Patrick Mahomes’s Chiefs outlast Bills to earn a spot in AFC championship game

The Chiefs and Lions secured their spots in the conference championship games.

By Adam Kilgore, Nicki Jhabvala, Mark Maske, Des Bieler and Sam FortierJanuary 21, 2024

The NFL playoffs move on to the conference championships. Here’s what you need to know.

The Ravens will host the Chiefs in the AFC championship game. The Lions will travel to face the 49ers in the NFC championship game.

By Washington Post staffJanuary 21, 2024
NFLAnalysis

Brock Purdy ‘could have been better.’ But his heroics proved a point.

Before Saturday, Purdy had in his career just one fourth-quarter comeback and one game-winning drive. The game against the Packers was a milestone of sorts.

By Sam FortierJanuary 21, 2024
NFLAnalysis

The Ravens’ defense held its own as Lamar Jackson worked his magic

Baltimore’s defense may lack the star power of years past, but it held the Texans without an offensive touchdown to help the Ravens to the AFC title game.

By Mark MaskeJanuary 21, 2024
NFLPerspective

The 49ers looked bad and still won. It’s exactly what they needed.

San Francisco entered Saturday with an 0-30 record under Kyle Shanahan when trailing by at least five points at the start of the fourth quarter.

By Jerry BrewerJanuary 21, 2024

Tracking the Washington Commanders’ coaching search

Who are the candidates? Who has interviewed? What are the next steps?

By Nicki JhabvalaJanuary 21, 2024

As their biggest rivals sputter, the Commanders embrace competence

Dallas takes a dive, Philly takes a fall and Washington looks respectable. Maybe hogs can fly after all.

By Barry SvrlugaJanuary 17, 2024

New GM Adam Peters shares his vision for rebuilding the Commanders

“He’s won everywhere he’s been,” Commanders owner Josh Harris said of Peters. “... It was a pretty easy decision from my point of view.”

By Nicki JhabvalaJanuary 16, 2024
NFLPerspective

At halftime and beyond, Lamar Jackson proved the Ravens are his team

The Ravens are Lamar Jackson’s team. It may just be his time.

By Barry SvrlugaJanuary 21, 2024

All across Detroit, solidarity through football

Across the city last Sunday, Detroiters clung to hope -- for their team, for their city and beyond.

By Kent BabbJanuary 21, 2024

49ers survive scare from Packers to reach NFC championship game

Baltimore used a dominant second half to roll past Houston, while San Francisco went down to the wire against Green Bay but escaped.

By Sam Fortier, Adam Kilgore, Mark Maske, Glynn A. Hill, Nicki Jhabvala and Jerry BrewerJanuary 20, 2024

When Tampa Bay needed Tom Brady’s successor, it turned to Baker Mayfield

The result — a postseason berth — has been better than many and possibly even the Buccaneers expected.

By Cindy BorenJanuary 20, 2024

The slippery truth about staying warm on a frigid NFL field

NFL players have tried countless inventive methods to stay warm in wintertime games. Chief among them: creative skin care.

By Alex PrewittJanuary 20, 2024

Raiders hire Antonio Pierce as their coach, removing the interim tag

Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 record as their interim head coach this season following the firing of Josh McDaniels in November.

By Mark MaskeJanuary 19, 2024
NFLAnalysis

The fatal flaw that could doom each remaining NFL playoff team

From defensive struggles to offensive lapses, each of the final eight teams faces at least one (potentially) fatal flaw that could doom its postseason fate.

By Neil GreenbergJanuary 19, 2024

He climbed the NFL coaching ranks, sued the league — and kept climbing

Steve Wilks was fired in Arizona, was allowed to leave by Carolina and has an ongoing legal fight with the NFL. He also has the 49ers’ defense poised for a title run.

By Michael LeeJanuary 19, 2024

Bill Belichick will have second interview with Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have moved aggressively and are regarded as the early favorite to hire Belichick, who left the Patriots last week.

By Mark MaskeJanuary 18, 2024
NFLAnalysis

The cold case of Patrick Mahomes’s cracked helmet

What happened to Mahomes’s helmet during the Chiefs-Dolphins game was unusual. Experts say players shouldn’t worry about how theirs will perform in the cold.

By Adam KilgoreJanuary 18, 2024

Few can outrun Lamar Jackson. Even fewer can out-think him.

It is impossible to ignore the physical miracles Lamar Jackson performs. But they are only possible, his coach said, because he sees the game like “a savant.”

By Adam KilgoreJanuary 18, 2024
NFLPerspective

The absolute definitive truth about the NFL playoffs (until next week)

Not sure what to make of this NFL season? You’re the only one.

By Candace BucknerJanuary 18, 2024

Jerry Jones says the Cowboys will retain Mike McCarthy as head coach

Owner Jerry Jones will keep McCarthy for next season, even after the team’s latest playoff disappointment and with Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel available.

By Mark MaskeJanuary 17, 2024
NFLAnalysis

Bill Belichick’s best match could be with the Philadelphia Eagles

If the Eagles decide to move on from Nick Sirianni, Bill Belichick could return to the NFC East.

By Jason La CanforaJanuary 17, 2024

Police report: Colts owner Jim Irsay found unconscious in home last month

An incident report obtained Wednesday by The Washington Post stated Narcan was administered by police to the Colts owner after a suspected overdose last month.

By Rick MaeseJanuary 17, 2024