New Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said Wednesday that while the team wants to stockpile draft picks, he won't pass on a "generational talent."

Many took that as a thinly-veiled mention of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, Colorado's two-way playmaking star. That included oddsmakers, who quickly adjusted their markets for the No. 1 overall pick.

Hunter, who was a +1500 longshot to go No. 1 at BetMGM on Tuesday, had seen his odds shorten all the way to +150 after Borgonzi's comments. That's behind only Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who shifted from the -210 odds-on favorite to +100 in a little more than 24 hours.

Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said the Titans won't pass on a "generational talent" if they determine that player exists in the 2025 draft. However, Tennessee's brass was in agreement that the franchise is open to dealing the No. 1 overall pick.

There are still months of smoke screens and negotiations to navigate, along with thousands of miles to be traveled to all-star games and prospect workouts. For now, the race to be the first name called to the stage by commissioner Roger Goodell on April 24 appears to be a four-man race:

NO. 1 OVERALL PICK ODDS*

Cam Ward, QB, Miami (+100)

Travis Hunger, CB/WR, Colorado (+150)

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (+350)

Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State (+900)

Will Campbell, OT, LSU (+5000)

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (+5000)

*BetMGM

Hunter's sudden ascension to the second favorite spot had many sportsbook sweating. At BetMGM, Hunter is the book's biggest liability, with the public backing him with 37.9 percent of all bets and 19.3 percent of the money to go No. 1 overall.

Ward is the book's second biggest liability, leading the way with 48 percent of the money while being second to Hunter with 16.3 percent of all bets. Sanders is third in both with 14.3 percent of the bets and 17.8 percent of the money backing him.

Borgonzi said the Titans "want to make 30 draft picks over the next three years," with "12 of those to be in the top 100s," so he will be open to offers if the phone rings. Cleveland current holds the No. 2 overall pick, followed by the New York Giants, New England and Jacksonville.

Las Vegas, which could be in the market for one of the top quarterbacks, currently sits No. 6. Quarterback is also a major question mark for the Titans, who have only 2023 draft pick Will Levis under contract for next season, and he failed to lock down the position this season.

"The quarterback is the most important position, arguably in sports," Borgonzi said. "So you have to solidify the quarterback position. We're going to be relentless attacking this until we find the answer."

Brady is merely getting to the end of the first season in a 10-year broadcasting contract with FOX, but the former star quarterback also was brought into the Las Vegas Raiders' ownership group in 2024, and speculation had centered on that becoming his full-time focus.

On "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on Wednesday, Brady scoffed at the notion that his television career would be finished just as it was getting started.

"I don't know where it comes from. I know it always says, ‘sources close to Brady,' or whatever. But I've had the best time at Fox," Brady said. "I've loved every time going into the booth and working with such great people, starting with my partner Kevin (Burkhardt)."

A $375 million contract with FOX also gives Brady plenty of incentive to remain in the booth, and all indications are that the seven-time Super Bowl champion is set to return next season.

"It's been a lot of growth for me in one year, and I really can't wait to see what it looks like in year two, and way beyond that too," Brady told Cowherd. "So I've got nine years left on my deal. Maybe longer, you never know. If FOX wants me, and I want to go, then we'll keep going. Because it's been really fun so far."

Kansas City will host Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night in a rematch of a 2021 meeting that the Chiefs won 38-24 to reach the Super Bowl.

It was a different time back then. Only 17,000 fans were allowed into Arrowhead Stadium because of pandemic-related health and safety measures, and most of that limited crowd was naturally pro-Kansas City.

Bills coach Sean McDermott believes Buffalo will have more support this time around.

"It's huge," McDermott said of having Bills fans in enemy territory. "We've gone on the road, we've played at home -- our fans travel everywhere and anywhere that we play. So, we've got the best fans in the NFL. I think that the connection with our fan base, as I've said multiple times over, is unique in the NFL."

Still, it's going to take a lot more than having some rowdy fans in the building to beat the Chiefs, who have won eight straight playoff games. Only the New England Patriots (10 wins in a row from 2001-05) and the Green Bay Packers (nine in a row from 1961-68) have been able to string more victories together in the postseason.

A win on Sunday would send Kansas City to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, and considering the Chiefs have won the past two, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is aware of the target that he and his teammates have on their backs.

"You have to combat," Mahomes said. "You have to look at your weaknesses and try to make those strengths, and then your strengths, make them even better, because you know that (the Bills are) gonna go out there and try to take away those things.

"It's a great football team. Like I said, great players, well-coached and we know it's gonna take our best in order to find a way to get a win."

Kansas City and Buffalo have faced off six times since colliding in the 2021 AFC Championship Game, with two of those meetings in the postseason. The Chiefs won both of the divisional-round matchups, most recently taking out the Bills with a 27-24 victory in last season's playoffs.

However, when the teams last met, Buffalo topped Kansas City 30-21 in Week 11 of this season.

McDermott doesn't necessarily think the win will help the Bills come Sunday, though.

"That game stands alone, as this game will," he said. "As you saw with our experience last week (against the Baltimore Ravens), these games are individual of each other."

Buffalo edged the Ravens 27-25 to set up the date with Kansas City, which got past the Houston Texans 23-14.

Bills safety Taylor Rapp sustained a hip injury against Baltimore and wouldn't have practiced on Wednesday anyway, but Buffalo only held a walkthrough. Rapp is also dealing with a back issue. Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) would have also been held out of practice, while linebacker Matt Milano (biceps/hamstring) was listed as limited.

Everyone on the Chiefs had the green light at their practice on Wednesday, including Mahomes, who popped up on the injury report because of his ankle. He suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15 but didn't miss any time and was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Golden is expected in Cincinnati on Thursday to officially sign, according to NFL Network. Golden, who has spent the past three years as the DC at Notre Dame, has informed university athletic officials of his decision.

Golden was linebackers coach with the Bengals before taking the job at Notre Dame.

Golden replaces Lou Anarumo, who was dismissed on Jan. 6. Anarumo had been defensive coordinator of the Bengals since Zac Taylor became head coach in 2019.

Taylor had to wait until the College Football Playoff championship game concluded before being able to talk with Golden, which he did Wednesday, per the reports. Notre Dame lost 34-23 to Ohio State on Monday night.

The Bengals finished this past season 25th in total defense (348.3 yards per game) and tied for 26th in points allowed (25.5 per game).

Defensive line coach Marion Hobby and linebackers coach James Bettcher were also fired with Anarumo, who has since been hired as DC by the Indianapolis Colts.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Rapp is listed as day-to-day with back and hip injuries.

Cornerback Christian Benford (concussion) was also listed as limited on the estimated practice report.

The Bills play at the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Rapp was injured in the second quarter of Sunday's divisional playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens and initially termed questionable to return. He was ruled out midway through the third quarter.

Rapp was hurt during a play in which he was on the ground when hit by teammate Damar Hamlin. He was carted off the field with 6:13 left in the second quarter. Rapp, 27, intercepted Baltimore's Lamar Jackson in the first quarter. He had two tackles. In the regular season, Rapp had 82 tackles and two interceptions.

Milano exited the final defensive series on Sunday and did not return.

"There was some soreness afterwards but I don't know if it's an injury or not, it's just what I'm being told is a hamstring soreness and so he'll be limited today with that," McDermott said.

Safety Damar Hamlin (rib), cornerback Taron Johnson (neck/shoulder), tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), defensive back Cam Lewis (shoulder), center Connor McGovern (shoulder), defensive end Greg Rousseau (finger) and linebacker Dorian Williams (elbow) were full participants.

Borgonzi, hired to replace Ran Carthon, and president of football operations Chad Brinker make up the new power structure in Nashville. They shared a streamlined vision for resurrecting the Titans following a 3-14 season.

"We want to make 30 draft picks over the next three years," Brinker told reporters Wednesday. "And we want 12 of those to be in the top 100s."

To stockpile picks, the Titans are willing to part with the most valuable selection in their draft war chest. Only two of their current draft picks -- No. 1 and No. 34 prior to compensatory selections -- are in the top 100. But Brinker said the Titans are not willing to pass on a "generational talent" if they determine that player exists in the 2025 draft.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward rates above the rest in a top-heavy class at the position.

And Borgonzi underscored the importance of settling the franchise's most pressing question: Who's the QB?

An understudy of general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs, Borgonzi inherits a roster with one quarterback under contract. That's Will Levis, who did not solidify the spot under first-year head coach Brian Callahan last season.

Borgonzi said he'll have final say in free agency and the draft if necessary. The mission is more collaboration with Callahan and Brinker in what the Titans' brass acknowledged is an atypical structure for an NFL front office.

That doesn't change their focused first order of business.

"The quarterback is the most important position, arguably in sports," Borgonzi said. "So you have to solidify the quarterback position. We're going to be relentless attacking this until we find the answer."

Borgonzi -- a self-described anomaly as a "Northeast guy with a funny Boston accent that loves country music" -- spent the past 16 seasons with the Chiefs. He climbed the ladder since being hired in 2009 to become assistant general manager the past four seasons.

While the Chiefs march toward their mission of a three-peat as Super Bowl champions, Borgonzi called for patience to build a roster "the right way."

"There is some talent on this roster, but we're a three-win football team right now, so that's not good enough," Borgonzi said. "So, we're going to have to look everywhere to improve it."

"Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement released by the team.

"Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach. I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike."

Baalke, 60, has been with the Jaguars since 2021. Under his watch, the team has posted a 25-43 record -- including a 4-13 mark this season with the now-fired Doug Pederson as the head coach.

Multiple media outlets reported earlier on Wednesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen stepped out of consideration as a candidate to become head coach in Jacksonville.

Baalke also served as the vice president of player personnel and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-16. The 49ers fell in Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens and went 57-54-1 during his time with the team.

Glenn will be making a return to the Jets, who selected him with the 12th overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

Glenn, 52, had a second, in-person interview with the Jets on Monday. He conducted a virtual interview with the team regarding its head coaching vacancy on Jan. 9.

Glenn's season ended Saturday when the top-seeded Lions lost 45-31 to the visiting Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional playoff game.

He has been Detroit's defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

Hardman was put on IR on Dec. 7. The day before, he suffered the injury, apparently during work in an on-field practice.

The 26-year-old was eligible to return for the final week of the season against the Denver Broncos. He will not play Sunday when the Chiefs host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

Hardman signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in June, just months after he caught the game-winning touchdown in Kansas City's 25-22 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

A three-time Super Bowl champion, Hardman had 12 catches for 90 yards as well as five rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown this season. He also returned 20 punts and five kickoffs.

Hardman has 178 receptions for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns in 80 career games (28 starts) since being picked by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed as a free agent with the New York Jets to start the 2023 season before being traded back to the Chiefs.

Spytek, 44, has spent the last nine years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as assistant general manager. He would replace Tom Telesco, who was fired by the Raiders earlier this month after one season.

It would mark Spytek's first job as a general manager.

The move also would reunite Spytek with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. Both played at Michigan in 1999 and both were part of the Bucs' Super Bowl winning season in 2020.

In addition to Tampa, Spytek also has worked in the front offices for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. Spytek interviewed for the Raiders' GM job in 2022 before they ultimately hired Dave Ziegler.

Spytek interviewed with the Tennessee Titans for their GM opening this cycle. The Titans just hired Mike Borgonzi.

The Raiders fired Telesco on Jan. 9, two days after dismissing head coach Antonio Pierce following a 4-13 season. Pierce, too, was fired after just one season.

Wearing a navy blue suit and orange tie, Johnson further embraced his new team by telling reporters that he sees plenty of talent on this Bears team.

"Going into this season, I felt like this place was a sleeping giant," said Johnson, who spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions.

"To be honest with you, I personally was more concerned about the Chicago Bears than I was about anyone else in this division. Now there's a number of reasons why that did not unfold, and that's why I'm here and I'll get to the bottom of that. We'll see if we can't get that corrected and cleaned up.

"But I was very encouraged with what was already on the roster right here. This division, as hard as it is, I'm really excited about competing in it."

Johnson, 38, takes over a Bears team that floundered to a last-place finish in the division this season. Chicago lost 10 straight after its promising start, including a 23-20 defeat at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day that led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29.

Johnson will aim to improve a Bears offense that managed the fewest yards (284.6) and tied for the fourth-fewest points per game (18.2) in the NFL with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Williams completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 489 yards, however he was sacked a league-high 68 times.

"It's clear that modern football in the NFL is quarterback-driven. That is no secret," Johnson said. "You can look at analytics, right now quarterback success is a higher predictor of winning and losing than turnover ratio -- which has been for 20-plus years. That's changed. There is no doubt, Caleb played a large component into my decision. He is a phenomenal talent that had, as many quarterbacks do, an up-and-down rookie year.

"Where I see my role is as a supporter of him. This offense will be calibrated with him in mind. We're going to build this thing. This is not simply a dropping of a previous playbook down on the table and starting there -- no. We're ripping this thing down to the studs and we're going to build it up with him (in mind) first and foremost, and then with the pieces around him next. I really look forward to challenging him and pushing him, as I said before, to continue to grow and develop."

Under Johnson, Detroit boasted the league's top scoring offense this season (33.2 points per game) and finished second in average total yards (409.5). The Lions' points (564) and regular-season wins (15) this season were franchise records.

Now, Johnson is tasked with turning around the Bears -- and he said Wednesday that he doesn't think they are far off.

"Walking in this building yesterday gave me goosebumps," Johnson said. "I don't think many people understand how set up for success this place already is. This facility is outstanding. It is an A-plus facility. And I look forward to meeting all the people in this facility and getting to work."

The Bears have not been to the playoffs since the 2020 season. Chicago has not won a playoff game since the 2010 campaign.

DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh held their season-ending news conference Wednesday. The Ravens had a 12-5 regular-season mark and won the AFC North but lost 27-25 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional playoffs on Sunday.

"I'm very proud of the team this year. ... Not gonna sit up here and say it was not a successful season. It was in just about every way of looking at it. But I'm disappointed, John's disappointed. We're all disappointed. Our team's disappointed," DeCosta told reporters. "We had higher aspirations and we didn't achieve those aspirations and goals. I've already moved on. ... I love being part of the solution and that's what we'll be."

Integral to their loss but also to their future is three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews, who dropped a game-tying 2-point conversion try with 1:33 remaining that iced the game for the Bills. The All-Pro TE also lost a fumble. Andrews still hasn't met with the media but Harbaugh did the talking for him.

"Mark is a huge part of our future and we love him," Harbaugh said. "We're there for him. If anybody can take a tough circumstance like that and handle it with class and grace and dignity and mental toughness, it's most definitely Mark Andrews."

DeCosta noted that Andrews and fellow TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are all entering the final year of their contracts in 2025 which could lead to some "tough decisions" ahead.

DeCosta also addressed the Pro Bowl season that running back Derrick Henry had and acknowledged the Ravens might try to rework his deal for a softer cap hit in 2025. Henry's cap number is currently set at $12.895 million in 2025.

"I think he proved he had a lot left in the tank," DeCosta said. "We'll look at that, it's a good question. I'm just so grateful Derrick chose us last year."

DeCosta said he also expects kicker Justin Tucker, who uncharacteristically struggled this past season, to be the team's kicker in 2025.

"I have every expectation that Justin's going to be a great kicker for us next year and moving forward," DeCosta said. "He finished strong this year toward the end, had a little adversity midway through the season, but I think Justin is a tremendous competitor, very, very talented. He works his butt off, and I would expect he will be the kicker for us next year."

The news follows Tuesday's reports that Josh McDaniels is heading back to New England for his third tour as the team's offensive coordinator.

Williams, 50, was on Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23, finishing that tenure as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach.

He is the latest member of Lions head coach Dan Campbell's staff to depart this week, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson named head coach of the Chicago Bears on Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a finalist for the New York Jets' coaching vacancy.

Williams coached the defensive line for the Miami Dolphins (2015-17) and then-Oakland Raiders (2012-14) after stints as an assistant at Texas A&M, Purdue, Akron and other schools.

The veteran linebacker, who turns 34 next month, is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Playing his third season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, he tallied six sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 16 starts.

Mack, the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, told reporters he was considering retirement after the Chargers' 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in an AFC wild-card game.

"Man, it's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now," he said on Jan. 12. "I can't really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I'm going to do because I don't know if I'm going to play football moving forward, so there's some things I gotta talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss."

During the same interview, Mack said he believed his best chance to win is with the Chargers.

"As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback. You got (safety) Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football. And Jim Harbaugh coaching?" Mack said. "You know you always have a chance to win. Yeah, that's a no-brainer."

Mack recorded two sacks against the Texans in his fifth career playoff game, but his teams have yet to win a playoff game in five tries.

Mack was named to his ninth Pro Bowl this season and is also a three-time All-Pro first-teamer (2015, 2016, 2018).

In 167 career games (166 starts) for the then-Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-21) and Chargers (2022-24), Mack has compiled 107.5 sacks, which ranks tied for 32nd all-time. He has 630 tackles (142 for loss), 32 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.

East division rivals meet in Philadelphia on Sunday to decide the NFC in the third meeting between the teams since the Eagles posted a 26-18 win on Nov. 14 with a 20-point fourth quarter. The Commanders have two road playoff wins in the same postseason for the first time in history, including a 45-31 dismantling of the Lions at Detroit last week.

But don't tell Commanders coach Dan Quinn his team is an underdog.

"Internally, we have a lot of expectations about how we can play and what we do. We never went too far outside. Did we feel dismissed or put off? Yeah. That happened in the opening game. I felt dismissed, 'Hey man, hang in there it's going to be a long time.' I was like, 'FU. That's not how it's going to go down.' It wasn't disrespect. It was dismissive.

"It's not a prove it to everybody else or an underdog stories. It's about how we get down."

Washington pulled the "upset" of the Eagles five weeks after their first meeting. The Commanders claimed the 36-33 nailbiter after Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts exited with a concussion five minutes into the game.

Kenny Pickett replaced Hurts on the fifth play of the second offensive possession and gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead on a 4-yard toss to A.J. Brown as part of Philadelphia's 21-point opening quarter at Washington. The Commanders shifted into rally mode to hand Philadelphia its only loss since September.

Quinn said it's Daniels' in-the-moment skills that separate him from others. He led the NFL in completions (101) and touchdowns (12) against the blitz this season.

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin said Daniels knows only one way.

"He doesn't want to lose at anything. I told him (after losing to the Ravens), 'Don't ever lose that. You're going to lose some games in the NFL.' He doesn't accept a bad rep out in practice," McLaurin said. "Even at this point in the season, if he has a bad rep, we're doing it again. In practice, or cards down in the weight room, he's going to continue to compete."

Hurts began the week with his status unclear because of a knee injury. Head coach Nick Sirianni said his quarterback and rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) were attendees for a light walkthrough practice. Sirianni said beating Daniels won't motivate Hurts, who commonly uses the phrase "keep the main thing the main thing." On Sunday, the main thing is punching a ticket back to the Super Bowl.

"He's the same guy all the time. No matter who we're playing, when we're playing, practice, game. He's the same guy," Sirianni said. "He loves football. Jalen's pretty stoic and I love that about him. The same thing I say about Jayden Daniels, that he's calm, cool, I say the same thing about Jalen Hurts."

Daniels and the top-down regime change in Washington has changed the fortunes of the franchise, now sitting on a 10-win improvement over their 4-13 record in 2023. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft was 6 years old when the franchise last won a playoff game (at Tampa Bay in January 2006) before the current postseason. They're appearing in a conference championship game for the first time since 1991 and sixth overall (5-1).

Quinn again puts trust in a player he calls "a rare dude" as the No. 6 seed in the NFC attempts to storm all the way to New Orleans with a third upset in these playoffs. Daniels can become the first rookie quarterback to win three postseason games and surpass Ben Roethlisberger (14 wins, 2004 Steelers) to claim the record for wins in a season, including playoffs.

"He's a young quarterback by birth certificate, not by the tape," said Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. "The guy is playing extremely well. You can tell how much they think he's playing so good by the volume of their offense and the things they trust him to do. He's come through for them in a big way, and he's tough to handle."

The Eagles intercepted Daniels three times in two games in the regular season.

Washington had to make a change at right guard. Sam Cosmi left the win at Detroit with a torn ACL and Trent Scott, a 30-year-old on his fifth NFL team, enters the fire against All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter on Sunday. Carter had two sacks, five QB pressures, forced a fumble and batted a pass in a game-altering performance against the Rams last week.

He's a player Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has been worried about since the teams first met in Week 11.

"They're not giving anything easy," Kingsbury said. "And then creating havoc up front, 98 (Carter) is as good a player as there is in the NFL right now. He wrecked us the first game, and they have some really good rushers."

Outside linebacker Nolan Smith leads the Eagles with three sacks in the playoffs alongside linebacker Zack Baun, a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Washington has two of the NFL's top three tacklers in the playoffs in Jeremy Chinn and Bobby Wagner, a tandem abundantly aware of their mission Sunday. Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore didn't attempt to mask his intent against Washington, saying the game plan would follow the same formula even if Hurts is limited or out.

Because of seven sacks, the Eagles had 65 net passing yards against the Rams. Hurts was not as explosive in the second half but had a 44-yard touchdown run in the first half.

"Your prep all week tries to account for everything you can encounter, from whether Jalen can go run or not, whether it's snowing, whether it's raining, whether it's windy," Sirianni said.

Barkley remains the essential ingredient for the Eagles' offense otherwise playing more of a supporting role to Philadelphia's No. 1-ranked defense in the playoffs. The Eagles rushed for more than 200 yards in both regular-season games, averaging 219.5 yards on the ground, and Barkley provided the big plays. He gained 146 yards on the ground in the first meeting, 150 in the second and scored four touchdowns highlighted by TD runs of 39 and 68 yards. He also caught a 43-yard pass in the November game.

Including the playoffs, Barkley's historic season puts him third in single-season rushing yards (2,329) and fourth in total yards (2,638) by any player in NFL history. Broncos running back Terrell Davis had 2,476 yards in 1998 as part of a Super Bowl-winning run in Denver.

The recipe for winning two road games to open the playoffs has been simple for Washington. They have zero turnovers, six takeaways and outscored Tampa Bay and No. 1 seed Detroit by a combined 17 points with eight touchdowns in two games. The Commanders lead all teams in the playoffs averaging 34 points and are hogging the ball with a playoff-leading 142 offensive plays.

Philadelphia is hosting three playoff rounds for the first time in team history. The Eagles own a 4-4 record in conference championships since 1970 and won the NFC title game in 2017 and 2022.

"When you get into the third matchup with somebody, you want fresh eyes in the approach. It's not the third game, it's the first playoff game," Quinn said.

The Bills hosted the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC affair that kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET, with an average of 42.2 million viewers tuning into Buffalo's 27-25 victory. It marked a 16 percent drop in audience size compared to the divisional game that ran in the same time slot last year.

Granted, the meeting between the Bills and Ravens had some stiff competition, as the divisional game in the nighttime slot last season was a battle between Buffalo and the Chiefs that Kansas City won 27-24. An average of 50.4 million viewers saw that one, making it the most-watched divisional-round game in NFL history.

In other action Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles topped the visiting Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in an NFC matchup that totaled 37.8 million viewers. That game started at 3 p.m. ET and couldn't generate the audience of 40.4 million that tuned into the comparable game in 2024 -- marking a six percent drop.

Still, Philadelphia's victory over the Rams ended up having the fourth-best rating in NBC history for a divisional playoff game, according to Nielsen.

Viewership had also been down during the regular season, the wild-card round of the playoffs and the other divisional games.

McDaniels, 48, will take over an offense quarterbacked by rising sophomore Drake Maye on new coach Mike Vrabel's first staff in Foxborough, Mass.

McDaniels spent 2001-08 and 2012-21 on the Patriots' staff in a variety of roles, first rising to the offensive coordinator post in 2006. He was a part of all six Super Bowl titles of the Bill Belichick era.

He is also known for a pair of failed stints as a head coach. He was fired by the Denver Broncos 12 games into his second season with the team in 2010 and had history repeat itself eight games into his second season leading the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.

McDaniels did not coach anywhere in 2024, with Sports Illustrated reporting that he spent the year "evolving" his offense after spending time around various NFL and college teams.

In his most recent season as New England's offensive coordinator, 2021, the Patriots ranked sixth in the NFL in scoring and 15th in yards per game. That was Mac Jones' rookie year, when he was named a Pro Bowler; he regressed in the following years without McDaniels and was eventually traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Maye, 22, threw for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 appearances (12 starts) as a rookie after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2024 draft.

The Patriots went 4-13 and fired Jerod Mayo after one season as their coach following Belichick.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. O'Connell, 39, was set to enter the final year of his original contract with the Vikings, who hired him before the 2022 season.

"Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach -- an innovative play-caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players," Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. "He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans."

Minnesota also is negotiating a contract extension with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to multiple reports.

O'Connell is 34-17 overall, including 14-3 this season when Minnesota earned the second-most wins in franchise history. The Vikings fell short of the conference's No. 1 seed and the NFC North title, with the Detroit Lions earning both. Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 in the NFC wild-card round.

He said it is "an absolute honor" to continue to coach the Vikings.

"Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Wilf family for their unwavering belief in what we are building together," said O'Connell, who also thanked his wife and children, coaches, players and support staff.

"I can't wait to get back to work with all of them as we continue to build upon the high standard we've set and the positive environment we've created," he added. "To Vikings fans, you are the best in the NFL. There is no greater joy than leading our team in front of you each Sunday and experiencing the home-field advantage you create. I'm thrilled for the years ahead."

His first year as head coach, the Vikings went 13-4, followed by 7-10 in 2023 and 14-3 this season. Minnesota was bounced in the first round of the NFC playoffs in 2022 and this season.

O'Connell is the only coach in Vikings history with multiple 13-win seasons. He is the fastest in franchise history to 30 career wins, reaching the mark in 46 games.

He was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (2020-21) before coming to Minnesota. He also served as OC in Washington in 2019 after two seasons as quarterbacks coach. O'Connell broke in with the Cleveland Browns as QBs coach in 2015 and was an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.

Anarumo, 58, held the same post the past six seasons in Cincinnati before the Bengals fired him on Jan. 6.

The Colts parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley the same day after three seasons on the job.

"I'm thrilled to add Lou Anarumo as our defensive coordinator," Colts coach Shane Steichen said. "With many years of coaching experience, Lou is a proven leader who will demand the best out of our players. His strategic mindset and unique scheme will be invaluable as we build a fast and disciplined defensive unit."

Indianapolis (8-9) ranked 24th in scoring defense (25.1 points per game) and 29th in total defense (361.2 yards per game) this season.

Cincinnati (9-8) finished 25th in both scoring defense (25.5) and total defense (348.3).

Anarumo arrives with 36 years of coaching experience, including the last 13 seasons in the NFL.

Before joining the Bengals in 2019, he coached defensive backs for the New York Giants (2018) and Miami Dolphins (2012-17). He was the Dolphins' interim DC for part of the 2015 season.

Johnson, 38, accepted the position with Chicago after three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions. He began his time with the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach before elevating to tight ends coach and later passing game coordinator.

"A proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation, we are excited to welcome Ben and his family to Chicago as our head coach," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said.

"Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben's character, intelligence, leadership and ability to connect. A progressive offensive mind, Ben's plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear. Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success.

"It is undeniable how passionate Ben is for serving in the role of head coach of the Chicago Bears, and we are primed, equipped and excited to welcome him and his family to Chicago and to commence our process of building a championship-caliber team, together. This is just the beginning."

Johnson will take over a Bears team that floundered to last-place finish in the NFC North this season. Chicago lost 10 straight after its promising start, including a 23-20 defeat at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day that led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29.

"The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase," Johnson said. "I am thankful to George (McCaskey, team chairman), Kevin (Warren, president and CEO), Ryan, and the entire organization for presenting me and my family with this tremendous opportunity. Having been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their head coach."

In each of Johnson's three seasons as offensive coordinator, the Lions finished among the NFL's top five in total yards and points per game.

Under Johnson, Detroit boasted the league's top scoring offense this season (33.2 points per game) and finished second in average total yards (409.5). The Lions' points (564) and regular-season wins (15) this season were franchise records.

Johnson will aim to improve a Bears offense that managed the fewest yards (284.6) and tied for the fourth-fewest points per game (18.2) with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.