🏆 It's Time For Post-Season Football

Plus - X-rays Show No Fracture In Jalen Hurts' Finger  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 01/09/24 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]() | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}[,](=)​ It's Wildcard Week. This is maybe my favorite football weekend of the year with six games as we start the "Second Season". And make sure to jump on our Playoff Contest we're running with our friends at [the NFC](=). And our Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need. Let's Go. J PS. Make sure you're signed up for our Post-Season fantasy contest below. It's fantastic and easily my favorite Post-Season contest. What's New At Footballguys - [Our Favorite Post Season Contest]() - We've partnered with our friends at the [National Fantasy Championship](=) to bring you the Post Season Fantasy Contest we've always wanted. Check out the [Footballguys Post Season Contest](). It's just a $50 entry fee and $50,000 on the line for a Grand Prize. Sign up now before it sells out. Inside This Issue [] - [WAS: Ron Rivera fired](#article-1) - [PHI: Jalen Hurts has X-rays](#article-2) - [DET: Sam LaPorta has outside shot to play](#article-3) - [NYG: Wink Martindale resigns](#article-4) - [ATL: Arthur Smith done in Atlanta](#article-5) - [PIT: T.J. Watt out at least two weeks](#article-6) - [NE: Bill Belichick willing to give up GM duties](#article-7) - [NYJ: Aaron Rodgers interested in more than a year](#article-8) - [BUF: Gabe Davis update](#article-9) - [CAR: Scott Fitterer fired](#article-10) - [WAS: WAS seeks two more interviews](#article-11) - [WAS: WAS seeks Ian Cunningham interview](#article-12) - [WAS: WAS requests two Detroit interviews](#article-13) - [WAS: Alec Halaby sought for WAS interview](#article-14) - [WAS: WAS requests Mike Macdonald interview](#article-15) - [WAS: Jim Harbaugh has Washington's interest](#article-16) - [WAS: Two requested for WAS head coach interviews](#article-17) - [LVR: Las Vegas requests Ed Dodds for GM interview](#article-18) - [LVR: Adam Peters requested for Raiders GM interview](#article-19) Footballguys Playoff Hold'Em Contest Join us in our very first [Footballguys Playoff Hold'Em Contest]() hosted by our friends at the NFFC. What's Hold'Em style? Pick your favorite players - no salary cap or draft. After each Playoff round, you can Hold or Fold each of your players. If you Fold'Em, you get to pick a different player. But the longer you Hold'Em, the more bonus points you can rack up. Your $50 entry fee gets you four more weeks of fantasy football action and a chance at a fully-guaranteed $50,000 Grand Prize. But we only have room for 4,000 teams, so don't miss out. [ENTER NOW 👉]() ​ [] 1. WAS: Ron Rivera fired [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was fired Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Zero surprise here. Rivera's time with the Commanders comes to a close having never finished above .500 in Washington. If he wants to continue coaching, a defensive coordinator job would be his best bet. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. PHI: Jalen Hurts has X-rays [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]() Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (finger) had X-rays come up negative on his dislocated middle finger on his throwing hand. Our view: There is no fracture, so that's the best news Hurts could get. He'll play through the pain in the Wild Card round against the Buccaneers on Monday night. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. DET: Sam LaPorta has outside shot to play [Source: MLive.com - Kyle Meinke]( Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta (knee) has an outside shot to play in the wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to the team Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Lions HC Dan Campbell is going to play his starters in Week 18, and this is the price you pay when you do that. LaPorta is a talented receiving weapon who is difficult to match up against. He should be limited all week in practice, and the rookie has to be considered a true game-time decision for the postseason game against the Rams on Sunday night. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. NYG: Wink Martindale resigns [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) New York Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale resigned Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Martindale is a highly respected defensive coordinator, but his Giants defense fell flat in 2023. Plus, there were rumblings that Martindale and Giants HC Brian Daboll did not see eye to eye and you have this situation with the long-time DC stepping down. We'll see if he wants to keep coaching because if he does then there will be interest. [Back to Top](#top) ​ [] 5. ATL: Arthur Smith done in Atlanta [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was fired on Sunday, Jan. 7. Our view: Three 7-10 seasons will get you to that point. Except for quarterback, the Falcons have talent on offense, but things could not come together for Smith and his team. Any coach that takes over in Atlanta will have potential playmakers to work with but they need a QB. Smith has a reputation as a coordinator, so perhaps he can land somewhere as an offensive assistant. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. PIT: T.J. Watt out at least two weeks [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Updating previous reports, Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt (knee) would need at least two weeks to be able to play in a knee brace in a best-case scenario, according to sources. Our view: Tough news for the Steelers losing such a key part of the team this week. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. NE: Bill Belichick willing to give up GM duties [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he'd be willing to relinquish his duties on personnel if that was collectively viewed to help the team moving forward. Our view: Belichick is still with the Patriots for now, but it's his skill as a GM that has put him in a situation where his future in New England is in doubt. He's run the show for years, but his failures as a GM have put the Patriots in a hole post the Tom Brady era. [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. NYJ: Aaron Rodgers interested in more than a year [Source: NewYorkJets.com]() New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers said Monday, Jan. 8, he'd like 'this to be more than just next year.' Our view: Rodgers is going to play in 2024, but we'll see if he can make it through the season. There's always teases with the veteran, but it would be nice to see results - especially if you're a Jets fan who has to wait until the fall to see him in game action. Playing beyond 2024 sounds great, but we'll see if it actually comes to fruition with Rodgers. [Back to Top](#top) [] 9. BUF: Gabe Davis update [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) Buffalo Bills WR Gabe Davis (knee) suffered a PCL sprain that is not considered a major injury, but his status remains to be determined, according to sources Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: We'll see if Davis can get out there in the Wild Card Round against the Steelers. He's played at a high level in the postseason before, so having him out there would boost the Bills' offense. [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. CAR: Scott Fitterer fired [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer was fired Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Fitterer gets the blame, along with former head coach Frank Reich, for everything that went wrong for the Panthers. Now, Panthers' owner Dave Tepper will be in search of a head coach and a general manager. We'll see the pair come in together to try and get the Panthers out of the cellar in the NFL. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. WAS: WAS seeks two more interviews [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters, Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi have been requested for an interview for the Washington Commanders general manager vacancy. Our view: Peters is one of the best in the league, and he should be a fine GM someday. Right now, he's helped build the 49ers into a Super Bowl contender working with GM John Lynch. Borgonzi has learned under one of the best as well, Chiefs' GM Brett Veach. He's been working with the Chiefs since 2009 and has plenty of championship experience from what they've built in Kansas City. [Back to Top](#top) 💪 Best Rookie Class Ever?! (Ranking the Top 15) Is this the best rookie class ever? Alfredo Brown and Dave Kluge are joined by Daniel Harms to break down the 2023 rookie class and rank the Top 15 players for 2024! ​ [[youtube]​]()[[podcast]​]([[spotify]​](=) ​ [] 12. WAS: WAS seeks Ian Cunningham interview [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham has been requested for an interview by the Washington Commanders. Our view: This is a smart move. Cunningham knows football, and he's been one of the best scouts behind the scenes for the Ravens, Eagles, and the Bears. A smart and savvy executive, Cunnigham has the potential to be a great GM in this league. [Back to Top](#top) [] 13. WAS: WAS requests two Detroit interviews [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]( Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Benjamin Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have been requested for interviews for the Washington Commanders head coaching position. Our view: Johnson is going to be the hottest name (not named Jim Harbaugh) out there for teams looking for a head coach. Rumblings indicated he was going to command one of the highest salaries for a head coach, even though he's never done the job, but that might just be rumors swirling around. Johnson has made the Lions into a Super Bowl contender with QB Jared Goff. That has gotten him a lot of attention, and we imagine Johnson will have every team with an opening after him this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) [] 14. WAS: Alec Halaby sought for WAS interview [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]( Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby has been requested for an interview for the Washington Commanders general manager vacancy. Our view: Halaby was named assistant general manager in 2022 after spending six seasons (2016-21) as the Eagles vice president of football operations and strategy. A Harvard graduate, he's been working his way up the ranks for years. The Commanders could steal a fine evaluator from a division rival if they hire Halaby as their GM. [Back to Top](#top) [] 15. WAS: WAS requests Mike Macdonald interview [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was requested to interview for the Washington Commanders head coach vacancy, according to sources Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Well, that didn't take long. The Ravens are the talk of the league, and Macdonald's defense is a big reason why. He began his NFL coaching career as an intern with the Ravens in 2014 before moving up the ranks. He was Michigan's defensive coordinator in 2021, and he came back to Baltimore to run their defense in 2022. Whether it's Washington or another team, Macdonald may be a favorite to land a head-coaching gig this year. [Back to Top](#top) [] 16. WAS: Jim Harbaugh has Washington's interest [Source: Bleacher Report - Jordan Schultz](=) University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been contacted by new Washington Commanders front office official Bob Myers to gauge interest in their head coaching vacancy. Our view: Harbaugh is the biggest name out there. He's going to come back to the NFL (most likely) with the ability to change a team's culture. That's exactly what the Commanders need to do from the top down, and new ownership will have the resources to do that. [Back to Top](#top) [] 17. WAS: Two requested for WAS head coach interviews [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Baltimore Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris were sought for interviews for the Washington Commanders head coaching spot. Our view: Morris has been a head coach before, years ago with the Buccaneers (2009-2011). He's been in line to get another head coaching gig for years, and we'll see if Washington believes he's the best fit going forward. Weaver was a second-round pick in 2002 out of Notre Dame, and he played in the league until 2008. After that, Weaver got into coaching and worked his way up in the ranks with the Jets, Bills, Browns, Texans and Ravens. [Back to Top](#top) [] 18. LVR: Las Vegas requests Ed Dodds for GM interview [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]() Indianapolis Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds was requested to interview for the Las Vegas Raiders general manager vacancy, according to sources Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: We're surprised Dodds hasn't gotten the call to be a GM as he's been a top consideration for over five years. Having great success with the Seahawks and the Colts, Dodds has seen a lot of football and knows what to look for when it comes to players who can produce in the modern game. The Raiders have more talent than some think, but they need another solid draft or two (and perhaps a quarterback) to put themselves in position to be a perennial playoff team. [Back to Top](#top) [] 19. LVR: Adam Peters requested for Raiders GM interview [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]() San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters was requested to interview for the Las Vegas Raiders general manager vacancy, according to sources Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: Peters is one of the best front-office evaluators in the league. He did great work with the Broncos, and he's been the right-hand man of 49ers GM John Lynch for the last few seasons. The Raiders (or any team) would be wise to put a guy like Peters in charge of the team. We'll see if he takes that next step in his career this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? 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