#TacleandoLaNFL Wild Card 2019

Tacleando la NFL: Wild Card 2019

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

Los playoffs de la NFL comenzaron sabrosos con los Colts dominando 21-7 a los Texans gracias a dos TD lanzados de Andrew Luck. Luck lanzó 32-19 para 222 yardas en el juego mientras que Marlon Mack corrió 24 veces para un total de 148 yardas y un TD. Luck lanzó un TD a las manos de Eric Ebron y Mack corrió dos yardas para un TD, para cerrar el marcador 14-0 en el 1er parcial. En el 2do parcial, Luck lanzó su segundo TD para poner el marcador 21-0 al finalizar la primera mitad. La defensa de los Colts se encargó del resto con una intercepción, 3 sacks y 65 tacles. Un TD lanzado de Deshaun Watson fue todo para los Texans.

Los Colts ahora pasan a medirse ante los Chiefs el sábado en una de las batallas Divisionales del AFC. Mi pronóstico es los Chiefs.

Los Cowboys sobrevivieron 24-22 a los Seahawks gracias a dos TD de Dak Prescott, uno corriendo y uno lanzado, junto a un rush TD de Ezequiel Elliott. Russell Wilson corrió y lanzó para dos TD en la derrota. El juego comenzó con una batallas de Kickers en el 1er parcial, Brett Maher (Dallas) una de 39 yardas y Sebastian Janikowski con dos, una de 27 y otra de 42 yardas. Seahawks 6-3 al finalizar el 1er parcial. Dak Prescott lanzó un TD a las manos de Michael Gallup para cerrar la mitad de juego con Dallas al frente 10-6. En el 3er parcial, Wilson logra el rush TD plus la conversión de dos puntos para poner el juego 14-10 a favor de Seattle al cerrar tres parciales. En el 4to parcial Elliot logra su rush TD para poner el marcador a favor de Dallas 17-14. Faltando 2:08 de juego, Prescott logra un rush TD y le da ventaja 24-14 a los Cowboys; pero Wilson lanzó un TD faltando 1:18 y junto a la conversión de dos puntos, el juego se puso 24-22. Pero los Seahawks no pudieron lograr una onside kick efectiva y se eliminaron.

Los Cowboys se medirán a los Rams en una de las batallas divisionales del NFC este sábado. Mi pronóstico es los Rams.

Los Chargers pudieron sobrevivir el rally de los Ravens para vencerlos 23-17. En el 1er parcial los Chargers contaron con field goals de 21 y 53 yardas de Mike Badgley para tomar ventaja 6-0. Badgley anota field goals de 40 y 34 yardas en el 2do parcial para cerrar la mitad 12-0 a favor de los Chargers. Los Ravens anotaron sus primeros puntos en el 3er parcial con un field goal de 33 yardas de Justin Tucker. Chargers a favor 12-3 al finalizar tres cuartos de juego. Melvin Gordon con un rush TD plus la conversión de dos puntos le dan la ventaja 20-3 a los Chargers en el 4to parcial. Faltando 9 minutos de juego, Mike Badgley, logra un field goal de 47 yardas y los Chargers dominan 23-3. Badgley se fue de 6-5 con 15 puntos pateando balones. Y ahora llega el comeback de los Ravens con dos TD lanzados de LaMar Jackson para cerrar el marcador 23-17 faltando 1:59 de juego. Pero los Chargers pudieron cerrar el juego sin mayores complicaciones.

Los Chargers se medirán a los sub-campeones Patriots el domingo en la otra batalla divisional del AFC.

Los Eagles recibieron un milagrito para vencer 16-15 a los Bears y mantener la defensa de su campeonato en la mira. Los Eagles arrancaron el primer parcial con field goal de 43 yardas de Jake Elliott para tomar ventaja 3-0. En el 2do parcial los Bears tomaron la delantera 6-3 con field goals de 36 y 29 yardas de Cody Parkey. En el 3er parcial los Eagles retoman la ventaja 10-6 con un TD lanzado de NIck Foles a las manos de Dallas Goedert. Comenzando el 4to parcial un field goal de 34 yardas de Cody Parkey acerca 10-9 a los Bears. Mitchell Trubisky lanza un TD a las manos de Allen Robinson, y aunque fallaron la conversión de dos puntos, los Bears toman ventaja 15-10 faltando 9:04 de juego. Los Eagles reciben su 1er milagrito con un TD lanzado de NIck Foles a las manos de Golden Tate faltando 56 segundos. Los Eagles tomaron ventaja 16-15; pero fallaron la conversión de dos puntos, dejando la puerta abierta para un comeback de los Bears. Chicago con un drive de 6 jugadas y 33 yardas en solo 51 segundos se pusieron a distancia de un field goal para ganar el juego. Cody Parkey falló un field goal de 43, mejor dicho, le bloquearon un field goal de 43 yardas, lo que le costó no tan solo el juego, si no la temporada a los Bears. Parkey falló 10 field goals en la temporada regular y un par fueron similares a ese decisivo. Curioso que el ex-kicker de Chicago, Robbie Gould, se ha ido 83-82 en field goals desde que lo dejaron en libertad. Nick Foles lanzó de 40-25, 266 yardas, 2 TD y 2 intercepciones mientras que Mitchell Trubisky se fue de 43-26, 303 yardas y un TD.

Los campeones Eagles se medirán a los Saints el domingo en la otra batalla divisional del NFC. Mi pronóstico son los Saints.

DE INTERÉS – VUELTA DIVISIONAL​​

EL ÉXITO QUE VIENE DE ABAJO. Los INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-6) y PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7) ganaron en el Fin de semana de Comodines siendo los preclasificados N° 6 en sus respectivas confe​rencias.

Los Colts, que el sábado (4:35 PM, hora de New York, NBC) viajan a Kansas City, y los Eagles, que juegan en New Orleans el domingo (4:40 PM, hora de New York, FOX), buscan convertirse en el primer par de preclasificados N° 6 que alcanzan el Campeonato de Conferencia desde 2010, cuando tanto los Green Bay Packers como los New York Jets lograron tal hazaña.

Los preclasificados N° 6 que alcanzaron el Campeonato de Conferencia desde que el formato de postemporada de 12 equipos arrancó en 1990:

TEMPORADA	EQUIPO	CONFERENCIA	AVANZÓ A
2010	Green Bay	NFC	Ganó el Super Bowl XLV
2010	New York Jets	AFC	Campeonato de Conferencia
2008	Baltimore	AFC	Campeonato de Conferencia
2008	Philadelphia	NFC	Campeonato de Conferencia
2005	Pittsburgh	AFC	Ganó el Super Bowl XL
2018	Indianapolis	AFC	???
2018	Philadelphia	NFC	???

En la AFC, los LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (13-4 y preclasificado N° 5), que el domingo (1:05 PM, hora de New York, CBS) enfrenta a New England, y los sextos preclasificados Colts están con vida aún. Con victorias de ambos equipos en la vuelta Divisional, marcaría el primer partido de Campeonato de Conferencia teniendo a un preclasificado Nº 5 contra un preclasificado N° 6 desde que el formato de postemporada de 12 equipos comenzó en 1990.

-- VUELTA DIVISIONAL --

FORMAS DE GANAR. Los DALLAS COWBOYS, que derrotaron a Seattle 24-22 en el Fin de semana de Comodines, y los NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, que tuvieron semana de descanso la semana pasada, estarán jugando en la vuelta Divisional. 

Dallas, que visita a los Los Angeles Rams el sábado por la noche (8:15 PM, hora de New York, FOX), tiene 35 victorias en postemporada y puede igualar a los PITTSBURGH STEELERS (36) en la mayor cantidad de victorias en postemporada en la historia. New England, que recibe a los Los Angeles Chargers el domingo (1:05 PM, hora de New York, CBS), tiene 34 triunfos en postemporada y puede superar a los GREEN BAY PACKERS (34) para la tercera mayor cantidad de victorias en postemporada en la historia.

Los equipos con las mayores cantidades de triunfos en postemporada en la historia de la NFL:

EQUIPO	TRIUNFOS	DERROTAS	% DE TRIUNFOS	TRIUNFOS EN EL SUPER BOWL
Pittsburgh	36	25	.590	6
Dallas	35	27	.565	5
Green Bay	34	22	.607	4
New England	34	20	.630	5
San Francisco	30	20	.600	5 ​​

-- VUELTA DIVISIONAL --

LÍDERES EN ANOTACIONES. El mariscal de campo de Kansas City PATRICK MAHOMES y los Chiefs están listos para enfrentar al mariscal de campo de Indianapolis ANDREW LUCK y los Colts en la vuelta Divisional el sábado (4:35 PM, hora de New York, NBC). 

Mahomes, que lideró la NFL con 50 pases anotadores, y Luck, que se ubicó segundo con 39 pases anotadores en 2018, tienen la mayor cantidad de pases anotadores combinados en temporada regular (89) entre cualquier par de mariscales de campo rivales en un partido de postemporada en la era del Super Bowl.

Con Mahomes y Luck ubicándose primero y segundo en pases anotadores en temporada regular, el sábado marcará la quinto vez desde 2002 que los dos mejores del año en pases anotadores en la temporada regular se ven las caras en la postemporada.

Los partidos de postemporada entre los dos mejores del año en pases anotadores en la temporada regular desde 2002:

TEMPORADA	JUGADOR (EQUIPO)	PASES ANOTADORES	JUGADOR (EQUIPO)	PASES ANOTADORES	VUELTA EN POSTEMPORADA
2016	Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay)	40	Matt Ryan (Atlanta)	38	Campeonato de la NFC
2014	Andrew Luck (Indianapolis)	40	Peyton Manning (Denver)	39	AFC Divisional
2009	Drew Brees (New Orleans)	34	Peyton Manning (Indianapolis)	33*	Super Bowl XLIV
2009	Drew Brees (New Orleans)	34	Brett Favre^ (Minnesota)	33*	Campeonato de la NFC
2018	Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City)	50	Andrew Luck (Indianapolis)	39	AFC Divisional
^Miembro del Salón de la Fama *Empatado en el 2° puesto	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​

-- VUELTA DIVISIONAL --

LA EDAD ES APENAS UN NÚMERO. El mariscal de campo de New England TOM BRADY y los Patriots les darán la bienvenida al mariscal de campo PHILIP RIVERS y a sus Los Angeles Chargers en el estadio Gillette el domingo (1:05 PM, hora de New York, CBS).

Brady, que tendrá 41 años y 163 días de edad el domingo, y Rivers, con 37 años y 36 días, se combinan para un total de 28,688 días de edad, la mayor edad combinada entre mariscales de campo titulares enfrentándose en un partido de postemporada en la historia de la NFL. 

Las mayores edades combinadas entre mariscales de campo titulares enfrentándose en un partido de postemporada en la historia de la NFL:

FECHA	MARISCAL DE CAMPO	EQUIPO	MARISCAL DE CAMPO	EQUIPO	EDAD EN DÍAS COMBINADA
13/01/19	Tom Brady	New England	Philip Rivers	Los Angeles Chargers	28,688*
24/01/16	Peyton Manning	Denver	Tom Brady	New England	28,603
09/01/99	John Elway^	Denver	Dan Marino^	Miami	27,704
10/01/94	Warren Moon^	Houston Oilers	Joe Montana^	Kansas City	27,306
22/01/17	Tom Brady	New England	Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh	27,162
^Miembro del Salón de la Fama *Días de edad al domingo 13 de enero	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​

-- VUELTA DIVISIONAL --

BIEN CONSIDERADO. El mariscal de campo de Philadelphia NICK FOLES y sus Eagles irán al Superdomo Mercedes-Benz el domingo (4:40 PM, hora de New York, FOX) para enfrentar al mariscal de campo de New Orleans DREW BREES y los Saints.

Foles, que tiene el índice de pasador más alto en postemporada (105.2) en la historia de la NFL, y Brees, que se ubica quinto con un índice de 100.7, son dos de los cinco mariscales de campo en tener un índice de pasador de 100 o más alto en la postemporada (mínimo de 150 intentos).

Los mariscales de campo con los índices de pasador más altos en postemporada en sus carreras (mínimo 150 intentos):

MARISCAL DE CAMPO	COMPLETOS	INTENTADOS	YARDAS	TDS	INTS	ÍNDICE
Nick Foles	125	179	1,432	10	3	105.2
Bart Starr^	130	213	1,753	15	3	104.8
Kurt Warner^	307	462	3,952	31	14	102.8
Matt Ryan	237	351	2,672	20	7	100.8
Drew Brees	354	537	4,209	29	9	100.7
^Miembro del Salón de la Fama	​	​	​	​	​	​	​

Foles (69.8 por ciento) tiene el más alto porcentaje de pases completos en postemporada en los anales de la liga (mínimo de 150 intentos) y Brees (65.9 por ciento) se ubica quinto.

Los mariscales de campo con los más altos porcentajes de pases completos en postemporada en sus carerras (mínimo de 150 intentos):

MARISCAL DE CAMPO	​	COMPLETOS	INTENTADOS	%	​
Nick Foles	​	125	179	69.8	​
Matt Ryan	​	237	351	67.5	​
Kurt Warner^	​	307	462	66.5	​
Ken Anderson	​	110	166	66.3	​
Drew Brees	​	354	537	65.9	​
	^Miembro del Salón de la Fama	​	​	​		​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​

-- VUELTA DIVISIONAL --

ESPECTÁCULO DEL SUR DE CALIFORNIA. El corredor de Dallas EZEKIEL ELLIOTT y los Cowboys viajan al sur de California para verse con el tackle defensivo AARON DONALD y los Los Angeles Rams el sábado por la noche (8:15 PM, hora de New York, FOX).

Elliott, que lideró la NFL con 1,434 yardas por tierra en 2018, acarreó 137 yardas y una anotación en el triunfo de Dallas sobre Seattle en el Fin de semana de Comodines. Elliott registró al menos 125 yardas por tierra en cada uno de sus primeras dos apariciones en postemporada y puede convertirse en el cuarto jugador en la historia de la NFL en registrar tres partidos de postemporada consecutivos con al menos 125 yardas por tierra.

Los jugadores con las mayores cantidades de partidos de postemporada consecutivos con al menos 125 yardas por tierra en la historia de la NFL:

JUGADOR	EQUIPO	FECHAS	PARTIDOS CONSECUTIVOS CON 125 O MÁS YARDAS POR TIERRA
Terrell Davis^	Denver	11/01/98-17/01/99	4
Arian Foster	Houston	07/01/12-05/01/13	3
John Riggins^	Washington	15/01/83-30/01/83	3
Ezekiel Elliott	Dallas	15/01/17-05/01/19	2*
^Miembro del Salón de la Fama *Racha activa	​	​	​
​	​	​	​

Donald, que lideró la liga con 20.5 capturas y fue condecorado con el premio Deacon Jones 2018 por ser el líder en capturas en la NFL, se convirtió en el 11º jugador diferente desde 1982 en registrar al menos 20 capturas en una sola temporada. 

Con un triunfo de los Rams el sábado, Donald se uniría al miembro del Salón de la Fama LAWRENCE TAYLOR (1986) como los únicos jugadores en registrar al menos 20 capturas y alcanzar el Campeonato de Conferencia en la misma campaña desde 1982.

Los jugadores que registraron al menos 20 capturas y alcanzaron el Campeonato de Conferencia en la misma campaña desde 1982:

JUGADOR	EQUIPO	TEMPORADA	CAPTURAS	AVANZÓ A
Lawrence Taylor^	New York Giants	1986	20.5	Ganó el Super Bowl XXI
Aaron Donald	Los Angeles Rams	2018	20.5	???
^Miembro del Salón de la Fama ​​​​​WHAT TO LOOK FOR – DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS LOWER SEED SUCCESS: The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-6) and PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7) both earned victories on Wild Card Weekend as the No. 6 seed in their respective conferences.​ The Colts, who travel to Kansas City on Saturday (4:35 PM ET, NBC), and the Eagles, who play at New Orleans on Sunday (4:40 PM ET, FOX), look to become the first No. 6 seeds to reach the Conference Championship since 2010, when both the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets accomplished the feat.​​​​ The No. 6 seeds to reach the Conference Championship since the 12-team playoff format began in 1990: SEASON TEAM CONFERENCE ADVANCED TO 2010 Green Bay NFC Won Super Bowl XLV 2010 New York Jets AFC Conference Championship 2008 Baltimore AFC Conference Championship 2008 Philadelphia NFC Conference Championship 2005 Pittsburgh AFC Won Super Bowl XL 2018 Indianapolis AFC ??? 2018 Philadelphia NFC ??? In the AFC, the LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (13-4, No. 5 seed), who face New England on Sunday (1:05 PM ET, CBS), and the sixth-seeded Colts are both still alive. With victories by both teams in the Divisional Playoffs, it would mark the first Conference Championship game featuring a No. 5 and No. 6 seed since the 12-team playoff format began in 1990. -- DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS -- WINNING WAYS: The DALLAS COWBOYS, who defeated Seattle 24-22 on Wild Card Weekend, and the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, who had a bye last week, will each be playing in the Divisional Playoffs. Dallas, who plays at the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, FOX), has 35 playoff wins and can tie the PITTSBURGH STEELERS (36) for the most postseason victories all-time. New England, who hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday (1:05 PM ET, CBS), has 34 postseason victories and can surpass the GREEN BAY PACKERS (34) for the third-most playoff wins all-time. The teams with the most postseason wins in NFL history: TEAM WINS LOSSES WIN PCT. SUPER BOWL WINS Pittsburgh 36 25 .590 6 Dallas 35 27 .565 5 Green Bay 34 22 .607 4 New England 34 20 .630 5 San Francisco 30 20 .600 5​ ​-- DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS -- TOUCHDOWN LEADERS: Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES and the Chiefs are s​et to face off against Indianapolis quarterback ANDREW LUCK and the Colts in the Divisional Playoffs on Saturday (4:35 PM ET, NBC). Mahomes, who led the NFL with 50 touchdown passes, and Luck, who ranked second with 39 touchdown passes in 2018, have the most combined regular-season passing touchdowns (89) among any opposing quarterbacks in a playoff game in the Super Bowl era. With Mahomes and Luck ranking first and second in regular-season touchdown passes, Saturday will mark thefifth time since 2002 that the top two passing touchdown leaders from the regular season will face off in the postseason. The postseason games between the top two regular-season passing touchdown leaders since 2002: SEASON PLAYER (TEAM) TD PASSES PLAYER (TEAM) TD PASSES PLAYOFF ROUND 2016 Aaron Rodgers (GB) 40 Matt Ryan (Atl.) 38 NFC Championship 2014 Andrew Luck (Ind.) 40 Peyton Manning (Den.) 39 AFC Divisional 2009 Drew Brees (NO) 34 Peyton Manning (Ind.) 33* Super Bowl XLIV 2009 Drew Brees (NO) 34 Brett Favre^ (Min.) 33* NFC Championship 2018 Patrick Mahomes (KC) 50 Andrew Luck (Ind.) 39 AFC Divisional ^Pro Football Hall of Famer *Tied for 2nd -- DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS -- AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: New England quarterback TOM BRADY and the Patriots welcome quarterback PHILIP RIVERS and the Los Angeles Chargers to Gillette Stadium on Sunday (1:05 PM ET, CBS). Brady, who will be 41 years and 163 days old on Sunday, and Rivers, at 37 years and 36 days old, combine for a total of 28,688 days old, the oldest combined age by opposing starting quarterbacks in a postseason game in NFL history. The oldest combined age by opposing starting quarterbacks in a postseason game in NFL history: DATE QUARTERBACK TEAM QUARTERBACK TEAM COMBINED DAYS OLD 1/13/19 Tom Brady New England Philip Rivers Los Angeles Chargers 28,688* 1/24/16 Peyton Manning Denver Tom Brady New England 28,603 1/9/99 John Elway^ Denver Dan Marino^ Miami 27,704 1/16/94 Warren Moon^ Houston Oilers Joe Montana^ Kansas City 27,306 1/22/17 Tom Brady New England Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh 27,162 ^Pro Football Hall of Famer *Total days as of Sunday, January 13 -- DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS -- RATED WELL: Philadelphia quarterback NICK FOLES and the Eagles head to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday (4:40 PM ET, FOX) to face New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES and the Saints. Foles, who has the highest postseason passer rating (105.2) in NFL history, and Brees, who ranks fifth with a 100.7 passer rating, are two of five quarterbacks to have a passer rating of 100 or higher in the postseason (minimum 150 attempts). The quarterbacks with the highest career postseason passer rating (minimum 150 attempts): QUARTERBACK COMP. ATT. YARDS TDS INTS RATING Nick Foles 125 179 1,432 10 3 105.2 Bart Starr^ 130 213 1,753 15 3 104.8 Kurt Warner^ 307 462 3,952 31 14 102.8 Matt Ryan 237 351 2,672 20 7 100.8 Drew Brees 354 537 4,209 29 9 100.7 ^Pro Football Hall of Famer Foles (69.8 percent) has the highest postseason completion percentage in league annals (minimum 150 attempts) and Brees (65.9 percent) ranks fifth. The quarterbacks with the highest career postseason completion percentage (minimum 150 attempts): QUARTERBACK COMP. ATT. PCT. Nick Foles 125 179 69.8 Matt Ryan 237 351 67.5 Kurt Warner^ 307 462 66.5 Ken Anderson 110 166 66.3 Drew Brees 354 537 65.9 ^Pro Football Hall of Famer -- DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS -- SHOWDOWN IN SO CAL: Dallas running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT and the Cowboys head to Southern California to take on defensive tackle AARON DONALD and the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, FOX). Elliott, who led the NFL with 1,434 rushing yards in 2018, rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown in Dallas’ Wild Card Weekend victory over Seattle. Elliott has recorded at least 125 rushing yards in each of his first two playoff appearances and can become the fourth player in NFL history to record three consecutive postseason games with at least 125 rushing yards. The players with the most consecutive postseason games with at least 125 rushing yards in NFL history: PLAYER TEAM DATES CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 125+ RUSH YARDS Terrell Davis^ Denver 1/11/98-1/17/99 4 Arian Foster Houston 1/7/12-1/5/13 3 John Riggins^ Washington 1/15/83-1/30/83 3 Ezekiel Elliott Dallas 1/15/17-1/5/19 2* ^Pro Football Hall of Famer *Active streak Donald, who led the league with 20.5 sacks and earned the 2018 Deacon Jones Award as the NFL’s sack leader, became the 11th different player since 1982 to record at least 20 sacks in a single season.  With a Rams win on Saturday, Donald would join Pro Football Hall of Famer LAWRENCE TAYLOR (1986) as the only players to record at least 20 sacks and advance to the Conference Championship in the same season since 1982. The players to record at least 20 sacks and advance to the Conference Championship in the same season since 1982: PLAYER TEAM SEASON SACKS ADVANCED TO Lawrence Taylor^ New York Giants 1986 20.5 Won Super Bowl XXI Aaron Donald Los Angeles Rams 2018 20.5 ??? ^Pro Football Hall of Famer NFL ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2018 DON SHULA NFL HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD The NFL announced today the high school football coaches nominated by the 32 NFL teams for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award, representing the best at the high school level. These coaches were recognized by their local NFL club for the prestigious award – named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history – for their character and integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. “We are honored to celebrate the 32 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees, as each embodies the integrity, commitment and character of Coach Shula,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “High school football coaches not only serve as leaders, but as role models dedicated to shaping the lives of young high school players on and off the field.” All Don Shula Award nominees are invited to attend the 2019 Pro Bowl in Orlando, FL and will be recognized in special ways during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football. Throughout the week, coaches will receive VIP access and accommodations at various events such as Pro Bowl practices, the Play Football High School Skills Showdown and Play Football Celebrity Flag game; a chance to interact and engage with various members of the football community; and attend the Pro Bowl. Each coach will also have an opportunity to invite a senior on their roster to participate in the Skills Showdown to represent their high school football community. “It was truly the honor of a lifetime to be recognized as one of the elite high school coaches in the nation,” said ROBERT GARRETT, 2017 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award winner. “As a coach, you never seek individual recognition or accolades and the priority is always helping young men to achieve their highest potential, but being nominated for the Don Shula Coach of the Year Award is special and this year’s nominees should be proud.” Two finalists will each receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program. They will also attend Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta as special guests of the NFL. The Don Shula Award winner will be announced during the 2019 Pro Bowl, airing Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and simulcast on ABC. The winner will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on February 2, the eve of Super Bowl LIII, at 9 PM (ET and PT) on CBS. The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winner is selected by a panel of distinguished individuals: Pro Football Hall of Famer, Coach DON SHULA – the winningest coach in NFL history 2017 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award Winner ROBERT GARRETT Pro Football Hall of Fame President DAVID BAKER Former Dallas Cowboys Personnel Director and NFL.com contributor GIL BRANDT Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and current NBC analyst TONY DUNGY Executive Director of USA Football SCOTT HALLENBECK 3-time Super Bowl Champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) WILLIE MCGINEST 2x AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year and current head coach at the Sayre School CHAD PENNINGTON Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XXXV Champion ROD WOODSON Former Secretary of State CONDOLEEZZA RICE, Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and faculty member at the Stanford Graduate School of Business Aplington-Parkersburg High School Principal AARON THOMAS, son of the school's late football coach, Ed Thomas Below is a full list of the 2018 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit nflfoundation.org or follow @NFLFoundation on Twitter. NOMINATING TEAM SCHOOL COACH Arizona Cardinals Highland High School Brock Farrell Atlanta Falcons Pike County High School Brad Weber Baltimore Ravens Glenleg High School Butch Schaffer Buffalo Bills Clymer-Sherman-Panama High School Ty Harper Carolina Panthers Tarboro High School Jeff Craddock Chicago Bears Sacred Heart-Griffin Ken Leonard Cincinnati Bengals Wyoming High School Aaron Hancock Cleveland Browns Kirtland High School Tiger Laverde Dallas Cowboys Duncanville High School  Reginald Samples Denver Broncos Sedgwick County High School Chris Michel Detroit Lions Reading High School Rick Bailey Green Bay Packers Muskego High School Ken Krause Houston Texans Santa Fe High School Mark Kanipes Indianapolis Colts Warren Central Jayson West Jacksonville Jaguars Mandarin High School Bobby Ramsay Kansas City Chiefs North Kansas City High School Leon Douglas Los Angeles Chargers Lawndale High School Travis Clark Los Angeles Rams Mater Dei High School Bruce Rollinson Miami Dolphins Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Aaron Feis Minnesota Vikings Owatonna Senior High School Jeff Williams New England Patriots North Andover High School John Dubzinski New Orleans Saints Notre Dame High School Lewis Cook New York Giants Hasbrouck Heights High School Nick Delcalzo New York Jets Midwood High School Anthony Odita Oakland Raiders Canyon Springs High School Gus McNair Philadelphia Eagles St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Gabe Infante Pittsburgh Steelers Upper St. Clair High School Jim Render San Francisco 49ers Liberty High School  Ryan Partridge Seattle Seahawks Colville High School Randy Cornwell Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pinellas Park High School Kenneth Crawford Tennessee Titans Oakland High School Kevin Creasy Washington Redskins Highland Springs High School Loren Johnson About The NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org. About Play Football: Play Football is a year-round initiative celebrating youth and high school football. Play Football works to shape the football experience, advocate for safety, promote football values and connect football communities. For more information, featured football stories, best practices and resources aimed to create a positive playing experience, please visit PlayFootball.com or follow @NFLPlayFootball. Join the conversation on social media using #LetsPlayFootball. LOS ÚLTIMOS OCHO DE LA NFL SALTAN A ESCENA EN LA VUELTA DIVISIONAL​ Y entonces quedaron ocho. El sábado, enero 12, los Kansas City Chiefs (12-4), que ganaron la AFC Oeste y se aseguraron la preclasificación Nº 1 en la AFC, recibirá a los Indianapolis Colts (11-6) en el estadio Arrowhead para dar inicio a la vuelta Divisional (NBC, 4:35 PM, hora de New York). Esa noche en horario central (FOX, 8:15 PM, hora de New York), los Los Angeles Rams (13-3), que ganaron la NFC Oeste y se quedaron con la preclasificación N° 2 en la NFC, recibirá a los Dallas Cowboys (11-6) en el coliseo Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. El domingo, enero 13, los New England Patriots (11-5), campeón de la AFC Este y preclasificado N° 2 de la AFC, les dará la bienvenida a los Los Angeles Chargers (13-4) en el estadio Gillette (CBS, 1:05 PM, hora de New York). Los campeones de la NFC Sur New Orleans Saints (13-3), los preclasificados Nº1 de la NFC, recibirán a los campeones defensores del Super Bowl Philadelphia Eagles (10-7) en el Superdomo Mercedes-Benz (FOX, 4:40 PM, hora de New York) para concluir el fin de semana Divisional.  Sábado, enero 12 ​ ​ ​ AFC Indianapolis en Kansas City 4:35 PM, hora de New York NBC NFC Dallas en Los Angeles Rams 8:15 PM, hora de New York FOX Domingo, enero 13 ​ ​ ​ AFC Los Angeles Chargers en New England 1:05 PM, hora de New York CBS NFC Philadelphia en New Orleans 4:40 PM, hora de New York FOX Tres de los ocho clubes aún con vida –los Cowboys, Colts y Chargers– son equipos nuevos en la postemporada de este año. Hubo un total de siete equipos nuevos en la postemporada en 2018 y desde 1990 –a racha de 29 temporadas consecutivas– al menos cuatro equipos han clasificado a la postemporada sin haber estado en la del año anterior.  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-6) en KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-4) (Sábado, NBC, 4:35 PM, hora de New York)        Este es el quinto encuentro en postemporada entre los equipos y el primero desde la postemporada 2013, cuando los Colts derrotaron a los Chiefs 45-44 en el Fin de semana de Comodines (4 de enero de 2014). Los Colts lideran la serie de la postemporada 4-0 e, incluyendo postemporada, Indianapolis ostenta una ventaja de 16-9 en la serie histórica.    Los Colts derrotaron a los Houston Texans 21-7 la semana pasada para avanzar a la vuelta Divisional. El mariscal de campo ANDREW LUCK lanzó 222 yardas con dos anotaciones y el corredor MARLON MACK acarreó 148 yardas y una anotación en el triunfo.    Los Chiefs ganaron la AFC Oeste por tercera temporadas consecutiva, la racha más larga en la historia de la franquicia. El mariscal de campo PATRICK MAHOMES se convirtió en el segundo jugador en la historia de la NFL con al menos 5,000 yardas aéreas (5,097) y 50 pases anotadores (50) en una mismo temporada, y el receptor TYREEK HILL estableció una marca de franquicia de una sola temporada con 1,479 yardas recibiendo.  DALLAS COWBOYS (11-6) en LOS ANGELES RAMS (13-3) (Sábado en la noche, FOX, 8:15 PM, hora de New York)        Este es el noveno encuentro en postemporada entre los equipos y el primero desde la vuelta Divisional de la NFC de 1985, ocasión en la que los Rams se impusieron 20-0. Los Cowboys lideran la serie histórica 17-16, incluyendo postemporada, y ganaron tres de los últimos cuatro encuentros. Los Cowboys derrotaron a Seattle 24-22 la semana pasada en Fin de semana de Comodines y se alzó con su primera victoria en postemporada desde la temporada 2014 (4 de enero de 2015 contra Detroit en la vuelta de Comodines). El mariscal de campo DAK PRESCOTT lanzó 226 yardas y tuvo dos anotaciones (una pasando y otra acarreando), incluyendo a un acarreo anotador de una yarda con 2:08 por jugarse en el último período. El corredor EZEKIEL ELLIOTT tuvo 169 yardas desde la línea de golpeo (137 acarreando, 32 recibiendo) y una anotación la semana pasada y tiene al menos 125 yardas por tierra en cada uno de los primeros dos partidos de su carrera en postemporada.  Los Rams, que ganaron la NFC Oeste en temporadas consecutivas por primera vez desde 1973-79, llegan a la postemporada como los preclasificados N° 2 de la NFC. Los Angeles lideró la conferencia en ofensiva total (421.1 yardas por partido) y en puntos anotados (32.9 puntos por juego) esta temporada, mientras que el corredor TODD GURLEY lideró la NFL con 21 anotaciones desde la línea de golpeo y se ubicó cuarto con 1,831 yardas desde la línea de golpeo. El tackle defensivo AARON DONALD (20.5 capturas) ganó el premio Deacon Jones 2018, otorgado anualmente al líder de la NFL en capturas de mariscal de campo. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (13-4) en NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-5) (Domingo, CBS, 1:05 PM, hora de New York)        Este es el cuarto encuentro en postemporada entre los equipos y el tercer duelo de sus carreras en postemporada entre el mariscal de campo de los Chargers PHILIP RIVERS y el mariscal de campo de New England TOM BRADY, con los Patriots ganando cada uno de esos primeros dos encuentros en postemporada. New England lidera la serie histórica 24-15-2, incluyendo postemporada, y ganó cada de los últimos cuatro partidos.    Los Chargers derrotaron a Baltimore 23-17 la semana pasada para avanzar a la vuelta Divisional. El corredor MELVIN GORDON acarreó una anotación y el pateador novato MICHAEL BADGLEY convirtió cinco goles de campo, la mayor cantidad de goles de campo convertidos en un solo partido de postemporada desde la temporada 2016 (el de Pittsburgh CHRIS BOSWELL, seis el 5 de enero de 2017). Los Patriots ganaron el título divisional de la AFC Este por 10ª temporada consecutiva y superó a Dallas (nueve en el periodo 1975-1983) y a Indianapolis (nueve en 2002-2010) para la mayor cantidad de temporadas seguidas en la historia de la NFL consiguiendo clasificar a la postemporada. El mariscal de campo TOM BRADY es el líder histórico de la NFL en postemporada en partidos disputados (37), victorias (27), pases completos (920), yardas aéreas (10,226) y pases anotadores (71), y el ala cerrada ROB GRONKOWSKI tiene 12 recepciones anotadoras en postemporada en su carrera, empatando con el miembro del Salón de la Fama JOHN STALLWORTH (12) para la segunda mayor cantidad en la historia de la postemporada.  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7) en NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-3) (Domingo, FOX, 4:40 PM, hora de New York)        Los equipos se encontrarán en la postemporada por cuarta ocasión, con New Orleans ostentando una ventaja de 2-1. En su el último encuentro en postemporada, los Saints derrotaron a los Eagles 26-24 en la vuelta de Comodines de la NFC 2013 (4 de enero de 2014). Philadelphia, que lidera la serie histórica 17-14 (incluyendo postemporada), ya perdió ante New Orleans esta temporada: fue una derrota 48-7 en la undécima semana.    Los Eagles registraron una victoria 16-15 sobre Chicago en la vuelta de Comodines de la semana pasada y están procurando convertirse en el primer campeón que repite título de Super Bowl desde los Patriots en 2003-04. El mariscal de campo NICK FOLES completó el pase anotador de la ventaja definitiva con uno de dos yardas al receptor GOLDEN TATE con 56 segundos por jugarse en el último período en el triunfo de la semana pasada. Foles ganó cuatro titularidades consecutivas en postemporada, incluyendo el hecho de haber sido nombrado Jugador más valioso (MVP, por sus siglas en inglés) del Super Bowl LII la temporada pasada. New Orleans ganó la NFC Sur por segundo año consecutivo por primera vez en la historia de la franquicia y fue uno de los tres equipos que promedió al menos 30 puntos por partido (31.5) esta temporada. El mariscal de campo DREW BREES en 2018estableció una marca de NFL para una sola temporada en porcentaje de pases completos (74.4) y lideró la liga en índice de pasador (115.7), mientras que receptor MICHAEL THOMAS lideró la NFL con 125 recepciones y estableció una marca de franquicia de una sola temporada con 1,405 yardas recibiendo. NFL-NFLPA JOINT STATEMENT ON PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUG POLICY ​​ "We take any claim questioning the integrity of our collectively bargained performance enhancing drug policy seriously. We asked the independent administrator of the policy to review and produce a report on the claims of targeting. A copy of this report, which contains personal and confidential testing information, has been provided to Eric Reid. We will not breach any player's confidentiality, but can confirm that the report documents the dates he was randomly selected for testing and the actual dates of the drug tests. The report also demonstrates that Mr. Reid's tests were randomly generated via computer algorithm and that his selection for testing was normal when compared with the number of tests players were randomly selected for throughout the league during the time that he was on an active roster. There is no evidence of targeting or any other impropriety with respect to his selection for testing." NFL ANNOUNCES HEAD COACHES FOR 2019 EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME The NFL today announced the head coaches for the 2019 EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME –SAM MILLS III of the Carolina Panthers and ADAM ZIMMER of the Minnesota Vikings. Mills, who will serve as the head coach of the East team, has spent the past 14 seasons (2005-present) on the Panthers' staff and the past eight (2011-18) as assistant defensive line coach. He was promoted to defensive line coach this past December. During Mills' tenure, the Carolina defensive line has es​tablished itself as a dominant unit, leading the NFL in sacks and ranking second in rushing yards allowed since 2012. His linemen contributed to a sixth-ranked defense that reached the Super Bowl in 2015, led by Pro Bowler KAWANN SHORT's career-high 11 sacks. In 2013, Carolina's 60 sacks ranked first in the league and were tied for the most in a single season in franchise history (60 in 1996). A Division II All-American linebacker at Montclair State, Mills III is the son of SAM MILLS, the former Panther linebacker who is the only player in franchise history to have his number retired and remains the only player inducted into the team's Hall of Honor. Zimmer, who will coach the West team, is a 13-year coaching veteran and has spent the past five seasons (2014-present) as the Vikings' linebackers coach. In 2017, led by leading tackler ERIC KENDRICKS and Pro Bowler ANTHONY BARR, Zimmer's unit contributed to a defense that led the league in both total defense and scoring defense. Prior to joining Minnesota's staff, Zimmer spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals (2013), Kansas City Chiefs (2010-12) and New Orleans Saints (2006-09), where he served as assistant linebacker coach during their Super Bowl XLIV-winning season. A former safety at Trinity University, Adam is the son of Vikings Head Coach MIKE ZIMMER. "We have a terrific partnership with the NFL that has once again yielded two outstanding head coaches," said HAROLD RICHARDSON, executive director of the East-West Shrine Game. "Sam Mills III and Adam Zimmer are excellent teachers who will enjoy this opportunity and no doubt be tremendous examples for our players as they prepare to launch their NFL careers." At the conclusion of the NFL regular season, teams nominated deserving assistant coaches who were reviewed by a panel that includes NFL Football Operations staff, East-West Shrine Game leadership and two members of the NFL's General Managers Advisory Committee. Once the head coaches are selected, each head coach then fills his 12-person staff from among other NFL assistant coaches nominated by the clubs, a key job requirement for head coaches at every level of the sport. Coaches nominated by NFL clubs must be active assistant coaches who display extraordinary teaching and communications skills, and are recognized for their integrity and commitment to excellence in the coaching profession. The coaches must be accomplished at developing and preparing players to compete in the NFL. The NFL also provides the game officials for the contest. The 94th annual East-West Shrine Game, which features some of college football's best prospects, will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 19, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida and be televised live on NFL Network. For more than 90 years, some of football's greatest players and coaches have contributed to the tradition of the East-West Shrine Game, the nation's first college all-star football game. Created by the Shriners in 1925, the game is driven by the desire to support Shriners Hospitals for Children in its mission to help children in need of expert medical care. Participating players make an annual visit to the local Shriners Hospital, visiting children and staff in an experience that they will truly never forget. NFL’S FINAL EIGHT TAKE CENTER STAGE IN DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS ​And then there were eight. On Saturday, January 12, the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4), who won the AFC West and secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, will host the Indianapolis Colts (11-6) at Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the Divisional Playoffs (NBC, 4:35 PM ET). That night in primetime (FOX, 8:15 PM ET), the Los Angeles Rams (13-3), who won the NFC West and own the No. 2 seed in the NFC, will host the Dallas Cowboys (11-6) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  On Sunday, January 13, the New England Patriots (11-5), the AFC East champions and the AFC’s No. 2 seed, will welcome the Los Angeles Chargers (13-4) to Gillette Stadium (CBS, 1:05 PM ET). The NFC South-champion New Orleans Saints (13-3), who own the NFC’s No. 1 seed, will host the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles (10-7) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (FOX, 4:40 PM ET) to conclude Divisional weekend.  Saturday, January 12 AFC Indianapolis at Kansas City 4:35 PM ET NBC NFC Dallas at Los Angeles Rams 8:15 PM ET FOX Sunday, January 13 AFC Los Angeles Chargers at New England 1:05 PM ET CBS NFC Philadelphia at New Orleans 4:40 PM ET FOX Three of the remaining eight clubs – Cowboys, Colts and Chargers – are new teams in this year’s playoff field. There were a total of seven new playoff teams in 2018 and since 1990 – a streak of 29 consecutive seasons – at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season that were not in the postseason the year before.  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-6) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-4) (Saturday, NBC, 4:35 PM ET)       This is the fifth postseason meeting between the teams and the first since the 2013 playoffs when the Colts defeated the Chiefs, 45-44, on Wild Card Weekend (January 4, 2014). The Colts lead the postseason series 4-0 and, including the postseason, Indianapolis holds a 16-9 advantage in the all-time series.    The Colts defeated the Houston Texans 21-7 last week to advance to the Divisional Playoffs. Quarterback ANDREW LUCK passed for 222 yards with two touchdowns and running back MARLON MACK rushed for 148 yards and a score in the win.    The Chiefs won the AFC West division title for the third consecutive season, the longest streak in franchise history. Quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES became the second player in NFL history with at least 5,000 passing yards (5,097) and 50 touchdown passes (50) in a single season, and wide receiver TYREEK HILL set a single-season franchise record with 1,479 receiving yards.  DALLAS COWBOYS (11-6) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (13-3) (Saturday night, FOX, 8:15 PM ET)       This is the ninth postseason meeting between the teams and the first since the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoffs, which the Rams won 20-0. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 17-16, including the playoffs, and have won three of the past four meetings. The Cowboys defeated Seattle 24-22 last week on Wild Card Weekend and earned their first postseason win since the 2014 season (January 4, 2015 vs. Detroit in the Wild Card round). Quarterback DAK PRESCOTT passed for 226 yards and had two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing), including a one-yard touchdown run with 2:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. Running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT had 169 scrimmage yards (137 rushing, 32 receiving) and a touchdown last week and has at least 125 rushing yards in each of his first two career playoff games.  The Rams, who won the NFC West in consecutive seasons for the time since 1973-79, enter the postseason as the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Los Angeles led the conference in total offense (421.1 yards per game) and scoring (32.9 points per game) this season, while running back TODD GURLEY led the NFL with 21 scrimmage touchdowns and ranked fourth with 1,831 scrimmage yards. Defensive tackleAARON DONALD (20.5 sacks) won the 2018 Deacon Jones Award, given annually to the NFL leader in quarterback sacks. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (13-4) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-5) (Sunday, CBS, 1:05 PM ET)       This is the fourth postseason meeting between the teams and the third career playoff matchup between Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS and New England quarterback TOM BRADY, with the Patriots winning each of their first two postseason meetings.  New England leads the all-time series 24-15-2, including the playoffs, and has won each of the past four games.    The Chargers defeated Baltimore 23-17 last week to advance to the Divisional Playoffs. Running back MELVIN GORDON rushed for a touchdown and rookie kicker MICHAEL BADGLEY converted five field goals, the most made field goals in a single postseason game since the 2016 season (Pittsburgh’s CHRIS BOSWELL, six on January 15, 2017). The Patriots won the AFC East division title for the 10th consecutive season and surpassed Dallas (nine from 1975-1983) and Indianapolis (nine from 2002-2010) for the most consecutive seasons in NFL history with a playoff berth. Quarterback TOM BRADY is the NFL’s all-time postseason leader in games played (37), wins (27), completions (920), passing yards (10,226) and touchdown passes (71), and tight endROB GRONKOWSKI has 12 career playoff touchdown catches, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN STALLWORTH (12) for the second-most in postseason history.  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7) at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-3) (Sunday, FOX, 4:40 PM ET)       The teams will meet in the playoffs for the fourth time with New Orleans holding a 2-1 advantage. In their last postseason meeting, the Saints defeated the Eagles 26-24 in the 2013 NFC Wild Card round (January 4, 2014). Philadelphia, which leads the all-time series 17-14 (including the playoffs), fell to New Orleans earlier this season, 48-7, in Week 11.    The Eagles recorded a 16-15 victory over Chicago in last week’s Wild Card showdown and are looking to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the 2003-04 Patriots. Quarterback NICK FOLES completed the go-ahead two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver GOLDEN TATE with 56 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of last week’s victory. Foles has won four consecutive postseason starts, including being named the MVP of Super Bowl LII last season. ​New Orleans won the NFC South division title for the second consecutive year for the first time in franchise history and were one of three teams to average at least 30 points per game (31.5) this season. Quarterback DREW BREES set an NFL single-season record for completion percentage (74.4) and led the league in passer rating (115.7) in 2018, while wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS led the NFL with 125 receptions and set a franchise single-season record with 1,405 receiving yards. Good Morning Football: Weekend' Airs Saturday at 9:00 AM ET & Sunday at 7:00 AM ET​ 'NFL GameDay Morning' Saturday at 12 Noon ET – Michael Silver with Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson & HC Bill O'Brien ABC's 'The Bachelor' Colton Underwood In-Studio 'NFL GameDay Morning' Sunday at 9:00 AM ET – Kurt Warner with Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers 'NFL GameDay Prime' Recaps Wild Card Weekend Sunday at 8:00 PM ET The 2018 NFL playoffs are here, and NFL Network provides more than 17 hours of liveWild Card Weekend coverage. Coverage begins Saturday, January 5 at 9:00 AM ET with a three-hour edition of Good Morning Football: Weekend from NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, NJ, followed by NFL GameDay Morning at 12 Noon ET from NFL Network's studios in Los Angeles, CA. Saturday's coverage continues with NFL GameDay Highlights at 7:30 PM ET and NFL Total Access at 11:30 PM ET. On Sunday, January 6, Good Morning Football: Weekend airs at 7:00 AM ET, followed by NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET. Coverage on Sunday continues with NFL GameDay Highlights at 4:00 PM ET and NFL GameDay Prime at 8:00 PM ET.  Saturday, January 5 on Good Morning Football: Weekend – 9:00 AM ET Hosts: Colleen Wolfe, Michael Robinson, Steve Smith Sr. & Mike Garafolo How will Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck fare against defensive end J.J. Watt, linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and the Houston Texans defense? Who has the edge: the Dallas Cowboys offense or Seattle Seahawks defense? Which road team has the best chance to pull off an upset on Wild Card Weekend? Good Morning Football: Weekend looks into the Crystal Football for playoff predictions NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport provides the latest news from around the league Reports from all eight teams playing on Wild Card Weekend Saturday, January 5 on NFL GameDay Morning – 12 Noon ET Michael Silver with Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson & HC Bill O'Brien Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Steve Mariucci, Kurt Warner & Michael Irvin NFL Network Insider: Ian Rapoport Analytics Expert: Cynthia Frelund Premiere of a month-long series with musician/producer Jermaine Dupri taking viewers on a journey towards Super Bowl LIII through sights, sounds and voices that are uniquely Atlanta Maurice Jones-Drew joins in-studio Michael Silver sits down with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and head coach Bill O'Brien Jeffri Chadiha visits with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Bobby Wagner and head coach Pete Carroll to discuss making the playoffs ABC's The Bachelor Colton Underwood joins NFL GameDay Morning for a Rose Ceremony that will determine which Wild Card team has the best chance to get to the Super Bowl Friends and family discuss what NFL brothers J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt and Derek Watt were like growing up  Warner's Corner – Kurt Warner looks at how the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans defenses will deal with quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck Mooch's Minute – Steve Mariucci examines the matchup between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Los Angeles Chargers defense  Players Only – Maurice Jones-Drew joins Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin to discuss their Wild Card Weekend memories as players Game Theory – Cynthia Frelund projects the winners for the Chargers-Ravens and Eagles-Bears Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner provide their thoughts on what's going on withAntonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers How far can quarterback Dak Prescott take the Dallas Cowboys? What is the biggest concern for the Dallas Cowboys against the Seattle Seahawks? Who has the advantage: J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans defense or Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts offense? NFL GameDay Morning discusses what to expect from Houston Texans quarterbackDeshaun Watson in his first playoff start Ian Rapoport provides the latest news reports from around the league Live reports Randy Moss & James Palmer from Houston for Colts-Texans Omar Ruiz & Jane Slater from Dallas for Seahawks-Cowboys Steve Wyche & Aditi Kinkhabwala from Baltimore for Chargers-Ravens Tom Pelissero & Stacey Dales from Chicago for Eagles-Bears Sunday, January 6 on Good Morning Football: Weekend – 7:00 AM ET Hosts: Colleen Wolfe, Michael Robinson, Steve Smith Sr. & Mike Garafolo Highlights and analysis of the Colts-Texans and Seahawks-Cowboys, and what the results mean for the playoff picture Good Morning Football: Weekend shows how Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles will attack the Chicago Bears defense Good Morning Football: Weekend explains how Baltimore Ravens quarterbackLamar Jackson vs. the Los Angeles Chargers defense will be different this time Which team playing on Wild Card Sunday is most likely to make a Super Bowl run? NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport provides the latest news from around the league Live reports from Steve Wyche and Aditi Kinkhabwala in Baltimore, and Tom Pelissero and Stacey Dales in Chicago     Sunday, January 6 on NFL GameDay Morning – 9:00 AM ET Kurt Warner with Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Steve Mariucci, Kurt Warner & Michael Irvin NFL Network Insider: Ian Rapoport Analytics Expert: Cynthia Frelund Maurice Jones-Drew joins in-studio Kurt Warner sits down with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to discuss his life off the field and what a Super Bowl win would mean to him NFL GameDay Morning looks back at "The Fog Bowl" playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears in 1988 Warner's Corner – Kurt Warner examines the matchup between Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and the Baltimore Ravens defense  Mooch's Minute – Steve Mariucci examines the matchup between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Los Angeles Chargers defense  Game Theory – Cynthia Frelund projects the winners for the Chargers-Ravens and Eagles-Bears Players Only – Maurice Jones-Drew joins Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin to discuss playing in their first playoff game Kurt Warner and Maurice Jones-Drew break down the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears matchup in an XO Showdown Kurt Warner demonstrates how the Philadelphia Eagles use the run-pass option so successfully with Nick Foles at quarterback  How far can quarterback Nick Foles take the Philadelphia Eagles? Who is more important to the Chicago Bears' playoff success: quarterback Mitchell Trubisky or defensive end Khalil Mack? Will the Baltimore Ravens defense shut down Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers offense again? NFL GameDay Morning discusses what to expect from Baltimore Ravens quarterbackLamar Jackson in his first playoff start Ian Rapoport provides the latest news reports from around the league Live reports Steve Wyche & Aditi Kinkhabwala from Baltimore for Chargers-Ravens Tom Pelissero & Stacey Dales from Chicago for Eagles-Bears Additional Wild Card Weekend Coverage on NFL Network On Saturday, January 5, NFL GameDay Highlights airs at 7:30 PM ET, with host Marc Istook, and analysts Terrell Davis and Rod Woodson providing highlights and analysis of Colts-Texans, and a preview of Seahawks-Cowboys. At 11:30 PM ET, NFL Total Access recaps the two games on Saturday, and previews the Chargers-Ravens and Eagles-Bears games on Sunday with host Cole Wright and analysts Willie McGinest and Maurice Jones-Drew. On Sunday, January 6, NFL GameDay Highlights airs at 4:00 PM ET, with host Rhett Lewis,and analysts James Jones and Rod Woodson providing highlights and analysis of Chargers-Ravens, and a preview of Eagles-Bears. At 8:00 PM ET, NFL GameDay Primefeatures interviews with the top performers from the day's games and provides the first look at the upcoming Divisional Round of the playoffs with Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shannon Sharpe and Charissa Thompson. NFL NAMES JON SCHWARTZ SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS The National Football League has named Jon Schwartz Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. Schwartz joins the NFL from NASCAR, where he most recently served as Managing Director of Integrated Marketing Communications. He will start on January 7.  As Senior Vice President, Schwartz will lead the League's strategic communications, focusing on long-term brand and public relations strategies for a rapidly evolving media landscape. He will be responsible for driving alignment on internal and external communications strategies and executing programs to achieve communications objectives throughout the League and with key external stakeholders. Schwartz will be based at League headquarters in New York and will report to Jocelyn Moore, Executive Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs.  "Jon is a visionary leader who has successfully transformed communications at Fortune 500 companies and sports organizations alike," said Moore. "We are very excited to welcome Jon to the NFL team, where his strategic and creative expertise will help fuel innovations in how we communicate across the League as well as externally with fans, the media, business partners and in the community."​ "I couldn't be more elated to join the NFL family," said Schwartz. "I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues – both at the League and across the clubs – to help tell the League's story and add even more value for its stakeholders." Schwartz has more than 20 years of corporate communications experience, including across a variety of sports organizations. At NASCAR, he helped lead the sanctioning body's transformation to a strategic communications model, with his team earning recognition as the PRWeek's "In-House Team of the Year" in 2015.  Prior to NASCAR, Schwartz held key communications roles at MasterCard and Bank of America. Earlier in his career, he built public relations departments for American Hockey League, Arena Football League and XFL teams. He also spent time on the agency side at Taylor working with sports sponsors such as Reebok, Castrol, Texaco and Purina. In 2012, Schwartz was named to the PRWeek "40 Under 40" List. That same year, PR News recognized him as Corporate Social Responsibility Leader of the Year. Schwartz is an adjunct professor at NYU in the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport. As an advocate for disabled sports, he co-founded the NJ Dare Devils Special Hockey Team and currently serves on the board of the American Special Hockey Association. Schwartz earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland. He resides in Park Ridge, NJ, with his wife, Danielle, and his three children: Allison (14) and twins Nicholas and Ryan (9). ntuit TurboTax Live Becomes First-Ever Presenting Sponsor of Both AFC & NFC Championship Games ​ Intuit is the Official NFL Sponsor for Financial and Accounting Software, and Tax Preparation Services The National Football League (NFL) and Intuit Inc (Nasdaq: INTU), makers of TurboTax®, QuickBooks®, and Mint® today announced that as part of their multi-year official sponsor partnership, Intuit TurboTax Live will serve as the first-ever presenting sponsor of both the AFC and NFC Championship Games. As a part of the sponsorship, TurboTax Live branding will be featured during the 2019 AFC and NFC Championship Games as well as within ancillary programming and content across league broadcast and digital media platforms. The 2019 AFC and NFC Championship Games will be played on Sunday, January 20 (NFC – 3:05 pm ET on FOX, AFC – 6:40 pm ET on CBS).  "We're proud to have Intuit as the NFL's first-ever presenting sponsor for both AFC and NFC Championship games," said Renie Anderson, NFL Senior Vice President, NFL Partnerships, Sponsorship and Consumer Products. "Intuit has a longstanding reputation as a leader in the financial and accounting software industry that NFL fans recognize and trust this time of year." Beyond the presenting sponsorship of both 2019 AFC and NFC Championship games, Intuit also becomes the NFL's official sponsor for financial and accounting software, as well as tax preparation services. Intuit helps power prosperity for consumers, self-employed and small business owners finding them more money with the least amount of work, while giving them complete confidence in their actions and decisions. Together Intuit and the NFL will also create programs to help current and former players prosper through the NFL Player Engagement and NFL Legends communities. "Americans work hard for their money and at Intuit we want to help them find and save more of it," said Mary-Ann Somers, Chief Growth Officer for Intuit's Consumer Group.  "As an official sponsor of the NFL, we have a unique opportunity to reach a highly engaged audience with solutions to help them prosper during the height of tax season." Consumers can also look forward to seeing Intuit TurboTax return to the NFL Super Bowlfor its sixth consecutive year. About the National Football League (NFL) The National Football League is America's most popular sports league, comprised of 32 franchises that compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world's biggest annual sporting event. Founded in 1920, the NFL developed the model for the successful modern sports league, including national and international distribution, extensive revenue sharing, competitive excellence, and strong franchises across the country. NFL content has never been more popular across the US media landscape. According to the Nielsen Company, 192 million unique viewers tuned into the 2017 NFL regular season representing 73 percent of all television homes and 63 percent of potential viewers in the US. During the 2018 NFL Regular Season, NFL games accounted for 19 of the top 20 and 46 of the top 50 most-watched shows on television. About Intuit Intuit's mission is to Power Prosperity Around the World. Our global products and platforms, including TurboTax®, QuickBooks®, Mint® and Turbo®, are designed to empower consumers, self-employed and small businesses to improve their financial lives, finding them more money with the least amount of work, while giving them complete confidence in their actions and decisions. Our innovative ecosystem of financial management solutions serves approximately 50 million customers worldwide, unleashing the power of many for the prosperity of one. Please visit us for the latest news and in-depth information about Intuit and its brands and find us on social. Intuit, QuickBooks, QuickBooks Connect, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, TurboTax, and Mint are trademarks of Intuit Inc. Other parties' marks are property of their respective owners.	​	​	​	​