NFL News and Notes for January 4th

Week 17 was full of intrigue with some fantastic football and an eye-raising reaction by a star playing with the defending champions. The week also brought some more clarity to the postseason.
In the NFC, the Packers have clinched the No. 1 seed, meaning that they will earn a bye and that the NFC will have to go through Lambeau Field. The only thing left to resolve in Week 18 in the NFC is whether the 49ers or Saints will take the last spot.
In the AFC, there still remains some more volatility. The Titans currently hold the top spot, but Week 18 outcomes will determine a lot of what the top four spots look like. There are also three teams on the outside still trying to get into a playoff spot.
With just one week of football left in the regular season, let’s look at some of the biggest stories of the week.
Brown Leaves Game, Booted From Bucs?
In one of the most bizarre moments of the weekend, star wide receiver Antonio Brown took off his jersey and shoulder pads, threw his shirt and gloves into the crowd, and walked out on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their 28-24 win over the New York Jets.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Brown became incensed after being told to re-enter the game despite re-injuring an ankle that has hampered him all season. In response, Brown had his tirade and left the field and the team.
After the game, head coach Bruce Arians indicated that the Buccaneers would cut ties with Brown, but as of Monday night, that still hadn’t happened. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the move is still expected, but the team is conversing with the NFL on how to proceed with the situation.
This season, the 33-year-old wide receiver has caught 42 passes for 545 yards and four scores in seven games.
For the Buccaneers, they are currently 12-4 and have clinched the NFC South. If the season ended today, they would also hold the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay currently has the third-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +750.
Michael Gallup Out for Cowboys
Antonio Brown was not the only star receiver to make news this weekend. The Dallas’ Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup left Sunday’s game after hauling in a touchdown in the first half of Dallas’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Gallup is done for the year after suffering an ACL tear. The 25-year-old Gallup is in the last year of his contract and was having a fine year. In nine games, he had 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas has clinched the NFC East with an 11-5 record and currently holds the fourth seed in the NFC playoffs.
They have the fourth-best odds of winning the NFC at +550, and they are +1200 to win Super Bowl LVI.
Packers Intend To Keep Adams At Least One More Year
The Green Bay Packers have secured the top spot in the NFC, and they are the current favorites to win the Super Bowl at +380. Despite the high expectations for the playoffs, it is never too early to start thinking about the future.
This offseason could be quite tumultuous for the brain trust in Green Bay as they could see Aaron Rodgers leave and also have to make a big decision on star wide receiver Davante Adams.
He is finishing his current contract and has indicated he would like to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the league. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Packers may have other plans.
It appears that the team is prepared to use the franchise tag on him, a $20 million cap hit if they cannot agree to a long-term extension. Given that being the highest-paid receiver would put him around $27 million, the tag may be the way the Packers go.
Obviously, there is a lot that will play into Adams’ willingness to stay, particularly whether Rodgers stays or leaves, but this will be a fascinating story to see unfold for arguably the best receiver in the league.
This season, the eight-year veteran has 117 receptions for 1,498 yards and 11 touchdowns.