And just like that, there are only four teams left. After a great weekend of football, the Conference Championships are set as the Buffalo Bills will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC.
With each team just one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl, most eyes will be focused on the upcoming games this week. Still, there has been plenty of news both on and off the field so let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from the week.
Patrick Mahomes Out With Concussion
While the Kansas City Chiefs were able to pull out a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, they did so without their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, on the field to finish the game. In the third quarter of their 22-17 win, Mahomes suffered a concussion after being tackled during an option read that saw Mahomes try to pick up yards with his legs.
Before the injury, Mahomes had a decent game, throwing for 255 yards and a touchdown. He had also rushed for 14 yards and another score.
With Mahomes out and the Browns threatening, it was up to backup Chad Henne to maintain the lead. While the Browns made it close, Henne finished off the game with a gutsy 4th and 1 pass play that resulted in a first down that iced the game.
The big question for Chiefs’ fans is whether Mahomes will be ready to play when they host the Bills next weekend. Everything is up in the air right now, but the Chiefs’ organization and fanbase will undoubtedly be keeping a keen eye on the injury report all week.
Drew Brees To Retire
It has long been assumed that Drew Brees would probably call it a career after this season, but according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, it sounds official. After their 30-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brees will be hanging it up.
It wasn’t the ending Brees, or any New Orleans fan, wanted. Not only did the Saints lose, but Brees played poorly in the process. He was 19-of-34 for just 134 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
Still, it does not take away from his illustrious career. Since breaking into the league in 2001 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Brees has thrown for 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns. He is the current all-time leader in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns.
It is the end of an era for New Orleans, who now have to decide who will be under center for the first time since 2006. For Brees, it is the end of a career that most certainly will end up with a place in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Deshaun Watson Unlikely To Return To Texans?
Since the Houston Texans’ season ended, it has been very evident that Deshaun Watson has not been happy. Ranging from the trade last offseason that sent his favorite target, DeAndre Hopkins, to the Arizona Cardinals to the fact that he was told that he would have a voice in the general manager and head coach decisions, Watson has certainly been disgruntled.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, those issues may be beyond reconciliation at this point. According to Schefter, there is a strong belief from some in the organization that Watson will be with a new team by the time next season rolls around.
If the Texans do decide to trade Watson, he will undoubtedly command a significant return. Watson is 25 years old and is already one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
This season, Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions despite having a less-than-stellar wide receiving core around him. He also rushed 90 times for 444 yards and another three scores.
The Texans are at a crossroads within their organization. New general manager Nick Caserio can try to smooth things over with Watson and get the franchise back on track, or a trade could be inevitable, meaning the organization would likely go into a full-blown rebuild.
