Coaching News
Chip Kelly is out as the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to multiple reports including ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes amid ongoing inconsistency on offense following a rocky season for the Raiders, who recently installed a new starting quarterback. Kelly, who returned to the NFL after a stint at UCLA, continues a pattern of short-tenure roles in the pro ranks.
Quarterback Developments
Shedeur Sanders made history in his NFL starting debut with the Browns, leading the team to victory in Week 12. He is now the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first career start since 1995, ending a nearly 30-year drought for the franchise. His performance marks a significant milestone and gives Browns fans renewed hope at the quarterback position.
Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy continues to struggle in his rookie campaign. According to Tru Media data cited by Danny Heifetz, McCarthy ranks 851st out of 852 qualified passers in EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback since 2000. Only JaMarcus Russell ranks lower, placing McCarthy’s early efforts among the least effective of the modern statistical era.
Player Milestones
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett is closing in on the NFL single-season sack record. With six games remaining, he needs just five more sacks to break the all-time mark of 22.5. Garrett is on pace for a potentially historic finish as he anchors one of the league’s top defensive units.
In Seattle, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has shattered the Seahawks’ franchise record for receiving yards in a single season. The second-year wideout accomplished the feat by Week 12, highlighting his rapid development and integral role in the team’s aerial attack. The record underscores a breakout campaign that puts Smith-Njigba among the league’s elite young receivers.
Team Insights
In a crowded AFC playoff picture, no single team has emerged as a dominant force. According to analysis by Mike Florio and Chris Simms on NBC’s Pro Football Talk, contenders such as the Patriots, Broncos, Colts, Ravens, Chargers, and Chiefs each show both promise and clear vulnerability. The parity among top AFC teams points to one of the most unpredictable paths to the Super Bowl in recent years.
Player Sentiment
Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams expressed unusually high spirit about his current role, stating, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,” per Adam Grosbard. The quote comes despite the Raiders’ transitional season and reflects optimism within the locker room following leadership and roster changes in recent weeks.