure as Browns coach.

Several veteran Steelers are contemplating their futures after the end of the regular season.

Texans DE J.J. Watt couldn’t wrap up the single-season sack record.

KR Deji Karim went 101 yards for a touchdown a few days after the Colts signed him away from his valet parking job.

There are no more long-term answers at quarterback for the Jaguars now than there were when the season started.

The Titans became the first team with two punt return touchdowns and two interception return touchdowns in the same game.

Broncos receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas closed big years with a big game in Week 17.

WR Steve Breaston returned to the Chiefs lineup for the final game of the season.

A vote in favor of a longer look for Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor next season.

Said Chargers CB Quentin Jammer, “Guys have been great. We’ve had many,many characters and funny guys. I’ve been through a lot of great coaches. I will go on record and say that I really love and respect Norv Turner. He’s my favorite, and it was an honor to play for him if this is my last game here. We’ll see what the future holds.”

Five momentum changers from Sunday night’s Cowboys loss.

Rookie WR Rueben Randle and RB David Wilson closed with strong games for the Giants.

Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks the Eagles quit on coach Andy Reid.

Was Sunday night’s win the most satisfying victory in the last 20 years of Redskins football?

10 thoughts on the end of the Bears season.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz doesn’t think G.M. Martin Mayhew dropped the ball this season.

A second straight game without a missed field goal left Packers K Mason Crosbyfeeling pretty good.

Said Vikings QB Christian Ponder, “One thing that stuck in my mind through this whole season was something Michael Jordan always said. When it came to the last minutes of the game and the pressure was on, someone asked him what he did differently. He said, ‘I stay the same, it’s everyone else who changes.’ In those high-pressure situations, I try to stay calm.”

Falcons WR Roddy White became the fifth receiver in history with three straight seasons of 90 or more catches.

After setting a franchise rushing record with 210 yards on Sunday, Panthers RBDeAngelo Williams has four of the top 10 single-game totals in franchise history.

The Saints need work across the board on the defense this offseason.

DE Michael Bennett and DT Roy Miller might have played their final gameswith the Buccaneers.

Cardinals DT Vonnie Holliday might be heading to retirement.

The Rams didn’t allow QB Sam Bradford to get sacked for the second straight week.

Said 49ers T Anthony Davis of securing a bye next week, “It’s big, man. Gettingyour body back, letting your hands heal for O-linemen because everyone’s got the sausage fingers now.”

Seahawks WR Golden Tate had a huge fumble recovery en route to a Week 17 win.

Titans appear to be losing support in Tennessee

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 28, 2012, 1:17 PM EST

Reuters

The fans in Tennessee are speaking with their remote controls and declaring that they’re fed up with the Titans.

Sunday’s 55-7 loss to the Packers had a 16.5 local TV rating, the lowest local rating for a Titans game since the 2005 season, Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports. That 2005 season represented rock bottom for the Titans: Their 4-12 record that year was the lowest since the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997.

But this season, with the Titans not only losing (their 5-10 record is the worst since 2005) but frequently getting blown out (the Packers game was their sixth loss by 21 points or more this season), is every bit as miserable as 2005 for Tennessee fans. It’s bad enough when your team is losing, but when your team is falling behind by 20 points in the second quarter, it’s easy to simply turn off the TV and do something else with your Sunday afternoon.

That may be bad news for Titans coach Mike Munchak. Titans owner Bud Adams has made no secret that he’s frustrated this season, and when the customers are frustrated, too, that usually leads the owner to take action. If Titans fans want to see the team make big changes this offseason, demonstrating their apathy may be the best way to convince Adams to make those changes.

Bucs restructure Jackson and Nicks' contracts to create cap room in 2013

Posted by Darin Gantt on December 28, 2012, 11:53 AM EST

AP

The Buccaneers were among the most active teams in free agency last year, and they’re setting the stage to be able to again next year if they choose.

According to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, the Bucs restructured the deals of wide receiverVincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks to create nearly $18 million more cap room in 2013.

The Bucs simply turned guaranteed salaries next year into roster bonuses this year, allowing them to prorate the money over the length of the deals.

That gave $12.16 million to Jackson and an extra $11.875 million for Nicks in exchange for the space next year. The Bucs now have $98 million committed to next year’s cap, which is projected to be around $121 million.

Whether they spend to that limit for a team which hasn’t created much buzz remains to be seen. The Bucs haven’t been selling out on a regular basis, or even getting to the 85 percent threshold to get on local television.

Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on December 28, 2012, 8:50 AM EST

AP

Bills DE Mario Williams donated a pickup truck to a married couple who are both active duty Marines.

Dolphins P Brandon Fields feels he was a Pro Bowl snub.

Patriots CB Aqib Talib says that his hip injury has improved.

Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano still believes the team’s offense would have been a sight to see if everyone was healthy.

WR Jacoby Jones is looking forward to joining his Ravens teammates at the Pro Bowl.

K Josh Brown went from fill-in to hero for the Bengals.

The Browns considered QB Seneca Wallace before adding QB Josh Johnson to the roster this week.

TE Heath Miller is the Steelers’ team MVP this season.

The Texans offense isn’t overly concerned about their lack of big plays this season.

Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson likes everything he’s seen from the coaching staff this season.

The Jaguars defense feels good about itself after last week’s performance.

WR Kendall Wright’s role with the Titans isn’t to catch the deep ball.

Signing LB Keith Brooking has worked out pretty well for the Broncos this season.

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes that the Chiefs’ needs go beyond coach and quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp discussed the issues facing the Raiders offense in the final week of the season.

Members of the Chargers say they are playing for pride this weekend.

The experiences of last year are affecting the Cowboys’ preparation for this year’s Sunday night battle for the NFC East crown.

A look at the underperforming Giants running offense.

Eagles G Evan Mathis isn’t sweating being passed over for the Pro Bowl.

Some non-RG3 names who need to play well for the Redskins on Sunday.

Bears WR Brandon Marshall is the Chicago Sun-Times Sportsperson of the Year.

What impact would a win on Sunday have on where the Lions draft in April?

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has had to deal with a constantly changing backfield this season.

A new rotation system has left the Vikings defensive line fresher at the end of the season.

Said Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, “It’s nice to go out there and play well and tell them, ‘What do you got to say now?’ That’s part of the fun is proving people wrong.”

Is RB DeAngelo Williams heading toward his final game with the Panthers?

WR Marques Colston is leaving his stamp on the Saints’ franchise record book this season.

Several franchise records are in reach for the Buccaneers offense.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic thinks it’s time for a coaching change with the Cardinals.

The Rams have developed a more balanced passing attack over the course of the season.

Said 49ers LB Patrick Willis of DL Justin Smith, “You can’t really put into words what he means to this defense. Justin is one of our team captains, but more than just a captain, he’s a man that goes out there and leads by example. He doesn’t say a whole lot. He only speaks when he has to. He goes out there and plays with heart. He’s a guy that I look up to in this league.”

Seahawks G J.R. Sweezy has gone in and out of the starting lineup while showingprogress over the course of the season.