Josh Dubow
@joshdubowap.bsky.social
NFL writer for The Associated Press, who also covers Bay Area sports
166 teams in Super Bowl era started season 0-2 and then lost their final 2 games of the regular season. Only 2 made the playoffs:
2025 Bears
2025 Panthers
2025 Bears
2025 Panthers
January 6, 2026 at 4:07 AM
166 teams in Super Bowl era started season 0-2 and then lost their final 2 games of the regular season. Only 2 made the playoffs:
2025 Bears
2025 Panthers
2025 Bears
2025 Panthers
Winning QBs by draft round:
1st: 219
2nd: 18 (Hurts 11, Shough 5, Geno Smith 2)
3rd: 5 (Mills 3, Brissett 1, Gabriel 1)
4th: 12 (Prescott 7, Cousins 5)
5th: 5 (Sanders 3, Rattler 1, Josh Johnson 1)
6th: 1 (Tyrod Taylor 1)
7th: 8 (Purdy 7, Ewers 1)
undrafted: 3 (Huntley 2, Brosmer 1)
1st: 219
2nd: 18 (Hurts 11, Shough 5, Geno Smith 2)
3rd: 5 (Mills 3, Brissett 1, Gabriel 1)
4th: 12 (Prescott 7, Cousins 5)
5th: 5 (Sanders 3, Rattler 1, Josh Johnson 1)
6th: 1 (Tyrod Taylor 1)
7th: 8 (Purdy 7, Ewers 1)
undrafted: 3 (Huntley 2, Brosmer 1)
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Winning QBs by draft round:
1st: 219
2nd: 18 (Hurts 11, Shough 5, Geno Smith 2)
3rd: 5 (Mills 3, Brissett 1, Gabriel 1)
4th: 12 (Prescott 7, Cousins 5)
5th: 5 (Sanders 3, Rattler 1, Josh Johnson 1)
6th: 1 (Tyrod Taylor 1)
7th: 8 (Purdy 7, Ewers 1)
undrafted: 3 (Huntley 2, Brosmer 1)
1st: 219
2nd: 18 (Hurts 11, Shough 5, Geno Smith 2)
3rd: 5 (Mills 3, Brissett 1, Gabriel 1)
4th: 12 (Prescott 7, Cousins 5)
5th: 5 (Sanders 3, Rattler 1, Josh Johnson 1)
6th: 1 (Tyrod Taylor 1)
7th: 8 (Purdy 7, Ewers 1)
undrafted: 3 (Huntley 2, Brosmer 1)
The Jets have won 26 games in 5 seasons since trading Sam Darnold. Darnold has won 28 games the last 2 seasons with Vikings and Seahawks
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
The Jets have won 26 games in 5 seasons since trading Sam Darnold. Darnold has won 28 games the last 2 seasons with Vikings and Seahawks
12 of the 14 starting QBs for playoffs were drafted in the first round, matching record set last season. There have been only 4 other seasons with at least 9:
10 in 2020 and 2023
9 in 2008 and 2021
(There were 2 1st round QBs who started in 2001 playoffs)
10 in 2020 and 2023
9 in 2008 and 2021
(There were 2 1st round QBs who started in 2001 playoffs)
Draft pick for each projected playoff starting QB:
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
January 5, 2026 at 10:48 PM
12 of the 14 starting QBs for playoffs were drafted in the first round, matching record set last season. There have been only 4 other seasons with at least 9:
10 in 2020 and 2023
9 in 2008 and 2021
(There were 2 1st round QBs who started in 2001 playoffs)
10 in 2020 and 2023
9 in 2008 and 2021
(There were 2 1st round QBs who started in 2001 playoffs)
Bills have lost 8 straight road playoff games headed into wild-card game at Jaguars. Only longer road losing streak in playoffs is 12 straight for Lions, whose last win was in 1957 vs #49ers
January 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Bills have lost 8 straight road playoff games headed into wild-card game at Jaguars. Only longer road losing streak in playoffs is 12 straight for Lions, whose last win was in 1957 vs #49ers
Draft pick for each projected playoff starting QB:
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
January 5, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Draft pick for each projected playoff starting QB:
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
1: Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence
2: C.J. Stroud
3: Drake Maye, Sam Darnold
6: Justin Herbert
7: Josh Allen
12: Bo Nix
24: Aaron Rodgers
26: Jordan Love
53: Jalen Hurts
262: Brock Purdy
QBs with 4+ TDs, 250+ yards, 0 INTs and 75+% completions in a game this season:
Mitch Trubisky vs Jets Week 18
Drake Maye vs Jets Week 17
Joe Burrow vs Dolphins Week 16
Dak Prescott vs #Raiders Week 11
Matthew Stafford vs Saints Week 9
Jared Goff vs Bears Week 2
Mitch Trubisky vs Jets Week 18
Drake Maye vs Jets Week 17
Joe Burrow vs Dolphins Week 16
Dak Prescott vs #Raiders Week 11
Matthew Stafford vs Saints Week 9
Jared Goff vs Bears Week 2
January 5, 2026 at 8:50 PM
QBs with 4+ TDs, 250+ yards, 0 INTs and 75+% completions in a game this season:
Mitch Trubisky vs Jets Week 18
Drake Maye vs Jets Week 17
Joe Burrow vs Dolphins Week 16
Dak Prescott vs #Raiders Week 11
Matthew Stafford vs Saints Week 9
Jared Goff vs Bears Week 2
Mitch Trubisky vs Jets Week 18
Drake Maye vs Jets Week 17
Joe Burrow vs Dolphins Week 16
Dak Prescott vs #Raiders Week 11
Matthew Stafford vs Saints Week 9
Jared Goff vs Bears Week 2
Other #49ers injury news:
LB Dee Winters (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (quad), DL Keion White (hamstring) will all be evaluated this week
S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib) and DT Kalia Davis (knee tendinitis) are day to day
LB Dee Winters (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (quad), DL Keion White (hamstring) will all be evaluated this week
S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib) and DT Kalia Davis (knee tendinitis) are day to day
January 5, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Other #49ers injury news:
LB Dee Winters (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (quad), DL Keion White (hamstring) will all be evaluated this week
S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib) and DT Kalia Davis (knee tendinitis) are day to day
LB Dee Winters (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (quad), DL Keion White (hamstring) will all be evaluated this week
S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib) and DT Kalia Davis (knee tendinitis) are day to day
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said LB Fred Warner has a possibility to return in postseason but probably not until NFC title game at earliest
January 5, 2026 at 8:07 PM
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said LB Fred Warner has a possibility to return in postseason but probably not until NFC title game at earliest
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said LT Trent Williams (hamstring) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be evaluated this week after missing Week 18
January 5, 2026 at 8:06 PM
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said LT Trent Williams (hamstring) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be evaluated this week after missing Week 18
Here's final kickoff return rate stats from 2025 season per @sportradar:
2025: 74.5%
2024: 32.8%
2023: 21.8%
2025: 74.5%
2024: 32.8%
2023: 21.8%
January 5, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Here's final kickoff return rate stats from 2025 season per @sportradar:
2025: 74.5%
2024: 32.8%
2023: 21.8%
2025: 74.5%
2024: 32.8%
2023: 21.8%
The #49ers finished season with 20 sacks and 6 INTs. Only other teams in non-strike shortened season in Super Bowl era with 20 or fewer sacks and less than 10 INTs:
2006 Washington 19 and 6 (5-11)
1994 Bucs 20 and 9 (6-10)
1976 Eagles 19 and 9 (4-10)
2006 Washington 19 and 6 (5-11)
1994 Bucs 20 and 9 (6-10)
1976 Eagles 19 and 9 (4-10)
January 5, 2026 at 7:13 PM
The #49ers finished season with 20 sacks and 6 INTs. Only other teams in non-strike shortened season in Super Bowl era with 20 or fewer sacks and less than 10 INTs:
2006 Washington 19 and 6 (5-11)
1994 Bucs 20 and 9 (6-10)
1976 Eagles 19 and 9 (4-10)
2006 Washington 19 and 6 (5-11)
1994 Bucs 20 and 9 (6-10)
1976 Eagles 19 and 9 (4-10)
There are 7 new division champions this season with Eagles the only team to repeat. The only other season with 7 new division champs came in 2011 when the Patriots were the only repeat winner
January 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
There are 7 new division champions this season with Eagles the only team to repeat. The only other season with 7 new division champs came in 2011 when the Patriots were the only repeat winner
Giants over last 3 seasons:
Weeks 1-16: 9-36, .200 (worst in NFL)
Weeks 17-18: 4-2, .667 (tied 3rd best)
(In last 2 seasons, Giants were in position for No. 1 pick after Week 16 but ended with 6th pick in 2025 and 5th in 2026)
Weeks 1-16: 9-36, .200 (worst in NFL)
Weeks 17-18: 4-2, .667 (tied 3rd best)
(In last 2 seasons, Giants were in position for No. 1 pick after Week 16 but ended with 6th pick in 2025 and 5th in 2026)
January 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Giants over last 3 seasons:
Weeks 1-16: 9-36, .200 (worst in NFL)
Weeks 17-18: 4-2, .667 (tied 3rd best)
(In last 2 seasons, Giants were in position for No. 1 pick after Week 16 but ended with 6th pick in 2025 and 5th in 2026)
Weeks 1-16: 9-36, .200 (worst in NFL)
Weeks 17-18: 4-2, .667 (tied 3rd best)
(In last 2 seasons, Giants were in position for No. 1 pick after Week 16 but ended with 6th pick in 2025 and 5th in 2026)
Pete Carroll in July: “We are going to win a bunch of games. I can’t even imagine anything else. I’ve been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something. I mean, what are my expectations? We are going to win a bunch, and I don’t care who hears that."
Carroll was fired after a 3-14 season
Carroll was fired after a 3-14 season
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Pete Carroll in July: “We are going to win a bunch of games. I can’t even imagine anything else. I’ve been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something. I mean, what are my expectations? We are going to win a bunch, and I don’t care who hears that."
Carroll was fired after a 3-14 season
Carroll was fired after a 3-14 season
Since reaching the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, here's where #Raiders rank:
Win percentage: .351, 2nd worst
Playoff berths: 2, tied fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point/game differential: -6.0, worst
Coaches: 14, most
Win percentage: .351, 2nd worst
Playoff berths: 2, tied fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point/game differential: -6.0, worst
Coaches: 14, most
January 5, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Since reaching the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, here's where #Raiders rank:
Win percentage: .351, 2nd worst
Playoff berths: 2, tied fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point/game differential: -6.0, worst
Coaches: 14, most
Win percentage: .351, 2nd worst
Playoff berths: 2, tied fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point/game differential: -6.0, worst
Coaches: 14, most
Pete Carroll's head coaching career started with a one-and-done tenure with Jets in 1994. It might have ended with a one-and-done tenure with #Raiders.
In between, he had a .669 win % for Patriots, USC and Seahawks, winning 2 national titles in college and 1 Super Bowl in NFL
In between, he had a .669 win % for Patriots, USC and Seahawks, winning 2 national titles in college and 1 Super Bowl in NFL
January 5, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Pete Carroll's head coaching career started with a one-and-done tenure with Jets in 1994. It might have ended with a one-and-done tenure with #Raiders.
In between, he had a .669 win % for Patriots, USC and Seahawks, winning 2 national titles in college and 1 Super Bowl in NFL
In between, he had a .669 win % for Patriots, USC and Seahawks, winning 2 national titles in college and 1 Super Bowl in NFL
#Raiders ranks under Mark Davis:
Win percentage: .382, 5th worst
Playoff appearances: 2, tied 2nd fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point differential: -5.7/game, 2nd worst
Coaches: 9, tied for the most (will be 10 post Pete Carroll)
Win percentage: .382, 5th worst
Playoff appearances: 2, tied 2nd fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point differential: -5.7/game, 2nd worst
Coaches: 9, tied for the most (will be 10 post Pete Carroll)
January 5, 2026 at 4:28 PM
#Raiders ranks under Mark Davis:
Win percentage: .382, 5th worst
Playoff appearances: 2, tied 2nd fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point differential: -5.7/game, 2nd worst
Coaches: 9, tied for the most (will be 10 post Pete Carroll)
Win percentage: .382, 5th worst
Playoff appearances: 2, tied 2nd fewest
Playoff wins: 0, tied fewest
Point differential: -5.7/game, 2nd worst
Coaches: 9, tied for the most (will be 10 post Pete Carroll)
#Raiders coaches fired after their first full season since Al Davis joined the franchise in 1963:
Pete Carroll after 2025 season
Antonio Pierce after 2024
Hue Jackson after 2011
Art Shell after 2006
Joe Bugel after 1997
Pete Carroll after 2025 season
Antonio Pierce after 2024
Hue Jackson after 2011
Art Shell after 2006
Joe Bugel after 1997
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
#Raiders coaches fired after their first full season since Al Davis joined the franchise in 1963:
Pete Carroll after 2025 season
Antonio Pierce after 2024
Hue Jackson after 2011
Art Shell after 2006
Joe Bugel after 1997
Pete Carroll after 2025 season
Antonio Pierce after 2024
Hue Jackson after 2011
Art Shell after 2006
Joe Bugel after 1997
#Raiders fire Pete Carroll after a 3-14 season. They go one and done again and will have a different coach to start season in 2026 for 4th straight season
January 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
#Raiders fire Pete Carroll after a 3-14 season. They go one and done again and will have a different coach to start season in 2026 for 4th straight season
Panthers became the 5th team in Super Bowl era to make playoffs despite scoring 17 points or fewer 10+ times. Others:
2005 Bears 10
1994 Steelers 10
1978 Oilers 10
1978 Eagles 11
2005 Bears 10
1994 Steelers 10
1978 Oilers 10
1978 Eagles 11
January 5, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Panthers became the 5th team in Super Bowl era to make playoffs despite scoring 17 points or fewer 10+ times. Others:
2005 Bears 10
1994 Steelers 10
1978 Oilers 10
1978 Eagles 11
2005 Bears 10
1994 Steelers 10
1978 Oilers 10
1978 Eagles 11
Rodgers, Stafford and Hurts are only QBs with a Super Bowl win, while Purdy is only other to reach a Super Bowl as the starter
Playoff wins for the starting QBs in playoffs:
Aaron Rodgers 11
Josh Allen 7
Jalen Hurts 6
Matthew Stafford 5
Brock Purdy 4
C.J. Stroud 2
Trevor Lawrence 1
Jordan Love 1
Bo Nix, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young 0
Aaron Rodgers 11
Josh Allen 7
Jalen Hurts 6
Matthew Stafford 5
Brock Purdy 4
C.J. Stroud 2
Trevor Lawrence 1
Jordan Love 1
Bo Nix, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young 0
January 5, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Rodgers, Stafford and Hurts are only QBs with a Super Bowl win, while Purdy is only other to reach a Super Bowl as the starter