Less than seven weeks remain before the NHL trade deadline on March 8.

There have been several trades and plenty of other transactions this season. The latest trade was between the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers.

General managers will be guided by another year of a tight salary cap, but it’s expected to rise next season to $87.7 million. Last summer, a lot of players signed low-cost, one-year deals, increasing the pool of potential unrestricted free agents who could be moved out for draft picks or prospects.

Follow along this season for news and analysis on deals, major transactions and other announcements that have happened in the months leading up the trade deadline:

When is the 2024 NHL trade deadline?

The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 8.

What transactions took place before the March 8 trade deadline?

Jan. 20: New York Islanders name Patrick Roy coach after firing Lane Lambert

The news was stunning, although Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is famous for keeping moves under wraps and also for making coaching changes. The Islanders had fallen out of a playoff position with a four-game losing streak in Lane Lambert’s second season with the team.

Patrick Roy last coached in the NHL in 2015-16 and resigned from the Colorado Avalanche that August. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2013-14 in his first season in Colorado and won junior hockey’s Memorial Cup as coach/GM of the Quebec Remparts in 2022-23. He stepped down after that.

Roy, 58, won four Stanley Cup titles as a Hall of Fame goalie and is third in NHL wins after Marc-Andre Fleury recently passed him. Roy is known for his fiery competitiveness. He was fined $10,000 after his NHL coaching debut for shaking the glass partition between the two benches during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, though he was more composed after that.

Also: Florida Panthers forward William Lockwood was suspended for three games for goaltender interference against Marc-Andre Fleury during Friday’s game. Fleury ended up leaving the game. Lockwood will forfeit $12,109.38 in pay.

Jan. 19: Ottawa Senators sign Shane Pinto to one-year deal

Shane Pinto, who was suspended for 41 games early this season for violating the NHL’s sports wagering rules, signed a one-year deal worth $775,000. The Senators restricted free agent had been unsigned at the time of the suspension and will be eligible to return on Sunday. The league never said what he did to earn the suspension but said its ‘investigation found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games.’ Pinto, 23, had a career-best 20 goals, 15 assists and 35 points last season.

Also: The Carolina Hurricanes, missing goalies Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, claimed goalie Spencer Martin off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets. … The Washington Capitals signed Aliaksei Protas to a five-year, $16.875 million contract extension that keeps the 6-6 forward under contract with Washington through the 2028-29 season. Protas, 23, has 18 points in 42 games this season. … The Vancouver Canucks gave a three-year contract extension to president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford.

Jan. 18: Minnesota Wild’s Jared Spurgeon to have season-ending surgery

The Minnesota Wild have shut down captain Jared Spurgeon for the season. The defenseman is scheduled to have hip surgery on Feb. 6 and then have back surgery four weeks later. He had missed the first month of the season, plus seven games in December, with injuries and hasn’t played since Jan. 2. He’s expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of next season.

Jan. 16: Chicago Blackhawks’ Jason Dickinson gets two-year extension

The deal is worth $8.5 million over two years. He joins Nick Foligno (two years, $9 million) as Blackhawks signing recent extensions. Dickinson is second on the team with 14 goals and third with 21 points.

Jan. 15: Colorado Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin enters assistance program

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The league and union announced Monday that Nichushkin will return once he’s cleared by program administrators. No other information was provided.

Nichushkin, 28, becomes the second Avalanche player to enter the Player Assistance Program this season. Defenseman Samuel Girard announced in November that anxiety and depression led to alcohol abuse and to him seeking treatment from the program. Girard returned in mid-December.

Nichushkin was away from the team in the playoffs last season for what the team explained at the time were personal reasons. He missed the final five postseason games of a first-round loss to Seattle.

His absence started after officers responded to a crisis call at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle the afternoon before Game 3 on April 22. A 28-year-old woman was in an ambulance when officers arrived, and medics were told to speak with an Avalanche team physician to gather more details.

The report, obtained at the time from the Seattle Police Department by The Associated Press, said the Avalanche physician told officers that team employees found the woman when they were checking in on Nichushkin. The physician told officers the woman appeared to be heavily intoxicated – too intoxicated to have left the hotel “in a ride share or cab service,” and requested EMS assistance. – Associated Press

Jan. 12: Chicago Blackhawks sign Nick Foligno to two-year extension

Gritty forward Nick Foligno, 36, landed a two-year, $9 million extension from the Chicago Blackhawks. He had been acquired with Taylor Hall from the Boston Bruins last summer to surround No. 1 pick Connor Bedard with veteran leadership and was making $4 million this season. He ranked fourth on the Blackhawks with 17 points, including five power-play goals, and second with 39 penalty minutes.

“The impact Nick has already had on our team in such a short time is a testament to his work ethic and dedication to helping the players around him succeed,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. 

Foligno is out with a fractured finger after fighting New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith, whose hit had given Bedard a broken jaw.

Jan. 10: Anaheim Ducks claim Gustav Lindstrom off waivers

The Anaheim Ducks were in need of a defenseman after trading Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week. Gustav Lindstrom, 25, claimed from the Montreal Canadiens, is a right shot like Drysdale, 21, though he doesn’t have his offensive upside. Lindstrom has 29 points in 142 career games, compared to 45 in 123 for Drysdale. Lindstrom’s best season is three goals with Montreal this season and 13 points in 2021-22 with the Detroit Red Wings.

Jan. 8: Toronto Maple Leafs sign William Nylander to eight-year, $92 million extension

His $11.5 million cap hit, which kicks in next season, will place him second on the team behind Auston Matthews (league-record $13.25 million) and ahead of John Tavares ($11 million) and Mitch Marner ($10,903,000). Those four will take up 53% of the projected $87.7 million salary cap. Marner and Tavares will be unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2025.

According to The Athletic, the contract includes $69 million in signing bonuses and has a full no-movement clause in all eight years.

Jan. 8: Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers make trade

Cutter Gauthier, 19, voted the top forward at the world junior championships for gold-medal-winning USA, is heading to Anaheim for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick. Both were top-six draft picks. Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said the Boston College forward wasn’t interested in signing with Philadelphia, and he called Drysdale, 21, a ‘pretty special’ and ‘exciting’ player. Drysdale is the first year of a three-year contract but missed all but eight games last season and has played only 10 games this season because of injuries. He had 32 points in his lone full season.

Jan. 6: Chicago Blackhawks place Connor Bedard, Nick Foligno on injured list, add two forwards

The Chicago Blackhawks placed star rookie Connor Bedard and forward Nick Foligno on the injured list Saturday. Bedard suffered a fractured jaw on a hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith and Foligno broke his finger in a subsequent fight with Smith. The Blackhawks now have nine players on the injured list.

With the Blackhawks in need of healthy players, they acquired forward Rem Pitlick from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2026 seventh-round pick. He has spent this season in the American Hockey League. They also claimed forward Zach Sanford off waivers from the Arizona Coyotes. He has two points in 11 games this season.

Also: Devils All-Star forward Jack Hughes, who left Friday’s game early, sat out Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury. … Los Angeles Kings goalie Pheonix Copley had season-ending ACL surgery.

Jan. 4: Calgary Flames’ Oliver Kylington takes step toward return from season off

The Calgary Flames sent defenseman Oliver Kylington to a conditioning assignment with the Calgary Wranglers, a key step in his return from taking more than a season off for personal reasons. ‘I feel I’m in a good place with my mental health and ready to take another step forward,’ Kylington said in a statement. ‘Returning to Calgary has been the right decision.’ Kylington, 26, set career highs in 2021-22 with nine goals, 22 assists and 31 points, but returned to Sweden last season. He began skating in Calgary last month. ‘We are so happy that he has made positive progression with his mental well-being, and we will continue to support Oliver through this process,’ general manager Craig Conroy said.

Also: The San Jose Sharks announced that defenseman Matt Benning had hip surgery. He’s expected to miss the rest of the season but be fine for training camp. … Montreal Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak will have season-ending surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. … Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Nieto (knee surgery) will be out six to eight weeks.

Jan. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs send down goalie Ilya Samsonov

The Toronto Maple Leafs loaned veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers. They called up Dennis Hildeby. Samsonov, 26, has struggled in his second season with the Maple Leafs, recording a 3.94 goals-against average and .862 save percentage. He has given up 17 goals in his last three games and was pulled in one of them. Samsonov filed for salary arbitration last summer and was awarded a $3.55 million contract. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres assigned Eric Comrie to Rochester (New York) of the AHL after he cleared waivers. The Sabres had been carrying three goalies this season. Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen remain with the Sabres. Comrie is 1-5-0 this season.

Dec. 28: New Jersey Devils send down goalie Akira Schmid

The New Jersey Devils, who have lacked consistent goaltending this season, sent Akira Schmid to Utica (New York) of the American Hockey League. Schmid, 23, helped the Devils win their first-round series last season, but is 5-7-1 with a 3.26 goals-against average and .893 save percentage. Coach Lindy Ruff wants him to play more games and ‘get into a rhythm.’

‘Our goalies can give us more saves at times,’ Ruff said. ‘But we haven’t been as good a team in front of our goalies, either, so it’s kind of a two-way street.’

Nico Daws, who has returned from hip surgery, will back up Vitek Vanecek.

Dec. 28: Washington Capitals sign defenseman Ethan Bear

Ethan Bear will average $2.0625 million for the two-year deal. He is coming off shoulder surgery and had been working out with the Capitals. Bear, 26, has 16 goals and 47 assists in 251 career games with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers. He kills penalties and blocks shots. The Capitals could be getting additional help, too, because offseason signee Max Pacioretty (Achilles surgery) has resumed skating.

Dec. 27: Carolina Hurricanes recall veteran goalie Antti Raanta

The Carolina Hurricanes recalled veteran goalie Antti Raanta from a two-game stint in the American Hockey League. Raanta, 34, went 1-0-1 with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage with the Chicago Wolves during his first AHL appearance since the 2019-20 season. Raanta was sent down after seeing his numbers drop to a 3.61 goals-against average and a .854 save percentage from last season’s 2.23 and .910. He is fourth to last in MoneyPuck’s goals saved against expected. Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to get the start Wednesday in Nashville. Carolina reassigned goaltender Yaniv Perets to the Norfolk (Virginia) Admirals of the ECHL.

Dec. 22: Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard cleared to practice after stint in assistance program

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association said defenseman Samuel Girard has been cleared to resume practicing with the Colorado Avalanche after spending time in the player assistance program. Girard, 25, had announced last month through his agent that his severe anxiety and depression had gone untreated too long and had led to alcohol abuse. He now is in the aftercare phase but hasn’t been cleared to play in games.

Also: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six-game suspension to Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron for cross-checking Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub in the head. Perron, who had been reacting to an injury to captain Dylan Larkin, has served the six games and was set to return in Friday’s game.

Dec. 19: Banged-up Detroit Red Wings sign goalie Michael Hutchinson to NHL contract

Tuesday was a good day for Michael Hutchinson: He got himself an NHL contract, five days before Christmas.

The one-year, two-way contract (worth $775,000 at the NHL level) came about because the Detroit Red Wings need Hutchinson’s services at least through the end of the week; neither Ville Husso nor Alex Lyon is available, leaving James Reimer the lone goalie standing. Husso is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Coach Derek Lalonde described it as, ‘Ville will be unavailable to us for a while here.’ He added: ‘Alex, I do not see him available to us till probably after Christmas.’

Husso was injured in the first period of Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Lyon suffered an upper-body injury Saturday night in Philadelphia. The Red Wings play three games before the three-day holiday break.

– Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Dec. 18: Ottawa Senators fire D.J. Smith, name Jacques Martin interim coach

Jacques Martin was hired earlier this season by the Ottawa Senators as a consultant for coach D.J. Smith. Now, he will run the team on an interim basis after Smith was fired on Monday.

Martin, 71, is the Senators’ all-time leader in coaching wins during the regular season (341) and playoffs (31). Daniel Alfredsson, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, was named an assistant coach, replacing Davis Payne.

Smith, who had never finished better than sixth in the division, was fired amid a four-game losing streak that included blown leads in the last two. The Senators sit in last place in the Eastern Conference.

‘I think we’re all looking for more consistency, more detail to our game, more structure,’ president of hockey operations Steve Staios told reporters.

Also: Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. … The Boston Bruins loaned forward Matthew Poitras to the Canadian national team for the world junior championships.

Dec. 16: Carolina Hurricanes place goalie Antti Raanta on waivers

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed veteran goalie Antti Raanta on waivers a day after he gave up six goals in a loss to the Nashville Predators. He cleared waivers and was sent to Chicago of the American Hockey League on Sunday. Carolina recalled ECHL goalie Yaniv Perets, who won an NCAA title with Quinnipiac last season. Raanta, 34, who gave up eight goals in a loss last month to the Tampa Bay Lightning, has seen his numbers drop to a 3.61 goals-against average and .854 save percentage from last season’s 2.23, .910 and is second to last in MoneyPuck’s goals saved against expected. Pyotr Kochetkov has been the better goalie since No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen was sidelined with a blood-clotting issue. Andersen remains out indefinitely.

Dec. 15: Seattle Kraken acquire forward Tomas Tatar from Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche receive a fifth-round pick in the trade. The Kraken rank near the bottom of the league in scoring, and they’re hoping for the Tomas Tatar of previous seasons, not this season. He’s a seven-time 20-goal scorer who has just one goal this season after not getting a free agent contract until September. But he’s a veteran of 810 games with 212 career goals, including 50 on the power play. He’ll help Seattle deal with injuries among its forwards. The team placed Jaden Schwartz on long-term injured reserve.

In a depth trade Friday, the San Jose Sharks acquired center Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Nick Cicek and a sixth-round pick.

Dec. 15: Columbus Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine suffers fractured clavicle

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine, who has had problems recently staying healthy, will be out six weeks after suffering a fracture clavicle during a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced Friday. He left the ice holding his shoulder in the second period after he was tripped by Toronto’s William Lagesson and slid into the boards. Laine had scored his sixth goal of the season during the first period. He was in his second game back after missing three games with an illness. He missed nine games early this season with a concussion and also was a healthy scratch once. Last season, Laine was limited to 55 games by injury or illness and played only 56 the season before.

Dec. 12: St. Louis Blues fire coach Craig Berube, name Drew Bannister as interim

General manager Doug Armstrong said he started having sleepless nights after a Dec. 8 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the short-handed Detroit Red Wings rallied to hand St. Louis its fourth consecutive loss, Armstrong fired Craig Berube and named Drew Bannister, head of their American Hockey League affiliate, the interim coach. ‘Your mind is starting to work when you’re everybody’s homecoming game,’ Armstrong told reporters on Wednesday, a day after making the move.

Coaching changes have turned around the fortunes of the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild this season, and Berube took a last-place Blues team to the 2019 Stanley Cup title after his midseason hire. Bannister isn’t necessarily the coach for the rest of the season, though. Armstrong said he is looking for a full-time coach but didn’t have a timetable on when he’ll make a hire.

The Blues rank near the bottom of the league in power play and goals per game. They traded Robert Bortuzzo and waived Jakub Vrana, who’s headed to the AHL with Mackenzie MacEachern being recalled. Armstrong said he and the players share in the blame for the team’s performance. ‘Nobody should feel safe in our group,’ he said.

Dec. 8: New York Islanders acquire St. Louis Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo

The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Robert Bortuzzo from the St. Louis Blues on Friday in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The trade was announced after the team said Ryan Pulock (lower body) was going on the injured list, joining fellow defensemen Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho. Bortuzzo, 34, won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 but has been limited to four games this season and often was a healthy scratch. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Dec. 7: Nashville Predators’ Tyson Barrie discusses trade request

Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie knew he was about to be uncomfortable with the questions that were going to come his way Thursday, ones about him requesting a trade after being a healthy scratch last weekend. About the Predators granting him permission to talk with other teams.

‘I’m trying not to really air it out in the media,’ Barrie said.

As much as he might have wanted to, Barrie didn’t exactly bury any hatchets, either.

‘Well, if we’re getting into it, I’m in the stands so it doesn’t really feel like a great fit,’ he said. ‘My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that’s here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide.’ – Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean

Dec. 6: Detroit Red Wings announce when Patrick Kane is expected to make debut

Star Patrick Kane is scheduled to make his Detroit Red Wings debut on Thursday at home against the San Jose Sharks, coach Derek Lalonde told reporters. Kane was signed last week to a one-year, $2.75 million contract after offseason hip resurfacing surgery. Lalonde plans to play him with former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat and will try the pair with different centers. Kane’s minutes will be monitored. ‘There’s a lot of unknowns still there so we’ll all be patient with it and kind of let it play out a little bit,’ Lalonde said.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres acquired winger Eric Robinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2025. The fourth-liner has 82 points in 266 career games, including one goal in seven games this season. The Blue Jackets later placed defenseman Adam Boqvist, goalie Elvis Merzlikins and forward Cole Sillinger on the injured list. Boqvist (shoulder) is expected to miss four weeks. … The Toronto Maple Leafs announced defenseman John Klingberg will have season-ending hip surgery. He signed a one-year, $4.15 million deal in the offseason but hasn’t played since Nov. 11. The Maple Leafs, also missing defensemen Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren, are looking for a replacement through a trade. ‘It’s no secret we’ve investigated what the market is, what those costs could be,’ general manager Brad Trevling told reporters. … Jacques Martin, who has been a head coach for nearly 1,300 NHL games (692 with Ottawa), was named an advisor to the Senators’ coaching staff.

Dec. 4: Winnipeg Jets sign Nino Niederreiter to three-year extension

He’ll average $4 million in the contract that kicks in next season. He is the third player signed long-term since the Jets moved out Pierre-Luc Dubois and Blake Wheeler during the summer, following Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. Niederreiter, 31, is tied for fourth on the Jets with six goals and is sixth with 14 points.

Dec. 1: Simon Nemec called up amid New Jersey Devils’ issues on defense

Simon Nemec, the No. 2 pick of the 2022 NHL draft, made his NHL debut after being called up amid the team’s major absences on defense. He played 22:38, had two assists and three shots, and was a minus 2 in the 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Before the game, the Devils announced that top defenseman Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely after having surgery on his left pectoral muscle. Also, defenseman Brendan Smith was suspended for two games for slashing Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny. He will forfeit $11,458.34 in pay and Konecny was fined $5,000 for his cross-check on Smith. The Devils also announced that forward Tomas Nosek had surgery on his right foot.

Also: The Montreal Canadiens and goalie Sam Montembeault agreed to a three-year, $9.45 million extension. The Quebec native had been claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers in 2021

Nov. 30: Vancouver Canucks acquire defenseman Nikita Zadorov

The Vancouver Canucks got stronger on defense by adding rugged 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. The Canucks gave up the fifth-round pick they acquired a day earlier in the Anthony Beauvillier trade, plus a 2026 third-round pick. Calgary’s return doesn’t seem high for a player who led the Flames in hits and is going to a division rival, but Zadorov had requested a trade and is a pending unrestricted free agent. The Flames, who have pushed closer to a playoff position after a tough start, also have forward Elias Lindholm and defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev in the final years of their contracts.

Nov. 28: Chicago Blackhawks waive Corey Perry, trade for Anthony Beauvillier

The Chicago Blackhawks placed Corey Perry on unconditional waivers on Tuesday in order to terminate his contract. The team said it determined that Perry ‘engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.’ The Beauvillier trade happened later. The Vancouver Canucks, who acquired Beauvillier last season in the Bo Horvat trade, will receive a fifth-round draft pick. More important for Vancouver, the Blackhawks take on his entire $4.15 million cap hit, giving them flexibility before the trade deadline. Beauvillier, a winger like Perry, has two goals and six assists in 22 games this season.

Perry issued an apology Thursday for his ‘inappropriate and wrong’ behavior.

BLACKHAWKS: More details on why Chicago is cutting ties with Corey Perry

Nov. 28: Detroit Red Wings sign Patrick Kane

The one-year, $2.75 million deal will reunite Patrick Kane with Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat, his former linemate on the Chicago Blackhawks. DeBrincat had two 40-goal seasons while in Chicago. The question is how Kane will perform after hip resurfacing surgery during the offseason.  Though recent videos showed Kane going through intense workouts, Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom is taking a leave of absence to determine his future after having the same surgery during the 2022 offseason. Considering Kane wanted to play for a contender, that says something about his faith in the Red Wings’ direction after they try to end a seven-year playoff drought. Daniel Sprong is giving up his No. 88 for Kane and will wear No. 17 instead.

Also: The Buffalo Sabres loaned rookie goalie Devon Levi to Rochester (New York) of the American Hockey League. He had been in a three-goalie system with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Eric Comrie and his numbers were down from the strong start he had last season after leaving Northeastern University. The move allows Levi to see more action than he would in the NHL. “We’re super excited about Devon, believe in him,’ general manager Kevyn Adams told reporters on Wednesday. ‘This is an opportunity for him to get in a rhythm, get sharpened up.”

Nov. 27: Minnesota Wild fire coach Dean Evason, hire John Hynes

John Hynes is back in the NHL after being hired to replace fired Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason on Monday. The Wild made the switch after a 5-10-4 start in which the team struggled defensively and especially on the penalty kill. Hynes, who knows Wild general manager Bill Guerin from their days in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, was a midseason replacement previously with the Nashville Predators. He was fired last summer after missing the playoffs. He also coached the New Jersey Devils and has a 284-255-63 NHL record, making the playoffs four times.

Nov. 25: Chicago Blackhawks’ Corey Perry to be away from team for foreseeable future

Corey Perry will be away from the Chicago Blackhawks for the foreseeable future, general manager Kyle Davidson said Saturday. Perry, 38, hasn’t played since a 3-2 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. He was a healthy scratch for the last two games.

“It’s been a team decision so far to hold him out, and that’s about all I’m able to provide,” Davidson said.

In a statement provided to Hockey Night in Canada, Pat Morris, Perry’s agent, said the forward stepped away from the team to attend to personal matters.

Perry was acquired from Tampa Bay in a June trade, then agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract. He has four goals and five assists in 16 games. His absence comes as the Blackhawks deal with a series of injuries among their forwards. Taylor Hall, another offseason acquisition, is scheduled for right knee surgery on Monday in Minnesota. – Associated Press

Also: The New York Islanders claimed veteran defenseman Mike Reilly off waivers from the Florida Panthers and placed defenseman Adam Pelech (upper body) on long term injured reserve.

Nov. 24: Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard enters mental health treatment

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard is entering the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program. He announced through his agent that his severe anxiety and depression had gone untreated too long and had led to alcohol abuse.

‘Taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance, and I encourage everyone to speak up and seek help should you feel like you need it,’ he said in a statement.

Girard, 25, has played all but five games of his seven-year NHL career with the Avalanche and had a career-best 37 points last season. He had one goal and three assists through 15 games this season and had missed the past two games for personal reasons.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the team supports Girard going to get help.

“You’ve got to take care of yourself first before you’re able to come and help a team,’ he said.

Nov. 24: Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness returns from leave of absence

Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness returned behind the bench Friday for the first time since he took a leave of absence on Oct. 23 after his wife Judy had a seizure. He said she’s doing as well as expected with her new medication and will stay with their children when he’s on the road. Associate coach Scott Arniel went 9-2-2 in Bowness’ absence. The Jets beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 with Bowness behind the bench.

Also: Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson played his 10th NHL game on Friday, meaning he’s staying in the league and not being returned to his junior hockey team. Benson scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday with a spectacular move. … The Washington Capitals said forward T.J. Oshie won’t travel with the team after a hard collision in Friday’s 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Nov. 23: Chicago Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall to have ACL surgery

Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall, the former No. 1 overall pick who was acquired to mentor and play alongside rookie Connor Bedard, will have ACL surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

‘It came from an accumulation of a bunch of little injuries from the game and even in practice the other day,’ coach Luke Richardson told reporters. ‘It became unstable and we need to fix it.’

SABRES: Rookie Zach Benson scores first NHL goal in spectacular fashion

Hall had been limited to 10 games (four points) this season because of injuries.

“It’s heartbreaking — someone that loved to play so much and every game is so impactful, such a good hockey player and such a good person,’ Bedard said.

The Blackhawks also placed forward Andreas Athanasiou (groin muscle) on the injured list and called up Joey Anderson and Cole Guttman.

Nov. 17: Florida Panthers activate Brandon Montour, Aaron Ekblad

The defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers got off to a 10-5-1 record even with key absences. Now, they’re getting defensemen Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad back, activating them from the injured list after they recovered from offseason surgery for playoff injuries.

Montour set a franchise record for points by a defenseman (73) and was their top-scoring blueliner in the playoffs. Ekblad, like Montour a right-hand shot, was taken No. 1 overall in the 2014 draft. Defenseman Josh Mahura went on the injured list to make the salary cap situation work.

Nov. 12: Edmonton Oilers fire coach Jay Woodcroft

The Edmonton Oilers fired coach Jay Woodcroft on Sunday after a 3-9-1 start and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, the Hartford Wolf Pack coach and Connor McDavid’s former junior hockey coach. That’s the third recent move with a connection to three-time MVP McDavid. His agent, Jeff Jackson, was hired earlier as CEO of hockey operations and the team also signed his former junior hockey linemate Connor Brown.

McDavid said Monday he was surprised by the move and said Woodcroft ‘never lost the room.’

The Oilers were a trendy pick to go far in the playoffs, but have disappointed this season. Last season’s No. 1-ranked offense is 26th this season, with McDavid possibly slowed by an injury that cost him two games. Their goaltending issues have been worse. Jack Campbell was sent to the American Hockey League in the second year of his five-year contract. Stuart Skinner, a rookie of the year finalist last season, ranks last in the league in goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.

Knoblauch – and newly hired Oilers legend Paul Coffey coaching the defense – will be tasked with getting the Oilers back to a playoff spot. There’s precedent: Woodcroft went 26-9-3 down the stretch in 2021-22 as a midseason replacement and led the team to the Western Conference final. 

Also: The Colorado Avalanche announced that goalie Pavel Francouz (lower body) will miss the rest of the season. He has yet to play in 2023-24 and will return to the Czech Republic to be with his family. The team also signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal.

Nov. 10: Pittsburgh Penguins to retire Jaromir Jagr’s number

Jaromir Jagr, drafted fifth overall in 1990, won Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons and ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,079 points in 806 games. He played 11 seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Washington Capitals. He ranks second all-time in NHL history in points and fourth in goals. His No. 68 will be retired on Feb. 18.

Nov. 8: Minnesota Wild trade Calen Addison to San Jose Sharks, acquire Zach Bogosian from Tampa Bay Lightning

Addison was sent to the San Jose Sharks for forward Adam Raska and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The defenseman is a power play specialist, but he is unreliable in his own zone. That led to him being a healthy scratch often down the stretch last season. With the Wild getting Jared Spurgeon back soon from injury (he was activated from long-term injured reserve on Friday), the power play opportunities will dwindle. Addison will be more valuable to the Sharks, who dealt Erik Karlsson last summer. He will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Bogosian lacks Addison’s offense, but the veteran takes care of his end of the ice. He’s a right-handed shot, like Addison.

“He’s a big guy,’ Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin told reporters. ‘He still skates well. He brings heaviness. He brings some grit and we need that.”

The trade buys the Lightning a little bit of salary cap breathing room. Bogosian, in the final season of a three-year contract, has a $850,000 cap hit.

Nov. 7: Edmonton Oilers place goalie Jack Campbell on waivers

Campbell, who signed a five-year, $25 million free agent deal in 2022, hasn’t played well since arriving. Stuart Skinner surpassed him last season and was a rookie of the year finalist. This season, Campbell was chased in the season opener and has gone 1-4 with a 4.50 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. He cleared waivers and will work on his game in the American Hockey League as the struggling Oilers try to get into a playoff spot. Edmonton recalled Calvin Pickard from Bakersfield (California) to back up Skinner.

Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche sign defenseman Devon Toews to seven-year extension

He’ll average $7.25 million in the deal, which begins next season. Heading into the season, Toews led the league with a +120 plus-minus rating since he was acquired from the New York Islanders in 2020. He’s right behind defenseman Cale Makar in average ice time during that time.

Oct. 10: Carolina Hurricanes acquire forward Callahan Burke from the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Caleb Jones

The Hurricanes loaded up on defense this offseason and Jones was the odd man out. Both players will play for the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles.

Fitting that Patrick Mahomes provided a weather forecast as he looked ahead to the first official road playoff game of his NFL career on Sunday at not-so-balmy Buffalo.

Just the thought of a trip to western New York in January might be an intimidation factor for many. But not for Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Not after they played last weekend in the coldest game ever at Arrowhead Stadium, when it was minus-4 degrees at kickoff, with a wind-chill factor of minus-27 degrees that registered as the third-coldest game in NFL history.

‘It’s not minus-30 this week,’ Mahomes said, speaking wind chill, when he met reporters during a midweek press conference.

The Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will resume what has become a classic rivalry on Sunday night (6:30 ET) in the best matchup of the NFL divisional playoffs. This, a week after Buffalo’s playoff opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed for a day as the region dug out from a blizzard.  

‘I’m sure it’ll be like minus-3 or minus-4 and it’s going to be windy and cold,’ Mahomes added. ‘It’s a great challenge. But I don’t know if it beats the cold that we played in this last week.’

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No, with temperatures projected for the low 20s, the weather won’t be the story this time. The plot thankfully revolves around Mahomes and Josh Allen, the star quarterbacks determined to push their teams to the AFC title game amid the possibility of more memorable drama. 

The last time these teams met, in Week 14 at Arrowhead, the Chiefs seemed to be on the verge of a stunning comeback as a remarkable, impromptu, cross-field lateral pass from Travis Kelce to Kadarius Toney resulted in a would-be 49-yard, go-ahead touchdown play. Only the effort was nullified because Toney lined up offsides, fueling the worst reaction we’ve ever seen from Mahomes, who went ballistic in expressing his displeasure with the officiating.

The last playoff matchup between the teams came in a divisional playoff two years ago, when Mahomes drove the Chiefs to a game-tying, 49-yard field goal in just 13 seconds to force overtime, then led a 75-yard march in OT for the winning touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. Talk about heartbreak. The Bills were 13 seconds from their first AFC title game since the Jim Kelly-Bruce Smith teams of the ’90s.

Now, with the past five games of the series played at Arrowhead, comes Buffalo’s big chance for revenge on its own turf at Highmark Stadium. And while the Chiefs have lacked the prolific consistency on offense that they’ve had in recent years (see the NFL-high dropped passes), the Bills have built tremendous momentum down the stretch with a six-game winning streak.

Maybe it’s some sort of poetic justice. For Mahomes to win his first road playoff game, he has to win in Buffalo, of all places.

‘Even though I know it’s going to be hostile, there are going to be people talking trash and those kinds of things, I’m excited for it,’ Mahomes said. ‘It’s one of the best environments in football.’

Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs remarkably hosted the past five AFC Championship games, is a rather inviting environment, too. Yet this playoff test on the road was bound to happen one of these days. Of course, the Chiefs have played in three ‘neutral site’ Super Bowls, although Mahomes seemed to suggest that the Super Bowl 55 loss in Tampa was actually a road game against the Bucs — albeit with reduced capacity during the pandemic.

In any event, Bills Mafia will be in full force on Sunday.

‘I think it will be a different type of energy from their fan base,’ envisioned Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. ‘Especially for them. The Chiefs coming in. The last time we played them in the playoffs we beat them. So, it’s a lot of revenge going on there. A lot of tables going to be lit on fire, smashing of tables. Should be electric.’

The teams have split their six matchups since 2020 featuring Mahomes and Allen, with each of the past three games decided by six points or fewer. The Chiefs, though, won both of the playoff games.   

One thing is certain: They know each other. And not just because Bills coach Sean McDermott once worked in Philadelphia in an entry-level job as Andy Reid’s administrative assistant. The familiarity comes more from the competition.

‘It seems like we’ve played each other 100 times over the past five years,’ Mahomes said. ‘It’s a little bit of doing the same stuff and doing different stuff. You want to do what you’re best at, but you want to trick the defense a little bit.

‘Same for them. Both sides. So, at the end of the day, you change it up a little bit, you go out there and try to do your best stuff. They know you, you know them. And see who wins that day.’

Jim Irsay’s latest crisis

The revelation reported by the IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, this week that Carmel, Indiana, police suspected Jim Irsay had a drug overdose when he was found unresponsive, cold and breathing abnormally at his home on Dec. 8, brought to mind a comment from the Indianapolis Colts owner in late July as he addressed the stalled contract talks with running back Jonathan Taylor.

‘If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us,’ Irsay said in July. ‘The league goes on. We know that. The NFL rolls on. It doesn’t matter who comes and who goes, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.’

The Colts said in a statement that Irsay, 64, is recovering from a ‘severe respiratory illness,’ and GM Chris Ballard told reporters last week that the team owner’s condition is stabilized.

Nonetheless, the latest incident for a man who recently told HBO’s ‘Real Sports’ that he has been in rehab programs at least 15 times in battling drug addiction, raises questions about the succession plan for the Colts without Irsay.

He has three daughters, each of whom is a vice chair/owner. Of the three, Carlie Irsay-Gordon is most involved with the day-to-day operation of the team and had a major role teaming with COO Pete Ward in running the franchise in 2014. That year, Irsay was suspended six games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy, stemming from his guilty plea for DWI.

Is it possible that rather than levy a fine or suspension, the NFL will push Irsay to relinquish control of the franchise? Stay tuned.

What happened to the Eagles, Part II

This, too, factors into the Philadelphia Eagles’ plummet after a 10-1 start: Haason Reddick. Or more specifically, how the premier edge rusher was used after Matt Patricia took over the play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

Reddick, who had 16 sacks in 2022, tallied 11 sacks in Philly’s first 13 games this season. In the five games since Patricia took over, Reddick had zero sacks. In four of those games, he didn’t even have a quarterback hit. What happened?

Similar to how the Arizona Cardinals tried to employ Reddick when he was lost as a non-factor early in his career, Patricia dropped the team’s best pass-rusher into coverage rather than playing to his strength. And that didn’t work, either, as Reddick had exactly zero pass breakups.

Say what about Brock Purdy?

Amy Trask, the former Oakland Raiders CEO, raised some eyebrows in the Bay Area with a comment on her ‘What the Football’ podcast with co-host Suzy Shuster. In previewing the divisional round, Trask said: ‘Four games. Eight quarterbacks. Seven terrific quarterbacks, and Brock Purdy.’

Trask’s former team moved to Las Vegas in 2020, but perhaps there’s still residual bad blood flowing between the 49ers and their old cross-the-Bay rival.

Love, Stroud efficiency ratings: Unlocking the mystery?

From the Department of Extreme Coincidence come the passer ratings for the two quarterbacks who sizzled in their playoff debuts during the Wild Card round last weekend, Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Houston rookie C.J. Stroud. Both chalked up efficiency ratings of 157.2. How did that happen?

They both completed 16-of-21 passes, with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Stroud threw for 274 yards; Love 272. There’s still some sort of deep mystery for deciphering the equation for a perfect passer rating of 158.3, but now we know what gets one to 157.2.

Road teams’ rally cry

The four teams traveling in the divisional round have combined to win 10 consecutive road games. The Packers and Bucs have both won three straight away from home; the Chiefs and Texans are carrying two-game streaks. Naturally, this fuels a rallying cry.

‘I think road games kind of fit the mold and identity of this team — backs against the wall in a different environment and only counting on each other,’ said Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, headed to raucous Ford Field in Detroit.

‘I think it just fits who we are.’

Todd Helton won’t need nearly as much staying power to earn election to baseball’s Hall of Fame than he exhibited in a 17-year career.

Helton, one of the game’s most dominant hitters at the turn of the century, is on the verge of reaching the 75% plateau required for induction, a tribute to a 10-year stretch in which he batted at least .300 and averaged 30 homers and 108 RBI per season.

While Helton called Coors Field home for each of his 17 seasons, his wizardry with the bat stretched far beyond altitude-aided home games. While playing half his games at sea level certainly dimmed some supporters from including him, Helton is getting closer every year.

He clocked 72.2% of the vote in his fifth year of eligibility, and once again should be right on the fence in this, his sixth shot. Long overdue? Let’s examine.

The case for Todd Helton

Helton played in a hitter’s haven, and his career peak coincided with the heart of baseball’s steroid era, which both affected the perception of his production and made it difficult to stand out. Those are two reasons why he never finished higher than fifth in National League MVP balloting.

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That was in 2000, when Helton produced his greatest season, leading the majors in hitting (.372), slugging (.698), OPS (1.162), doubles (59) and RBI (147). The Rockies finished 82-80 and fourth in the NL West, and Helton ceded the 1-2 spots in that MVP race to Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds of the first-place Giants.

Helton also had to take a number behind future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza and Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds. Yet that MVP race might have been litigated in a different manner in this era, since Helton led the NL in Wins Above Replacement (a career-best 8.9, 75% better than Piazza’s 5.1 and markedly better than Kent’s 7.2 and Bonds’ 7.7).

That year was Helton’s best, but it was not atypical.  Between 1998 – as a 24-year-old rookie – and 2007, Helton’s batting average landed between .302 and .372. He won a pair of batting titles and even though he played in massive and mile-high Coors Field, his adjusted OPS was 144 in that span, with four seasons at least 65% better than league average.

The peak was excellent. But the total resume lacked a statistical magic number that would have ensured enshrinement already.

The case against

Helton finished with 2,519 hits and 369 home runs – excellent numbers, but far from mind-blowing for a first baseman, especially considering his home park. His .316 career average, .414 OBP and .953 OPS are all Hall-worthy, but those numbers fell to .287, .386 and .855 in road games.

In 2002, after Major League Baseball began storing baseballs used at Coors Field in a humidor, Helton’s home run total fell to 30, after slugging 42 and 49 in the previous two seasons. Helton never hit more than 33 from his age 28 season until the end of his career.

Helton remained an excellent all-around hitter, posting a 165 adjusted OPS in both 2003 and 2004 before it dipped to 117 in 2006. Helton’s last great season – a .922 OPS and 61 extra-base hits in 2007 – resulted in the Rockies’ lone World Series trip in franchise history.

In his final six seasons, he retained his elite on-base profile, with a .373 OBP, but averaged just 11 home runs per 162 games, dropping him to near league-average in adjusted OPS. He retired at 39.

Voting results

Helton has made huge leaps since debuting with just 16.5% of the vote in 2019, pushing that number to 44.9% by 2021 and 72.2% last year. He fell 11 votes shy of the 292 required to reach 75%.

Realistic outlook

It’s not a stretch to suggest this is Helton’s year. He’s gained support as younger voters are added to the rolls, and is clocking 83.5% support in publicly revealed votes compiled by Ryan Thibodaux’s ballot tracker.

Privately-held voters tend not to be so generous, and Helton will again be right on the bubble this year. Yet as he begins the second half of his ballot eligibility, it’s definitely a matter of when, and not if, Helton is enshrined.

The multiple Grammy winner was all over social media ahead of Saturday’s game, the NFL’s main accounts included. Got prominent play during the game, too, with NBC’s crew panning to them in a suite, cheering big plays. When the musical superstar was shown on the Jumbotron, fans in the stadium went into a frenzy.  

Yet Eminem’s presence at the Detroit Lions playoff game last weekend didn’t prompt the overheated vitriol that Taylor Swift’s appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games do.

Imagine that.

“That’s the thing that’s disenchanting people with sports now,” Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, now a broadcaster, whined last week. “There’s so much on the outside coming in — entertainment value and different things taking away from what really happens on the field.”

It’s funny — and by funny I mean tiresome and lazy — how a high-profile female fan wrecks the game, while the prominent visibility of male celebrities or team owners at sporting events is accepted without complaint. Celebrated, even. Jerry Jones gets no shortage of airtime even when people aren’t trying to decipher his reactions to his team’s latest playoff meltdown. Matthew McConaughey’s presence at University of Texas games is considered kitschy and fun. Jack Nicholson was as central a figure in the Lakers’ Showtime era as Magic and Kareem.

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But when Swift dares intrude on the NFL, a segment of people lose their ever-loving minds.

Swift has been called “Yoko Ono,” accused of having a negative impact on boyfriend Travis Kelce and, by extension, the Chiefs. She’s been dismissed as a bandwagon-hopper. And in the most ludicrous criticism of all, there are some who’ve suggested she’s using Kelce and the NFL to boost her own profile.

Yes, because the most famous woman on the planet, whose $1 billion-plus Eras Tour helped fuel U.S. consumer spending last year, needs the help.

“There’s still a segment of the culture where football is the sanctuary from femininity, from anything that’s feminized. This is where men get to be men,” said Cheryl Cooky, a professor at Purdue University who studies the intersection among gender, sports and culture.

“Taylor Swift is a scapegoat for all of the male grievances of a shifting gender order in the NFL. And the broader culture,” Cooky added. “This story is, in some ways, not a story about Taylor Swift but a story about fragile masculinity among sports fans and the residuals of old-school masculinity in some corners of fandom.”

The dads, Brads, Chads and Dungys will no doubt shriek at the suggestion they’re thin-skinned because they don’t want their viewing experience “ruined” by Swift. (“I just wanna watch the game!” says Joe Dude, who also thinks the ManningCast is awesome and guffawed at the many close-ups of Andy Reid’s frozen mustache.)

But most female fans will nod knowingly, used to the conditional acceptance of our fandom. We’re asked to explain how we became sports fans, as if the reasons are different than they are for male fans. We have our knowledge tested, literally, to prove we’re legit.

And despite women making up nearly half of the NFL’s fanbase, as we have for the better part of a decade, we’re still treated as an amusement to be indulged.

Imagine only selling men’s merchandise in flannel and XXL sizes, which is essentially what the NFL and other leagues do by shrinking and pinking the offerings for women. There’s a reason Kristin Juszczyk’s designs took off last weekend, and it wasn’t only because Swift wore one of her custom-made coats.

“Women are accepted within the (sports) universe when they’re conforming to some kind of gender norms and expectations,” Cooky said, pointing to cheerleaders and athlete moms. “But women who are in positions of power get treated much differently. If you’re not fitting in the box the NFL and fans want to put you in, that’s when you’re going to experience that blowback.

“Taylor Swift is not just the girlfriend in the booth sitting next to Kelce’s mom and cheering on her man,’ added Cooky, a self-proclaimed Swiftie whose favorite album, Reputation, is centered around Swift’s refusal to accept narratives crafted for her by others. ‘She’s also this really powerful global phenomenon.’

That’s just too much for some men. And, yes, it is almost always men.

These same men claim no one cares about women’s sports and look for any excuse to diminish the accomplishment of a female athlete. Aside from the basic ridiculousness of it all, the larger question is, what’s it to you?

Why does Taylor Swift going to games to support her boyfriend touch such a nerve with you? And why are you angry at her, when it’s the NFL and its broadcasters who are making a spectacle of her presence? Why are you bothered by someone else watching women’s sports? So much so you actively seek out ways to let the world know you are definitely not paying attention. Why do a female athlete’s accomplishments make you defensive?

If these things are truly impacting your ability to enjoy a game, or sports in general, the problem isn’t Swift or anyone else. The problem is you.

“What is the matter with people? The toxic masculinity that shows up in my Twitter timeline, my X timeline, because she’s having fun at a football game. I honestly don’t understand it,” NFL Network host Rich Eisen said earlier this week.

“It’s just like, get over yourselves,” Eisen added. “It’s saying more about you than it is about her.”

Men have never needed permission nor approval to be sports fans. Or anything else, for that matter. Women don’t, either, and that is what’s really bugging the dads, Brads, Chads and Dungys when they see Swift at an NFL game.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

But don’t be surprised if they’re scaling new heights a year from now.

“Proud of them for getting to this moment. This is not a moral victory of just being here – this is not what we set out to do. But this team accomplished a lot this year,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans, who led the Texans to the AFC South title in his first year on the job.

“I’m proud of them, for just the entire year. This wasn’t our moment right now, this wasn’t our time right now.”

But 2024 might be.

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Preseason expectations were next to nil for an organization that hadn’t reached postseason since 2019, had won 11 games total over the previous three seasons and was still, in many ways, picking up the pieces from the franchise-rocking fiasco created by former quarterback Deshaun Watson.

But with Ryans, a Pro Bowl linebacker for the Texans when he was a player, setting the tone, and rookie C.J. Stroud filling the void Watson left, Houston managed to win its division and a playoff round before falling short of its first berth in the AFC championship game. The Texans, now 0-5 in divisional games, will also remain one of four teams that have never played in the Super Bowl.

For now.

“Any time you’ve got a quarterback and a head coach who set the culture, I think the sky’s the limit,” veteran safety DeAndre Houston-Carson told USA TODAY Sports.

However several limitations were present Saturday. Houston managed only 213 yards of offense and was especially inept on the ground (38 yards). The Texans’ only touchdown came on a 67-yard punt return from Steven Sims. They committed 11 penalties, many of the pre-snap variety, for 70 yards. Deadeye kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had a rare misfire on a 47-yard field-goal attempt before halftime. And while the defense limited the damage done by Ravens All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson in a 10-10 first half, he ran for two touchdowns and passed for another after intermission.

“It’s tough to get embarrassed like that,” said Stroud.

“I’m upset right now, but I’m really just blessed looking back on this year, this opportunity we had today to play in front of millions of people.”

And just about everyone in his locker room believes there will be many more chances.

“I think DeMeco set a high, high level of expectations,” Stroud continued. “All in all, we won a lot of games. So I think that set a great foundation.

“I’m gonna continue to work my tail off next year to make the city of Houston proud.”

Added Ryans: “Great job this year with the guys for getting to the divisional round. And now let’s see how we can build off of that and be better next year.”

Here are five reasons why NFL teams should be wary of messing with the Texans in 2024:

C.J. Stroud

The second overall pick of the 2023 draft, he and Ryans formed the first rookie quarterback-coach duo to win a division championship. Stroud showed off sublime ability to throw the ball, leading the NFL with 273.9 passing yards per game and likely would have set several rookie records had he not missed two games with a concussion. And given how he helped revive a flailing organization and elevated what previously projected as an ordinary group of receivers, this offense should only get better with experience and more talent infusion.

DeMeco Ryans

Houston’s fifth head coach since the start of the 2020 season, expect him to be here a while. Savvy and seemingly unflappable, Ryans seemed to imbue those qualities into this team as it won three of four to close the regular season and snatch the division crown from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Continuity can go a long way in the NFL, and the program Ryans is forging appears built to last – and likely to attract other quality players to Houston.

Salary cap

Per OverTheCap, Houston is projected to have $71.4 million to sign free agents this year. That could mean keeping pending free agents like tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Devin Singletary. The Texans could look to upgrade at safety, offensive line and maybe obtain another receiver alongside emergent Nico Collins.

Roster core

Beyond Stroud and Collins, rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., defensive end Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., middle linebacker Blake Cashman and left tackle Laremy Tunsil comprise a promising foundation tied through all of the key spots. Now, Ryans and GM Nick Caserio can continue fleshing out the lineup and building depth without necessarily having to chase need at premium spots.

AFC South

It looks like a tougher division than it did five months ago given the Indianapolis Colts (without rookie QB Anthony Richardson) and Jags barely missed postseason. Yet it might still be the weakest in the AFC, especially with the Tennessee Titans apparently set for a bona fide rebuild. No cakewalk by any stretch, but at least the Texans don’t have to deal with Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills or the AFC North murderers’ row on a regular basis.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

Deebo Samuel’s Saturday night ended prematurely.

The 49ers wide receiver suffered two separate injuries during the first half of San Francisco’s 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Samuel was hit hard during the 49ers’ first drive and had to be evaluated for a head injury. The 49ers cleared Samuel to return, but the versatile wide receiver then sustained a shoulder injury during the team’s second possession.

The 49ers originally deemed Samuel questionable to return in the second quarter.

The 49ers later downgraded Samuel to out in the third quarter due to the shoulder injury. He was seen walking around the 49ers’ sideline with a hoodie on during the second half. Samuel’s night ended with two catches for 24 receiving yards.

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Samuel missed a couple regular-season games this year because of a shoulder injury.

The NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 13 had 60 catches, 892 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, plus 225 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in 15 regular-season games this season.

Samuel’s absence was a big loss for San Francisco’s high-powered offensive attack. He’s one of the best playmakers in the NFL. The 49ers had the second-ranked offense in the NFL during the regular season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the 49ers don’t know the severity of Samuel’s injury.

‘I don’t know yet. He tried to come back but couldn’t do it,’ Shanahan said. ‘We’ll see (Sunday).’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

“I don’t know what led me to it,” Jackson said.  

His second rushing touchdown of the game gave the Ravens a three-score advantage over the Houston Texans. Momentum carried him well out of the field of play. The All-Pro quarterback reemerged with a mob of his teammates near the stands. Jackson and left tackle Ronnie Stanley posed for the eager multimedia specialists. Rookie receiver Zay Flowers met him near the Baltimore sideline with a skyward leap, and Jackson carried the ball the whole way.

“I don’t know where he was going, but I was just following him,” said Stanley, who was the lead blocker on the touchdown. “That’s just our job: go where the quarterback goes.” 

Jackson and the Ravens were another subpar half of football away from potentially facing a long offseason, one filled with questions about their postseason impotence. By the start of the fourth quarter, Jackson made sure any possible naysayers would remain inside the woodwork – and why he’s about to win his second MVP award. 

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The No. 1 seed Ravens defeated the No. 4 Texans on Saturday, 34-10, in the AFC divisional round. They’ll host the winner of the Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills next Sunday in the conference’s title game. It’s the deepest Baltimore has advanced with Jackson as its quarterback and will mark the first time an AFC Championship Game will take place in Baltimore since the Colts hosted it in 1971. 

“I thought Lamar was going to play great, but he’s played great all year,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “Just now, it’s more important than ever.” 

Jackson finished with four total touchdowns. For the second time in his career, Jackson had two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores in a game. The 2019 MVP was 16 of 22 for 152 yards through the air. He rushed 11 times for 100 yards and became the first quarterback in NFL history with three 100-yard rushing performances in the postseason. 

But it wasn’t pretty the whole time. Jackson had 52 passing yards in the first half, which ended with the Ravens going three-and-out on three consecutive possessions. The score was tied at 10, Jackson was sacked three times. A positive for Baltimore was that Jackson managed 50 rushing yards on six attempts. In the locker room at halftime, Jackson did most of the talking. His message included lots of profanity, he said. 

“We were rusty. It was cold as heck out there,” Jackson said. “Everything played a factor. But the thing I’m proud about our team is that we came out in the second half and did what we were supposed to do: points on the board.” 

Kick returner Devin Duvernay – back from injured reserve – jolted the Ravens at the start of the second half by taking the kickoff out to the 45-yard line. Jackson waltzed into the end zone six plays later on a 15-yard designed quarterback draw up the middle. He shrugged off a near-interception on the play before and previously completed three throws in rhythm to advance Baltimore into the red zone. 

The key second-half adjustment for the Ravens’ offense, Harbaugh said, was making sure Jackson was focusing on completions rather than forcing the ball downfield in chunks. They also saw an opportunity to catch the Texans by surprise with designed runs. Houston didn’t sack Jackson once in the second half.

“We were on our heels there at the start of the second half, then Lamar pretty much just took it over,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He made some exceptional plays, and we couldn’t get him down.”

As the Ravens maintained a 17-10 lead, Jackson delivered the knockout punch. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Jackson rolled right and it looked like another quarterback run. But Jackson pulled up and floated a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, who caught his sixth touchdown since taking over for the injured Mark Andrews. Earlier in the drive, Jackson converted a 4th-and-1 near midfield by executing a naked boot to the left for a gain of 14. The drive went for 93 yards over 12 plays and took 7:03 off the clock. 

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL divisional game

“I think that was the turning point of the game for us,” right tackle Morgan Moses said. “That breaks a defense’s will, right there. It took us all four quarters. But that’s football.” 

If that was the knockout punch, Jackson’s final touchdown was for good measure. His tunnel run started at the 8-yard line and gave the Ravens a 31-10 lead with 6:20 to go. 

“I’m grateful that I’m playing with him and not against him,” All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith said. “Because trying to deal with him dropping back, nothing’s there, he takes off. Or something’s there, he’s dropping it off there, it’s hard to game plan. You can’t really emulate (that) in practice.”  

The defense certainly did its part. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud looked uncomfortable all game and the Texans’ offense notched three points, as their lone touchdown came on a punt return in the second quarter. Stroud, who should secure the Offensive Rookie of the Year honors next month, said he has admired Jackson for a while. 

“Lamar’s a dog,” Stroud said. “I’ve been a fan of his since high school, really. … It’s really an honor to share the field with a player like that. He’s a generational talent, he’s a helluva quarterback.” 

Jackson completed passes to eight different receivers; Flowers led the team in targets (five), catches (four) and receiving yards (41). Running backs Justice Hill (13 rushes, 66 yards) and Gus Edwards (10 rushes, 40 yards) helped put the game on ice in the fourth quarter – as did the newest Raven, running back Dalvin Cook (eight carries, 23 yards). 

Four years ago, the Ravens found themselves in a similar spot. Jackson was the MVP. They were the No. 1 seed. And the Tennessee Titans shocked them at home. Postseason questions have followed Jackson, who entered with a 1-3 career playoff record, and the Ravens since. 

“You know I heard that,” Jackson said of the criticism. “I see it. I don’t even have to hear it. I see it. But I really don’t care about what people say. I’m trying to win.” 

Now Jackson’s two wins away from his ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl – and silencing those doubters forever.

It wasn’t pretty, but Brock Purdy got it done.

Purdy led a 12-play, 69-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to help the San Francisco 49ers survive in a 24-21 victory.

The Green Bay Packers had a 21-14 advantage entering the fourth quarter after three lead changes in the third quarter. But momentum started to swing San Francisco’s way when Packers kicker Anders Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal wide left midway through the final period.

Purdy and the 49ers conducted what wound up being the game-winning touchdown drive after Carlson’s missed field goal.

The Packers had a chance to tie or take the lead on their final possession with under two minutes in the fourth quarter, but Jordan Love tossed an ill-advised pass over the middle to Christian Watson that was intercepted by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

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Love had 194 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. Packers running back Aaron Jones produced 108 rushing yards.

Purdy, who had an inconsistent performance, passed for 252 yards and one touchdown, but he missed multiple throws.

Greenlaw and Fred Warner led the 49ers defense. The star linebacker tandem combined for 15 tackles, and Greenlaw had two interceptions.

The 49ers’ victory means they have advanced to three consecutive NFC Championship games.

Who do the 49ers play next?

The 49ers will play the winner of Sunday’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Detroit Lions game.

The 49ers beat the Buccaneers 27-14 in Week 11 and are 20-6 all-time against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers won their lone playoff meeting.

The 49ers are 38-27-1 all-time against the Lions. The teams are 1-1 in the playoffs. – Mike Brehm

49ers get game-sealing interception

Jordan Love tried to force a pass to Christian Watson  and it turned disastrous for Green Bay. Love threw across his body to Watson and 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw got in front of it to intercept the pass with 52 seconds remaining in the game. – Tyler Dragon

49ers 24, Packers 21: Game-winning touchdown drive

The 49ers went on a 12-play, 69-yard touchdown drive after Green Bay’s costly field goal miss.

Brock Purdy had an inconsistent game, but he had his best drive of the night when the 49ers needed him most. Purdy completed six passes during the 12-play drive, including one on third-and-5 to extend San Francisco’s series. The game-leading touchdown was scored on running back Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard touchdown run up the right side with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. – Tyler Dragon

Packers miss field goal attempt

Packers kicker Anders Carlson had a chance to give Green Bay a seven-point lead with 6:21 left, but his 41-yard field goal attempt went wide left. The rookie went 27-for-33 during the regular season. – Mike Brehm

Packers 21, 49ers 17: Interception leads to 49ers field goal

The 49ers weren’t able to convert an interception into a touchdown, but they were able to walk away with three points. 

LB Dre Greenlaw intercepted Packers QB Jordan Love and returned it to Green Bay’s 48-yard line. But Purdy and the 49ers weren’t able to get anything going on offense. They settled for a 52-yard field goal to bring them within four points of the Packers. – Cydney Henderson

Packers 21, 49ers 14 (END OF THIRD QUARTER)

A wild third quarter featured 22 total points and three lead changes.

The Packers ended the quarter with a 21-14 lead. Wide receiver Bo Melton caught a 19-yard touchdown and Green Bay had a big 73-yard kickoff return by Keisean Nixon to help lift them to an advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The Packers had seven total first downs in the third quarter.

The 49ers’ lone touchdown of the quarter came on a 39-yard run by running back Christian McCaffrey.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw an interception toward the end of the quarter. San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw was the recipient of the INT. – Tyler Dragon

Packers 21, 49ers 14: Keisean Nixon’s big return leads to Packers TD

Two-time All-Pro return man Keisean Nixon nearly wasted a 73-yard kick return.

Nixon accelerated by 49ers special teamers on a kickoff return, but had the football poked loose from him inside San Francisco’s 30-yard line. Luckily for Nixon, out of nowhere Packers’ Eric Wilson dove on the football and recovered it safety at the 49ers’ 20-yard line.

Four plays later, Packers quarterback Jordan Love tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft. The Packers then successfully converted a two-point conversion to take a 21-14 lead with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter.

There have been three lead changes in the last three possessions.

Nixon has 97 yards on two returns. Nixon’s return was the Packers’ longest kick return in playoffs since Desmond Howard’s 99-yarder in Super Bowl 31 vs. the Patriots following the 1996 season, per the AP. – Tyler Dragon

49ers 14, Packers 13: 49ers take lead on Christian McCaffrey’s 39-yard TD run

The 49ers answered right back with a score of their own. They marched 75 yards down the field in only four plays to take a 14-13 lead over the Packers. San Francisco did so with two of their best players: tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey. 

Kittle broke a tackle during a reception from QB Brock Purdy for a 32-yard gain into Packers’ territory. On the next play,  McCaffrey made a defender miss and ran the ball 39 yards to the end zone. – Cydney Henderson

Packers 13, 49ers 7: Packers take advantage of pass interference

The Packers took full advantage of a 41-yard pass interference penalty on San Francisco.

On third-and-15, 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas interfered with Packers wide receiver Bo Melton. As a result of the penalty, the football was placed on the San Francisco 19-yard line. One play later, Melton capped things off by catching a 19-yard touchdown to give Green Bay a 13-7 lead in the third quarter.

Melton’s route and Green Bay’s play design completely fooled San Francisco’s secondary on the touchdown. – Tyler Dragon

49ers’ Deebo Samuel ruled out with shoulder injury

Deebo Samuel’s night ended prematurely. The wide receiver suffered two separate injuries in the first half Saturday night. Samuel was hit hard during the 49ers’ first drive and had to be evaluated for a head injury. The 49ers cleared Samuel to return, but the versatile wide receiver then sustained a shoulder injury during the team’s second possession.

The 49ers originally deemed Samuel questionable to return in the second quarter. They later downgraded Samuel to out in the third quarter due to the shoulder injury. He was seen walking around the 49ers’ sideline with a hoodie on during the second half. Samuel’s night ended with two catches for 24 receiving yards. – Tyler Dragon

49ers 7, Packers 6 (HALFTIME) 

The 49ers are heading into the locker room with a 7-6 halftime lead over the Packers. It could have been larger if it weren’t for San Francisco kicker Jake Moody’s 48-yard field goal being blocked by Packers DL Colby Wooden in the final seconds of the half. 

The first half marked multiple missed opportunities for both teams. Packers QB Jordan Love couldn’t find the end zone in three trips to the red zone and safety Darnell Savage Jr. dropped a sure-fire interception that could have been returned for major yards, if not a pick-six. Love has 10 completions for 115 yards so far in the contest and Aaron Jones has rushed for 49-yards.  

The only touchdown of the first half came from QB Brock Purdy’s 32-yard touchdown to tight end George Kittle. Purdy has completed 10 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown, but he’s been without receiver Deebo Samuel, who exited the game in the first quarter to be evaluated for an injury. Although he was cleared to return, he injured his shoulder later. 

49ers 7, Packers 6: Packers opt for field goal after drive stalls in red zone 

The Packers are settling for another field goal. 

Kicker Anders Carlson booted a 29-yard field goal to bring the Packers within one point of the 49ers. 

Receiver Romeo Doubs caught a 22-yard pass on his tippy toes near the sideline to put the Packers at the 49ers’ 9-yard line, but their drive stalled in the red zone after a run for no gain, pass for -2 yards and an incomplete pass.  – Cydney Henderson

49ers 7, Packers 3: Brock Purdy connects with George Kittle

The 49ers are on the scoreboard.

After a quiet first quarter, the 49ers drove 86 yards down the field in 12 plays and scored a touchdown in their first possession in the second period.

San Francisco scored on its first big play of the night. Brock Purdy passed deep to tight end George Kittle for a 32-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 7-3 lead.

Kittle has two catches, a team-high 41 yards and a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Purdy’s up to 91 passing yards.  – Tyler Dragon

Packers’ fourth-down tush push falls short in red zone 

The 49ers defense made a defensive red zone stand against the Packers.

Green Bay looked poised to add to the their three-point lead, but they were stopped inches short of a fourth down conversion. On fourth and 1 at San Francicsco’s 14-yard line, Packers quarterback Jordan Love attempted a tush push to get a first down. Although it looked close, referees marked the ball just short and the chains confirmed that. 

The 49ers took over on downs. – Cydney Henderson

Packers 3, 49ers 0 (END OF FIRST QUARTER)

The Packers have a 3-0 lead and ended the first quarter in San Francisco territory.

Green Bay connected on a 29-yard field goal on its opening drive and controlled most of the first quarter. The Packers tallied 111 total yards compared with just 22 yards by the 49ers.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love ended the quarter with 68 total passing yards. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs had one catch for 38 yards.

The Packers possessed the football for 11 minutes and 47 seconds in the first period. – Tyler Dragon

49ers WR Deebo Samuel evaluated for head injury, cleared to return

49ers receiver Deebo Samuel was cleared to return to the team’s divisional round playoff matchup against the Packers after sustaining a hit to the head.

With 5:35 remaining in the first quarter, Samuel caught a short 9-yard pass from QB Brock Purdy and appeared to be injured on the play when Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander came in to finish the tackle. 

Samuel was taken into the blue tent to be evaluated for a head injury before he was clears. He had two receptions for a team-high 24-yards. – Cydney Henderson

Packers 3, 49ers 0: Green Bay gets field goal on opening drive

The Packers had a promising opening drive going, but it stalled in the red zone.

Green Bay’s first series covered 58 yards in 14 plays. However, Jordan Love’s pass on third-and-8 from San Francisco’s 11-yard line fell incomplete in the end zone.

The Packers had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by kicker Anders Carlson to give them a 3-0 lead with 7:22 left in the first quarter.  – Tyler Dragon

Kristin Juszczyk designs another game-day fit after viral Taylor Swift jacket 

Kristin Juszczyk, the wife of San Francisco 49ers All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk, is back with her latest creation. 

After going viral last week for creating Taylor Swift a custom puffer jacket featuring the name and No. 87 number of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Kristin Juszczyk showed up to Levi’s Stadium in a custom red two-piece suit with her husband’s No. 44 on it. She also designed a corset for model Olivia Culpo, the fiancé of RB Christian McCaffrey. 

“You guys have made this week one of the best weeks of my life,” Kristin Juszczyk wrote on Instagram. “Let’s finish it with a W!” – Cydney Henderson

A familiar playoff rivalry

The Packers vs. 49ers divisional playoff matchup marks the 10th playoff meeting between the two teams. It’s the most playoff matchups between any two teams in NFL history. The 49ers hold a 5-4 edge over Green Bay in the two teams’ playoff series.

Packers vs. 49ers game time

The Packers vs. 49ers divisional playoff game is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Packers vs. 49ers how to watch

The Packers-49ers playoff game will be televised on FOX. Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (analyst) will broadcast the game, with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi reporting from the sidelines.

What are the predictions for Packers vs. 49ers?

Lorenzo Reyes: Packers 24, 49ers 22 — This, admittedly, is a bit of a risk, but Green Bay’s offense is playing hyper-efficient ball with Jordan Love conducting the offense. The downfield passing game is thriving and San Francisco’s secondary is something of a weak spot. The Packers can also run the ball quite well, so with rain potentially in the forecast, I think Green Bay is playing hot enough for the upset here. That said, the Niners are very talented so as tempting as the Packers on the moneyline sounds, taking the points is the safer play. Tyler Dragon: 49ers 28, Packers 17 — The 49ers have an all-time 5-4 postseason record against the Packers. Expect San Francisco to increase it to six wins. Jordan Love and the Packers had an impressive win in Dallas last week, but the 49ers pose a different challenge. The 49ers have a formidable defense and an offense that imposes its will against opposing defenses. The 49ers averaged a league-high 6.6 per play in 2023. The defense held opponents to 44 red zone drives, the fewest in the NFC. The road to Las Vegas is going through San Francisco in the NFC. Safid Deen: 49ers 27, Packers 23 — Can the Packers force Brock Purdy to turn the ball over and Kyle Shanahan to abort his game plan? It’s likely, but a tall task. The 49ers have been to two straight NFC title games and won’t let the Packers ruin their chance to reach a third. Victoria Hernandez: 49ers 28, Packers 21 — A lot of this game will depend on how healthy the 49ers were able to get with the first-round bye. Brock Purdy had a stinger and Christian McCaffrey had an injured calf that he said he would have played through if he had to. San Francisco is the better team on paper and will probably continue their march to another NFC championship appearance. But that nearly 10-point spread doesn’t bode well against an energized Packers team that put up 48 points on the Cowboys’ defense. Jordan Mendoza: 49ers 27, Packers 23 — The 49ers and Packers have given fans some classic playoff games − especially in recent memory − but the playoff series has recently been owned by San Francisco. Jordan Love was near-perfect against the Cowboys, but it’s a tough ask to do the same against a top-tier defense in the 49ers. Green Bay keeps in closer than most think, but the 49ers prevail against a pesky team to advance. The spread seems wide, so there’s no issue in picking the Packers to cover. 

What is the weather forecast for Packers vs. 49ers?

Rain is expected during the game with a temperature in the high 50s.

Who is favored? San Francisco 49ers or Green Bay Packers? 

The top NFL betting apps favor the 49ers over the Packers in their divisional playoff game.  

Packers vs. 49ers spread 

The 49ers are 10-point favorites over the Packers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. 

Packers vs. 49ers over-under

The over-under is 50.5, according to BetMGM.

Packers vs. 49ers moneyline

San Francisco is a -5000 favorite on the moneyline. Meanwhile, Green Bay is a +375 underdog, according to BetMGM.

Jordan Love trying to do something Aaron Rodgers couldn’t 

The Packers’ succession of quarterbacks shared some fascinating playoff results. 

Brett Favre could never beat the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs (0-3), but managed to go 4-1 against the San Francisco 49ers. 

Aaron Rodgers went 3-0 in playoff games against the Cowboys, but could not defeat the 49ers (4-0). 

With last week’s wild-card win over the Cowboys, Jordan Love already did something Favre couldn’t in the playoffs. In this week’s divisional playoff, Love will attempt to do something Rodgers failed to do in the postseason … defeat the 49ers. 

Brock Purdy aims to continue postseason success 

Just a few months removed from being the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Brock Purdy had helped the 49ers reach the NFC championship game. 

He helped the 49ers win playoff games over the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys before a torn ligament in his elbow in last season’s NFC title game ended the 49ers’ hopes of defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. 

With a win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Purdy can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons, joining Ben Roethlisberger (2004-05), Joe Flacco (2008-09), Mark Sanchez (2009-10) and Russell Wilson (2012-13). 

Purdy’s follow-up season to his nearly out-of-nowhere rise in 2022 has been sensational. Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback in more than 20 years to throw for more than 4,000 yards (4,280) or at least 30 TDs (31). He led the NFL with a 113 passer rating and his 9.6 yards per attempt were the most in the NFL for a qualifying QB since Kurt Warner had 9.9 in 2000. 

Packers injury report 

The Packers will be without backup linebacker Kingsley Enagbare (knee). Cornerback Jaire Alexander (ankle), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck), running back AJ Dillon (neck) and punter Daniel Whelan (illness) were listed as questionable on the Packers’ injury report. 

49ers injury report

The 49ers will be without starting defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee). Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) was listed as questionable on the 49ers’ injury report. 

Packers vs. 49ers history 

The 49ers and Packers have met 72 times before Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game, with the Packers holding a 38-33-1 (including playoffs) edge in the series dating to 1950. The Packers and 49ers enter this season’s divisional playoff game tied with the New England Patriots for the most all-time postseason victories with 37. This year’s divisional playoff game marks the 10th time that the Packers and 49ers have met in the playoffs, which is the most of any other matchup. The 49ers hold a 5-4 edge over the Packers in the two teams’ playoff series. This historic playoff rivalry includes two matchups in the NFC championship game (1997 and 2019 seasons) and one of the classic wild-card games, ‘The Catch II.’ 

Here are the results of the previous Packers-49ers playoff games: 

1995 NFC divisional playoff: Packers 27, 49ers 17 1996 NFC divisional playoff: Packers 35, 49ers 14 1997 NFC championship game: Packers 23, 49ers 10 1998 NFC wild-card playoff: 49ers 30, Packers 27 2001 NFC wild-card playoff: Packers 25, 49ers 15 2012 NFC divisional playoff: 49ers 45, Packers 31 2013 NFC wild-card playoff: 49ers 23, Packers 20 2019 NFC championship game: 49ers 37, Packers 20 2021 NFC divisional playoff: 49ers 13, Packers 10 

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