🏆 Divisional Round News From Wednesday

Plus - More Good News For Mark Andrews  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 01/18/24 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]() | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}[,](=)​ The temperatures may be dropping (It was two degrees below zero in Tennessee today!) but the NFL is red hot. Teams are angling towards showdowns this weekend and our Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need. Let's go. J Inside This Issue [] - [BAL: Mark Andrews making a push to play?](#article-1) - [BAL: Full practice for Mark Andrews](#article-2) - [LAR: Tyler Higbee torn ACL confirmed](#article-3) - [LVR: Las Vegas close to naming head coach, GM?](#article-4) - [CLE: CLE fires Alex Van Pelt](#article-5) - [LAR: Kyren Williams has surgery](#article-6) - [KC: Skyy Moore cleared to practice](#article-7) - [LAR: Matthew Stafford plans to return](#article-8) - [TEN: Thomas Brown to meet with Titans](#article-9) - [CHI: Thomas Brown interviewing with Bears](#article-10) - [DAL: Dallas likely to bring back Martavis Bryant](#article-11) [] 1. BAL: Mark Andrews making a push to play? [Source: Around The NFL]( Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (ankle) had a good day at practice and 'really took a big step,' according to head coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Harbaugh added 'we will see how it goes' when asked about the possibility of Andrews playing in the AFC Divisional Round game versus the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 20. Our view: This was always the case with Andrews, but it's not a guarantee that he's going to be out there on Saturday. When Andrews was shut down for the regular season, there was a chance he could return around this time or for the AFC Championship Game if the Ravens make it that far. Let's watch his practice status as the week continues. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. BAL: Full practice for Mark Andrews [Source: BaltimoreRavens.com]( Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (ankle) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Jan. 17. Our view: Another good sign for Andrews. Stay tuned but this is trending the right direction. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. LAR: Tyler Higbee torn ACL confirmed [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (knee) is confirmed to have a torn ACL, according to sources Tuesday, Jan. 16. Our view: Higbee will now have a long road back as he recovers from this knee injury. He may be ready for the start of the regular season, but beginning the 2024 season on the PUP list is a possibility. Higbee is under contract through 2025, and he's got a cap hit of $11.4 MM (with $11.8 MM in dead money) this upcoming season. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. LVR: Las Vegas close to naming head coach, GM? [Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal - Vincent Bonsignore](=) Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce is considered the frontrunner to become the team's new head coach, according to sources. Additionally, interim general manager Champ Kelly is considered the favorite to become the team's next general manager. Our view: Mark Davis may be on the right track here. Pierce has the support of the players, and he did a fine job after he took over for former HC Josh McDaniels. The Titans and Falcons have expressed interest in Pierce, so Davis had better lock his guy down. Kelly has been working his way up the ranks in the scouting community (Broncos, Bears), and he's got a sterling reputation when it comes to talent evaluation. [Back to Top](#top) [] 5. CLE: CLE fires Alex Van Pelt [Source: ESPN - Jake Trotter]() Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was fired Wednesday, Jan. 17. Our view: Van Pelt may be out of a job for now, but the way QB Joe Flacco thrived under his guidance (until the Wild Card Round) will get him some interest from other teams. The Browns move forward with HC Kevin Stefanski and a new offensive staff. He'll have to find the right coaches to get the best out of QB Deshaun Watson. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. LAR: Kyren Williams has surgery [Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop]() Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams (hand) had surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand. Our view: Williams suffered a broken hand in the Rams' Wild Card loss to the Lions. His surgery should make it a quick recovery for the featured back. Williams may be ready for OTAs in the spring. Fantasy GMs will be looking at Williams as an RB1 after his breakout season in 2023. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. KC: Skyy Moore cleared to practice [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Kansas City Chiefs WR Skyy Moore (knee) was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Our view: Moore has been shut down since mid-December with this knee injury. He didn't do much with the Chiefs this year, and if he makes it onto the field during the playoffs it will only be as a rotational player. [Back to Top](#top) Can Jordan Love and the Packers stay HOT? 🔥 What did we learn from Wild Card Weekend? Can Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers stay hot as the playoffs continue? Join Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom on The Audible! ​ [[youtube]​]([[podcast]​]([[spotify]​](=) ​ [] 8. LAR: Matthew Stafford plans to return [Source: Rams.com - Stu Jackson](=) Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford plans to return to the team in 2024, he said on Sunday, Jan. 14. Our view: Stafford had talked about retirement after the Rams won the Super Bowl, but he's stayed and performed at a high level. Now, he's staying longer and taking over a team looking like a perennial playoff team. The Rams have a young core of players with tremendous upside. So long as Stafford is under center, they can win a lot of games in 2024. [Back to Top](#top) [] 9. TEN: Thomas Brown to meet with Titans [Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person]() Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas X. Brown will interview for the Tennessee Titans head coaching vacancy. Our view: Brown worked well under Rams HC Sean McVay, but last year things fell apart with the Panthers offense. He's been a fast riser in the coaching community, and Brown is also getting interest from the Bears to be their OC. The Titans are looking for someone who can get the most from young passer Will Levis. [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. CHI: Thomas Brown interviewing with Bears [Source: The Athletic - Joe Person]() Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas X. Brown is interviewing for the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator post Our view: Brown did good work with the Rams under HC Sean McVay, but his one year with the Panthers was not great. However, that could just be the situation in Carolina and not indicative of the type of coach Brown is. The Bears are looking at making a strong run to the playoffs in 2024, perhaps with QB Justin Fields or perhaps with the no.1 overall pick under center (Caleb Williams?). Brown would be a fine addition to their staff. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. DAL: Dallas likely to bring back Martavis Bryant [Source: The Dallas Morning News - Michael Gehlken](=) Free-agent WR Martavis Bryant (Cowboys) is expected to sign a Reserve/Future contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Our view: Bryant signed with the Cowboys last November, but he failed to get activated on the 53-man roster. They did release him a couple of weeks ago, but now he should be back on a reserve/future contract. He's still big and fast, so in super crazy deep dynasty formats we'll keep an eye on him. [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? [Sign Up here](​ ​[Advertise with us](and get your brand in front of 600,000+ football fans [GO PRO](=) [PODCASTS]() [COMMUNITY]( [SHOP]( [CONTACT US]( You’re subscribed as [{EMAIL}](=) . [Unsubscribe here]( Copyright @ 2023 Sportsguys, LLC. 118 N Peters Road, Suite 208. Knoxville, TN 37922 ​[Opt-out of preference based advertising](=)​ ​