Rob Gronkowski appeared to be upset with how the New England Patriots handled Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach, which ended with his dismissal Sunday following a win over the Buffalo Bills.

Mayo was hired to replace Bill Belichick last year after the legendary head coach and the organization parted ways following six Super Bowls and two dynastic periods.

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The Patriots struggled in Mayo’s first season, finishing 4-13. But Gronkowski expressed that he didn’t believe Mayo had enough time to develop as a head coach.

"I was shocked by that. And to happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people," he said on FOX. "Especially here at the desk, I think we were all surprised by that. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. He had never had the chance to develop as a head coach. 

"He was just a rookie himself in that department. If you judge a coach by their first year, that’s really not appropriate."

TYREEK HILL SUGGESTS HE WANTS TO LEAVE DOLPHINS AFTER FINAL GAME OF 2024 SEASON: ‘I’M OUT’

Mayo and Gronkowski were teammates for a few years with the Patriots.

The Patriots were far from playoff contenders entering the season. New England drafted rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and didn’t start him until a few weeks into the regular season.

New England was 30th in points scored and 31st in yards gained, while finishing 22nd in points and yards allowed.

Patriots team owner Robert Kraft announced the Mayo decision after the Patriots’ win.

"After the game I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made," Kraft said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday following three seasons with the franchise, ending with a 4-13 season to wrap up 2024.

Jacksonville lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 26-23.

"I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars," Jaguars team owner Shad Khan said in a statement, via ESPN. "Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. 

"As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded.  In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now."

Khan indicated that general manager Trent Baalke would stay in his role.

 "I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago," Khan added. "I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville."

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and helped the New York Jets crush the Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes on Sunday evening, 32-30.

It may have been the 41-year-old quarterback’s final game as rumors have swirled about his impending retirement for weeks. Despite the lackluster season, Rodgers became the fifth player in NFL history to hit the 500-touchdown pass plateau for his career.

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Rodgers addressed his next steps after the game.

"We'll have the conversations in the next few days," he said, via SNY. "Whatever happens out of there, I don't know if anything will be definitive coming out of those. But I just need some time away to think about my future in the game, and my future here if they want me to be a part of the next phase or if they're ready to move on. Either way, I'm thankful for my two years here."

Rodgers said he intended to meet with team owners Woody and Christopher Johnson. He added that he would not be "upset or offended" about what they decide to do.

JAHMYR GIBBS TALLIES 4 TOUCHDOWNS AS LIONS TAKE DOWN VIKINGS TO WIN NFC NORTH, SECURE NO. 1 SEED IN PLAYOFFS

The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers prior to the start of the 2023 season. He played four snaps in Week 1 before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

Turmoil and lackadaisical effort created a negative narrative around the team. The Jets fired Robert Saleh and then general manager Joe Douglas in the middle of the season.

New York finished the year 5-12.

Rodgers had 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes. He started each game.

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The Detroit Lions are NFC North champions, as they dominated the Minnesota Vikings, 31-9, to win the division title in back-to-back seasons. 

Not only are they crowned division champions, but the Lions will also be the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are the No. 5 seed as the best of the three wild card squads in the NFC. Instead of the bye week, they will be heading to Los Angeles to face the Rams next weekend. 

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This had "Game of the Year" written all over it, as two of the best offenses in the league were matched up to determine who gets the top seed and the division title all in 60 minutes of play. 

But a shootout wasn't seen at Ford Field on Sunday night, and a lot of that had to do with the tremendous pressure Aaron Glenn's Lions defense put on Sam Darnold and the Vikings' offense. 

On the other hand, the Lions used the man who leads the NFL in touchdowns this season, Jahmyr Gibbs, who added four more to his total in this pivotal game. 

JAY GLAZER: ‘MULTIPLE TEAMS’ INTERESTED IN TRADING FOR VIKINGS HC KEVIN O'CONNELL

Gibbs, who is getting more play with the loss of his counterpart David Montgomery in the backfield, capped a nine-play drive for the Lions with a 25-yard burst into the end zone to put the Lions up 7-0 in the first quarter. 

It was surprisingly the only touchdown scored in the first half, but Gibbs got the lead padded for Detroit in the second half when head coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth-and-2 from Minnesota’s 10-yard line, and Jared Goff tossed a ball to his wide-open back for a 10-yard score. 

Then, after the Vikings missed a deep field goal attempt, Gibbs found another crease, this time going for 13 yards to blow the doors off the game early in the fourth quarter, 24-9. 

Now, this game could’ve been much closer had Darnold, who has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks all season long, capitalized on his opportunities in the red zone. 

Early in the second quarter, Darnold had the Vikings first-and-goal on Detroit’s 5-yard line, but was unable to get into the end zone after a couple errant throws to Justin Jefferson, while also failing to see a wide open Jordan Addison in the flat as well. 

Then, after the Vikings’ defense picked off Goff for the first of two times, Minnesota couldn’t find the end zone from the seven-yard line this time, and more poor throws were seen from Darnold. 

Darnold was pestered all game with Glenn dialing up pressure, forcing the Vikings star to speed up his "quarterback clock" as he went through his progressions. He ultimately finished 18-for-41 for 166 yards – his lowest output all season – as the Vikings didn’t score a touchdown all game. 

The victory was sealed by Gibbs’ fourth touchdown of the game, which was a drive that he carried all the way down the Lions’ field. It began with a 47-yard run to push him over 100 yards rushing on the night. 

Then, after the Lions got the Vikings to jump into the neutral zone on fourth-and-2, Gibbs bullied his way into the end zone, carrying multiple Vikings defenders with him to score a four-yard rush for his fourth touchdown of the night. 

Gibbs finished the game with 139 rushing yards on 23 carries and 31 receiving yards on his big night, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had six catches for 77 yards to lead the Lions through the air. 

Goff was 27-for-33 for 231 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. 

With this NFC North finish, the 2024 NFL regular season has come to an end, and the playoffs are set for Wild Card Weekend in a few days. 

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As the 2024 regular season comes to an end, one NFL star appears to want out of his situation. 

Tyreek Hill saw his Dolphins lose to the New York Jets on Sunday, and though the Denver Broncos won their matchup to grab the final AFC playoff spot regardless, he didn’t appear all too happy that Miami wasn’t heading to the playoffs. 

During his postgame interview, Hill was blunt about missing out on the postseason for the first time in his career. 

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"I just got to do what’s best for me and my family," he said after telling reporters it’s the first time he’s not getting a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. "If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself. 

"I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what’s best for my career because I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there."

If those comments weren't enough, Hill basically doubled down on his X page. 

2024 NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: FULL 14-TEAM FIELD SET AS BUCS, BRONCOS GRAB LAST SPOTS

"Love fin nation blessing yall opened doors for the Hill family forever nothing, but respect and love," he tweeted out. 

Hill just received a contract extension this past offseason with the Dolphins. He expressed his desire for a new deal after previously getting a four-year, $120 million extension when the Dolphins traded with the Kansas City Chiefs to land him in 2022. 

Hill’s deal with the Dolphins in August was for three more years worth $90 million with $65 million guaranteed. So, Hill is under contract with Miami for the next two seasons until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. 

Those two seasons, according to OverTheCap, come with cap hits of $27.7 million and $51.9 million respectively. 

Hill is easily coming off his worst season with the Dolphins. A lot of that had to do with the team’s quarterback troubles, as Tua Tagovailoa dealt with yet another concussion spell this season. 

After going for over 1,700 receiving yards in his first two Dolphins seasons, Hill finished with 939 yards on 79 catches (120 targets) with six touchdowns. This comes after he led the NFL in both receiving yards (1,799) and receiving touchdowns (13) in 2023. 

Hill has been a back-to-back First-Team All-Pro selection in 2022 and 2023, as he continued showcasing his elite speed and receiving skills away from the Chiefs, who he spent his first six seasons with.

The eight-time Pro Bowler would be a hot commodity on the trade market, but it’s unclear what exactly the Dolphins will do, or if Hill is just having a bad reaction after missing out on the playoffs for the first time in his career. 

For the Dolphins, if missing the postseason wasn’t enough, having a disgruntled star in the locker room isn’t a fun scene heading into the offseason. 

Dolphins owner Steve Ross also mentioned after the game that general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel are two people he believes in, giving them job security heading into the 2025 offseason. 

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The Dallas Cowboys-Washington Commanders Week 18 matchup was a thriller to the end, but not every play had the best execution. 

Just ask the Cowboys cheerleaders. 

Brandon Aubrey, Dallas’ trusty placekicker, was setting up for a kickoff, which is about routine as it comes for his position in the league. 

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But Aubrey’s attempt to kick the ball downfield went awry, as it was kicked immediately out of bounds to the left, and one Cowboys cheerleader was the unfortunate recipient of it.

After an NFL cameraman couldn’t catch the ball with one hand, it smacked a cheerleader in the back of the head, sending her to the ground in the surprise incident. 

Social media users suspect that Michelle Siemienowski, a first-year cheerleader with Dallas, was the one hit by the ball. 

COMMANDERS' JEREMY REAVES PROPOSES TO LONGTIME GIRLFRIEND AFTER WIN: 'THAT’S MY BEST FRIEND'

Luckily, she got back to her feet and appeared to be laughing about the situation after it happened. 

The rest of her cheer team made sure to check on her, as did Commanders punter Tress Way, who was in the area. 

Siemienowski made the cheer team in July, writing on Instagram that it was "my dream for as long as I can remember" to be a part of the famous squad. 

"This has been the most life changing experience, but this is only the beginning. I am so grateful to say that I achieved my dreams and earned my boots!"

Once the game resumed after the incident, the Cowboys found themselves looking to finish the season on a high note, but the Commanders had something else in mind. 

Marcus Mariota, who took over for Jayden Daniels at quarterback given the team’s playoff berth, knew that potential seeding was on the line when he got the ball with just over three minutes to play in the fourth quarter. 

Washington, down by three points, didn’t just think about a game-tying field goal as Mariota found himself with 2nd-and-goal from the Dallas 5-yard line, and he tossed a fade to Terry McLaurin on the outside. 

McLaurin leaped in the air and snagged the ball, keeping both feet in bounds to win the game on the final play from scrimmage. 

As a result, the Commanders finished the season 12-5, though the Philadelphia Eagles won the division with a 14-3 record. But the win earned them the No. 6 seed instead of the No. 7 seed, which would have to travel to Philadelphia to face those Eagles in the wild-card round.

Meanwhile, Dallas finishes the season 7-10.

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The Denver Broncos entered Sunday knowing they controlled their own playoff destiny, and with the Kansas City Chiefs sitting their starters, all signs pointed to them getting the job done at home. 

Bo Nix did more than just secure the win. He threw for four touchdowns in the 38-0 rout of the Chiefs to earn the AFC's No. 7 seed. With that, the Broncos are the last team in the NFL to earn a spot in the playoffs.

As Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and more watched from the sideline in what will be almost a month’s worth of rest when they finally get to play again as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Nix was going to work right away against a Chiefs defense that also had key players on the bench. 

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The Broncos needed just six plays to go 70 yards as Marvin Mims Jr. scored the game’s first touchdown on a perfectly executed screen play for 32 yards to make it 7-0 off the rip. 

What ensued was two more touchdown drives to make it three in a row for Nix, who found Courtland Sutton from 10 yards out and then led an 11-minute drive that was capped by Devaughn Vele somehow snagging a tipped pass for a three-yard score. It came on the 18th play of the drive and made it a 21-0 game. 

CHIEFS' TEAM PLANE STRANDED DUE TO ICE DANGER EN ROUTE TO DENVER FOR GAME WITH PLAYOFF STAKES VS BRONCOS

Meanwhile, Carson Wentz, starting in place of Mahomes, couldn’t get a single thing going against a stingy Broncos defense that forced two three-and-outs to start the game. Then, after getting some yards, the Chiefs missed a field goal from 51 yards out when Harrison Butker went wide left. 

That was the closest the Chiefs came to scoring any points. They went punt, punt, turnover-on-downs and punt in the second half. 

On the other hand, Nix wasn’t done throwing points up on the board, and it came in the form of another Mims touchdown, this time from seven yards away. 

To add to their lead, the Broncos had Audric Estime run in from one yard out to cap a victory that sent the Mile High crowd into a frenzy, knowing they had finally clinched a playoff spot. 

In the box score, Nix was an impressive 26-of-29 for 321 yards with his four touchdown passes, and his top target was someone with one of those Week 18 incentives. 

Sutton needed 82 receiving yards to cash a $2 million incentive, and he did so by finishing with 98 on five receptions, including a 47-yard bomb from Nix as his first reception of the game. 

Nix also led the Broncos in rushing with 47 yards on seven carries. 

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned the New Orleans Saints over on downs to seal their Week 18 win that gave them the NFC South title and the final playoff berth in the NFC. 

With just seconds left to tick off in the fourth quarter Sunday, one would think quarterback Baker Mayfield would assume victory formation and kneel out the win. But he had another thing in mind. 

He wanted his favorite target to make NFL history and make $3 million in incentives in the process. 

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Every Tampa Bay fan knew Mike Evans entered this game needing five catches and 85 yards to earn a $3 million bonus. 

The yards specifically would make NFL history, too, as Evans would become the first player to ever start their career with 11 1,000-yard seasons. It would also tie the great Jerry Rice’s all-time record with 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards. 

BAKER MAYFIELD LEADS BUCS TO 4TH QUARTER COMEBACK OVER SAINTS TO WIN NFC SOUTH TITLE

When the Bucs took the ball over at the end of the game, Evans had eight catches but only 80 yards. He needed five more to set a new NFL record and also earn himself a pretty penny on top of his regular game check. 

So, instead of just kneeling it out, Mayfield dropped back, threw quickly to his left and Evans picked up nine yards to finish with nine catches for 89 yards to hit the mark. 

Evans launched the ball into the sky and rookie teammate Jalen McMillan immediately ran over to him to celebrate as the entire Raymond James Stadium crowd freaked out, knowing Evans got what everyone wanted to see. The rest of Evans’ Bucs teammates ran over to congratulate him as he walked off the field. 

"I was hoping we’d get a stop because I can’t pass up history," Evans said after the game, per Yahoo Sports. "Coach Bowles didn’t want to let it pass up or [offensive coordinator Liam Coen]. I’m happy that they had me go out there and get that, because this has been hard to do for 11 straight years, and to be tied with one of [the greatest, if not the greatest, receiver] of all time means a lot to me."

Mayfield added, "That was what we came up with, and Mike did the rest. He deserves that. This guy means so much to the community, this team, this organization for years. For him to be able to reach that feat 11 years in a row and tie Jerry Rice, it’s unbelievable."

So, Evans finishes his 11th NFL season, all with the Bucs, with 1,004 receiving yards. And his efforts helped his squad reach the playoffs, where they will be the No. 4 seed in the NFC.

It’s also worth noting that Evans will be seeing a $666,666 incentive for finishing in the top 10 in wide receiver touchdowns across the NFL.

The Bucs, now winners of the NFC South for a fourth consecutive season, await the loser of the Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings matchup later on Sunday, as they would assume the No. 5 seed.

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The Chicago Bears weren’t necessarily playing spoiler on Sunday when they took on the Green Bay Packers, but there was still a ton to play for as they wanted to finish the season on a high note. 

That’s exactly what happened thanks to Cairo Santos drilling a 51-yard field goal to beat the Packers, 24-22, snapping Chicago’s 10-game losing streak to end the season with a 5-12 record. 

It was also a historic kick made by Santos as the Bears finally defeated their NFC North foe, snapping an 11-game losing streak to the Packers. 

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The game-winning drive came after the Packers’ Brandon McManus drilled a 55-yard field goal to put Green Bay up 22-21 with 54 seconds left to play in the game. 

Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense knew they had one timeout remaining and needed the right yardage to get in range for Santos to walk it off. The drive didn’t start off well as Williams was sacked, but a costly penalty changed everything. 

A horse collar tackle was called, leading to a 15-yard swing that put Chicago on the 35-yard line instead of back on their own 13. The very next play saw Williams connect with fellow rookie Rome Odunze to put the Bears at midfield with 40 seconds to play. 

BEARS SHOCK PACKERS WITH PUNT RETURN TRICKERY FOR TOUCHDOWN

Then on 3rd-and-6 from Green Bay’s 46-yard line, Williams found D.J. Moore for 12 yards, but an illegal shift was called to negate the gain that would’ve given the Bears enough yards for Santos. 

So on 3rd-and-11 with 15 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, Williams dropped back and found Moore in the middle of the field for an 18-yard pickup. Chicago rushed to the line of scrimmage and spiked the ball with two seconds left, giving Santos the chance to win it. 

The kick was hit with enough distance and the right trajectory, and the celebrating ensued at Lambeau Field. 

And while the Packers were already in the playoffs, the loss, coupled with the Washington Commanders’ own game-winning drive, dropped Green Bay to the No. 7 seed in the NFC. They have to go to Philadelphia to face the No. 2 Eagles instead of going to Los Angeles to face the No. 3 Rams.

In the box score, Williams was 21-for-29 for 148 yards with a touchdown pass to Moore, who had nine catches for 86 yards. D’Andre Swift also found the end zone on one of his 20 rushes for 65 yards.

Chicago also had one of the league’s best trick plays of the season as Josh Blackwell ran back a 94-yard punt for the game’s first touchdown after going virtually untouched with the Packers thinking a second Bears punt returner was going to catch it.

For the Packers, Jordan Love initially started this game but was taken out as a precaution with what was called an elbow injury. Malik Willis took over and went 10-of-13 for 136 yards. Josh Jacobs found the end zone for Green Bay again this season as well.

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Bill Belichick's replacement has lasted just one season. 

The New England Patriots have fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo after going 4-13 in his first and only season, including a Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills which lost the franchise the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed the reports of Mayo’s firing in a lengthy statement where he explained the front office will remain intact heading into the offseason. 

"After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made," Kraft said. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more later.

It came down to the wire, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints in a thriller, 27-19, to win the NFC South. 

Coming into this contest, the Bucs knew they had a win-and-in position, as the Atlanta Falcons needed to defeat the Carolina Panthers and hope for a Tampa Bay loss to sneak into the playoffs as the division winner. 

But Tampa Bay is heading to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the NFC, and they will await who they will host in the wild-card round with the loser of the Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday night finishing the seeding in the conference. 

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It might have been a jubilation at Raymond James Stadium at the final whistle, but there were a lot of nervous Bucs fans when halftime came around and the Spencer Rattler-led Saints owned a 16-6 lead. 

The Saints were playing in their first game since the senseless act of violence took place in New Orleans’ French Quarter in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, a terror attack that killed 14 and left many more injured. 

A moment of silence was held for all those in the New Orleans community before kickoff, where a true show of patriotism was captured on the Fox Sports broadcast. 

BUCS' JORDAN WHITEHEAD INVOLVED IN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING TO PRACTICE FACILITY

And it was all New Orleans to start this game, as they scored on each of their first four drives – three field goals and a touchdown pass by Rattler to Dante Pettis. 

Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs were trying to find something, and they got exactly what they needed to begin the second half. Mayfield orchestrated a 10-play, 72-yard drive that ended in a Peyton Durham touchdown to finally get the Bucs a touchdown on the day. The 16-13 deficit was more than manageable. 

However, the Saints’ defense wasn’t helping matters, as they were pesky and forced a Mayfield interception despite the Bucs’ defense getting a three-and-out after their touchdown. 

After adding another field goal, the Saints owned a 19-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter where the Bucs entered desperation mode. Luckily for them, Mayfield wasn’t fazed. 

Early in the fourth quarter, Mayfield stepped up in a collapsing pocket and delivered an absolute strike to Jalen McMillan, who kept two feet in the front right of the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Bucs a 20-19 lead after the extra point. 

Then, the icing on the cake was a broken play that resulted in a Bucky Irving 11-yard rush for the touchdown. 

The Bucs ultimately turned the Saints over on downs on their final drive, and with just seconds left to play, Tampa Bay and its fan base were celebrating the division title and the victory. 

But what made this win even more special was what the Bucs did with their final snap of the game, as veteran receiver Mike Evans needed five catches and 85 yards to reach a $3 million incentive while also becoming the first player in NFL history to have reached 1,000 receiving yards in his first 11 seasons. 

Evans, who was stuck at eight catches for 80 yards, caught a pass for nine yards from Mayfield and he launched the ball in the air after getting tackled, knowing he just made NFL history and $3 million. 

Looking at the stat sheet, Mayfield finished 21-of-32 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, with Evans catching nine passes for 89 yards. Irving finished with 89 rushing yards on 19 carries. 

For the Saints, Rattler was 26-for-42 for 240 yards with his one touchdown pass, while tight end Juwan Johnson led the way with six catches for 80 yards. 

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The Chicago Bears didn’t have much to play for on Sunday in Green Bay other than to ruin the Packers’ playoff seeding. 

But, with this being the final game of the Bears’ 2024 season, all the stops were pulled out… even on special teams. 

The first touchdown scored in this game was the result of some punt return trickery by the Bears, as Josh Blackwell scored from 94 yards away untouched after the Packers had no clue he even had the football. 

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That’s because the Bears sent out two returners near the end zone, and one of them was acting like the ball was going their way. 

Meanwhile, Blackwell was running back down the left sideline and saw the ball coming his way. So, as his teammate acted like he was just going to let the ball fall and hope it resulted in a touchback, Blackwell caught it and started running toward the end zone on the other end of the field. 

2024 NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: NFC'S TOP SEED, TWO FINAL BERTHS AT STAKE IN WEEK 18

It wasn’t until Blackwell had a load of blockers in front of him that the Packers saw what was going on, and only Green Bay punter Daniel Whelan knew what was happening. However, he didn’t have a chance to take down Blackwell, as two Bears players blocked him to seal the first touchdown of the game. 

Blackwell found some Bears fans in the back of the end zone and attempted a "Lambeau Leap" to pour a little salt in the wound for the Packers. 

While the Bears don’t have anything but the NFL Draft to worry about with a 4-12 record coming into the game, the Packers do have some seeding to look at in the NFC playoff bracket. 

The Packers are in the playoffs, but a win and a Washington Commanders loss would put them in the No. 6 seed instead of the final No. 7 wild card slot. Washington is in a close matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on the road at AT&T Stadium. 

Chicago’s 2024 campaign started with tons of optimism, most surrounding No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, and the team started 4-2, which brought up loads of playoff speculation. 

But the Bears have lost 10 straight games since, ultimately leading to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles. Once again, they are thinking about the future as they aim to continue building around Williams. 

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There are playoff implications in Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon, as the Buccaneers look to win the NFC South to make it into the postseason. 

Before the game kicked off, though, a moment of silence was held for the Bucs’ opponent, the New Orleans Saints, as they play in their first game since the deadly terror attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street.

Fox Sports captured the somber moment during its telecast, doing so without any interruptions or cutting away.

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"Earlier this week, our nation experienced a horrific act of violence with heartbreaking tragedy in New Orleans. Our hearts are with the New Orleans community, including the brave first responders," the Bucs’ public address announcer said over the Raymond James Stadium speakers. "At this time, please stand and join us in a moment of silent reflection in the memory of the victims, their families and loved ones."

The Saints’ sideline saw the entire team holding hands and bowing their heads, which the Buccaneers and everyone in the stands did as well. 

The uninterrupted moment continued with the national anthem, as Fox Sports showed scenes of both sidelines, the crowd and the all-around patriotism that was seen in Tampa Bay. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DONATE $1 MILLION TO RELIEF FOLLOWING TERROR ATTACK NEAR STADIUM

The Saints were obviously heavily affected by the terror attack, but the team announced, in a joint statement with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, that one of the victims was a member of their video production team with ASM New Orleans. 

Matthew Tenedorio, who the Saints said was a "young, talented" member of the video production team, was killed in the senseless act of violence by Shamsud-Din Jabbar. 

The Saints pledged to donate $1 million to relief efforts for the victims of the terror attack in the French Quarter, where 14 people were killed and dozens more were injured. The act of terror came less than two miles away from the Caesars Superdome, which is where the Saints hold their home games. 

"Our community has experienced an unimaginable tragedy and our collective hearts are broken as we mourn for the victims and survivors on the New Year's Day terror attack in New Orleans," Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. "As a league, our cities and teams compete at the highest levels of competition and share spirited rivalries. Our staffs and players work tirelessly towards achieving our goals and we share in victories and defeats. 

"However, through football we are also united and we stand arm-in-arm against all forms of hatred. We will vanquish terror and fear with an unwavering resolve and purpose rooted in love, compassion and kindness. Our focus has always been on providing aid quickly and effectively, and we are grateful for the collaboration with both the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) and United Way to ensure that these funds reach those who need them most."

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens’ regular season ended with a whimper and the fans at Acrisure Stadium let him know about it on Saturday night.

Pickens had one catch on six targets for a grand total of zero yards. Pittsburgh’s offense was nowhere to be found as they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 19-17.

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The ESPN broadcast showed Pickens getting into it with fans at the stadium. One of Pickens’ teammates had to step in and get him to focus on the game instead of those who were talking trash to him on the sideline.

Pickens didn’t speak to the media after the game. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson expressed support for him.

"I believe in George," Wilson said, via ESPN. "Listen, everything's not always perfect for everyone. This is an imperfect game and everything else. I believe in George, I believe in who he is, the player that he is.

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"He's been a star for us all season, and he's going to be a difference-maker obviously for us in the playoffs. I'm looking forward to that and what he can do, what we can do together. And I'm not blinking on George. If anybody believes in him, I definitely do."

Pickens’ lackadaisical effort has been an underlying theme of the Steelers’ season.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin even came out and said Pickens needed to "grow up in a hurry."

A lot of focus will be on Pickens as Pittsburgh gets ready for the playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce celebrated his historic touchdown catch last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a nod to the legendary Tony Gonzalez.

Kelce dunked the football through the goalposts as Gonzalez did during the course of his career with the Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. The touchdown from Kelce was the 77th of his career, which passed Gonzalez on the all-time list.

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But the celebration hurt him more in the wallet than anything else.

Kelce was fined $14,069 for "Unsportsmanlike Conduct Use of Prop," according to multiple reports. Luckily, it appeared Gonzalez knew the fine was coming.

"lol! I got u," Gonzalez wrote on X, while also complimenting the dunk.

Kelce hasn’t had the typical season Chiefs fans are used to seeing. He started out of the gate incredibly slow, failing to pick up the first touchdown catch of the season until the Las Vegas Raiders game on Oct. 27.

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He has 97 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns this season. His receiving yards total is the lowest it's been since the 2014 season – the second year he was in the league. His touchdown total is the lowest of his career. He had four touchdown catches in 2016.

Kelce was still voted to the Pro Bowl thanks to fan support. It’s the 10th selection of his career.

Kansas City will wrap up the regular season against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The team has a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson appeared to answer the one question pro wrestling fans have asked in the weeks leading up to WWE’s "Monday Night Raw" debut on Netflix.

Johnson wrote in the caption of an Instagram post on Sunday that he will be at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as WWE embarks on a new chapter in its history.

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"Until then, I’ll come back home to @wwe tomorrow night as we make history on @netflix and begin a new and exciting era," he wrote.

"Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way."

Johnson has been seen sparingly on WWE programming since he interfered in WrestleMania 41 Night’s 2 main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Rhodes finally captured the Undisputed WWE Championship that night, ending Reigns’ historic reign as champion.

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Johnson appeared on "Monday Night Raw" the next night to confront Rhodes one last time before he took a hiatus. Johnson then appeared at Bad Blood after Rhodes and Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu in a tag-team match.

He didn’t say anything but the return was electric. The appearance at the premium live event also sparked ideas about how Johnson could make an impact in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.

The obvious answer would be a match between him and Reigns but there’s still a lot that has to happen to get there.

Additionally, Monday night’s episode will also mark the return of John Cena and his start of a farewell tour.

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C.J. Stroud has the Houston Texans in the playoffs for the second straight season despite a year filled with ups and downs and a bunch of injuries.

Stroud talked to reporters Saturday ahead of the 2024 regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans and opened up about his goals for 2025 and beyond. While playoffs and accolades are one thing, Stroud talked about honing in on his relationship with God instead.

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"Lock it back in with the Lord. Kinda in the lukewarm season – one foot in, one foot out. The Lord has helped me get outta that," he said. "So, that’s really my 2025 goal is to be locked in with the Lord as much as possible. 

"You know, fasting and praying, being part of a church here in Houston. That's my 2025 goal, being closer to the Lord."

Stroud has never shied away from talking about his faith. He talked about giving glory to God following the team’s playoff win last year against the Cleveland Browns – an answer that NBC omitted in its social media post.

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He told Fox News Digital last year it was great to have a big community of Christian athletes in the NFL.

"I feel like, of course, football is amazing, but one day this sport will be done," he said. "This is our passion, but I think our purposes are bigger than just football, and it’s cool to see people use their platform to show their purpose in the Lord."

"So, I think we have a really good community of a lot of believers in the league and really around the sports world. I think the more we can do with our platform, the better we can make this world and hopefully, really help people if they want the help to find Christ and really understand that God loves you no matter what. That’s really the light I feel like we’re trying to shine."

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Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Michael Pierce intercepted the first pass of his career on Saturday in the team’s dominating win over the Cleveland Browns.

Pierce’s interception of Bailey Zappe ended the game for good. Pierce caught the pass and seemed like he had a gap if he wanted to try and return it for a touchdown. But after running six yards, the 355-pound player gave himself up with a slide and celebrated instead.

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Pierce was asked why he didn’t return the ball.

"There's a long history of turning big-guy interceptions and fumbles and all that stuff into memes," he said, via NFL.com. "At the risk of ruining a career play like that for myself, it's time to go home. So, the bus was out of gas. We're good."

Pierce joined the Ravens in 2016 as an undrafted free agent. He became a starter in 2017 and played one season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before he returned to the Ravens. Saturday’s game was the 99th of his career.

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"I'm glad I caught it, more importantly," he added. "I'm gonna be honest – I don't want to curse a lot on TV – but oh s-word, you know what I'm saying? Oh my god, he really threw this football.

"I got fairly decent hands. I'm glad I caught it, and like I said, coach preaches smart football, and like I said, I don't want to end up on a meme on Instagram, my wife and everybody laughing at me. So we did the right thing and kept it moving."

Baltimore won the game 35-10.

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The Cincinnati Bengals needed to win the rest of their games after a Dec. 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in order to even have a chance to sniff the postseason this year.

They did just that.

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The Bengals won their final five games of the regular season, including Saturday’s game against the Steelers, and at least have a shot at making the playoffs. They still need help with Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins losses on Sunday.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor fired off a warning to the rest of the playoff teams.

"They're capable of everything," Taylor said, via the team’s website. "They don't want us in this tournament, I promise you."

BENGALS DEFENSE STEPS UP TO KEEP SLIM PLAYOFF CHANCES ALIVE IN SEASON FINALE

The Bengals were 4-8 after losing to the Steelers on the first day of December but dug deep to do their part and have a shot at the postseason – albeit very slim.

The New York Jets will be tasked with ruining the Dolphins’ season while the Kansas City Chiefs have their hands full against the Denver Broncos.

Bengals offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. said he was going to send out text messages during the night, hoping those two teams take care of business.

"Hopefully everybody takes care of business," he said. "Some guys who haven't been playing but are going to get the opportunity are going to be hearing from me. My message to Aaron Rodgers is I'll get his next Peru trip."

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre was among those who reacted to President Biden giving out Presidential Medals of Freedom on Saturday.

Biden was scrutinized on social media for handing out the awards to Hillary Clinton and George Soros.

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Critics pointed out Clinton's handling of the war in Libya and the attack on United States government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, as well as her controversial private email server for government business, which prompted former FBI Director James Comey to say publicly that Clinton had mishandled classified information. 

The award to Soros, a Democratic megadonor, was slammed based on the billionaire's campaign funding of progressive district attorneys who have been soft on crime, which they say has led to crime waves in blue cities.

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Favre noticed as well.

"What words would you use to describe the White House medals that were given out because I’m honestly speechless," he wrote on X.

Favre has been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump. He spoke at a rally for the president-elect in Wisconsin, ripping Biden after he appeared to call Trump supporters "garbage" in the final days before the election.

He vowed that anything Democrats "broke" over the last four years Trump will "fix."

Soccer star legend Lionel Messi was one of 19 recipients for the award as well. But he skipped the ceremony due to a scheduling conflict, according to USA Today.

Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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