Matt Ryan might be an MVP ... 'Champion' is the real test
Can the Falcons' veteran QB elevate his legacy to the highest level by winning a Super Bowl or will he go down as a great passer who fell short of transcendent?
Favoritessettings
Sources: NFL inquires Elliott on assault claims
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is still in the process of responding to the NFL's questions related to assault accusations made against him, sources told ESPN.
Sources: Raiders 'close' to filling for Vegas move
The Raiders are "close" to filing for relocation to Las Vegas and are expected to do so well before the Feb. 15 deadline, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Bennett berates reporter after Seahawks' loss
Following his team's playoff loss to Atlanta on Saturday, Seahawks DE Michael Bennett took exception to a question suggesting Seattle's pass rush struggled to get to Falcons QB Matt Ryan.
Pats' Lewis makes playoff history with 3-TD night
Three scores, three different ways. Patriots running back Dion Lewis became the first player in NFL history to score rushing, receiving and kickoff return touchdowns in a playoff game.
Wilfork: Believe I've played final game in NFL
Vince Wilfork said he thinks the Texans' 34-16 playoff loss to the Patriots on Saturday night might be his final game in the NFL.
Chargers new logo, TE jeered at Lakers-Clippers
During their game with the Lakers on Saturday, the Clippers showed the new Los Angeles Chargers' logo on their video screen and the Staples Center crowd promptly booed.
Brady knows Patriots have to be better (0:43)
Now it gets real for Patriots: Two more wins to title No. 5
Tom Brady and New England survived and advanced to a sixth straight AFC Championship Game, and the inevitable portion of their season has ended. What happens next is what matters.
Patriots will need better performance in AFC title game
The Patriots moved on to their sixth consecutive AFC title game on Saturday, but their performance against the Texans was a bit too uneven.
Brock Osweiler dilemma tops Texans' offseason questions
The Texans won the AFC South despite their $72 million quarterback, not because of him. And upgrading the position is not going to be easy -- or cheap.
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Ryan dives to make interception in win
Ryan dives to make interception in win
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Brady throws a pair of INTs on deflected passes in win
Brady throws a pair of INTs on deflected passes in win
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Lewis scores three TDs in Patriots' win
Lewis scores three TDs in Patriots' win
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Brady floats it to White for 19-yard TD in win
Brady floats it to White for 19-yard TD in win
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Lewis takes kickoff 98 yards to pay dirt in win
Lewis takes kickoff 98 yards to pay dirt in win
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Belichick attributes success to resilient Patriots, consistent Brady
Belichick attributes success to resilient Patriots, consistent Brady
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Lewis focused on next game, not making history
Lewis focused on next game, not making history
NFL Playoffs: Patriots 34, Texans 16
Clark says Osweiler's INTs doomed the Texans
Clark says Osweiler's INTs doomed the Texans
2016 NFL playoffs schedule, Super Bowl LI coverage
The NFL playoffs -- and the race to Super Bowl LI -- are in full swing, including this weekend's divisional round games. Check out ESPN.com's coverage of every postseason game.
Clark sees Brady, Pats as beatable (0:47)
Wilfork thinks he's played his last game (0:48)
Ray Lewis on Tom Brady's complaining: 'It's called football'
Ray Lewis wasn't exactly sympathetic to Tom Brady's complaints about what the Patriots QB thought was a late hit by Texans OLB Jadeveon Clowney.
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Wild INT finishes off Seahawks' loss to Falcons
Wild INT finishes off Seahawks' loss to Falcons
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Sanu's acrobatic TD catch seals Falcons' win
Sanu's acrobatic TD catch seals Falcons' win
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Wilson gets hit and throws INT
Wilson gets hit and throws INT
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Coleman left wide open for a TD in Falcons' win
Coleman left wide open for a TD in Falcons' win
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Jones catches the quick pass for TD in win
Jones catches the quick pass for TD in win
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Ryan feels lucky to play in Atlanta
Ryan feels lucky to play in Atlanta
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Offensive line play let Seahawks down
Offensive line play let Seahawks down
NFL Playoffs: Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
How badly was Thomas missed in Seattle's secondary?
How badly was Thomas missed in Seattle's secondary?
Falcons' offense clicked all game (1:48)
Falcons one step closer to Super Bowl (0:52)
Seahawks fall short of Super Bowl goal during average season
The Seahawks have some tricky contract situations and need to make some shrewd moves this offseason to remain a contender.
Chancellor and Baldwin point at mistakes, injuries in loss (0:37)
Carroll says Seahawks' window hasn't closed (0:33)
Can the Seahawks compete for the Super Bowl next season? (0:59)
What win probability charts show about every 2016 NFL playoff game
Check in throughout the NFL playoffs to see the biggest game-changing plays.
Grades, draft needs, offseason questions for every eliminated NFL team
NFL Nation reporters grade every eliminated team's regular season, assess what position each should target in the 2017 draft and look ahead to a few looming offseason questions.
11 games, 1 winner: NFL Insiders predict 2016 playoffs bracket
The NFL playoff bracket is set; all that's left to do is fill it out. Five ESPN Insiders are here to help, picking every leg of the 2016 postseason.
Dan Quinn recognizes importance of civil rights movement in Atlanta (0:21)
Max says Patriots, Cowboys is a Super Bowl no one wants (1:55)
The Ravens coach who pushed to draft Tom Brady
It's interesting to imagine what might've been had Baltimore listened to -- and acted on -- Matt Cavanaugh's recommendation to select the Michigan QB in the 2000 draft.
Jim Irsay has created an awkward situation with Chuck Pagano
Jim Irsay's overtures toward Jon Gruden, as reported by Adam Schefter, have created a mess with Chuck Pagano that the Colts owner must clean up.
Steelers' next challenge: Keep win streak alive on road vs. Chiefs
The Steelers handled the Chiefs in October, but this game is in Kansas City, the Chiefs are rested and both teams are playing their best.
Chiefs hoping to reestablish their Arrowhead advantage
When they take the field Sunday night vs. the Steelers at a raucous Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs aim to end a two-game home playoff losing streak.
Who is the best QB left in the playoffs? (2:55)
Inside Aaron Rodgers' 8.3-second masterpiece
Lost in the furor of another Hail Mary was Rodgers' 8.3-second scramble-drill TD to Davante Adams versus the Giants. We recreate and relive the improbable play with the help of some key figures.
Dak Prescott and the rookie QB Super Bowl curse
Fifty Super Bowls. One hundred starting quarterbacks. Not only has a rookie never won a Super Bowl, but a rookie also has not even started one. Not every rookie QB is like Dak Prescott, though.
Emmitt Smith heaps praise on Ezekiel Elliott
As the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith knows great running back play when he sees it. He loves what he's seeing from Ezekiel Elliott.
Inside Jason Witten's title quest for the Cowboys ... and Tony Romo
On a team driven by rookies Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliott, a future Hall of Famer is driven to deliver a title for the Cowboys, and also his benched best friend, who might not play a role.
From cartoons to car-key pranks, James Harrison is 'funny as hell'
Despite his menacing exterior, friends and family say muscle-bound Steelers linebacker James Harrison is usually chasing laughs more than sacks.
Packers' Jeff Janis ready for playoff encore against Cowboys if needed
Receiver Jeff Janis was an unlikely playoff hero for the Packers last year. With Jordy Nelson out, could Janis be called on against the Cowboys?
Packers win Super Bowl LI? One A.I. platform believes so
An artificial intelligence platform that correctly picked the Kentucky Derby superfecta and the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series has chosen the Green Bay Packers to win Super Bowl LI.
Mort & Schefter's notebook: Deshaun Watson's draft value has soared
Deshaun Watson seized his opportunity on the biggest stage in college football, and his NFL prospects look better for it. Our insiders break down his draft value and more in this week's notebook.
Ty Montgomery's Texas-sized dream will become reality against Cowboys
With Sunday's playoff meeting at Dallas, the Green Bay Packers' Ty Montgomery will realize his wish to play running back on his hometown team's turf.
Broncos bring back McCoy as O-coordinator
The Denver Broncos have hired Mike McCoy as the team's offensive coordinator and added Bill Musgrave to the staff as the quarterbacks coach.
Divisional-round X factors for every NFL playoff team
The Falcons and Cowboys have star WRs, but Mohamed Sanu and Cole Beasley could be the difference in their divisional-round matchups. NFL Nation reporters weigh in on players who could surprise.
![]()
Top Stories
![]()
Sponsored
Now
ESPN @espn
Sure, they won, but as one writer says, the Patriots are going to have to play a lot better in the AFC title game: es.pn/2iubE3u
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
NFL sends additional questions to Ezekiel Elliott over assault accusations, league sources tell ESPN.... fb.me/8tJod16SS
Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer
It's an icy morning in Kansas City. It'll be this way until at least mid-afternoon, meteorologists at the National Weather Service tell me.
Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer
Arrowhead Stadium will be full in 12 hours. And it'll be a cold and wet AFC Divisional, with rain falling all night.
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
Seahawks DE Michael Bennett went off on a reporter in the locker room following Seattle's playoff loss to Atlanta. es.pn/2iVu6D5
ESPN Stats and Information
Brock Osweiler threw two of his three interceptions targeting DeAndre Hopkins on Saturday. Osweiler threw 11 interceptions targeting Hopkins this season, the most by any quarterback to one receiver. Texans passers were intercepted six times targeting Hopkins last season.
ESPN Stats and Information
Brock Osweiler was 1-of-8 with three interceptions on passes at least 15 yards downfield Saturday. Osweiler completed 26 percent of his passes of that length this season (including the playoffs), the third-worst percentage since the start of the 2009 season. Only JaMarcus Russell (22 percent) and Brady Quinn (24 percent), both in 2009, have had a worse single-season completion percentage in that time.
Field Yates @FieldYates
No division had fewer combined wins this year than the NFC West (23 total). twitter.com/earl_thomas/st…
Ed Werder @Edwerderespn
Aaron Rodgers and @packers next shot to break streak @dallascowboys twitter.com/wingoz/status/…
Bill Barnwell @billbarnwell
I love Michael Bennett, but this is just bad seattletimes.com/sports/seahawk… pic.twitter.com/Sig4lqsBkT
Sarah Barshop ESPN Staff Writer
CB A.J. Bouye, who is one of the biggest free agent decisions the Texans will have to make, said he wants to return to Houston.
Sarah Barshop ESPN Staff Writer
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph said he intends to keep playing as long as his body will let him. He said he feels good and felt like he finished the season strong.
Dave Tuley ESPN Staff Writer
ViewFromVegas of NFL divisional playoffs on Sunday (as we hit midnight ET/9 p.m. here in the desert): Dallas is mostly -5.5 vs Green Bay, but the South Point has gone to -6 while the low line is Dallas -4.5 at Stations. The over/under ranges from 52 to 53. Kansas City is a 1-point favorite over Pittsburgh at 10 of the 13 books on the Don Best odds screen. MGM has the Chiefs -1.5 while Boyd Gaming and Jerry's Nugget are at pick 'em. The over/under is 44.5 at most books.
ESPN Stats and Information
Tom Brady was 7-of-14 with a touchdown on passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield, picking up 207 of his 287 passing yards on those throws. Brady was more effective throwing downfield (11 of 24) than on shorter passes (7 of 14). Brady had five such completions in two games last postseason.
ESPN Stats and Information
The Patriots are the fifth team since the merger to win a playoff game despite throwing at least 35 passes and completing fewer than half of them. The last team to do so was the Vikings against the Giants in the 1997 wild-card round.
Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer
Patriots QB Tom Brady says the team will have to play better in the AFC title game than it did tonight. Turnovers bothered Brady.
NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL
The Patriots are now 16-3 at home in the Brady/Belichick era. One more win will put them in the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/dtflsxE1GD
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
Dion Lewis is the 1st player in NFL postseason history to have a Rush TD, Rec TD and Kick Return TD in a single pla… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…