NFL playoff news, coaching updates: Mike McCarthy reportedly out in Dallas, Commanders advance after making FG

On By Littum

NFL wild-card Sunday ended with a bang — or rather, a doink — as the Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become the only wild-card team of the weekend to win on the road.

Otherwise, thanks to home team dominance, the Texans, Ravens, Bills, and Eagles all advanced, ending the seasons of the Chargers, Steelers, Broncos, and Packers, respectively.

But there is still one more game to play as the Vikings and Rams face off Monday night in Glendale, Arizona due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Here’s a look at next weekend’s games in the divisional round:

Saturday 18 January

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans: 4:30 p.m. ET

Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders: 8 p.m. ET

Sunday, January 19

Rams/Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 3 p.m. ET

Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens: 6 p.m. ET

Meanwhile, the coaching carousel is still spinning, with the Patriots first off the board with the hiring of Mike Vrabel on Sunday. The Jets, Bears, Raiders, Saints and Jaguars are still interviewing candidates, while Mike McCarthy is reportedly out as Cowboys head coach.

Stay tuned to Yahoo Sports as we follow the latest coaching news and look toward the divisional round.

Live6 updates

  • A look at the NFL playoffs

    Here’s where things stand for Monday night’s matchup.

    The NFL playoffs entered the divisional round. (Yahoo Sports)The NFL playoffs entered the divisional round. (Yahoo Sports)

    The NFL playoffs entered the divisional round. (Yahoo Sports)

  • Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is reportedly parting ways after contract negotiations stalled

    Mike McCarthy’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys expired and his time with the team has come to an end.

    McCarthy, whose contract expired after the 2024 season, will not return as Dallas’ coach next season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the two sides were unable to agree on the length of the contract, and decided to divorce.

    The Cowboys finished 7-10 with several blowout losses, including a 41-7 loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 when Saquon Barkley surpassed 2,000 yards on the season. McCarthy helped turn things around late in the game, winning four of five games after falling to 3-7. But it was time for a change.

    Read more here.

  • Mike McCarthy could become free agent as talks with Cowboys stable: Report

    The Dallas Cowboys and head coach Mike McCarthy have reportedly not entered negotiations on a new deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McCarthy’s contract expires after midnight on Tuesday, when he will be free to talk to any team that wants to interview him.

    The Chicago Bears had asked to interview McCarthy for their vacant head coaching job, but the Cowboys denied that request last week. Schefter reported that the New Orleans Saints are also expected to be interested if McCarthy becomes a free agent. Both teams fired their coaches during the season.

    Read more here.

  • Eagles lose LB Nakobe Dean to playoffs with torn knee caps

    The Eagles won their wild card game over the Packers on Sunday, but they lost a key member of their defense during the game: linebacker Nakobe Dean.

    According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Dean tore his patellar tendon while trying to bring down Packers TE Tucker Kraft early in the second quarter. He left the game and was taken to the dressing room on a cart, and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the competition.

    The injury looked bad at first glance, and the reality could be even worse, as it’s possible the recovery could cause Dean to miss the start of the 2025 season.

  • How will a neutral site affect the Vikings-Rams matchup?

  • Commanders pick up exciting wild card win over Bucs

    Generations passed in the NFL, and one thing was true for all but a few outliers: Rookie quarterbacks struggled, they didn’t carry their teams to the playoffs, and they certainly didn’t go on the road in the playoffs and win.

    There were some rookie QBs who started for very good teams and were a part of playoff appearances and even some wins. Few were the driving force behind those clubs. Not many rookie quarterbacks throughout NFL history have been Jayden Daniels.

    He helped the Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Bucs 23-20 on a Zane Gonzalez field goal that bounced off the uprights and as time expired in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game.

    Daniels doesn’t look like a rookie and hasn’t since very early this season. He already looks like a superstar. Daniels was once again key in the Commanders’ victory that sent Washington to the divisional round, where they will face top-seeded Detroit on Saturday night. Daniels completed a fourth-down pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the lead, and after the Buccaneers tied the game 20-20 with 4:41 left, he calmly led a drive for the win. As was the case all season, Daniels was completely unaffected in pressure situations.

    Read more here.