Chargers new coach Staley looking to connect with Herbert
By JOE REEDY - Jan. 21, 2021 08:22 PM EST FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley watches his players before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla. On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, the Los Angeles Chargers hired Staley to become the team s head coach. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Brandon Staley s first phone call after he accepted the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job Sunday was to his wife, Amy. His second was to franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have brought back veteran defensive back Tramon Williams and added him to their practice squad. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced the signing of Williams on Thursday. The Packers (14-3) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-5) on Sunday in the NFC championship game. Williams was waived by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, two days after their 17-3 AFC divisional playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Byron Leftwich remembers traveling to Lambeau Field for the first time, walking into the legendary stadium and soaking up the atmosphere. “When you think of it, it’s the mecca of football. . It’s like (Madison Square) Garden in basketball. I guess it’s like Wrigley Field in baseball. It’s a beautiful place to play the game of football,” Leftwich said.
By JOSH DUBOW - Jan. 21, 2021 02:30 AM EST Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks with players on the sideline during the first half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Fourth downs in the NFL used to be reserved for kicks, except in the most dire of circumstances.
But with teams scoring at a record pace and becoming more analytics friendly each year, teams are going for it on fourth down these days in scenarios that would have been unfathomable just a decade ago.
Whether it was Kansas City’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 in its own territory to seal a win last week against Cleveland, or Indianapolis’ failed fourth-and-goal try from the 4 late in the first half the previous week, those decisions have taken center stage this postseason.
“We’ve got to get one of these at home,” Rodgers said.
The achievement has been unlocked for the first time in his 13 seasons as the starter, with the top-seeded Packers set to host Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon. They ve played in three NFC title games on the road under Rodgers.
Despite the relatively mild forecast a high of 28 degrees with a chance of light snow and the recent assertion by Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians that the weather won t affect the results “at all,” no NFC opponent would ever prefer a January game at Lambeau Field to the alternatives.
Even with virus protocols limiting ticket sales to a scant 6,500, there’s still energy for the Packers to be gleaned from the hardy fans that will be spread out on the shiny metal benches around the oval-shaped stadium.