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

History maker

He may look like missing out to Lamar Jackson in the race for the regular season MVP, but Josh Allen has made franchise history as the Bills close in on victory.

After Tyler Bass kicked a 27-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-7, Allen found Ty Johnson for a 24-yard TD - that's his 22nd passing TD in the postseason and he goes clear of the legendary Jim Kelly.

The Bills have bigger fish to fry though, with a 21-7 lead at the end of the third quarter they on on the brink of the Divisional Round.

And that's half-time

Jame Cook - as he has done all season - has the ball in the endzone for Buffalo who wipe out an early 7-3 deficit to lead the game 10-7.

Far from convincing so far as a Broncos defense has proved tough to handle - but at the end of a 13-play drive, Cooks runs it in from 5 yards out to delight Bills Mafia.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz missed a 50-yard kick to tie things up as time expired, so it's Bills in front, just.

Coaching Carousel

With the first domino falling the race to fill six head coaching spots around the league, lets update you on the state of play on a couple of other teams.

The New York Jets have cast their net far and wide, and have hired consultancy firm The 33rd Team to do some of the heavy lifting for owner Woody Johnson.

Gang Green are also in need of a new GM but lets focus on the coach - Vrabel was interviewed, but now out of the mix.

Arthur Smith, Aaron Glenn, Joe Brady, Brian Flores, Steve Spagnuolo, Matt Nagy, Bobby Slowick, Vance Joseph are among those currently in the NFL who have had interview requests.

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi is also in the mix, as is Martyland coach Mike Locksley and former NFL HC's Ron Rivera and Rex Ryan. Josh McCown and Brian Griese complete an eclectic offering.

No word yet on whether Aaron Rodgers will be around for the fun...

Ducks in a row for Broncos

Bo Nix's playoff debut got off to a flier.

The former Oregon quarterback found former Ducks teammate Troy Franklin for a 41-yard touchdown as the Denver Broncos took an early lead over the Buffalo Bills.

Nix and the Broncos are overwhelming underdogs but the rookie's hot start will give him plenty of encouragement.

Join us on talkSPORT2

Three more games in the NFL playoffs this evening as Wild Card weekend reaches day two - and three more teams hopes of a Lombardi bite the dust.

We have live coverage right now of the Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills, with kick off at 6pm and we will also have the fascinating looking battle between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1am.

Also in action today, the Green Bay Packers are at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as head coach

A week on from firing Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots have their new coach.

Former Super Bowl-winning Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel was confirmed Sunday.

The 49-year-old entered the coaching cycle as one of the most sought-after candidates, and also had interviews with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets.

But a return to the Pats always seemed most likely, and Robert Kraft will replace one former player with another as he looks for better results in 2025.

Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls with New England, went on to spend six seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

He boasted a solid 54-45 record between 2018 and 2023, which included three playoff berths.

Vrabel was also named the 2021 Coach of the Year with the Titans.

Pickens sends blunt message to teammates after Ravens loss

For the fourth time in five years, the Steelers have failed to make it past the wild card round of the NFL playoffs.

And George Pickens doesn't sound too optimistic about the future.

The talented but troubled wide receiver has been with Pittsburgh since 2022 and is supposed to be his quarterback's most dependable option.

While he led the team in receiving yards in 2024, Pickens has also struggled at times to keep his emotions in check.

Following defeat to the Ravens, he offered a candid, one-word answer on the future of the Steelers offense - which you can read about below.

'Nah' - George Pickens offers blunt message on future of Steelers offense

Chargers will bounce back, Harbaugh vows

Jim Harbaugh was in a reflective mood after the Chargers were beaten by the Texans on Saturday.

His first year as head coach in Los Angeles is officially in the books, and while it ended in disappointment in the wild card round, he is confident his players can bounce back in 2025.

"Favourite team I've ever been on," Harbaugh said after the 32-12 loss.

"One thing I can promise is that the sun will come up tomorrow, and we'll be attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."

"My family at home - and this team - those are my two great loves."

Sunday's NFL playoff action

With two wild card games in the books, here's a reminder of what's to come on Sunday:

1pm ET: Broncos @ Bills
4:30pm ET: Packers @ Eagles
8pm ET: Commanders @ Buccaneers

Texans 'just getting started' after wild card win

CJ Stroud believes the Texans can put together a playoff run after beating the Chargers on Saturday.

The quarterback threw for 282 yards and a touchdown as Houston's defense dominated in a 32-12 win in the wild card round.

"I think we played full, complementary football today, from offense to defense to special teams," Stroud said post-game.

"That's just a testament to the head coach we have, the faith that he puts in us to keep going, the city we represent. Everything is really just coming together at the right time. I really feel like this is the start.

"I'm really just amazed of the environment in there, as well. But I really believe that we're just getting started, and hopefully we continue to get this momentum rolling."

The Texans defense starred on Saturday night, forcing Chargers QB Justin Herbert to throw a career-high four interceptions, while also holding their opponents to just 50 rushing yards.

Henry proves playoff credentials

The Ravens signed Henry to make a difference in the postseason - and he proved his credentials with a monster game in the wild card round.

The veteran frustrated Pittsburgh with stiff arms and sprints to record his fourth playoff game with 150 or more yards rushing, which ties him with Terrell Davis for the most in NFL history.

Henry also reached an impressive top speed of 20.6 mph on his 44-yard score, which marked his longest touchdown run in the playoffs.

His performance was described 'like a movie' by quarterback Jackson.

"Do you watch the movie Cars? When Lightning McQueen was just flying flashing past, that's how Derrick looks," Jackson said.

"He was running past all those guys. It just looked like a movie, bro. I'd rather be watching it than being on the other side of the ball. I know that."

Check out Henry's stats below.

Coverage continues

We are not done there, the second game of the night is about to get underway in Baltimore and the talkSPORT team are in the studio to bring you live coverage.

Tune in on talkSPORT2, as Will Gavin and the team bring you Steelers @ Ravens and the right to join the Chiefs, the Lions, and now the Texans in the Divisional Round.

And that, is that

The Texans are cruising now - that bizarre play has sucked the life from the Chargers, who were on their last legs in any case.

A near seven-minute drive salts away most of the time, and ends with Joe Mixon running in for a 17-yard rushing TD, the extra point is good and Houston are on the brink of a return to the Divisional Round.

Any hope for the visitors is extinguished when Herbert - amazingly - is picked off for a fourth time. A reminder that he had three in the regular season. Derek Stingley snags his second of the game and the Texans run down the clock.

Houston advance, a 32-12 win. And crucially, CJ Stroud may have rediscovered his mojo.

Steel City

We also heard from the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

Cornerback Donte Jackson and his defensive teammates will have the task of stopping MVP candidate Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens won their last four games, including a 34-17 win over the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium, but an 18-16 win in Week 11 and the intrigue that comes with a divisional battle give Pittsburgh hope.

Inside the Ravens nest

Baltimore and Pittsburgh split their two divisional games this season, and they'll do it all again tonight in the Wild Card round.

The Steelers have been faltering, and the Ravens finished the regular season hot and are heavy favorites - but David Ojabo is taking nothing for granted, as he told us this week.

Well, well, well

Just as Fairbairn kicks another field goal after a third interception of Herbert and the game looks done, Herbert makes amends and finds McConkey for a massive 86 yard TD.

Game on? Not at all

Cameron Dicker's extra point is blocked, it's recovered by the Texans defense who return it the length of the field for two points of their so it's a 13-point game heading into the final 10 minutes.

Houston, we don't have a problem

The Chargers have lost their way, and Houston's defense has been on top throughout.

A Fairbairn field goal extended their lead to 13-6 and with 15 seconds in the half remaining, Justin Herbert is picked off for the second time in the game. He only had three in the whole season.

This time, it is returned for a defensive touchdown by Eric Murray and with the extra point good it is now a two-score game for a rolling Texans squad.

Saints search

We've been updating you with the state of play on all six coaching searches - it's the turn of the New Orleans Saints, who fired Dennis Allen on November 4.

Interim head coach Darren Rizzi is among those being interviewed, but so far a fairly quiet search.

Aaron Glenn - who has had requests from all six teams on the lookout - is a front runner, while Anthony Weaver is also on the list. David Shaw, Kliff Kingsbury, Eagles OC Kellen Moore and Mike Kafka make up the list. so far.

Texans hit the front

Having barely mustered 70 yards over their first five drives - that featured a fumble and an interception, the Texans conjure up a 13-play, 99-yard drive that ends with CJ Stroud finding Nico Collins in the endzone.

Backed up on their own one-yard line, the Texans survived an intentional grounding call, and saw Stroud find some of his Rookie of the Year magic.

It means the Texans close in on a 7-6 half-time lead, and the NRG crowd is juiced up. A three and out follows and the Texans have a chance to go down the field - 45 yards in 24 seconds means a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal puts Houston 10-6 in front.

Remarkable finish, and they'' get the ball to start the second half.

Defenses on top

It's a case of defenses on top on the opening game of the post season, halfway through the second quarter and the Chargers still lead 6-0.

With 7'50 remaining Justin Herbert finds Ladd McConkey for the first third down conversation of the game.

However we've have three sacks, one forced fumble and two interceptions so far - not to mention six punts - as the offenses have been stifled.

Meanwhile in New England

While the action is underway on the field, the coaching carousel continues to spin and the Patriots might be the first team to strike.

Having fired Jerod Mayo within hours of the Week 18 win that cost them the first overall pick in the draft, Mike Vrabel was immediately installed as the most likely man to take over at Foxboro.

He has already interviewed for the New York Jets, and is wanted by the Bears too - but after already interviewing with the Patriots it is being that contract negotiations are already underway and that former Pats OC Josh McDaniels is on his list of prospective staff.

Per NFL.com's coaching tracker, Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton and Ben Johnson are also on the Pats interview list - but Aaron Glenn turned down the approach.

Chargers lead

A meaty start to proceedings in Texas - the Chargers opening drive nets them a Cameron Dicker 35-yard field goal for the lead.

In response, the Texans fizzle out on just the second play of the drive. Stroud finds John Metchie for 8 yards, but a forced fumble from Alohi Gilman is recovered by Derwin James on the Houston 21 yard line.

Chargers can only pick up a second field goal - this time from 31 yards - as the home defense stay strong. Chargers by 6.

More than just a game

We are underway in Houston and a reminder that the Chargers and the Rams head into the playoffs on the back of a week of devastation in Los Angeles.

The Chargers, Rams and their opponents the Texans and the Vikings have all pledged $1m to the relief, which has been matched by the NFL.

'Fanatics' have launched an #LAStrong t-shirt range featuring all of the city's sports teams with proceedings also going to the aid effort.

LA native, and talkSPORT analyst Jason Bell believes both the Rams and the Chargers could be inspired

"One thing that I love about this game is when something's challenging in life, it's amazing how we can gather together as a family, and it galvanizes us to focus on a task. 

"I've seen it happen before.  You've seen tragic things happen in certain areas in the country where that team had to play, and their victory gave the city hope. 

View from the Chargers

Heading to NRG Stadium are the Chargers, who finished a brilliant first season for Jim Harbaugh with an 11-6 record and have won their last three games.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing and the bookmakers have them as favorites for the first game of the weekend.

We caught up with Daiyan Henley, to get the lowdown on the season.