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Barkley has $250,000 Reasons to Win

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Saquon Barkley will have many reasons to enjoy his 28th birthday, provided the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night in New Orleans.

An Eagles’ victory in the big game would net Barkley a $250,000 incentive bonus, which would match the total he received after Philadelphia’s 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game. Barkley rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

Barkley, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, already has earned $3 million in incentives, per ESPN. That’s quite the boost for Barkley, who signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million last March — complete with an $11.625 million signing bonus.

Barkley also could make NFL history on Sunday. His 2,447 rushing yards accumulated over the regular season (2,005) and the playoffs (442) are just 29 shy of the NFL record held by Terrell Davis, set in 1998 with the Denver Broncos.

Barkley joined the Eagles in the offseason after a six-year run with the New York Giants, with whom he totaled 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. This season, his yards gained and his 15 rushing touchdowns spearheaded the Eagles’ potent ground game during their push to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl LIX appearance.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Barkley was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024. He also earned several Rookie of the Year awards in 2018 before winning the Bert Bell Award (top NFL player) in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Super Sunday Sports Notes | Feb 9

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It’s Super Bowl Sunday – LIX (59)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – The Dallas Mavericks came through Boston this week, riding into town from Philadelphia after a two point loss to the 76ers. The Mavs’ 757 aircraft carried a team with enough baggage to fill Logan Airport’s entire baggage claim system, and they landed with contrails from the team jet spread out across the entire NBA basketball world.

The Mavericks traded superstar Luka Dončić’to the Los Angeles Lakers and the reaction was as if the Mavs orchestrated a move for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys to Santa Monica. The full trade went down as follows:

Dallas sent Dončić’ and forwards Maxi Kleber and journeyman Markieff Morris to Los Angles for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round NBA Draft pick. Utah was the “third man in,” as the Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, the 2025 Clippers’ second-round pick, and the 2025 Mavericks’ second-round pick in the trade while giving up nothing except having to waive recently acquired Mo Bamba.

The reaction to the trade can only be categorized as “legendary,” as the Elias Sports Bureau confirmed that a trade involving a reigning All-NBA guard for an All-NBA center in midseason. “Shocking” was the most frequently used word to describe the trade, noting there was no indication the trade was coming down. ESPN’s newsmaker Shams Charania broke the news a little after midnight on February 2.

LA’s Lebron James thought it was “a hoax,” while longtime NBA reporter and current editor and columnist for The Athletic David Aldridge called it a “Holy Shit” trade, utilizing a phrase that legendary Washington Post editor-in-chief Ben Bradlee used for only the greatest of the greatest stories. The Lakers were overwhelmingly considered the winners of the trade. Many gave the Lakers an “A+” grade while criticizing the Mavericks by dumping and “F” grade on the team for not acquiring more.

That wasn’t the sentiment for the young, upcoming and highly competent Dallas GM, Nico Harrison, who targeted and picked Davis as the player he coveted if he planned to trade his franchise favorite. In fact, both the Lakers’ GM, Rob Pelinka, and Harrison said they began trade talks in January facing the February 6 NBA trade deadline. The fact there wasn’t a single leak proved the two GMs kept their negotiations secret.

NBA executives – all around the league – expressed shock at the fact that the Mavericks negotiated exclusively with the Lakers, and argued that Dallas could have obtained a much larger return for Dončić in an open auction. “It probably would have been the biggest haul in NBA history,” said one team executive in an off-the-record interview while another claimed, “every team in the league would have offered everything they could.” Lost in the ‘what-ifs’ is the fact Dončić and his agent would’ve tried to dictate the terms and destination of the deal if they’d been informed and involved.

Here’s TL’s Take: First and foremost, Dallas GM Nico Harrison knew what had to be done and he deserves enormous credit for having the guts to move on it before there was a major hurdle in front of him and time working against the Mavericks in a big way. Dončić was due for a new contract and his All-NBA status qualified him for a “supermax” deal that would’ve included terms above Boston’s five-year, $314 million deal to keep Jayson Tatum.

Dončić would’ve signed a $325m-plus contract but would’ve built-in a one year opt-out to increase his personal salary haul the next year (2026-27) when the new NBA TV deal kicks in and the team salary cap will increase significantly. With that opt-out in one hand but a longterm contract in place in case of injury, Dončić could’ve easily walked from the Mavericks to any team he wanted to play for, as he would be an unrestricted free agent. The Mavericks would be left empty-handed.

Dončić hasn’t played since he left a Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2024) after 16 minutes and hasn’t set foot on the court ever since. His calf strain has sidelined him indefinitely and reports of his 230-pound playing weight might now be topping 250-260-pounds with a long road of conditioning ahead before he can be effective in the high speed NBA pace of play. To his credit, Dončić played through injury and led the Mavericks to a surprise appearance in the 2024 NBA Finals where they lost to Boston.

Harrison had to wonder if Dončić would be healthy and would he choose to stay in Dallas when every NBA team coffer would open filled with the loot from and 11-year, $76 billion ABC/ESPN, Amazon, NBC Sports and rising global TV deals flooding the league from platforms anxious to air the league’s daily reality show.

In Davis, Dallas has another “big” and a highly skilled two-way player. Harrison stated the old cliche that ‘defense wins championships’ and that fact was his motivation in trading for Davis who is 32 years old. Looking ahead, AD is in his prime holding a contract that is valid through – at least – the ’26-27 season, with his (player option for ’27-28), an option which he’s likely to accept at $66,821,676. for the season. Davis must stay healthy for the trade to work out for Dallas.

Additionally, Max Christie is a very nice piece in this blockbuster puzzle and he is likely to see major minutes for Dallas,

Although Dončić is only 25 years old and has been an All-NBA first team selection five times, joining only Larry Bird, George Gervin, and Tim Duncan as players earning five All-NBA First Team selections in their first six seasons in the league (since the ABA teams were absorbed into the NBA in ‘75-76).

Taking it all in, While We’re Young (Ideas) bucks the trend, and confidently states, “Advantage Dallas.”

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE: With all the attention on the Dallas and LA Lakers, many overlooked a huge acquisition by the San Antonio Spurs when they acquired De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings, Spurs and Chicago Bulls completed a seven-player, seven draft pick trade which went down in the shadows of the Davis/Dončić deal:

San Antonio Spurs acquire:

  • De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin

Sacramento Kings acquire:

Zach LaVine and Sidy Cissoko

  • 2025 first-round pick (via Hornets)
  • 2027 first-round pick (via Spurs)
  • 2031 first-round pick (via Timberwolves)
  • 2025 second-round pick (via Bulls)
  • 2028 second-round pick (via Nuggets)
  • 2028 second-round pick (via Bulls)

Chicago Bulls acquire:

  • Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter
  • And the Bulls re-acquired their own 2025 1st-round pick (via Spurs)

Advantage Spurs who can now combine Fox with (possible) Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle (UConn) all backing the dynamic ‘24 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. When they spread the floor – Look out!

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: One other big NBA trade was tucked in on Trading Deadline Eve.

  • The Golden State Warriors will send forwards Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson plus a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick to the Heat. Also, recently acquired guard Dennis Schroder, will be shipped-out to the Utah Jazz.
  • Utah will send forward P.J. Tucker, who previously played with the Heat in 2021-22, to Miami.
  • Guard Lindy Waters III will go from Golden State to the Detroit Pistons, and Josh Richardson will go from Miami to Detroit.
  • And, the highlight – Miami’s suspended bucket-man, Jimmy Butler, will join the Warriors.

TIDBITS: This weekend is ESPN commentator and Basketball Hall of Famer Dick Vitale’s “Super Bowl Weekend, Baby,” as the popular icon of college basketball returns to the ESPN airwaves after fighting back four bouts of cancer. Vitale called the Duke at Clemson game on Saturday night. … In addition, Hubie Brown, one of the most revered and beloved coaches and broadcasters in basketball history, will call his final NBA game (this weekend), Sunday, February 9, at 2:00pm ET on ABC. Brown will join fellow Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Mike Breen on the call with Lisa Salters reporting. The trio, along with the late Stuart Scott, served as the broadcast team for the 2006 NBA Finals on ABC. Brown will call the Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks game. The legendary coach made his NBA coaching debut in Milwaukee as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972 under the great Larry Costello.

ALL-TIME FICTIONAL CHARACTER HOOPS TEAM: “You can’t teach height,” was the old adage for fielding a competitive basketball team so our Fictional Five and bench players will all stand as the tallest of the tall, rather than the most talented crew. wait no longer, here’s the club:

C: Rubeus Hagrid – Standing 12-foot, Hagrid of Hogwarts has to be our “five,” although there’s going to be plenty of height and length to our line-up, good guy Hagrid will lead this squad. Certainly, all opponents will find it difficult to match-up with Hagrid anchoring a 12-foot, 7-foot-6, 6-foot-9 frontline.

PF: Herman Munster – Straight out of Transylvania (Romania), Munster holds down the power forward spot on the Fictional Five club. He’s tough, quick, defensive minded and stands a lengthy 7-foot-6, according to most accounts.

SF: Lurch – The Addams Family butler stood a legit 6-foot-9 and can man the “three” with the best of ‘em. His abilities as an intimidator and enforcer should not be overlooked, as he can help on weak-side defense. Lurch has a nice stroke, too.

Lurch

SG: Gomez Adams – Castilian-born and surely a fan of León, Gomez Adams stood tall in all photos with his longtime sidekick, Lurch. For the home team, he starts at shooting guard and he’s fine unless he picks up early fouls because of the visiting cheerleaders speaking French.

PG: Bullwinkle J. Moose mans the point. While some might’ve thought Rocket “Rocky” J. Squirrel would’ve been our starter at PG, Moose got the nod over Squirrel, although – at times – they are paired together. Rocky lacked the height to start and match-up vs. taller squads.

The Bench:

The Sixth and Seventh Men come to the club directly from the Bundeslega and they are versatile players who can guard any position. In fact, in their fictional roles, they often had to guard the guard house.

Sergeant Hans Schultz is first man off the bench. The right hand man to Colonel Wilhelm Klink in Hogan’s Heroes, Schultz never melts under opposition pressure. He sees nothing, knows nothing, says nothing when questioned by scouts and media.

Schultz’s cohort from Stanisławów (occupied Austria, back in war-time (American Civil war), was Trooper Hoffenmueller and he joined our club after appearing in 11 episodes of F-Troop. Hoffenmueller had one huge claim to fame, in case you didn’t know, the actor, John Mitchum, had a slightly more famous brother, Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award winner, Robert Mitchum.

The back-up center for our club was the inspiration behind the great nickname given to Celtics star center Robert Parish. “The Chief” gained his nickname from Chief Bromden of the 1975 film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” With the great Randle McMurphy (LA Lakers fan Jack Nicholson) egging him on, Chief strides up and down the court and scores at will. He does the same thing off the bench for this club.

And, as long as McMurphy came up, he happens to be the first guard off the bench.

Rounding out the team, it would be very easy to go with three characters out of “Space Jam,” and maybe include that “bigger than life” Michael Jordan guy, but not here.

James Bond fans know our reserve power forward, Jaws, from “The Spy Who Loved Me.” The 7-foot-2 bruiser has medical clearance from our team dentist who recently replaced Jaws’ metal teeth with game-friendly plastic.

Jackie Moon is a key reserve on the club. A singer who used the profits from his one-hit wonder, “Love Me Sexy”, to buy his own basketball team, the Flint Tropics, Moon eventually moves to a role player slot on the Tropics which was enough to prove his worth to our club.

The 12th man is a two-way player shared with the Minnesota North Poles. The Abominable Snowman hails from The Island of Misfit Toys, and stands 8-feet tall by most accounts. In basketball season, he needs to take a month-long break in December and report back home.

Our coach from the motion picture BLUE Chips is the great Pete Bell of the Western University Dolphins (played by Nick Nolte). Bell is assisted by David Greene (Gabe Kaplan) of Fastbreak, Ken Reeves (Ken Howard) from The White Shadow and grad assistant Jack Cunningham (played by Ben Affleck in The Way Back (2020). Cunningham comes from the Pete Bell coaching tree and Affleck admired the work of Nolte, as well.

SUPER BOWL MENU: The continuation of a popular column tradition, to be shared today with all readers. Here’s what’s being served at ‘the ranch’ on Super Bowl LIX Sunday.

Breakfast

  • Homemade Belgian Waffles, with Vermont Maple Syrup, served with Fresh Strawberries.
  • Everything Bagel (toasted) with Vegetable or Plain Cream Cheese
  • Fresh squeezed Orange Juice
  • Pot of home-brewed “Kick Ass” coffee, with Half & Half

Lunch and Snacks, in honor of Max “Snax” Lyons, our English Springer Doodle

For the Dogs (yes, we spoil them a bit):

  • Homemade Dog Biscuits cooked with Apple Sauce, PBJ and Assorted treats

For the People:

  • Utz Special Dark Sourdough Pretzels
  • Cape Cod Air Fried Chips with Sea Salt
  • Assorted Greek Olives, freshly shipped from Greece
  • Vegetable Crudite with side of Ranch or Thousand Island Dressing
  • Assorted Cheese & Black Pepper Flavored Crackers

Pre-Game and Halftime | Dinner Offerings:

  • Special Meatballs, slow-cooked in Crock Pot, served with Bulky Rolls
  • Salisbury Steak Style Meatballs, with noodles
  • Pistachio Crusted Boneless Chicken Breast, with Grilled, Crispy Brussels Sprouts
  • Mediterranean spices on Boneless Chicken Breast, Grilled with Broccoli side
  • Chips, Salsa with Simple Guacamole

Beverages:

  • Ice Cold Diet Coke
  • Jack’s Abby, Banner City Lager Beer
  • Wine Coolers
  • Home brewed Cold Seltzer with Orange, Peach, Mango Juice over Ice
  • Fresh Lemonade
  • Coffee and Tea

Dessert:

  • Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

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Reid and Mahomes Lead KC Chiefs (Again)

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Digital Sports Desk’s Super Bowl LIX Coverage

NEW ORLEANS – (Staff and wire Service Report) – There was a time coach Andy Reid was a sympathetic figure, a champion of the regular season seemingly destined to be an all-time bridesmaid on the NFL sideline.

Through 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid reached one Super Bowl (2004) and lost the NFC Championship Game four times. It’s why owner Jeffrey Lurie and the Eagles decided another voice was necessary and fired the coach with the most wins in franchise history.

Reid, 66, was reborn in Kansas City, where he — eventually — became synonymous with the Super Bowl and became the all-time wins leader of a second franchise.

The Chiefs didn’t reach the AFC title game until Reid’s sixth season in Kansas City, and since the Chiefs turned that corner, they have not looked back. They’ve won the AFC West division nine consecutive years and Reid hasn’t lost a postseason game since the 2021 AFC Championship to the Bengals.

There was a chance meeting along the way — Reid and a gunslinger from Texas Tech, quarterback Patrick Mahomes — that didn’t hurt the evolution of the Chiefs from doormat to dynasty. The pair won their first Super Bowl after the 2019 season.

That’s not top of mind for Reid this week, according to Mahomes. He said Reid has tunnel vision. A hot topic during the open week before heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX and a chance at a third Super Bowl victory in a row? Perfecting their snap cadence.

“That’s the stuff he focuses on,” Mahomes said. “I think the only time I’ve heard (Andy Reid) say [three-peat] is to the media whenever you all ask him about it.”

Come Monday and the start of the big-game festivities in New Orleans — a backdrop for the Chiefs’ bid to become the first team in league history to win three consecutive Super Bowls — the questions will start fast and furious. Reid will be seeking that historic win against his former team, the Eagles, on Feb. 9.

And Reid, now with 301 victories combined between the regular season and playoffs, and Mahomes — 17-3 in the playoffs and bidding for his fourth Super Bowl ring — are on the verge of adding to their shimmering legacies. A fourth Super Bowl ring for Mahomes would put him in a three-way tie for second-most all-time with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw.

It would also be over halfway to Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins.

“I think you always want to leave a legacy and make your imprint on history, but more than anything, you just want to accomplish a goal that you have with your teammates,” Mahomes said. “When you start (training camp) in St. Joe, your goal is to win the Super Bowl. We know it’s a hard process, we know it’s a hard week in and week out, but I’m proud of how our guys have went about that process. We know it’s not going to be easy, this team we’re playing is a really good football team, but we’re going to go out there and put our best effort out there and play as a team. Hopefully, that’s enough to get a win.”

Before the season and while wading through questions and rumors about retirement, Reid signed a new pact that runs through 2029 and made him the league’s highest-paid coach. With win No. 18 of the season this week, Reid could be just 22 shy of George Halas (324) for third on the NFL’s all-time wins list.

And by Sunday night, Reid could have four Super Bowl wins as a head coach, tying Steelers coach Chuck Noll for second on the all-time list and two shy of Bill Belichick’s record six rings. Belichick won two more as an assistant coach and has 333 victories as a head coach, second to Don Shula (347).

“We all know that’s out there but what matters is how you take care of business,” Reid said of the historic ramifications of another Super Bowl win in an interview with Rich Eisen of the NFL Network this week. “What’s going to help you is that you focus in and take care or business today while we’re doing our practices or in the meetings we have today. Take care of that and everything else you let the chips fall where they may.”

–Field Level Media

 

NOLA’s Super Bowls of the Past

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NEW ORLEANS — (Staff and Wire Service Report) – When the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles meet in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in the Caesars Superdome, New Orleans will make history by tying Miami for the most Super Bowls hosted (11).

But it’s the games themselves that have produced plenty of history for the Crescent City.

In the city’s first Super Bowl (IV), the Chiefs made their only previous title game appearance in New Orleans at Tulane Stadium, which was the site of three Super Bowls before the Superdome came along.

The previous year, the New York Jets made Joe Namath a prophet by upsetting the heavily favored Baltimore Colts and demonstrating that the AFL and the NFL were more competitive than had generally been accepted, with the merger of the two leagues approaching.

When Hank Stram’s Chiefs rolled into New Orleans and upset the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings in the last game involving the AFL, it further solidified the incoming teams’ legitimacy.

Fast forward 43 years, and the last Super Bowl played in New Orleans made history as the first one in which the two head coaches were brothers when John Harbaugh led the Baltimore Ravens against Jim Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers.

But it became notable for another, more bizarre reason when a power outage knocked out the lights inside the Superdome early in the third quarter.

In between the first and last Super Bowls in New Orleans, the Crescent City was the site of:

–the first Super Bowl titles won by the Cowboys and the Steelers;
–another Cowboys title in the first Super Bowl played indoors once the Superdome opened;
–the Eagles’ only previous appearance in a New Orleans Super Bowl in a loss to the Raiders;
–the Bears’ only Super Bowl title;
–the 49ers’ last Super Bowl title with Joe Montana;
–the Packers’ first post-Lombardi title;
–and the Patriots’ and Tom Brady’s first title in the first post-/911 Super Bowl.

[Read more…] about NOLA’s Super Bowls of the Past

NFL’s Pro Bowl Teams

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ORLANDO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The NFL announced on Wednesday the players participating in each of the on-field and off-field skills competitions that make up the 2025 Pro Bowl Games taking place Thursday and Sunday in Florida.

Embed from Getty Images

The 11 skills challenges are worth three points apiece for a total of 33 available. Points from the flag football game on Sunday will be added to Thursday’s score to determine the winner between the competing AFC and NFC sides.

“Passing the Test” is a combination of quarterbacks throwing at various targets in 40 seconds, and teammates answering questions about current Pro Bowl players to try to add more time (10 seconds for a correct response).

The AFC quarterbacks are the Bengals’ Joe Burrow, the Patriots’ Drake May and the Steelers’ Russell Wilson. The trivia partners are the Texans’ Nico Collins, the Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith and the Browns’ Myles Garrett.

The NFC QBs are the Lions’ Jared Goff, the Vikings’ Sam Darnold and the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield. Their trivia partners are the Packers’ Josh Jacobs, the 49ers’ Fred Warner and the Bucs’ Mike Evans.

“Safety Catches” pits a wide receiver, tight end and defensive back from each side trying to catch passes while running an obstacle course.

For the AFC: WR Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), TE Brock Bowers (Raiders) and DB Derek Stingley Jr. (Texans).

For the NFC: WR Justin Jefferson (Vikings), TE Trey McBride (Cardinals) and DB Jaylon Johnson (Bears).

“The Big Spike” pits lineman spiking the football for power and impact.

The AFC participants are OL Rashawn Slater (Chargers) and Joel Bitonio (Browns) and DL Quinnen Williams (Jets). The NFC participants are OL Chris Lindstrom (Falcons) and Frank Ragnow (Lions) and DL Dexter Lawrence (Giants).

“Relay Race” features four players from each squad running 40-yard dashes with a football instead of a baton to hand off.

The AFC relay runners: RB Jonathan Taylor (Colts), CB Pat Surtain II (Broncos), DE Danielle Hunter (Texans), FB Patrick Ricard (Ravens), FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), ST Marvin Mims (Broncos), LB Joey Bosa (Chargers), CB Denzel Ward (Browns), WR Jerry Jeudy (Browns), LB Kyle Van Noy (Ravens), LB Nik Bonitto (Broncos) and SS Derwin James (Chargers).

The NFC relay runners: RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), CB Jaycee Horn (Panthers), DE Micah Parsons (Cowboys), SS Brian Branch (Lions), CB Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks), ST KhaDarel Hodge (Falcons), DE Nick Bosa (49ers), RS KaVontae Turpin (Cowboys), WR Malik Nabers (Giants), LB Bobby Wagner (Commanders), LB Jared Verse (Rams) and SS Budda Baker (Cardinals).

“Helmet Harmony” tests players knowledge of their NFL teammates.

The AFC participants: Cameron Heyward and Miles Killebrew of the Steelers; Dion Dawkins and Connor McGovern of the Bills; and Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton of the Ravens.

The NFC participants: Vita Vea and Tristan Wirfs of the Buccaneers; Jonathan Greenard and Brian O’Neill of the Vikings; and Rashan Gary and Xavier McKinney of the Packers.

“Dodgeball” features four teams of seven players and has a total of six points available.

AFC players: Jeffrey Simmons (Titans), Logan Cooke (Jaguars), Ronnie Stanley (Ravens), Chris Boswell (Steelers), Joe Mixon (Texans), Isaac Seumalo (Steelers), Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens), Patrick Queen (Steelers), Quenton Nelson (Colts), Zaire Franklin (Colts), Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars), James Cook (Bills), Ross Matiscik (Jaguars) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals).

NFC players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Erik McCoy (Saints), Leonard Williams (Seahawks), Bijan Robinson (Falcons), Robert Hunt (Panthers), Taylor Decker (Lions), Jack Fox (Lions), Kyle Juszczyk (49ers), Tyler Smith (Cowboys), Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), George Kittle (49ers), Andrew DePaola (Vikings), Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys) and Byron Murphy (Vikings).

“Punt Perfect” tests the punting accuracy of a one punter and one non-punter from each conference. AFC: Cooke (punter) and Humphrey. NFC: Fox (punter) and Juszczyk.

The Madden NFL 25 Competition features the AFC’s James and Thomas, and the NFC’s Jefferson and Parsons.

The “Great Football Race” consists of five challenges in a relay race. The AFC is represented by Garrett, Linderbaum, Slater, Boswell, Matiscik and McGovern. The NFC participants are Parsons, Ragnow, Wirfs, Aubrey, DePaola and McCoy.

The “Tug-of-War” features the AFC’s Nelson, Seumalo, Bitonio, Stanley, Dawkins, Hendrickson, Hunter, Simmons, Heyward, Q. Williams. The NFC is going with Lindstrom, Tyler Smith, Hunt, O’Neill, Decker, Gary, N. Bosa, Lawrence, Vea, L. Williams.

Flag football rosters:

AFC: Burrow, Maye, Wilson, Mixon, Taylor, Cook, Ricard, Chase, Jeudy, Collins, Thomas, Bowers, J. Smith, Linderbaum, McGovern, Van Noy, Bonito, J. Bosa, Queen, Franklin, Humphrey, Ward, Surtain, Stingley, Fitzpatrick, Hamilton, James, Mims, Killebrew.

NFC: Goff, Darnold, Mayfield, Gibbs, Jacobs, Robinson, Juszcyk, Jefferson, Nabers, Evans, Smith-Njigba, McBridge, Kittle, Ragnow, McCoy, Verse, Greenard, Van Ginkel, Warner, Wagner, Horn, Johnson, Murphy, Weatherspoon, McKinney, Baker, Branch, Turpin, Hodge.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs Beat Bills for Super Bowl LIX Bid

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Harrison Butker kicked a tiebreaking 35-yard field goal with 3:33 remaining as the Kansas City Chiefs recorded a wild 32-29 victory over the visiting Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday to reach the Super Bowl for the third straight season.

Patrick Mahomes accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) as top-seeded Kansas City eliminated the Bills from the postseason for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Kareem Hunt rushed for a touchdown, and Xavier Worthy had six receptions for 85 yards and one score.

The Chiefs will face the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. Kansas City will be looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

Mahomes completed 18 of 26 passes for 245 yards and added 43 on 11 rushes as the Chiefs won their ninth consecutive postseason game.

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Josh Allen was 22-of-34 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns for the second-seeded Bills, who were trying to earn their first Super Bowl appearance in 31 years.

James Cook rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns while Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel had scoring receptions for Buffalo.

Kansas City drove 51 yards in eight plays to set up Butker’s go-ahead kick.

The Bills faced fourth-and-5 from their own 47-yard line on their next possession when the Chiefs heavily blitzed Allen, and his desperation throw for Dalton Kincaid fell incomplete with 1:54 left.

Two plays later, Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco took a short pass 10 yards for a first down. The Bills then had a chance to force a punt on third-and-9, but Mahomes hit Samaje Perine out of the backfield for 17 yards to clinch the victory.

Buffalo took a 22-21 lead on Cook’s 1-yard TD run with 2:56 left in the third quarter to cap a 12-play, 80-yard drive. The ensuing two-point conversion try failed.

The Bills later had possession, but Allen was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Kansas City 41-yard line, giving the Chiefs the ball with 12:55 remaining in the game.

Just five plays later, Mahomes ran to the end zone for a 10-yard score and followed with a two-point conversion pass to Justin Watson to give Kansas City a 29-22 lead with 10:14 left.

Buffalo answered and tied the score on Allen’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Samuel on fourth-and-goal with 6:15 to play.

Kansas City held a 21-16 halftime lead.

The Chiefs drove 90 yards in nine plays on their first possession, with Hunt scoring on a 12-yard run.

Buffalo scored the next 10 points on Tyler Bass’ 53-yard field goal in the opening quarter and Cook’s 6-yard TD run with 10:25 left in the first half.

Kansas City took a 14-10 lead on Mahomes’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Worthy with 4:13 left in the second quarter. Mahomes added a 1-yard scoring run with 1:55 to go to give the Chiefs a 21-10 advantage.

Buffalo responded with Allen’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Hollins with 23 seconds remaining in the frame. A two-point conversion attempt failed.

–Field Level Media

Philly Crushes DC for SB LIX Berth

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley rushed for three touchdowns apiece, and the Philadelphia Eagles pulled away for a 55-23 win over the visiting Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game Sunday afternoon.

Barkley rushed for 118 yards and Hurts threw for 246 yards and a TD for Philadelphia, which advanced to play in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. The Eagles scored eight touchdowns and reached the Super Bowl for the fifth time in team history and the second time in three seasons.

The Commanders pulled within 14-12 midway through the second quarter. Zane Gonzalez made a 46-yard kick for his second field goal of the afternoon, and McLaurin broke a tackle on his way to a 36-yard touchdown catch with 7:05 remaining in the half.

The Eagles pulled ahead 27-12 after scoring two touchdowns in 65 seconds. Hurts lurched forward for a 1-yard score with 1:44 left in the half, and after the Commanders fumbled on the kickoff return, Philadelphia took advantage as Hurts found A.J. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown.

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Gonzalez cut the deficit to 27-15 with a 42-yard field goal just before halftime.

Hurts put Philadelphia on top 34-15 with 8:58 left in the third quarter. He took the snap out of the shotgun and weaved through traffic for a 9-yard score.

Daniels brought Washington within 34-23 on the next possession. He scored on a 10-yard run, then passed to Olamide Zaccheaus for a two-point conversion.

Hurts’ third rushing touchdown made it 41-23 with 12:24 to play. Washington drew multiple penalties for encroachment trying to stop the “Brotherly Shove,” and ultimately Hurts and the Eagles got their way as teammates pushed the quarterback across the goal line yet again.

Barkley scored his third touchdown on a 4-yard run with 7:58 remaining.

Rookie Will Shipley finished the scoring with a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 3:03 to go, two plays after ripping off a 57-yard run. The Eagles finished with 229 yards on the ground.

–Field Level Media

NFC/AFC Championship Previews

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Four teams are left in the race for the Lombardi.

Two-time defending champion Kansas City, the top seed in the AFC, welcomes an opponent the Chiefs know all too well — and not just because of a 30-21 loss at Buffalo on Nov. 17.

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This is the fourth postseason meeting in five years between the Bills and Chiefs, with marquee quarterbacks front and center.

A new name in lights, rookie Jayden Daniels, orchestrated a landslide upset of the NFC favorite and No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions last week to set up the Washington Commanders for a third game in three months against East division rival Philadelphia.

The Eagles are crossing their fingers quarterback Jalen Hurts can be ready after a knee injury slowed him down in a 28-22 home win over the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional playoffs. Philadelphia’s plan still centers around the man lined up behind Hurts — running back Saquon Barkley — who delivered the goods in both games with Washington in the regular season.

More details and all the dirt on Sunday’s AFC Championship and NFC Championship in the capsules below:

NFC Championship Game
No. 6 Washington Commanders (14-5) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (16-3)
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes

The NFC title game in Philadelphia completes a trilogy between rivals and the fifth time teams from the same division square off in the conference championship. This is Washington’s first championship game appearance since 1991, when the franchise won its last Super Bowl.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has 52 wins in his first four seasons. Only George Seifert, who inherited a gunpowder-infused roster in San Francisco, has more victories (57). Joe Gibbs and Mike Tomlin are the only head coaches with two Super Bowl appearances in their first four seasons. Sirianni would join them with a win over Washington today.

Previously this season, the Eagles defeated the Commanders, 26-18, on Nov. 14 as Barkley rushed for 146 yards, including two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the win. In Week 16, Washington overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Philadelphia, 36-33, as Daniels set a career high with five TD passes. He threw the game-winning TD with six seconds left after Eagles backup Kenny Pickett’s pass to likely seal the win was dropped by Barkley.

Philadelphia ranked No. 1 in total defense in 2024 and intercepted Daniels three times in two games. At the heart of the defense, second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter took over late in last week’s win over the Rams with a key sack and forced fumble. Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury threw a few bouquets at Carter this week, calling him “maybe the best I’ve ever seen” at the position. The Eagles have more firepower behind Carter with Defensive Player of the Year candidate Zack Baun and all-rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Mitchell’s shoulder injury forced him out of last week’s game.

Barkley has the third-most rushing yards (2,329) and is fourth in total yards (2,638) in the NFL’s single-season record books. Broncos running back Terrell Davis set the record in 1998.

The game is a second homecoming for Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, who is second in Eagles franchise history to Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael with 639 receptions. Ertz caught a TD pass for visiting Washington when the teams played in November.

AFC Championship Game
No. 2 Buffalo Bills (15-4) at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (16-2)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+

Buffalo beat the Chiefs after Kansas City’s 9-0 start to the regular season, taking a 30-21 victory to push the Bills’ regular-season winning streak over the Chiefs to four games. But Kansas City rattled off six consecutive wins to earn the No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the AFC. The Chiefs have three consecutive victories over the Bills in the playoffs — the 2020 AFC Championship Game and 2021 and 2023 AFC divisional wins.

Quarterback Josh Allen is tightening the margins for opponents by taking care of the ball. Buffalo sports a plus-27 turnover margin and is the first team in NFL history with zero turnovers in four consecutive playoff games. Including the postseason, the Bills lead the NFL with 35 takeaways and a league-low eight turnovers in 19 total games. No team has ever reached the Super Bowl with 10 or fewer turnovers.

Counterpart Patrick Mahomes knows a thing or two about coming out on top in close games. Turnovers? It’s been eight games — since Week 12 of the regular season — without losing the ball for Kansas City, as the Chiefs peak on schedule. The Chiefs have won eight playoff games in a row, the third-longest such streak all-time (2001-2005 New England Patriots – 10 consecutive wins; 1961-67 Green Bay Packers – nine) and since Week 12.

Stopping the run will be a vital element to winning Sunday, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted this week. He pointed to James Cook’s 16 rushing touchdowns and Allen’s game-sealing rumble that beat Kansas City earlier this season.

Buffalo allowed 176 yards rushing to the Ravens, who gained 416 total yards but had three critical turnovers.

Bills safety Taylor Rapp was ruled out with a hip injury on Friday. It’s likely rookie Cole Bishop will be in the starting 11 against Mahomes on Sunday night.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is two TD receptions shy of tying the all-time playoff record held by Jerry Rice (22). Kelce hauled in a pair of Mahomes TD passes in the Chiefs’ playoff win at Buffalo last year. He added a touchdown reception as part of a seven-catch, 117-yard game last week to beat the Houston Texans.

Mahomes and Andy Reid have the Chiefs in the AFC Championship for the eighth consecutive season. Mahomes’ 16 playoff wins are second among all starting quarterbacks, he owns the second-highest postseason passer rating (105.6, minimum 150 attempts), fifth-most postseason touchdown passes (42) and eighth-most postseason passing yards (5,312) in NFL playoff history.

Only three teams have reached the Super Bowl three consecutive seasons: the 1990-93 Bills (four consecutive), 1971-73 Miami Dolphins (three) and 2016-18 Patriots (three).

–Field Level Media

Henry, Jackson Lead Ravens

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Baltimore RB Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two scores and teammate Lamar Jackson passed for two touchdowns to lead the host Ravens to a 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card game on Saturday night.

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Jackson completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries while winning for the third time in seven attempts as a postseason starter. Rashod Bateman and Justice Hill had touchdown receptions for third-seeded Baltimore, which has won five straight games and will learn its next opponent on Sunday.

Henry, who carried 26 times, rushed for more than 150 yards for the fourth time in eight career playoff appearances. His postseason high of 195 came against the Ravens in the 2019 season divisional round when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Russell Wilson was 20 of 29 for 270 yards and two touchdowns for sixth-seeded Pittsburgh, which trailed by 21 points twice while losing its fifth consecutive game. George Pickens had five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown and Van Jefferson also had a scoring reception for the Steelers.

The Ravens totaled 299 rushing yards and outgained Pittsburgh 464-280. Baltimore also had a 29-11 advantage in first downs.

The Steelers had just 29 yards on the ground with a long gain of five.

Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers (knee) missed the game.

The Ravens led 21-0 at halftime after dominating the first 30 minutes and putting together touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards.

Baltimore outgained the Steelers 308-59 and had a 19-2 edge in first downs in the half.

The Ravens took the lead on Jackson’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Bateman with 4:45 left in the first quarter. Henry’s 8-yard scoring run made it 14-0 with 4:09 left in the first half.

Jackson later scrambled out of trouble and hit Hill on a 5-yard scoring pass with two seconds remaining.

Pittsburgh suddenly displayed life in the third quarter as Wilson connected with Jefferson on a 30-yard scoring pass to cap a 98-yard drive with 8:05 left in the period. But Henry broke loose on the fourth play of Baltimore’s next drive and galloped 44 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-7 with 5:49 left.

The Steelers scored again five plays later as Wilson tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Pickens with 3:24 left in the third, but that would be the end of the scoring for the night.

–Field Level Media

Texans Too Much for Chargers

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HOUSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Houston’s QB C.J. Stroud passed for 282 yards and a touchdown, Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a score and Eric Murray returned an interception for a touchdown as the host Texans routed the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in an AFC wild-card game on Saturday.

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Houston (11-7) advanced to the divisional round for the second straight season.

After throwing just three interceptions in 504 passing attempts during the regular season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was picked off four times on Saturday. Herbert was 14-for-32 for 242 yards and a touchdown.

The Chargers scored the first six points, on field goals of 35 and 39 yards by Cameron Dicker. His second came after a Texans fumble gave Los Angeles a short field.

Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on field goals of 41, 37 and 30 yards for Houston.

Houston ran just four offensive plays during the first quarter and had two punts bookending a Stroud interception to start the second.

Fortunes changed just before halftime. Houston drove 99 yards in 13 plays, punctuating the possession with a 13-yard scoring pass from Stroud to Nico Collins with 58 seconds left in the second quarter.

Stroud extended the drive with a highlight-reel play entering the two-minute warning. He scooped up a fumbled snap, then scrambled to connect with Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain to the Los Angeles 49-yard line on third-and-16.

Herbert threw three straight incompletions on the ensuing Chargers possession, and Houston responded with Fairbairn’s 41-yard field goal to take a 10-6 halftime lead.

The Texans scored the first 13 points after intermission. Murray delivered the lone touchdown over that span with a 38-yard pick six with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.

Derek Stingley Jr. snagged two interceptions for Houston and Kamari Lassiter had another.

Herbert recovered from his third pick with an 86-yard pass-and run touchdown to Ladd McConkey. The burst followed two straight Texans sacks. Houston blocked the extra-point attempt, and D’Angelo Ross returned it to the end zone for two points.

Mixon, who had 25 carries, capped the scoring with a 17-yard run with 3:42 left.

McConkey caught nine passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.

Collins had seven receptions for 122 yards and a score.

Houston outgained Los Angeles 429-261.

–Field Level Media