NFL Player News

Allen completed 28 of 48 pass attempts for 287 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 88 yards on seven carries in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Allen made one of the greatest one-year leaps in progression we've ever witnessed from his second to third campaign. The rising star improved his completion percentage 10 points (59 to 69 percent) while posting MVP-level passing numbers in 2020, but the quarterback we saw on the field Sunday was closer to the inferior 2018/2019 versions, even though he clearly battled hard until the end. Allen was under duress in the pocket and forced some inaccurate throws when he wasn't straight up getting sacked (four sacks for a combined loss of 53 yards). The 24-year-old tried to get the offense going with his legs, as his 88 rushing yards represented a new season high. The Bills were outclassed by the Chiefs on both sides of the ball, and that all shouldn't fall on just the quarterback, but Allen didn't perform up to the expectations he set after a tremendous overall season. How the young gunslinger responds to the sting of defeat ultimately may determine which direction his development moves in his fourth year as a pro, but Buffalo fans and fantasy managers have to feel optimistic after witnessing the overwhelmingly positive results Allen displayed this season.

Mahomes completed 29 of 38 pass attempts for 325 yards and three touchdowns, adding five carries for five yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

By virtue of Kansas City's 22-17 win over Cleveland in the divisional round, Mahomes garnered the opportunity to become the first quarterback in NFL history to start three conference title games in his first four seasons in the league. He had to overcome a case of turf toe and a stint in the NFL's concussion protocol to earn his 17th start of the season. After exiting in the third quarter of last Sunday's win over the Browns, Mahomes proved capable of doing just that. Kansas City remained without starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz (back) for the AFC Championship Game, while Eric Fisher (Achilles) departed during the contest and was unable to return. Still, Buffalo generated only one sack of Mahomes, as the Chiefs were 5-for-6 in converting red-zone opportunities into TDs. The 25-year-old gets his second Super Bowl appearance in as many seasons as he prepares for a fifth career game against Tom Brady. Mahomes is 2-2 in head-to-head matchups with Brady, who will make the 10th Super Bowl appearance of his illustrious career during his debut season in Tampa Bay.

Rodgers completed 33 of 48 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game.

As has been the case for the entirety of the season, Rodgers played at an MVP level and nearly led the Packers back from an 18-point deficit. He hit on several big plays to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, connecting for a 50-yard touchdown early in the second quarter as well as gains of 29 and 24 yards. Rodgers' other two scores came from eight and two yards, respectively. His only glaring error came just before halftime, when he threw an interception that ultimately led to a Buccaneers touchdown. Looking toward the 2021 season, Rodgers remains under contract with the Packers and is likely to return to the team to continue his high level of play.

Mahomes doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, but his mobility could be compromised while he contends with a turf toe issue on his left foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Before he exited last week's divisional-round win over the Browns with the head injury, Mahomes didn't look to be moving around at 100 percent, though he still avoided taking a sack and scrambled three times for 14 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes was able to take most of the Chiefs' snaps in practice this week and eventually cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but since most of those sessions were walk-throughs, he didn't put much strain on the toe in question. For his part, Mahomes doesn't seem to believe his toe is a major concern, saying that the injury has "gotten a lot better every single day." The Chiefs still plan to have Mahomes meet with a foot specialist after the season to determine whether he'll need offseason surgery to provide a more permanent fix for the toe.

Stafford and the Lions have mutually agreed to part ways this offseason, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Stafford expressed his desire for a fresh start, and the Lions have agreed to grant that request. In turn, the team will look for a trade partner this offseason. Stafford was impressive once again in 2020, completing 64 percent of his passes for 4,084 yards (7.7 YPA), 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 32-year-old is a known commodity and would be a valuable addition to a contender. He has three years remaining on his contract, and he'll carry a $20 million cap hit in 2021 if he's traded, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The Lions still have quarterbacks Chase Daniel and David Blough under contract next season, and they hold the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Mahomes (head/toe) has been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Mahomes revealed the big news about 15 minutes after coach Andy Reid told reporters that the QB had one step remaining to clear the protocol. The star quarterback says he hasn't dealt with any concussion symptoms this week, also mentioning that his toe injury feels much better, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic. Mahomes said he'll "go out there and be myself" in the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.

Coach Andy Reid said Friday that Mahomes has made it through four of five steps in the concussion protocol, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Mahomes took the majority of practice snaps Wednesday and Thursday, with the Chiefs listing him as a limited participant in both sessions. Regardless of his classification on the Friday injury report, Mahomes will need clearance from an independent neurological consultant and the Chiefs' physician before he can play in the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo on Sunday. Chad Henne will fill in at quarterback if Mahomes isn't able to play.

Love did not appear in a regular-season contest with the Packers as a rookie.

Love was a healthy scratch for the Packers all through the regular season while Tim Boyle worked as the backup to Aaron Rodgers, and the same has been true during the postseason. With the 37-year-old Rodgers performing at such a high level to have been named the league MVP, it's difficult to foresee when Love will get a chance to show what he can do in Green Bay's offense. For the time being, and as the offseason approaches, the 2020 first-round pick will focus on continuing to progress in his development with the Packers' coaching staff.

Beathard appeared in six games (two starts) with the 49ers in 2020, completing 66 of 104 pass attempts for 787 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also lost three fumbles and logged six carries for 28 yards.

Beathard played like an efficient game manager when called upon by the 49ers, and he led the team to a win over the Cardinals in Week 16 before closing out the year with a narrow 26-23 loss to the Seahawks in Week 17. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, Beathard should have displayed enough competence during his San Francisco tenure to compete for a backup role elsewhere in the league.

Mahomes (concussion/toe) was officially listed as limited at practice Thursday.

Though Mahomes continues to be listed as limited by the team, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com notes that coach Andy Reid said that the star QB took the majority of signal-caller snaps during Thursday's practice. Friday's final injury report of the week will reveal whether Mahomes draws an injury designation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills or is fully cleared to play by virtue of completely passing through the NFL's concussion protocol.