NFL playoffs LIVE: More heartbreak for Josh Allen as Kansas City joins Philadelphia in Super Bowl

Saquon Barkley looks like an NFL MVP vs Rams' defense

Philadelphia took a 13-7 lead over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Primarily because the Eagles had Saquon Barkley.

The MVP candidate again looked like a highly valuable player, rushing for 71 yards on his initial four carries.

Barkley added a touchdown, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also rushed for a score.

While Rams defender Jared Verse reminded Philly fans how much he hates them, Barkley spent his pregame routine hanging out with his family.

Then he averaged almost 18 yards a rush and broke off a brilliant 62-yard touchdown.

Hurts and Barkley combined for 106 yards of rushing TDs as Philly pushed for the NFC Championship game.

LA Rams' Jared Verse gets trolled by Eagles fans after saying he hates them

NFL stands by refs as Texans-Chiefs drama heats up

The NFL is standing behind its refs.

Several Houston Texans players hinted that something more than talent was involved in another Chiefs playoff victory inside Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

"Everybody knows how it is, playing up here," Texans running back Joe Mixon said.

"You can't -- you can never leave it into the refs' hands."

Mixon wasn't the only Texan to hint that NFL referees were pulling hard for the Chiefs in Kansas City.

But NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson said on Sunday that refs got several controversial calls right.

"If there's contact to the head of the quarterback, that's going to be called by the officials," Anderson said on NFL Network. "And that's what you can see here.

"On this play, there was contact, and so replay could not help the officials."

Houston Texans suggest NFL ref conspiracy helped Chiefs win home playoff game in KC

Snow expected as Eagles host Rams in divisional round

Frigid conditions are expected as the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams take to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.

Temperatures are expected around freezing at kickoff, while 8-13 mph breezes could push the wind chill down to the low-20s.

Per the Weather Channel, Philadelphia is under a winter storm warning and 'occasional snow is likely to continue for the next several hours'.

Ahead of the game, Eagles' star running back Saquon Barkley revealed he would get in touch with LeSean McCoy to help himself prepare for the tough forecast.

In 2013, McCoy set a then-franchise record with 217 rushing yards in a blizzard-hit Week 14 showdown against the Detroit Lions.

"Definitely going to call Shady just in case we do get some snow," Barkley told reporters Friday.

"See what he did because it don't make sense how he was able to cut in that snow. You could just see he was on a whole different level."

Kelce comes alive in playoffs... again

Travis Kelce is a different beast in the postseason.

Kansas City's star tight end struggled at times in the regular season, with just three touchdowns and 823 yards - his lowest output since 2015.

But he came alive once again in the divisional round against the Texans, with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.

"You know 87 is gonna show up," Patrick Mahomes said after the game. 

"Everybody's asking where's Travis Kelce at, I think he showed the world where he's at."

With another top playoff performance, Kelce is just two TDs away from equalling Jerry Rice's record of 22.

Texans share frustrations with officiating in divisional round loss to Chiefs

The Texans were left stewing after a 23-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs ended their season.

Already underdogs against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the team adopted an 'us against the world' mentality for their visit to Arrowhead.

However after the loss, they took an even harsher stance, instead suggesting it was 'us against the refs' in a game that saw Houston draw eight accepted penalties.

Houston's defense was flagged for two particularly controversial fouls at different moments when making contact with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Both extended drives, leading to a crucial 10 points for the Chiefs.

"We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game," defensive end Will Anderson Jr said afterward.

"Everybody knows how it is playing up here," running back Joe Mixon added.

"You can never leave it into the refs' hands. It is what it is. When it comes down to it, you can never leave it into the refs' hands."

Anderson was flagged for roughing the passer on a Mahomes incomplete pass to tight end Travis Kelce on third down during the Chiefs' second drive.

He appeared to hit the QB in the upper neck area shortly after he released the pass.

Referee Clay Martin told a pool reporter that Anderson made "forcible contact to the facemask area" on the play.

Campbell emotional after shock Lions loss as Goff admits 'we were on top of the world'

The Lions are one-and-done in the playoffs, having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the Commanders.

Postgame, quarterback Jared Goff and the locker room was left stunned.

"It just hurts to lose, man," he said.

"I don't care if you're the seventh seed, six seed, five seed, one seed. Because I've lost at all of them damn near, and it stings. It hurts.

"We were on the top of the world after that Minnesota game and it's hard standing here right now and trying to process it all."

Head coach Dan Campbell, meanwhile, fought back tears as he discussed the effort from his players this season.

You can read about that below.

'All my fault' - Dan Campbell fights back tears after playoff loss ends Lions' dreams

Daniels takes down Goliath

Jayden Daniels has done it.

The Washington Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the divisional round and have advanced to the NFC championship for the first time since 1991.

Daniels and the Commanders never let their foot off the gas, attacking a depleted Lions defense again and again.

Now the rookie is a game away from the Super Bowl.

The Lions turned the ball over five times, while the Commanders committed zero turnovers.

That was the difference.

Daniels joins Ben Roethlisberger as the only rookie quarterbacks to win 14 games, including the postseason, in NFL history.

Washington will either travel to Philadelphia or Los Angeles for the NFC championship next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Detroit's franchise best 15-win win season comes to a disappointing end.

Lions claw closer to Commanders

In a much more calm third quarter than the previous one, the Lions found the end zone once, pulling closer to the Commanders, trialing 31-28.

Detroit is looking to make back-to-back NFC championships and host the big game next weekend, but Washington may have different plans.

Goff has been sloppy, while Daniels hasn't.

That's been the difference.

The Commanders are knocking on the door as the fourth quarter gets underway.

Second quarter explosion, Commanders take the lead

There were 42 combined points scored in the second quarter between Detroit and Washington.

The Commanders scored 31 of those 42.

They head into the half with a 31-21 lead.

They have completely flipped the game against the NFC's number one seed.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels hasn't flinched.

He is 14-21 for 242 yards and two touchdown passes.

He is doing it all for the Commanders, and is now just 30 minutes away from reaching the NFC championship in his rookie season.

Meanwhile, Lions head coach Dan Campbell is going to have to give the speech of a lifetime to get his squad out of this ten point hole and save their season.

Game on.

Jahmyr Gibbs trolls Kevin Durant, gives Lions the lead after one

The Detroit Lions lead the Washington Commanders 7-3 after the first quarter.

The Lions got on the board thanks to a rushing touchdown by running back Jahymr Gibbs.

The explosive back then decided to troll Commanders' fan, Kevin Durant, by mocking Durant's pregame dance in the end zone.

Durant saw it and responded, "I'm already sick of @Jahmyr_Gibbs1. Move around somewhere bro damn"

The Commanders are driving as the second quarter gets underway.

Kansas City advances as Travis Kelce and Andy Reid hit historic milestones

The Kansas City Chiefs are on their way to their seventh consecutive AFC championship after taking down the Houston Texans 23-14 in the divisional round.

The game was littered with history being made seemingly at every corner.

Travis Kelce broke the record for most postseason games with 100+ receiving yards, with nine total.

Head coach Andy Reid captured his 300th victory of his career, which is fourth all time.

He is 47 wins behind Don Shula for most all time.

He also now owns 27 career playoff victories, just four behind Bill Belichick.

Saturday's victory also gave Mahomes his 16th of the postseason in his career.

That ties Joe Montana for second most ever, behind only Brady's 35.

Mahomes and company are looking to be the first team in NFL history win three Super Bowls in a row.

Chiefs cling to slim lead

The two-time defending champions are holding a mere one-point lead over the Houston Texans as the fourth quarter gets underway.

Joe Mixon found the end zone in the third quarter, knotting it up 13-12, but thanks to a missed extra point by kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn, they weren't able to tie it.

Mahomes and Reid are looking to advance to their seventh straight AFC championship.

Mahomes has never lost in the divisional round, holding a perfect 6-0 record.

15 minutes left to go.

Texans up against it in second half

Halftime and the Chiefs lead 13-6.

Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn hit a 48-yard field goal to cut the Chiefs’ lead to seven with 20 seconds left in the second quarter.

However, the visitor's still have it all to do in the second half.

The Chiefs are 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.

If the Texans are to make the AFC Championship game, they'll need to do what no other team has done this season.

Travis Kelce with more playoff magic leading to TD

We have our first TD of the game.

Kelce came up with one his biggest plays of the season, rolling back the years with a 49-yard catch and run to set up first-and goal for Kansas City.

On the next play, Kareem Hunt took a handoff from Mahomes and punched it in on 3rd-and-goal for a one-yard score.

It was Kelce's longest reception of the season.

He now has two receptions for 72 yards as the Chiefs take a 13-3 lead.

Chiefs lead after first quarter

The Texans were getting close to field-goal range late in the first quarter, but C.J. Stroud was sacked on 3rd-and-8 by Chris Jones to end the drive.

Stroud looked uncomfortable early in the game, leaving the field limping before eventually returning to action.

It's been a cagey start from both teams, with Harrison Butker's 36-yard field goal giving Kansas City a 6-3 lead after 15 minutes.

Kris Boyd gets into it with special teams coach

The Chiefs started their divisional round clash against the Houston Texans with a 63-yard kickoff return from Nikko Remigio.

Texans cornerback Kris Boyd eventually tackled him, forcing a fumble the Chiefs recovered.

Boyd then removed his helmet and threw it down on the turf, receiving a penalty flag and a 15-yard penalty on Houston.

But that was only the start of it.

Cameras captured Boyd applying a two-handed shove to special-teams coordinator Frank Ross near the sideline.

Fans saw the incident and joked that Ross may get cut at halftime.

Yep, playoff football is definitely here...

Kris Boyd may have played final Texans game for pushing coach in moment of chaos

Tay Tay's in the house

In case there was any doubt, Taylor Swift made the trip to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Houston Texans.

Travis Kelce's significant other rocked up to Arrowhead in a black dress with a checkered coat, and although she wasn't wearing any Chiefs gear, she certainly looked the part.

The Grammy Award-winning singer attended every playoff game for the Chiefs last season as her relationship with Kelce went supernova.

She'll no doubt do the same again this year, should the Chiefs continue to win, win, and win again.

The man of the hour has arrived

Patrick Mahomes was looking well rested as he entered Arrowhead Stadium moments ago.

After securing the AFC's No. 1 seed and a bye in the playoffs, the Chiefs elected to bench their starters, including Mahomes, in Week 18.

Add to that an off week in the wild-card round, and it means the Chiefs' superstar quarterback hasn't played since Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He arrived to Saturday's Divisional Round clash with the Texans in double-denim looking cool, calm, and collected.

Hopkins hopeful of career-first

Chiefs wide receiver Deandre Hopkins says he is hoping to play past the divisional round for the first time in his career.

Speaking to , the 32-year-old, who is now on his fourth team in 12 seasons, will suit against his former team Houston Texans on Saturday in a Divisional Round clash.

“I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple years since we probably started 7-0 in Arizona, so it takes a game to a different level," 'Nuk' said.

"I’ve done a lot, all the accolades that I can accomplish as far as personal, so I think just playing meaningful football in January is what’s left on the list.’'

In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Will Gavin and Brian T. Smith were joined by star YouTuber, and lifelong Kansas City fan, Cole DeRuse, who believes Hopkins has been largely saved by the Chiefs this season for playoff football.

"It's interesting because they traded him for a fifth that could become a fourth if he played 60% of the snaps in the regular season and if the Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl," DeRuse said.

"Well, he actually only played 49% of snaps in the regular season for the Chiefs after the trade. And I don't honestly think it was purely because of the draft pick.

"Some people will swear by that.

"I think they're preserving his body. He's 33, preserving his body, implementing him into the system, and just kind of getting him ready for the playoffs.

"I think he's gonna go from seeing 49% of snaps to maybe as much as 70. I think we're gonna see more of that.

Kansas City Chiefs have been 'preserving' secret weapon for playoffs, now it's go time

Jared Verse backs down after revealing he "hates Eagles fans"

The Los Angeles' Rams' Divisional Round clash with the Philadelphia Eagles received some added needle this week.

Ahead of Sunday's playoff contest, Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse told the Los Angeles Times he “hates Eagles fans.”

Verse's comments understandable drew the ire of Eagles fans, as well as Philly superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who suggested they might come back to haunt him.

"Probably not the smartest thing to say when you're coming to Philadelphia," Barkley said.

"I've been on the other side [as a member of the New York Giants] and even if I felt some type of way, I probably wouldn't give them any extra fuel. I'm pretty sure Philly fans have seen that comment. It was already going to be loud and rocking so it's just only going to add to it."

Verse has since backtracked somewhat, saying he wants to move on and focus on the game.

“I just want to move on from it," he said. "What was said, was said. That was the past. We’ve got a game to handle.”

Steelers rebuff Mike Tomlin advances

Mike Tomlin has already made it clear he has no interest in another coaching job. The Pittsbugh Steelers head coach has insisted he will return next year despite going one-and-done in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

However, that hasn't stopped several teams showing interest in him, including the Chicago Bears who reportedly tried to inquire about trading for Tomlin.

According to , the Bears recently called the Steelers and requested to speak with Tomlin but were denied permission.

Another unnamed team looked into potentially trading for Tomlin, but "halted its efforts" upon learning he had a no-trade clause in his contract.

The Steelers gave Tomlin a three-year extension last offseason that runs through the 2027 season. The no-trade clause effectively gives Tomlin all the power, even if the Steelers wanted to move him on.

Tomlin is the longest-serving head coach in the NFL, having just finished his 18th year in Pittsburgh.

He was recently asked about leaving Pittsburgh via trade, to which he replied: "Save your time."

Chiefs' assistant GM joins Titans

The Chiefs have lost a key piece of their Super Bowl-winning structure with Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi being announced as the Tennessee Titans' new GM.

"Mike's experience speaks for itself: he has been part of the core team that delivered four AFC championships and three Super Bowls over the past five seasons," said Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk in a statement.

"It's the type of standard I want to build here in Tennessee. I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, and I'm excited for Mike to get started."

Borgonzi has been with the Chiefs since 2009, ascending to assistant GM in 2021. Prior to that promotion, Borgonzi served as Kansas City's director of football operations from 2018-2020 and director of player personnel in 2017.

Borgonzi has been part of a Chiefs front office that has constructed three Super Bowl-winning rosters but will now be moving to a new AFC team.

Cowboys interview Kellen Moore

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have completed a virtual interview with Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Jones and the Cowboys are in the market for a new head coach after they couldn't come to terms on a new contract with Mike McCarthy.

The Cowboys owner has always had an affinity for Moore, going back to his playing days with the franchise from 2015-2017.

Since then, Moore had been the Cowboys quarterbacks coach in 2018, and their offensive coordinator from 2019-2022.

He was the Chargers offensive coordinator last season and is currently in the same role with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Moore and the Eagles play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon in the divisional round.

Until then, it seems Moore made time for Jones and the Cowboys.

Deion Sanders has also been linked to the job.

Titans find next general manager

The Tennessee Titans have found their next general manager.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Titans have reached a deal with Mike Borgonzi, the current assistant general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The two sides have agreed to a five-year deal.

Borgonzi played a huge role in building out a Kansas City roster that has won three out of the last five Super Bowls, and will now be looking to do the same in Nashville.

Two weeks ago, the Titans fired former general manager Ran Carthon, after just two seasons on the job.

The Titans went a disappointing 3-14 this season and have the first overall pick in the draft.

It will now be Borgonzi who will be making the potential franchise-altering selection.

The Miami Dolphins are heading to Spain

The NFL and Dolphins announced on Friday that they will be playing the first ever game in Spain, in the vibrant city of Madrid.

"We are thrilled to play the NFL's inaugural game in Spain, a country of rich history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fanbase," said Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman, President and CEO Tom Garfinkel.

"There is a hunger for football in this market, and we are proud to join with the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with old and new fans alike.

"With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is only the beginning for us in this incredible region and we look forward to bringing the excitement and community of Dolphins football to Spain in 2025 and beyond."

Miami's opponent is still to be announced.

The NFL's international expansion has grown in recent years, with games in Brazil, Mexico, Germany and now Spain, along with its' usual slate of England games.

The NFL is also eyeing Ireland as a possible destination for a game in 2025.