Football - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Falcons interview former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce

The Atlanta Falcons interviewed former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce for their opening in the same role, the team announced Friday.

By The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP file photo by Tyler Kaufman / Antonio Pierce, a former head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, was interviewed Friday by the Atlanta Falcons for the same role. Pierce went 5-4 as interim coach in Las Vegas to close the 2023 season, then went 4-13 the following season after the Raiders removed the interim tag.

Bear face Rams in matchup of offensive mastermind coaches

Ben Johnson spent plenty of time studying Sean McVay's offense, though not necessarily for a moment like this.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP photo by Nam Huh / Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson walks the home sideline at Soldier Field during an NFC wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL playoffs on Jan. 10.

Texans visiting Patriots for battle of strong defense vs. prolific offense

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye made the first start of his NFL career against the Houston Texans. The second-year pro has come a long way in the 15 months since.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP photo by Charles Krupa / New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. during an NFL regular-season on Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots will host the Texans on Sunday in their first meeting since then, this time in an AFC divisional-round matchup in the NFL playoffs.

Seahawks welcome 49ers in playoff pairing of division rivals

For the Seattle Seahawks to host another playoff game this year, they will have to dispose of a familiar foe. Very familiar.

By ANDREW DESTIN / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez / Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas, right, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, left, during the regular-season finale for the NFC West Division rivals on Jan. 3 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Broncos happy to be home as Bills visit in AFC’s divisional round

The Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos are meeting in the NFL playoffs for the second season in a row, but they're getting a change of scenery this year.

By ARNIE STAPLETON / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP photo by Eric Lutzens / Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Bo Nix during the team's regular-season finale against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Jan. 4 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos are the AFC's No. 1 seed for the NFL playoffs and had a first-round bye last weekend.

Patrick Mahomes shooting for return when Chiefs open 2026 season

Injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes intends to be ready when the Kansas City Chiefs play their opening game of the NFL's 2026 regular season.

By DAVE SKRETTA / The Associated Press January 15, 2026

AP photo by Gareth Patterson / Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up for a game against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 27 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Mike McDaniels interviews as Titans continue search for next coach

The Tennessee Titans met with Mike McDaniel as the latest candidate evaluated in their search for a new head coach, according to a person familiar with the interview schedule.

By TERESA M. WALKER / The Associated Press January 14, 2026

AP file photo by Doug Murray / Mike McDaniel went 35-33 as head coach of the Miami Dolphins the past four seasons, leading them to a pair of playoff appearances his first two years.

Matt Ryan returns to Falcons with ‘a sense of unfinished business’

Matt Ryan's time as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons included one of just two Super Bowl appearances in the 60-year-old franchise's history.

By CHARLES ODUM / The Associated Press January 14, 2026

AP photo by Brynn Anderson / Matt Ryan, a former starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, speaks during a news conference introducing him as the team's president of football Tuesday in Flowery Branch, Ga.

Bears-Packers on Amazon Prime Video sets NFL streaming record

The Chicago Bears' comeback win against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday was the first matchup in NFL history with more than 30 million viewers on a streaming service.

By The Associated Press January 14, 2026

AP photo by Nam Huh / Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams loses the ball during an NFC wild-card game against the visiting Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL playoffs Saturday night at Soldier Field.

An early look at UTC’s 2026 football schedule

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga officially announced its football schedule for the 2026 season on Tuesday morning.

By Gene Henley January 13, 2026

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