By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Case Keenum‘s wild and unexpected ride came to a sudden end with Sunday night’s loss in the NFC Championship Game.

That’s often how the playoffs are: unforgiving, abrupt and for scores of players, fleeting.

The quarterback hasn’t even had 24 hours to process what exactly went wrong (though he’s tried) before being asked about his future. It’s a murky one, with free agency immediately ahead, but a possibility of returning to the Vikings remains. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Adam Thielen‘s near-touchdown summed up the night — and the season’s end — in one play.

Almost, but not quite.

Fresh off a miraculous finish, the Vikings hit Philadelphia looking for more magic and an NFC crown. They left with the hat, but no rabbit. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tennessee has found its new leader.

The Titans have hired Mike Vrabel as the franchise’s new head coach, the team announced on Saturday. Vrabel previously coached with the Houston Texans from 2014-16 as linebackers coach, and spent 2017 as the Texans‘ defensive coordinator.

“I am excited to have Mike Vrabel joining our organization as our new head coach,” Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement released by the team. “In the interaction between Mike and Jon during the interview, you could see their connection right away from the history they have with one another — seeing the game in a similar way and talking the same language. Mike has a commanding presence and a deep understanding for how he will attack this head coaching opportunity. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Atlanta’s season ended in disappointing fashion, topped off by a peculiar play call on fourth and goal.

Immediately (and understandably), thousands of index fingers extended in the direction of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. On Thursday, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn deflected blame from Sarkisian while also confirming the coordinator will return for a second season in 2018.

“Placing blame on one person would be wrong in this instance,” Quinn said, per the team. “If this was about one person, that decision would’ve already been made.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Much hulabaloo has been made of Tom Brady’s hand injury.

Is he OK? (Yes.) Who was the teammate who ran into his throwing hand? (It hasn’t been revealed.) Will he play on Sunday? (He’s expected to.) Did I write that lede just to use hulabaloo? (Yes, I did.)

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone doesn’t care if Brady’s hand is healthy or mangled. It’s not going to change how he approaches preparation for the AFC Championship Game.

“I’m sure he could probably throw left-handed if he has a problem with his right hand and throw just as well,” Marrone told reporters on Thursday morning, per the Florida Times-Union. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Joe Thomas still isn’t ready to decide on his future.

The perennial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame left tackle said Wednesday he remains on the fence about whether he’ll return to the Cleveland Browns in 2018.

Thomas suffered a torn triceps in Cleveland’s loss to Tennessee in late October, ending his unofficial consecutive snaps streak at 10,363. He’s since become the team’s de facto veteran assistant coach, sideline weatherman and multi-podcast star. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The sunny optimism of a Gulf Coast training camp didn’t last long for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dirk Koetter’s second season fizzled with a 5-11 finish, bringing with it trash bags and vacation plans for his Buccaneers. A top-10 offense in yards gained per game (18th in points per game) couldn’t withstand the damage done by the league’s worst defense in yards allowed per game.

One of the members of that offense, free-agent signing DeSean Jackson, lamented the group’s underachievement in 2017 on Wednesday, starting with quarterback Jameis Winston. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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These Jaguars haven’t been here before, and they aren’t exactly keeping quiet.

Clearly feeling himself and his teammates, cornerback Jalen Ramsey grabbed the mic at EverBank Field late Sunday and told fans welcoming the Jaguars home that the team was going to the Super Bowl and was going to win it.

That’s great. Reach for the stars, Jalen. There’s just one detail that needs to be mentioned: They haven’t yet won the AFC. Continue reading →