Tag: NFL Playoffs

Sean Payton Confident Jarrett Stidham Is Ready for AFC Championship Moment

oossports's avatar

Josh Davis

oossports

The Denver Broncos will turn to Jarrett Stidham at quarterback in the AFC Championship Game, and head coach Sean Payton has no doubts about his readiness for the moment.

With Bo Nix sidelined due to injury, Payton stressed that the Broncos trust Stidham to step in and perform on the game’s biggest stage.

Payton’s Confidence Built Over Years of Evaluation

Payton said the Broncos know exactly what kind of quarterback Stidham is after watching him closely for three seasons.

The coaching staff has evaluated him daily in meetings, practice reps, and game preparation. That familiarity has removed any hesitation about giving him the start, even after an extended stretch without live game action.

Payton emphasized that experience matters more than recent stat lines when evaluating readiness.

Stidham’s Coaching Pedigree Stands Out

Payton also pointed to Stidham’s coaching background as a major factor in his confidence. (Source)

Stidham entered the league after being drafted by Bill Belichick in New England. He later worked under Josh McDaniels with both the Patriots and Raiders. Payton noted that every coaching staff Stidham has played for came away impressed with his preparation, football intelligence, and command of the offense.

That foundation, Payton believes, translates directly to moments like this.

History Supports the Belief

Payton referenced past examples to reinforce his belief that opportunity matters more than circumstance.

Jeff Hostetler led the Giants to a Super Bowl title in 1990 after stepping in as a backup. Nick Foles followed a similar path with the Eagles in 2017. Payton sees no reason Stidham cannot follow that same blueprint.

In Payton’s view, playoff success often comes down to preparation and trust, not résumé.

Broncos Prepared for the Transition

The Broncos have built their game plan with Stidham in mind, leaning into what he does best while maintaining continuity across the offense. Payton stressed that the team will not change its identity simply because of the quarterback switch.

Instead, Denver plans to rely on structure, discipline, and execution.

What This Means Moving Forward

As the Broncos prepare for the AFC Championship Game, Payton’s message is clear. Jarrett Stidham is not being asked to survive the moment. He is being asked to embrace it.

If preparation truly equals opportunity, Stidham now has a chance to write his own postseason chapter as Denver pushes for a Super Bowl berth.

Read More

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle Says Reduced Role Factors Into Free Agency

oossports's avatar

Josh Davis

oossports

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle acknowledged Sunday that his reduced workload late in the season will factor into his upcoming free agency decision. As the Panthers evaluate their roster following a playoff loss, Dowdle’s role has become one of several unresolved questions.

Reduced Role Raises Questions

Dowdle signed a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million last March after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. He followed that up with another productive season, finishing with 1,076 rushing yards for Carolina.

However, his involvement declined at a critical time. In Saturday’s 34–31 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Dowdle logged just five carries for nine yards. That limited usage reflected a broader trend late in the year.

Late-Season Usage Shift

Over his final four games, Dowdle averaged only 8.25 carries. Previously, he had averaged 20 carries across a seven-game stretch, including a 30-carry performance in an Oct. 12 win against Dallas when Chuba Hubbard was sidelined.

When asked if the shift in workload affected his thinking about free agency, Dowdle made his position clear.

“That definitely is a factor,” he told ESPN’s David Newton. “There’s options for me. I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries].” (Source)

Crowded Backfield in Carolina

That opportunity may be difficult to find in Carolina. Hubbard is signed through the 2028 season after agreeing to a four-year, $33.2 million extension in November 2024. Additionally, 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks is expected to return from ACL surgery in 2026.

The Panthers also added depth by selecting Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a result, the path to a featured role appears uncertain.

Panthers Taking a Wait-and-See Approach

Head coach Dave Canales offered no definitive answers when asked about Dowdle’s future. Instead, he emphasized evaluation and patience as the team enters the offseason.

“These are all things we’re gonna have to talk about over the next couple of days,” Canales said. “We have to evaluate all the guys that our contracts are up [with] and see what our next best move is.”

For now, both sides appear content to let the process play out. Still, Dowdle’s desire for a heavier workload could ultimately push him toward exploring opportunities elsewhere once free agency opens.

Read More

Matt LaFleur Declines to Address Future With Packers

oossports's avatar

Josh Davis

oossports

Questions surrounding the future of Matt LaFleur as the head coach of the the Green Bay Packers intensified in the days leading up to Green Bay’s wild-card matchup vs. the Chicago Bears Saturday night. However, those discussions quickly took a back seat once the season ended in crushing fashion.

The Packers blew a 21–3 halftime lead and fell to the Bears, 31–27, in Chicago. As a result, Green Bay’s playoff run came to an abrupt and painful end, leaving emotions raw in the locker room afterward.

LaFleur Avoids Contract Discussion After Loss

Before kickoff, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers planned to discuss an extension with LaFleur after the season. His current deal runs through 2026, which fueled speculation about the Matt LaFleur contract situation.

Still, following the loss, LaFleur made it clear that the moment was not right.

“Yeah, with all due respect to your question,” LaFleur said, “now’s not the time for that. I mean, I’m just hurting for these guys. You know, I can only think about just what just happened, and there will be time for that.”

Later in the postgame press conference, the topic surfaced again. Once more, LaFleur declined to engage.

“I’m not gonna get into that right now,” LaFleur said. “Definitely, now’s not the time. I mean, whatever.”

Packers Coach Reaffirms Commitment to Organization

Although LaFleur declined to address future contract details, his feelings about Green Bay were unmistakable. When asked what coaching the Packers means to him, LaFleur spoke plainly.

“It means everything to me. This is the greatest organization in the world, in my opinion.”

Those words reinforced that the future of LaFleur as the Packers head coach remains deeply tied to Green Bay, regardless of outside speculation.

A Defeat That Will Not Fade Quickly

Beyond contract talk, the loss itself remains the dominant emotion. LaFleur acknowledged that reality without hesitation.

Saturday night’s defeat, he admitted, “is gonna hurt for a really, really long time.”

For now, the future of LaFleur with the Packers can wait. The focus remains on the sting of a blown lead, the players affected by the loss, and the long road ahead for a franchise searching for answers.

Read More

Pressure mounting for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott ahead of upcoming NFL season

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is entering a pivotal season that could shape the rest of his NFL career. With just two playoff wins over nine seasons, the pressure is mounting to finally deliver in January — especially for a franchise that hasn’t reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, when the Dallas Cowboys took down the Green Bay Packers  and went on to win Super Bowl XXX.

Prescott’s 2-5 postseason record continues to overshadow his regular season accomplishments. The veteran quarterback understands the criticism and accepts the responsibility that comes with leading the most visible team in the NFL.

“Nobody wants to win more than me,” told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS, as reported by ProFootballTalk. “I know what I put into this game… I’d give the money I make to win and be broke.”

Following a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9 of 2024, Prescott watched as the Cowboys missed the playoffs entirely. While he was sidelined, the NFC East-rival Eagles and Commanders faced off in the conference title game. The Eagles later dominated the Super Bowl, making his absence even more painful.

Now healthy, Prescott is set to report to Cowboys training camp as a “full-go,” entering his 10th NFL season under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys moved on from Mike McCarthy after a disappointing 7-10 finish last season. It marked the team’s first losing record since 2020 and saw them swept by Philadelphia for the first time in over a decade.

The expectations remain sky-high. Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes in 2023 and finished second in MVP voting behind Lamar Jackson. He’s also a Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient and a former Offensive Rookie of the Year. But accolades mean little in Dallas without playoff success.

The Cowboys will once again face a brutal schedule in the loaded NFC East. To keep his legacy intact — and justify the collosal $240 million extension he signed last year —the Mississippi State product has to break through when it matters most.

If not, the conversation about the future at quarterback in Dallas may get even louder.

Read More