We’re at all times tossing round dream Super Bowl matchups throughout the common season, however this recreation may really be the actual deal. This previous week, I spent just a few days on the league conferences in Irving, Texas, the place Roger Goodell, staff homeowners and executives gathered to debate league enterprise. While a historic resolution to permit NFL groups to promote minority stakes to personal fairness companies headlined the gathering, there was loads of chatter in regards to the Buffalo Bills’ go to to Detroit on Sunday. When the “huge bosses” of the NFL are buzzing a few matchup, you realize that is gigantic. It may very well be the primary time since 2011 — when the New England Patriots and New York Giants confronted off within the common season after which met once more within the Super Bowl — that we see one thing like this.
We’ll get to Bills-Lions. First, the opposite subjects I’m listening to about across the league:
• You’ll by no means imagine who Bill Belichick’s camp talked to
• What does a misplaced season imply for the longer term in San Francisco?
• Latest on Jerod Mayo’s, Kevin Stefanski’s and Mike McCarthy’s fortunes
• How the Panthers — favorites for the primary time in 2024! — turned it round
• Josh Allen and every thing else that can decide Lions-Bills
• A lesson to be realized about staying the course
The greatest Belichick twist
In our final column, we advised you Bill Belichick’s curiosity within the UNC head teaching job was actual. At the time it sounded wild — to many, unbelievable — however on Wednesday, when UNC formally introduced that they had employed Belichick, it despatched shockwaves by way of the NFL world.
Owners and NFL executives attending the league conferences huddled within the Ritz-Carlton foyer on Wednesday, asking one another (and even reporters): “Is this actually occurring?” Yes, it’s actually occurring. Belichick is heading to the ACC to recruit and coach gamers, many nonetheless of their teenagers, regardless of being 14 victories away from tying Don Shula atop the NFL’s all-time teaching wins record.
But when you thought that was shocking, wait — there’s extra.
About two weeks in the past, the New York Jets have been knowledgeable (and have been shocked to be taught) that there was curiosity of their group coming from none apart from … Bill Belichick. The similar Bill Belichick who, famously (or infamously, from the group’s perspective), was the Jets’ head coach for lower than a day 24 years in the past, earlier than scribbling on a chunk of paper, “I resign as HC of the NYJ.” Belichick took nice pleasure in torturing the Jets over his years as Patriots coach — and much more so prior to now 12 months as a TV analyst.
For months, Belichick’s interior circle quietly performed casual conversations with just a few groups, testing the waters. A really small circle of individuals within the Jets constructing have been made conscious of his curiosity, although I used to be advised no assembly or formal dialog ever occurred as a result of the UNC alternative popped up. So, ultimately, not one of the talks — with the Jets or some other NFL staff — was something severe, and now North Carolina is Chapel Bill.
GO DEEPER
Bill Belichick agrees to deal to develop into UNC soccer head coach
The season is misplaced, however the 49ers are nonetheless constructing round coach and QB
The darkish cloud hanging over the San Francisco 49ers simply gained’t appear to raise. It’s been a tough season, one which’s felt “off” because the summer time, however the staff is sticking to its plan. They’re firmly dedicated to Brock Purdy as their long-term quarterback. I’ve been advised the 49ers are nonetheless planning to barter a multi-year contract extension with Purdy this offseason, backing up the message they’ve constantly despatched: “Purdy is our quarterback.”
Now, the massive query is: How a lot will they pay him? Extending Purdy is certainly doable, however it is going to require some savvy wage cap strikes and perhaps just a few roster changes in 2025.
The 49ers are transferring ahead with coach and quarterback, even after a disappointing 2024 season. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
And what about Kyle Shanahan? Despite this being the Niners’ worst season since 2020, Shanahan, in his eighth season with San Francisco, isn’t going wherever. The mutual dedication between coach and franchise stays. Ignore all of the rumors. The group absolutely believes in his skill to guide the staff ahead, even after a tough 12 months.
Call it a “Super Bowl runner-up hangover,” or only a down season, however the 49ers are sticking to their plan, betting on Purdy and Shanahan and hoping the skies clear quickly.
GO DEEPER
Silver: This 49ers season is successfully over — and Kyle Shanahan bears loads of duty
The teaching cycle will get able to spin
The newest on three groups which have choices to make after disappointing 2024 seasons…
Maye and Mayo will stick collectively: While there hasn’t been a public vote of confidence for the pinnacle coach from the Kraft household, Patriots management is standing by Mayo. Just as discussions in regards to the subsequent NFL hiring cycles warmth up, staff proprietor Robert Kraft has privately assured these near him that he’s dedicated to giving his first-year head coach the time and assets he must develop into the position.
The group understood from the beginning that this wouldn’t be seamless. Transitioning right into a high-pressure position like this, particularly following the legendary Belichick, comes with a steep studying curve, and errors have been anticipated. The Krafts need to permit Mayo the chance to search out his voice, set up his footing, and become the chief they imagine he will be. The franchise is aware of they’ve their quarterback in Drake Maye, and his coach shall be given a runway.
Browns need stability: Stefanski and normal supervisor Andrew Berry aren’t going wherever. After Browns proprietor Jimmy Haslam publicly expressed his assist for each the pinnacle coach and GM in a dialog with ESPN, it’s clear the group is standing by their management regardless of a disappointing 3-10 document this season. According to sources in Cleveland, the Browns imagine Stefanski and Berry stay the suitable duo to information the staff ahead. Leadership inside the group is concentrated on sustaining stability and giving them the chance to handle the staff’s challenges and enhance. Barring any wild circumstances over the subsequent few weeks, it’s a vote of confidence of their long-term imaginative and prescient, even within the face of a tricky season. (The subsequent huge resolution? What to do at QB1.)
Coach Mike McCarthy has acquired public assist from some star gamers in Dallas. (Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
McCarthy wants a giant end: Outside the Ritz-Carlton in Irving, Texas, Cowboys Executive Vice President and COO Stephen Jones wasn’t prepared to present a public vote of confidence for McCarthy’s return in 2025 — or the potential of a contract extension. When I requested, Jones stated: “We haven’t made any choices. We have 4 video games left to play, and we have to take a look at the total physique of labor after the season.”
Around the league, hypothesis is swirling about McCarthy’s future, together with from these on the lookout for an opportunity to be the pinnacle coach of the Cowboys. Many imagine the staff’s efficiency in these remaining video games shall be essential, with some executives believing Dallas may persist with their “lame duck” coach in the event that they see sufficient progress and the locker room assist the coach has acquired continues.
Some key Cowboys gamers, together with linebacker Micah Parsons and quarterback Dak Prescott, have been vocal of their backing of McCarthy. Both have emphasised the significance of stability and expressed their perception that he’s the suitable individual for the job. It’s paying homage to final 12 months’s Las Vegas Raiders, the place gamers rallied round interim head coach Antonio Pierce, making the case for him to remain.
One NFL govt (not with the Cowboys) believes: “It shall be essential for McCarthy to complete robust, for Jones to face pat.”
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A special form of Panthers
Carolina Panthers homeowners David and Nicole Tepper strongly imagine they’ve the suitable leaders in place. The homeowners are sticking with their imaginative and prescient for the longer term, displaying confidence generally supervisor Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales. Both shall be again subsequent season, and it’s straightforward to see why — possession is thrilled by the regular development of second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who’s beginning to exhibit his particular qualities. Tepper has a excessive customary, and dropping shut video games to good opponents nonetheless isn’t ok, however this staff is trending in a distinct route than it was simply two months in the past. Just take a look at this Sunday: For the primary time in 33 video games, the Panthers are strolling right into a matchup (in opposition to Dallas) as betting favorites. That alone is a giant signal of progress. But what’s driving the optimism? Since Week 8, the Panthers are 2-3, and whereas that may not sound wonderful, these three losses got here by a mixed 12 factors.
The Panthers at the moment are plus-1 in turnover margin on the season and are lastly enjoying complementary soccer — they’re now not beating themselves with pricey errors, and that’s making a distinction. But the actual spark? Young. After dropping his beginning job to Andy Dalton earlier this season, Young has come again stronger and smarter. Over the previous 5 video games, he’s thrown 5 touchdowns to only two interceptions, displaying he’s realized to make higher choices and handle the sport extra effectively.
Perhaps much more spectacular is how he’s dealing with the pocket. In these 5 video games, Young has tried 166 passes and has solely been sacked six instances. That’s an indication of improved confidence, quicker reads and higher pocket consciousness. He’s eliminating the ball when he must and scrambling when the scenario requires it. The time he spent watching from the sidelines clearly wasn’t wasted. It gave him an opportunity to reset and are available again able to take the subsequent step.
Now comes a brand new problem: Can the Panthers deal with being the favorites? It’s a distinct form of stress, but when Young and this staff hold constructing on their latest progress, they may simply be able to embrace it. The highway forward appears vivid in Carolina, and the Teppers have this staff heading in the right direction. As one govt shared: “The Teppers are letting the soccer folks do the soccer issues.”
GO DEEPER
What Bryce Young has improved to look extra just like the QB the Panthers anticipated
Bills. Lions. The Game.
The Bills, led by famous person QB Josh Allen, are in all probability the one staff that may go toe-to-toe with the Lions in a shootout. We know Buffalo has struggled on the highway this 12 months, however even in final week’s loss to the Rams, Allen practically pulled off a win all by himself, accounting for all six of the Bills’ touchdowns.
The Lions are the league’s No. 1 scoring machine, with the Bills proper behind them. One NFL staff govt stated he has eyes on the coaches on this matchup: “I’m simply watching to see: Will it’s a gutsy Dan Campbell fourth-down cube roll that makes the distinction, or a Sean McDermott clock-management resolution that determines the result?”
The fireworks (or, perhaps, heartbreak) will come right down to the crimson zone, and each groups comprehend it. The Bills are also almost certainly going to must go on the highway within the playoffs, so it’s not a foul time for his or her greatest highway problem of the season.
GO DEEPER
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs can’t hold getting away with this. Or can they?
Sometimes it’s the transfer that isn’t made
Finally, I used to be speaking to an NFL proprietor just lately about how unpredictable this league will be, and he introduced up a terrific level in regards to the worth of getting leaders who keep calm and composed, it doesn’t matter what, and irrespective of how tough it may be for everybody concerned. He used an ideal instance: Remember when the Dolphins completely destroyed the Broncos 70-20 in 2023? At the time, it felt like a season-defining recreation — Miami appeared unstoppable and Denver appeared embarrassing — one that might form the narrative for each groups.
But within the year-plus since, issues haven’t precisely performed out as you might need anticipated. Since that recreation, the Dolphins are .500 at 14-14 (together with a playoff loss), battling consistency. On the opposite hand, the Broncos have bounced again with a vengeance, going 16-11 since. Instead of panicking, or making drastic teaching or roster strikes after that blowout loss, the Broncos stayed the course, discovered their rhythm and turned issues round.
It’s a traditional NFL lesson. Heck, it’s a life lesson: The highs aren’t at all times as excessive as they appear, and the lows aren’t the tip of the world. The key’s discovering leaders who can climate all of it with out dropping their cool. That very precept shall be put to the take a look at within the coming weeks, as many house owners face the powerful choices about whether or not to stay with their present coaches and normal managers or make a change.
(Top picture of Bill Belichick: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
