NFL Player News

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson didn't have to throw much for his team to beat the Saints. But Seattle actually has been in a passing funk for five games.

In that span, Seattle has gone 3-2 with Wilson completing 57 percent of his throws for an average of 157.6 yards. He's averaged 6.6 yards per attempt, with four touchdowns, three interceptions and a 78.0 passer rating.

The Chargers listed guard Jeromey Clary (shoulder), defensive lineman Sean Lissemore (shoulder), quarterback Brad Sorenson, receiver Lavelle Hawkins, cornerback Marcus Cromartie, offensive tackle Kenny Wiggins and safety Brandon Taylor as inactive for the playoff game at Denver.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson didn't have to do much Saturday against the Saints. Sticking the ball into the gut of featured back Marshawn Lynch and watching his defense perform pretty much sufficed.

Wilson wilted after a strong start in which he completed his first four passes. He finished 9 of 18 for 103 yards, but avoided picks. He also threw a perfect 24-yard pass to wideout Doug Baldwin on 3rd and 3 with just under three minutes remaining in the game to set up a Lynch touchdown that clinched the victory.

That was about all Wilson did right after intermission. He completed no passes in the third quarter, though the windy, rainy conditions played a role in his inconsistency.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford met with one candidate to be the Lions' head coach, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, and will meet with more, reports the team's website. However, there's no indication Stafford will have a say in the hiring process.

"It’s something, however much they ask me to be a part of it, I’ll be a part of it," Stafford said in a radio interview on the Albom Show. "I’m not knocking on the door. They asked me to sit in on that one, and as more and more interviews happen, whether I’m in town to sit with them and talk or whether we talk on the phone, I’m sure I’ll have some involvement in that process."

Stafford said he and Caldwell did not discuss the quarterback's performance, which declined dramatically toward the end of the year.

"Actually, none of that happened," Stafford said on the show. "Honestly, it was just he and I sitting down and talking. He told me he watched basically every play of our season. He picked my brain about our team, and I picked his about his philosophy in coaching and all that kind of stuff."

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith played well down the stretch, accounting for seven touchdowns against two turnovers in the final four games. The difference was that New York increasingly used the shotgun.

"We found what worked for us and stayed the course with it," running back Chris Ivory told The Star-Ledger. 

Smith worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun in college. In Week 16 against the Browns, with Smith in the shotgun, the Jets produced four scoring drives of at least 79 yards for the first time in 40 years.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who committed three turnovers Sunday in losing his third career playoff game, said he got a vote of confidence from coach Marvin Lewis. "He said I'm the guy that he believes in," Dalton said. "He believes that I can get us over the next hump. It's good to hear from a coach and it's what I wanted to hear."

Dalton has one year left on his four-year rookie deal. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took a while to get going in Sunday's playoff loss to the 49ers. He went 0-for-2 with two sacks in a first quarter that saw Green Bay generate 6 total yards.

Rodgers heated up and finished 17 of 26 for 177 yards and a touchdown, a 5-yard strike to Jordy Nelson in the second quarter. The 177 yards were Rodgers' fewest in a game he finished this season, and the 17 completions tied a season low.

Rodgers was under heavy pressure much of the night, but he had his moments. On 4th-and-2 in the fourth quarter, he escaped a sack and hit Randall Cobb for 26 yards. Overall, though, it was a quiet end to Rodgers' season.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had a tough time down the stretch against the Chargers.

Dalton completed 29 of 51 passes, for 334 yards and one touchdown. Dalton got off to a slow start to begin the game, but rebounded in the second half to throw a touchdown. He struggled starting in the third quarter. On the team's second drive during the quarter, Dalton fumbled away the possession. On the following two Bengal drives, Dalton threw interceptions. The Bengals mustered just 10 points.

The Chargers have made DT Sean Lissemore, WR Lavelle Hawkins, CB Marcus Cromartie ,OG Stephen Schilling, QB Brad Sorensen, SS Brandon Taylor and OT Kenny Wiggins inactive against the Bengals.

Lissemore was listed as questionable on the injury report due to a shoulder injury. The other six players are healthy scratches.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford sat in on the team's interview with Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell.

After the season ended, Stafford admitted he would like to have a say in the team's coaching search, but wasn't sure that would happen. Caldwell had reportedly seen every throw Stafford had in the 2013 season, and was able to tell him what he liked and disliked about each play. He had specific drills in mind to correct those issues. After the interview, Caldwell said it was "the best professional interview [he's] ever been on."