Saturday, 7 February 2026

NFL Confidential: Hall of Fame Changes Coming; Tush Push Under the Microscope

San Francisco – Walking briskly as he made his way to another appearance on Radio Row, Hall of Famer Rod Woodson was not pleased by Bill Belichick not earning a gold jacket in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I just want to make sure that we’re looking at greatness – excellence," Woodson told me. "When you look at your time in the National Football League, as a player, you have to have multiple All-Pros. You can’t say I was never the best at my position, but now I’m one of the best to ever play. That’s not a true statement." Woodson’s comments follow a similar thought process to that of fellow Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who believed the Hall had become watered down and not exclusive enough. However, Sanders was also upset about Belichick being left out and suggested that only Hall of Famers should be the ones voting on what players, coaches and contributors should be joining them. "I wouldn’t want the Grinch who stole Christmas voting on a beauty pageant," Sanders said. Change is coming to the Hall of Fame voting process, but what should it look like? I spoke with Hall of Fame president Jim Porter at the Hall’s announcement for the five players who earned their gold jackets this week: Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Porter confirmed what has been reported: The 50 voters on the Hall of Fame selection committee will meet in person and closer to the announcement of the 2027 Hall of Fame class in January of next year. And as they have done every year, Porter said the Hall will reexamine the voting process, along with the people doing the voting, to make sure everything is being executed so the most deserving candidates advance. The selection committee last met in person in 2019, a year before COVID. The committee was scheduled to meet in person in 2023, but inclement weather affected voters’ travel and forced the Hall to cancel, reverting to a virtual meeting. "We’ll do some tweaks, and we’ll take a look," Porter said. "We’re going to do what’s best for the Hall of Fame. My job is to protect the integrity of the Hall, protect the integrity of the process." As one of the 50 voters on the selection committee, I wrote about some of the perceived flaws in the process that potentially led to, in my opinion, deserving candidates not making it because of the limited spots available, like Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, both of whom were on my ballot, along with Craig. Belichick and Kraft not getting in has led to an onslaught of people around the league clamoring for a change in the process. And I spoke to a few of those people at different events throughout the week. As expected, they provided differing perspectives. Ravens edge rusher Kyle Van Noy said he would like more diversity on the voter selection committee in terms of their involvement around the league. "More players should be involved for sure, especially to give their perspective," Van Noy told me. "I don’t think it should be so heavily media-driven. I really think they need a process where there’s more players. "You definitely need to have media involved. You should have upper management involved. I really believe in being able to have three different levels – players, media and front office. It’s just like politics; there should be another party in there. It shouldn’t be one way where you have just media, because things could get skewed." Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz said candidates potentially having to wait their turn to get in is part of the process. Along with Belichick and Kraft, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning also did not make the cut for the second time as a finalist. "I know the whole Bill Belichick, Kraft thing has been blowing up," Munoz told me. "But one of the things we learn is you’re not a given first-ballot anything. It was brought to my attention that guys like Bill Walsh and all the top coaches were not first-time ballot guys. So, they’ll get in. "It’s a shame that it happened that way. I know if I was one of the voters it might be a little (different), but I had nothing to do with it." Former NFL linebacker and head coach Ron Rivera would like to see the Hall go back to voting for separate categories for coaches, contributors and players, not lumping them together for the selection committee to vote on. "Those should all be separate," Rivera told me. "You’re talking about completely different groups. If you’re going to talk about coaches, then let’s do coaches. People that contribute, whether it be broadcasters or owners, these are special people based on what they have accomplished, and we should treat them like that as we go through it. "For everything that Coach (Belichick) accomplished, and then not to get in on the first ballot, everyone is going to sit back and go, ‘Huh?" Bottom line for Woodson: The Hall of Fame is reserved for the best of the best. "It’s OK to be in the second tier," Woodson told me. "It’s OK to be there. But I think we just need to have a better understanding of what greatness is, and excellence." NFL to revisit tush push this offseason Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations for the NFL, said the league will once again take a closer look at the tush push play made popular by the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. The soonest the NFL’s competition committee might address the issue would be at the NFL owners meetings in March at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz. A proposal to ban the play garnered 22 votes last year, falling two votes shy of the required 75 percent majority for a rule change. NFL referees have struggled to accurately officiate the play, failing to see offsides in the close quarters of a scrum. "It will be discussed," Vincent said during a press conference this week. "No. 1 we want to be accurate, recognizing when someone is offsides or moving early. But also, the difficulty of when you see forward progress and blow the whistle, you blow it too early. Now, you have back or tight ends back there running and progress is still moving forward. We’ve got some work to do. We will revisit that particular play and see how membership feels about it, and if they want to do anything about it." Van Noy is not a fan of the tush push. "I think it’s a dumb play," he told me. "But I’ve heard why they don’t want to, because if it gets taken out, then you’re taking out all the pushes. So, I don’t agree with that. I think they’re just going to have to find a way to make the language right, so it doesn’t take away from being able to push a guy into the end zone. "I don’t think it’s a play that you can referee properly, unless they get closer. So, if they are going to do that play, then they should bring the referees closer so they can see if there’s a false start or someone is lining up offside. But unfortunately, lawyers make up all the language, not actual football people." Like Van Noy, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner said the league needs to bring more clarity to how the play can be run. "If we don’t ban it, we just need to be able to officiate it better," Turner told me. "Or to be able to have more clarity on what’s required." An offensive tackle in the league for 13 years, Munoz believes the tush push is just football. "You’ve got 11 guys on offense and 11 guys on defense – stop it," Munoz told me. "Back when I played the game was a little different; we had the wedge (play). But it’s not like the offense brings in two or three extra guys. It’s still 11-on-11. "There are some things I think have to stay. It’s tackle football. It’s a rough sport."

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Where All 32 NFL Teams Stood When Seahawks and Patriots Last Met in Super Bowl

A lot was different in sports the last time that the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks met in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, 2015. The San Francisco Giants had just won their third World Series in five years (2010, 2012 and 2014); Ohio State defeated 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship the month prior; projected lottery picks Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow were leading Duke on what became a National Championship season; the Golden State Warriors were ascending into an NBA powerhouse under first-year head coach Steve Kerr and went on to win the franchise's first championship in 40 years. But, sticking with the NFL, here's what was happening with all 32 teams when Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the goal line to ultimately seal the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl triumph in franchise history: AFC East New York Jets The Jets fired Rex Ryan after six seasons in the wake of a 4-12 campaign. Remember Michael Vick in the Hess look? He started three games and appeared in 10 games altogether for the Jets in 2014. Miami Dolphins The 2014 season was the coming-out party for running back Lamar Miller, who rushed for a career-high 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry. He also tallied 275 receiving yards. Buffalo Bills While they missed the playoffs for a 15th consecutive season, 2014 marked the first time since 2004 that the Bills finished with a winning record (9-7). A glaring bright spot for Buffalo was its pass rush, as the Bills led the NFL with 54.0 sacks. Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus each earned All-Pro honors, while the two defensive linemen and Jerry Hughes all totaled double-digit sacks. New England Patriots The Patriots were seeking their first Super Bowl victory in a decade and doing so against the backdrop of controversy. While New England won their AFC Championship Game matchup against the Colts with ease, 45-7, the latter reported to the NFL that the game balls the Patriots were using were underinflated, which led to "Deflategate." AFC North Cleveland Browns The 2014 season was a chaotic one that saw the Browns in the hunt for a playoff spot. Granted, they came up short. What was part of that chaos? Rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy Award winner, made two starts for Cleveland. Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers' offense was a well-oiled machine. Ben Roethlisberger led the NFL with 4,952 passing yards; Le'Veon Bell rushed for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns, while also totaling 83 receptions for 854 yards; Antonio Brown led the NFL in receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,698), while reaching the end zone 13 times. Baltimore Ravens Two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith Jr. had his debut season with the Ravens, with the veteran wide receiver racking up 79 receptions for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns. Cincinnati Bengals The Bengals were consistently a reputable team under head coach Marvin Lewis. With that said, the 2014 season was more of the same for Cincinnati in the playoffs, as the Bengals lost in the wild-card round for a fourth consecutive year and fell to 0-6 in the postseason under Lewis. AFC South Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck led the NFL with 40 passing touchdowns and led the Colts to the AFC Championship Game, which included beating Peyton Manning and the Broncos on the road in the divisional round. Houston Texans Defensive lineman J.J. Watt was imposing his will on the NFL, totaling 20.5 sacks and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014 for the second time in three seasons and earning All-Pro honors for a third consecutive season. Jacksonville Jaguars Former UCF quarterback Blake Bortles wrapped up his first season in the NFL, who selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft; the Jaguars finished 3-13 in what was their second season under head coach Gus Bradley. Tennessee Titans The Titans went 2-14 in a season that saw three quarterbacks start at least five games: Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst and Jake Locker. Three months later, they drafted Mariota with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. AFC West Kansas City Chiefs In what was the team's second season under Andy Reid, the Chiefs missed the playoffs. They would go on to make the playoffs in each of the next 10 seasons. Oakland Raiders Oakland fired head coach Dennis Allen after an 0-4 start, with Tony Sparano taking over on an interim basis. Rookie quarterback Derek Carr started all 16 games for the Raiders, totaling 3,270 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 76.6 passer rating, while completing 58.1% of his passes. Denver Broncos Broncos wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders combined for 212 receptions for 3,023 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2014, with each logging triple-digit receptions. San Diego Chargers Safety Eric Weddle earned his second-career All-Pro honor, totaling one interception, two forced fumbles, eight passes defended and 114 combined tackles. NFC East New York Giants Odell Beckham Jr. had a historic rookie season with the Giants, racking up 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. Of course, Beckham reeled in a three-fingered touchdown catch in a Week 12, prime-time matchup. Dallas Cowboys Dallas lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round. The lasting image? Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant appeared to have a fourth-down reception at the Packers' 1-yard line, but the play was overturned to an incompletion, as it was ruled that Bryant didn't maintain control of the ball all the way through the ground. Washington Washington wrapped up its first season under head coach Jay Gruden, which was a 4-12 campaign that saw three quarterbacks make at least four starts: Robert Griffin III (seven), Kirk Cousins (five) and Colt McCoy (four). Philadelphia Eagles Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin logged 85 receptions for a career-high 1,318 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Meanwhile, linebacker Connor Barwin had arguably the best season of his NFL career in 2014 with the Eagles, totaling a career-high in sacks (14.5), forced fumbles (two) and combined tackles (64); Barwin earned a Pro Bowl nod. NFC North Green Bay Packers The 2014 season saw quarterback Aaron Rodgers win NFL MVP honors, but it ended in heartbreak for the Packers, as they blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship and went on to lose in overtime. Detroit Lions Sticking with the playoff theme, the Lions led the Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their wild-card round matchup when a flag was thrown on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on a third-and-1 with 8:18 remaining in the fourth quarter that would've given Detroit a first down in opponent territory. However, the officials picked up the flag, Detroit punted and Dallas took the lead for good on the next possession. Minnesota Vikings The 2014 season was the first NFL campaign for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who made 12 starts. Across the 13 combined games that he appeared in, Bridgewater totaled 2,919 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 85.2 passer rating, while completing 64.4% of his passes. He also rushed for 209 yards and one touchdown. Chicago Bears The Bears fired head coach Marc Trestman after two seasons and a 5-11 record in 2014; they went a combined 13-19 from 2013-14. NFC South Carolina Panthers The Panthers won the NFC South with a losing record (7-8-1), but they then defeated the Cardinals in the Wild Card Round. In the regular season, Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen each totaled 1,008 receiving yards, while linebacker Lou Kuechly led the NFL with 153 combined tackles. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta, which had missed the playoffs and posted losing records in back-to-back seasons from 2013-14, was on the verge of hiring Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator of the Seahawks, as its new head coach after firing seven-year head coach Mike Smith. New Orleans Saints The Saints missed the playoffs in 2014 in what would be the first of three seasons where they missed the postseason (2014-16). In the 2014 regular season, Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the NFL with 4,952 passing yards, while it would end up being tight end and then-three-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham's last season in New Orleans. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide receiver Mike Evans totaled 68 receptions for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns in his 2014 rookie campaign with the Buccaneers. The significance? Evans would go on to total 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of the first 11 seasons of his NFL career. NFC West Seattle Seahawks Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch led the NFL in rushing yards for a second consecutive season in 2014 (13). Lynch also delivered the "I'm here so I won't get fined" line to questions that he was asked at Super Bowl week. Seattle entered Super Bowl XLIX as the defending Super Bowl champions. San Francisco 49ers The 2014 NFL season was Jim Harbaugh's last as the head coach of the 49ers, with him going on to be the head coach at his alma mater Michigan. Over Harbaugh's four seasons in the Bay Area (2011-14), the 49ers went a combined 44-19-1 in the regular season and 5-3 in the postseason, highlighted by reaching Super Bowl XLVII. Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals were in their second season under head coach Bruce Arians, winning double-digit games in both seasons and making the playoffs in 2014. St. Louis Rams Defensive end Robert Quinn led the NFL with five forced fumbles in 2014, while also logging 10.5 sacks, six passes defended and 46 combined tackles.

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2025 NFL Playoff Buzz: Key Players for Seahawks, Patriots Practice in Full

It all comes down to this! With Super Bowl LX right around the corner, we're tracking everything you need to know ahead of kickoff. Who's hurt? Who's practicing? Who might be on the move? Here's the latest: Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori participates fully in practice Seahawks rookie safety Emmanwori was a full participant in Friday’s practice, according to a pool report. Emmanwori, who injured his ankle during Wednesday’s practice at San Jose State University ahead of Seattle facing New England in the Super Bowl, reportedly joined the defensive backs in drills Friday. Emmanwori did not practice on Thursday. He was listed as a full participant during Friday’s practice on the Seahawks’ injury report. On Thursday, Emmanwori explained he was injured while defending a pass on a routine out route during Wednesday’s practice. When he landed, he rolled his ankle on the grass. He walked off the field on his own, and Emmanwori said he expected to play on Sunday. "It just kind of caught me off guard," Emmanwori said Thursday. "Nobody really wants to get hurt or banged up during the Super Bowl week or any week like that. It just kind of caught me off guard." Emmanwori, a second-round draft pick, appeared in 14 games during the regular season and had 81 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, one interception and 11 pass breakups in the regular season. During the playoffs, Emmanwori has a fumble recovery and four passes defensed, including three in the NFC championship game. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, ex-HC Bill Belichick snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame It appears Kraft will have to wait at least another year before he can enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he was not selected for entry into this year’s class, which was announced Thursday in San Francisco ahead of the Super Bowl. Kraft was a first-time finalist this year, along with former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who also didn’t receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers. [SUPER BOWL: Tom Brady to Patriots Owner Robert Kraft: 'Get That 7th Ring So We Can Match'] Seahawks QB Sam Darnold's oblique feels "really good" ahead of Super Bowl Darnold has played through an oblique injury during each of the Seahawks’ two playoff wins and he doesn’t expect it to affect him in the Super Bowl on Sunday. "Definitely the time off has helped a little bit," Darnold said ahead of Wednesday’s practice. "I’m always just going to take it one step at a time, do my rehab and do everything I need to do to make sure it feels great going into practice and going into the game, obviously on Sunday. It feels great." After his second straight Pro Bowl season, Darnold has excelled in the playoffs. In two playoff games, Darnold has completed 37 of 53 passes for 470 yards and thrown four touchdown passes with no interceptions. In the regular season, Darnold totaled 4,048 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 99.1 passer rating, while completing a career-high 67.7% of his passes. The Seahawks went 14-3 en route to being the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Patriots QB Drake Maye’s shoulder injury improves Maye said the shoulder injury that previously limited him in practice has improved enough that he had a normal workout on his first full day in the Bay Area on Feb. 2. Maye was unable to practice fully the week prior after reportedly injuring his throwing shoulder during a scramble in the AFC Championship Game. "I threw a good bit," Maye said. "I threw as much as I would in a practice, and it felt great." Maye said he will be fine for the game, which will come as a relief to Patriots fans counting on their second-year quarterback. Maye had a breakthrough season in 2025, earning second-team All-Pro honors and being named a finalist for both the AP NFL MVP award and the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Seahawks being sold? The Seahawks are expected to be put up for sale after Super Bowl LX, according to ESPN. Seattle's NFL franchise is owned by Jody Allen, the sister of the late Paul Allen, who bought the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million; the franchise stayed in the family after Allen's death. The Allen family is also in the process of selling the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, which the Microsoft co-founder bought in 1988. The estate of the late Allen, however, is denying the report, according to a statement released to The Associated Press and other outlets. "We don’t comment on rumors or speculation, and the team is not for sale," a spokesperson said. "We’ve already said that will change at some point per Paul’s wishes, but there is no news to share. Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months." Raiders working on deal to hire Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak The Raiders are working toward finalizing an agreement to make Kubiak their head coach, per multiple reports. Kubiak interviewed with the Raiders on Jan. 31 for the second time and appeared in recent days to be their primary target. No announcement can be made until after Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seahawks and Patriots in California. Kubiak, 38, would be the third coach in three seasons for the Raiders and fifth full-time leader since they moved to Las Vegas in 2020. He succeeds Pete Carroll, who went 3-14 in one season in Las Vegas after a storied run with Seattle that included two Super Bowl appearances and one championship. [SUPER BOWL: Super Bowl X-Factors: Players From Each Team Who Will Decide Seahawks vs. Patriots] Patriots DC Terrell Williams is cancer-free New England defensive coordinator Williams has been deemed cancer-free, per NFL Media, and is back with the team after a nearly five-month battle with prostate cancer. Williams attended meetings at the Patriots’ facility during his treatment, but he hasn’t traveled with the team all season and hasn’t been on the sideline since Week 1. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr filled in as New England’s defensive play-caller. "I feel like he never lost it," Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson said. "He still had the charismatic energy and kept a smile on his face, he kept being positive. You wouldn’t be able to know anything was going on with him. I appreciated everything that he showed throughout the process." The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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5 Takeaways From Super Bowl Week: Drake Maye the Next Eli? Update on Kyler's Future

With Super Bowl LX just two days away, let’s take a closer look at some of the major storylines from this week in anticipation of the big game — a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Of course, most Seahawks fans I bump into here don’t want to be reminded of that game, a 28-24 heartbreaker in which Malcolm Butler famously intercepted a Russell Wilson pass at the 1-yard line intended for Ricardo Lockette. Yes, Pete Carroll failed to hand the ball off to his best player on offense, Marshawn Lynch, in one of the most important plays in franchise history. As one fan told me, though, Sunday’s rematch is not about revenge: "We just want to get back what we deserve." That said, let’s get into five takeaways from this week heading into the Super Bowl. Seahawks embrace Mike Macdonald’s vulnerability, laser-like focus on football The leader of "The Dark Side" — Seattle’s nickname for one of the dominant defenses in the NFL — defensive tackle Leonard Williams said it plainly when asked to explain the personality of his head coach, Mike Macdonald. "We joke around and say that he’s pretty much like an AI and that he’s learning how to be human," joked Williams. "It’s just an inside joke, though. He’s just a really smart guy. He’s all about football. I mean, the way he treats us in the building is like his family." Seahawks offensive lineman Abraham Lucas offered another window into the stoic McDonald’s personality. "Mike is a great guy," Lucas told me. "He is who he is. Who you see is Mike Macdonald, which I think is what I respect about him. He doesn’t try to be anybody else." However, Seahawks special teams coach Jay Harbaugh provided the most detailed opinion on McDonald, stressing his humility. And much like Harbaugh’s father, Jim Harbaugh — who Macdonald worked for as the defensive coordinator of the Michigan Wolverines — Macdonald, at his core, is a football coach. "Mike kind of sets that tone of excellence and improvement," Harbaugh told me. "And after that, also an accountability. You’ll hear him say he should have called a better game or had a better game plan. And there’s a real trickle down to that for the coaches and the players. "You don’t have to be perfect. It’s not your job to get every single thing right. And if you don’t, you own up to it. When the headman sets that tone, it does a lot for the organization in terms of not having egos." If Seattle wins on Sunday, Macdonald will become the third-youngest coach to win the NFL championship in league history. Sean McVay and Mike Tomlin both won it at 36 years old. Is Drake Maye the next … Eli Manning? At 23 years and 162 days old on Sunday, Maye will be the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl. If the Patriots win, Maye would be the youngest quarterback to lead a team to victory in the Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger currently holds that distinction, at 23 years and 340 days old. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady were both 24 years old when they won their first Super Bowl title. Maye could become the fifth quarterback to win the Super Bowl in his first or second season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, Russell Wilson, Brady and Roethlisberger. Maye has expectedly drawn comparisons to Brady because of the team he plays for and the fact that Vrabel is a defensive head coach, like Brady’s head coach, Bill Belichick. Also, because of his mobility, struggles in college and knack for making big plays at crucial moments so far in his career, Mahomes is another apt comparison for Maye. While the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in his NFL career this season and is rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury, Mahomes has still won three Super Bowls in his first nine NFL seasons and remains in his prime at 30 years old. Maye could be entering the start of a Mahomes-like run if he can lead the Patriots to a victory on Sunday. However, an NFL front office personnel executive offered another quarterback to compare Maye to — two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning. "Young Eli was a good athlete [like Maye]," the personnel executive told me. "Maye has poise, anticipation, accuracy, with good pocket feel and subtle slides. Nothing fazes him in-game." The front office executive pushed back on the Mahomes comparison. "I just see him different," he told me. "There’s not enough body of work to say he’s clutch, but it’s trending that way. Maye’s athletic but is a pocket passer. Mahomes is rare outside the pocket. … I love Maye, and he is just scratching the surface." Could Kyler Murray stay with the Cardinals? Considered a foregone conclusion that the Arizona Cardinals would move on from Murray this offseason, the Cardinals placed the quarterback on season-ending injured reserve with a foot injury last year. Selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray failed to play to his draft status in Arizona. He’s posted a 38-48-1 record, completing 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, with 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions for a 92.2 passer rating. Murray still has $36.7 million in guarantees remaining for the 2026 season, along with another $19.5 million of his 2027 salary that will be guaranteed if he’s on the roster in March. However, at 28 years old, Murray is still a young quarterback who could have a more productive second chapter of his career like Sam Darnold with the Seahawks. Also, the Cardinals don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback ready to replace Murray. Last year’s starter, Jacoby Brissett, remains on the roster but is considered a backup at this point of his career. New head coach Mike LaFleur did not close the door on Murray staying with the team for the 2026 season. LaFleur said he’s touched base with Murray. "I’ll say this, being in this division for seven years, it was never fun [to play him]," LaFleur said. "I have a lot of respect for him as a player. He was never a fun challenge to go against." A league source echoed those sentiments, saying that the Cardinals potentially moving on from Murray shouldn’t be set in stone. "The Steelers and Saints are the best examples when you don’t have a succession plan at QB, you run the risk of setting your organization back for years," a league source told me. "And while Kyler is far from perfect — particularly in the leadership category — he has proven to be an above average QB on the field, and he’s still [in his] young ‘QB years.’ "If you’re moving on from an above-average QB with warts, who are you moving onto? There’s no clear answer to that question in Arizona, so why do you make the move?" NFL’s players not sold on 18-game schedule Considered an inevitability because of NFL owners' desire to add another game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pumped the brakes on the idea that an 18th game will be consummated in the near future. "It is not a given that we’ll do that," Goodell told reporters this week. "It is not something that we assume will happen. It's something we want to talk about with the union leadership." That jives with what NFL Players Association interim executive director David White said later this week, stating his members had "no appetite" for an 18th regular season game. His predecessor, Lloyd Howell Jr., made it seem like an inevitability that players would agree to an 18th game, so White’s comments are a way to gain leverage in negotiations with the league. "You heard that last year when the executive committee was up here, and they were talking about what happens to their bodies when they’re with their families, when they’re with their kids," White said. "They were very open and candid about that. It’s punishing, and we can see that on the teams that have deep postseason runs. … When your average career is already three to four years, which becomes something that is existential. So, the 18th game is not casual for us. It’s a very serious issue. It is something that comes out of negotiations." The current collective bargaining agreement runs through 2030 but could be reopened to negotiate an 18th game. However, for now, the players aren’t interested in expanding the regular season. Grass vs. Field Turf debate continues NFL players continue to push for grass fields at all NFL stadiums, stating that they curb injuries and are better for the longevity of players' careers. However, NFL owners are still not fully on board. Currently, 15 NFL stadiums have grass fields. "Our members have stated, over 90% of them have stated that they prefer grass," White said. "The data that we do have access to shows that the energy return from a synthetic surface is significantly higher than it is on natural grass, which reinforces what players say just from their experience and from common sense. "It’s just harder. It’s harder on the body. … We need this data if we’re going to standardize fields and have them be at the level where our players are truly going to be safe." But former players like NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent and Sean Lee, who works for data and analytics firm Adrenaline, said they preferred to play on turf because of the consistency of the surface. "Playing on turf, you could wear the same cleats, week in and week out," Lee said. "You get on grass, and if it’s muddy, you need to put different cleats on or put studs on. There’s just so much that goes into preparing for games, and I know each player has their different way of preparing. But I preferred playing on turf."

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Friday, 6 February 2026

Pro Football Hall of Fame Considers Voting Changes After Belichick Omission

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will consider making changes to the voting panel and process of choosing Hall of Famers following a year when Bill Belichick's omission from the 2026 class generated outrage. Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in an interview Thursday night after the five-player class was announced that there are several possible tweaks that could be made, adding that those changes aren't specific to Belichick's perceived snub. But Porter seemed less inclined to alter a recent rule change that grouped coaches and contributors with old-time players that played a role in Belichick missing out despite winning a record six Super Bowls as a head coach. Porter said that the Hall plans to return to in-person voting and discussion for the 50-member committee after moving to a virtual meeting room following the COVID pandemic. He also said the vote will likely happen closer to the annual reveal at NFL Honors to reduce the chances of leaks and said the Hall would consider releasing vote totals and individual ballots in the future but won't do it for this year's class. Porter said the Hall will also look at replacing any voters who might have violated the rules either by publicly discussing the off-record debate about the candidates or by not voting for the "most deserving" candidates in each category. "I’m not here to tell them who the most deserving is," Porter said. "If the Hall was to tell who the most deserving is, we wouldn’t need them to vote. We understand that. We just want the rules followed." Voter Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star wrote a column explaining his reasoning for choosing seniors players Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood instead of Belichick even though he believed Belichick shouldn't have had to wait for induction. "In the end, though, I felt more compelled by what I perceive to be last chances and looming lost causes within the system as we have it — a system I hope the Hall will see fit to change now," Gregorian wrote. But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed. "That’s not an option," Porter said. "You have to pick the most deserving. Those are the instructions that were read four times." Some voters have expressed frustration over rule changes put in place last year that have grouped players in the seniors category who have been retired for at least 25 years, along with coaches and contributors. The new rules also made it harder for anyone to reach the 80% threshold. In this year's vote, Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were grouped with the three seniors players. Instead of an up-or-down vote on each candidate, voters got to choose three of the five with the leading vote-getter and anyone else above 80% getting into the Hall. Craig was the only one of the five to get in this year after Sterling Sharpe was the lone one last year with coach Mike Holmgren not getting enough support. This is the third straight year no coach got the honor, leading to calls from some people — including voters — to separate coaches and contributors from the seniors. Porter didn't seem inclined to change that process, saying that for more than 50 years, coaches and contributors were grouped with players before changes about 10 years ago. "The question is, what changed?" Porter asked. "What was it that the selectors could do that for the 50-some years but now can't. They could get the right person in that didn’t require a category. I don’t know. We’ll find it out. We’ll talk to a lot of people. .. But there’s a responsibility there. The responsibility is to pick the most deserving. They got down to where that number was. So my question is, is everybody picking the most deserving." This was also the second straight year with fewer than five modern-era candidates getting in after a rule change. Instead of an up-or-down vote on five players, seven made it to the final stage with voters allowed to pick five. The top three and anyone else above 80% gets into the Hall. Last year, only three players reached that threshold and there were four this year: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Willie Anderson, Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda fell short and will automatically be in the final 15 next year. After 12 straight years of at least seven people getting inducted, there have been only four and five the past two years. "The number got really high," Porter said. Porter said he hopes shortening the time between the vote and announcement — it was more than three weeks this year — will reduce leaks, but he still wants enough time for the tradition of Hall of Famers delivering the news in person to the new class in what is known as "The Knock." He is open to changes overall but doesn't see the need for an overhaul of the process. "We’ll do some tweaks, and we’ll take a look," he said. "We’re going to do what’s best for the Hall of Fame. My job is to protect the integrity of the Hall, protect the integrity of the process." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Best NFL Betting Sites: Top Sportsbook Apps (2026)

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. We’ve assembled a list of the six best NFL betting sites for the upcoming season. This guide helps you pick the right NFL sportsbook for your style, whether you value sharp odds, strong promos, live betting depth, same-game parlays, or a clean betting app. Compare our top picks and choose the one that fits how you like to bet. With Super Bowl LX set for February 8, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meet in a highly anticipated rematch at Levi’s Stadium. As betting interest peaks around Super Bowl odds, props, and same-game parlays, choosing the right NFL sportsbook can make a real difference. Best NFL Betting Sites & Apps for Super Bowl LX - Sportsbook Reviews Here’s a quick overview of our top picks for NFL betting sites and apps and what each platform does best: BetMGM Sportsbook - Best Overall NFL Betting Site Overview:BetMGM is nicknamed "King of Sportsbooks" and backs it up by offering one of the widest selections of NFL betting markets. One area where BetMGM stands out is its unmatched range of player props, offering bets on niche season-wide and single-game player stats. Pros: Cons: BetMGM NFL Betting Features & Promotions: BetMGM NFL Sign-up Bonus: Up to $1,500 back if first bet loses Available States:AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:BetMGM is our top recommended NFL sportsbook app thanks to its deep market selection, innovative features like the Edit My Bet tool, and boosted odds for big games. The variety of props lets you play exactly how you want to. FanDuel Sportsbook – Best NFL Betting Mobile App Overview: The FanDuel app is one of the easiest-to-use platforms. It is optimized for NFL betting and has easy navigation between game lines, props, and parlay options. It is the gold standard for US Sportsbooks. Fast, reliable, well-designed. Biometric login (Face ID / Touch ID), dark mode and geolocation tools for legal state access. Pros: Cons: FanDuel NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Current FanDuel Promo Offer for New Users: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If You Win Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY + DC & PR Why We Recommend it:This is the easiest app to use as a new bettor. It couldn't be simpler to use its interface, including learning how to place bets directly from your phone. The access to same-game parlays on the app is quick, and everything you would need is easy to find. bet365 – Best NFL Odds & Early Payout Overview: bet365 is a global heavyweight known for sharp pricing and outstanding in-play options. For NFL bettors, its Early Payout stands out: straight moneyline bets are settled as winners if your team goes 17 points ahead at any time. Pros: Cons: bet365 NFL Betting Features & Promotions: bet365 NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (win or lose) Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Available States:AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA Why We Recommend it:If you value sharp NFL odds and a safety buffer against blown leads, bet365’s pricing and Early Payout are hard to beat. DraftKings – Best NFL Sportsbook Promotions Overview:DraftKings pairs a deep NFL menu with fast pricing and one of the most aggressive new-user packages during football season. For 2026, new customers get $300 in bonus bets instantly after a $5 wager. Pros: Cons: DraftKings NFL Betting Features & Promotions: DraftKings NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $300 If Your Bet Wins Available States:AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you want quick bonus value and football-centric perks, DraftKings’ NFL promo stack is one of the strongest this season. Caesars – Best NFL Betting Rewards Program Overview:Caesars combines a clean NFL menu with Caesars Rewards tier credits on eligible wagers. The current welcome focuses on profit boosts that double your winnings on many small tickets right after you join. Pros: Cons: Caesars NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Caesars NFL Sign-up Bonus: $250 First Bet Match with Code FOX250BM Available States:AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you like spreading value across multiple NFL bets and earning hotel/entertainment rewards, Caesars delivers on both. Fanatics Sportsbook – Most Unique Loyalty Rewards Overview:Fanatics leans into FanCash, letting you convert rewards into bonus bets or merchandise. During football season, the book features repeated no-sweat style protections that refund losses in FanCash. Pros: Cons: Fanatics NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Fanatics NFL Sign-up Bonus: 10× $100 No-Sweat Bets in FanCash Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IN, IL, IA, KA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you want repeated protection and flexible rewards you can recycle into bets or gear, Fanatics’ FanCash model is uniquely valuable. NFL Betting App User Reviews NFL Live-Betting Apps Live betting lets you place wagers after kickoff, with odds that update in real time based on the score, clock, drives, and injuries. You’ll see changing lines for moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, and drive or quarter markets. Football’s stop-start rhythm creates frequent pricing pauses, so sportsbooks can refresh odds between plays, drives, and quarters. That gives bettors many decision points throughout the game. Live-betting essentially allows you to double down, hedge bets and capitalize on slow starts. Best Sportsbooks for Live Betting NFL Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses A welcome bonus is a new-customer offer that gives you extra value when you open an account and place an initial wager. Sportsbooks use these bonuses to attract first-time users, help you try the app with lower risk, and encourage you to explore more markets. Below we'll go into the two most common types: "Bet & Get" and "First-Bet Safety Net" bonuses. NFL Bet & Get Bonus In this offer, you make a low-bar qualifying bet, then receive bonus bets regardless of outcome. It’s great if you want instant value without risking a big first wager. Use a quick-settling market to unlock the offer fast, then deploy the bonus bets on lines you actually like—totals, player props, or a small underdog flyer. Remember, a bonus-bet stake usually isn’t returned, only the winnings. For example, let's say you place a $5 qualifying wager on the Eagles moneyline for Week 1. Win or lose, you’re credited $200 in bonus bets (often split into four $50 tokens). If you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Cowboys +120 and it wins, you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). Repeat with the remaining tokens before they expire to maximize value. FanDuel, DraftKings, and bet365 Bet all offer this bonus. NFL First-Bet Safety Net Bonus In this offer, you take one swing. If it wins, great—you keep the profit and the promo is done. If it loses, you get bonus bets back. This can be useful for a plus-money side or a bigger confidence play. Let's say you place your first cash wager for $250 on the 49ers -2.5 (-110). If it loses, you’re refunded $250 in bonus bets (often split into five $50 tokens) that expire in about a week; if it wins, there’s no refund and the promo ends. Say you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Ravens +120 and it wins—you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365 all offer this bonus. Popular NFL Betting Markets Here are the most popular NFL betting markets you’ll see every week, from simple picks to deeper player angles. Use this quick overview to decide when to play spreads, moneylines, totals, props, same-game parlays, and futures. Moneyline & Point Spreads A moneyline is a bet on which team wins the game outright. Favorites show negative odds (e.g., -170 means risk $170 to win $100), while underdogs show positive odds (e.g., +150 means risk $100 to win $150). A point spread adds a margin the favorite must cover. The favorite is listed with a minus number (e.g., -3.5), and the underdog with a plus number (e.g., +3.5). If the Dolphins are -3.5 vs. the Jets, Miami must win by 4 or more to cover; the Jets cover by winning outright or losing by 3 or fewer. These are the two most popular NFL bets, and odds are shown in American format (like -110 on spreads and totals). Prices move throughout the week based on injuries, weather, lineup news, and betting trends, so timing your wager can matter. Totals (Over/Under) A total (Over/Under) is a bet on the combined points scored by both teams. Sportsbooks set a number, and you choose Over (more than that total) or Under (less than that total). Example: "Over/Under 47.5" means Over wins at 48+ points, Under wins at 47 or fewer. Totals move with factors like offensive and defensive form, pace of play, quarterback and key injuries, weather for outdoor games (wind, rain, extreme cold), matchups in the trenches, and coaching tendencies. Player Props Player props are bets on individual player outcomes rather than the final score. In the NFL, common examples include anytime touchdown scorer (will a player score a TD), quarterback passing yards Over/Under (e.g., Over 259.5), and receptions for a receiver or tight end (e.g., Over 5.5 catches). Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) A same-game parlay (SGP) lets you combine multiple bets from one NFL matchup into a single ticket. They’re appealing because you can personalize a game script and chase higher payouts than a single bet. For example, an Eagles vs. Cowboys SGP might include Eagles moneyline + Jalen Hurts Over 1.5 passing TDs + A.J. Brown 70+ receiving yards; the parlay wins only if all legs hit. Odds are calculated by combining each leg’s price, so payouts climb quickly. Risk also rises with every added leg, since the probability of winning drops as you stack more outcomes. Futures Futures are bets placed on long-term outcomes that settle later in the season. Popular NFL futures include Super Bowl winner, AFC/NFC champions, and season awards like MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Odds move all year as teams perform, injuries occur, and markets react. Payouts are made only when the market concludes (for example, after the Super Bowl or when an award is officially announced). NFL Betting Sites & Apps FAQ (2026) What is the best NFL betting site in 2026? The best NFL betting site depends on how you like to bet. BetMGM stands out for overall market depth and player props, FanDuel is the easiest app to use, bet365 offers some of the sharpest odds with Early Payouts, and DraftKings delivers the most aggressive NFL promotions. Which sportsbook has the best Super Bowl betting odds? Sportsbooks like bet365, FanDuel, and DraftKings are known for competitive Super Bowl odds, especially on spreads, totals, and alternate lines. Odds can vary by sportsbook, so comparing lines before placing your bet can help you get the best price. Are NFL betting apps legal in the United States? Yes, NFL betting apps are legal in many U.S. states where online sports betting has been regulated. Availability depends on your location, and you must be physically present in a legal state and meet the minimum age requirement (usually 21). What is the best NFL betting app for beginners? FanDuel is often the best choice for beginners thanks to its clean layout, simple betslip, and easy access to spreads, totals, props, and same-game parlays. Caesars is another good option for new bettors who want a straightforward app with fewer distractions. Which sportsbook is best for NFL same-game parlays? DraftKings and FanDuel are the leaders for NFL same-game parlays. DraftKings’ SGP+ allows you to combine bets across multiple games, while FanDuel offers fast, intuitive SGP building directly from game pages. What is an NFL Bet & Get bonus? An NFL Bet & Get bonus lets you place a small qualifying wager (often $5 or $10), then receive bonus bets regardless of whether that bet wins or loses. The bonus bets can be used on future wagers, but typically only the winnings are withdrawable. What is a first-bet safety net or bet insurance? A first-bet safety net refunds your wager with bonus bets if your first bet loses. If the bet wins, you keep the profit and the promotion ends. This type of bonus is common at BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. Which sportsbook is best for live NFL betting? bet365 is widely considered the best sportsbook for live NFL betting due to fast odds updates, deep in-play markets, and Early Payouts. FanDuel and DraftKings also offer strong live betting hubs with frequent cash-out options. Can I bet on Super Bowl player props and novelty bets? Yes. Major sportsbooks offer extensive Super Bowl player props, including passing yards, touchdowns, receptions, and anytime TD scorers. Many also post novelty bets closer to kickoff, such as halftime performance or game-related specials, depending on state rules. Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

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Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl MVPs of Past 25 Years

As we move closer to the Seahawks and Patriots squaring off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, it's a chance to look back on the last 25 Super Bowls and the best of the best performances. We've ranked the top 10 Super Bowl MVPs of the past quarter-century, and such a process makes for difficult decisions. It's easy to err on the side of late-game heroics. Does that penalize a player whose dominance puts the game out of reach in the fourth quarter? Perhaps, but those remarkable finishes are what we remember most, and probably what we want the most in a Super Bowl. Tom Brady, for instance, has five of these 25 MVP performances, which reduces nicely to two out of our 10 choices. There's a heavy offensive lean to these awards — only four defensive winners out of 25 — and a strong penchant for picking quarterbacks, with 16 of those compared to five receivers. What does a running back have to do to win one of these? The last one was Denver's Terrell Davis in 1998. 10. Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB, Super Bowl XLV (2010) There wasn't any last-minute touchdown, but Rodgers got Green Bay up 14-0 and 21-3 early, then held on as Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger twice got within four points down the stretch. Up three with 7:34 to play, he converted a third-and-10 and grinded out five minutes with a field goal and the defense closes it out. Rodgers played such a clean game, throwing for 304 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Joe Flacco's Super Bowl win two years later was much the same. 9. Malcolm Smith, Seahawks LB, Super Bowl XLVIII (2013) It's hard to shoehorn defensive MVPs in here, but the Broncos and Peyton Manning were so prolific that year, and Seattle's defense shut them down in the Super Bowl, never more so than on Smith's 69-yard pick-six in the second quarter. Denver was driving to make it a one-score game before halftime, and instead, Smith found the end zone for a 22-0 lead on the way to a 43-8 drubbing. This was easily the biggest play on one of the best defensive team efforts in these last 25 Super Bowls. 8. Santonio Holmes, Steelers WR, Super Bowl XLIII (2008) Five receivers have gotten Super Bowl MVPs in the last 25 years, two of them without even scoring a touchdown. But Holmes most definitely did — we can say he had nine catches for 131 yards for the Steelers against the Cardinals in Tampa. Holmes is on the list for one catch: a 6-yard touchdown catch on a hard throw from Ben Roethlisberger over three defenders for the lead with 35 seconds left, a leaping grab in the back right corner of the end zone with the toe tap of all toe taps to make sure it's a catch. It's hard to imagine a tougher catch with more on the line. 7. Tom Brady, Patriots QB, Super Bowl XLIX (2014) We're almost ranking this lower than it deserves, just so there isn't too much Brady at the top. Everyone remembers Russell Wilson's goal-line interception in the final minute, but don't forget what Brady did first: down 10 in the fourth quarter, he rallied the Patriots and threw two touchdowns in the final eight minutes. The first was to Danny Amendola and the second went to Julian Edelman to regain the lead. Brady finished 37-of-50 for 328 yards with four touchdowns against two picks, and he completed all nine of his pass attempts for 71 yards on the drive that gave the Patriots the lead for good. 6. Eli Manning, Giants QB, Super Bowl XLVI (2011) Manning beat Brady twice in Super Bowls, but we'll go with his second one – by – no David Tyree helmet-catch miracle, just Manning down eight in the second half, grinding out two drives for field goals, then one big drive in the fourth quarter. Manning threw five times to Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks for 74 yards, setting up Ahmad Bradshaw's touchdown with 57 seconds left. He finished 30-of-40 for 296 yards and a touchdown, but again, he beat Brady in a Super Bowl for the second time. 5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB, Super Bowl LIX (2024) Hurts played so well in the first meeting with the Chiefs but lost, and he got his revenge two years later. In a surprising rout of the Chiefs in New Orleans, Hurts was a lean 17-of-22 for 221 and two scores, also rushing for 72 yards and a score. It's a 34-6 game entering the fourth quarter, a thorough domination of a two-time defending champ. Some of the best on this list that aren't Brady and Mahomes are opponents finding ways to beat Brady and Mahomes. 4. Von Miller, Broncos OLB, Super Bowl 50 (2015) Trying to break up a run of quarterbacks at the top here, and Miller's play in leading the Broncos in 2015 is the gold standard. This was not the 55-touchdown Peyton Manning, but rather the nine-touchdown Peyton Manning, leaning hard on his defense. Miller had 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, forcing two fumbles, one of which was recovered for a touchdown. Miller would later have two sacks in another Super Bowl win with the Rams. 3. Nick Foles, Eagles QB, Super Bowl LII (2017) Maybe the most improbable on the list. Foles only had three regular-season starts in 2017, but took over when Carson Wentz got injured and went 3-0 in the playoffs. What he did to outduel Brady is incredible — 28-of-43 yards, 373 yards and three touchdowns, and the chef's kiss is the "Philly Special." On that famous play, Foles lined up at quarterback, casually walking to the line and then a direct snap to running back Corey Clement, who handed off to tight end Trey Burton, who threw to a wide-open Foles for a receiving touchdown in the Super Bowl. 2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB, Super Bowl LVIII (2023) Mahomes has three Super Bowl MVPs, and his second, beating the Eagles, might be his best statistically — three touchdowns, no picks. Instead, though, I'll go with the Chiefs' overtime win over the 49ers a year later. Down 10-0 early, rallied for the lead, lost it again in the fourth quarter, twice tied it, only to have San Francisco retake the lead on a field goal, then won it on a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with three seconds left in overtime. He finishes 34-for-46, 333 yards, two touchdowns and a pick for the first Super Bowl repeat in 19 years. 1. Tom Brady, Patriots QB, Super Bowl LI (2016) This choice was easy. The Patriots trailed the Falcons 28-3 late in the third quarter and rallied back for the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history — five touchdown drives, including a 91-yarder to tie the game and a 75-yarder to win in overtime. Brady finished 43-of-62 for 466 yards with two touchdowns. The length of those five drives? 75, 72, 25, 91, 75 yards — 338 yards of offense in less than one half of football. That he didn't score the final two touchdowns himself doesn't take away from all he did to get them down the field.

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