Wink Martindale Plans To Stay With Ravens
Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale could draw interest as a head coaching candidate this offseason, but he doesn’t plan on leaving Baltimore. On Thursday, Martindale shrugged off the speculation and reiterated his desire to stay put (Twitter link). 
“I don’t know anything more,” Martindale said. “It doesn’t really matter until you get a call, but we love this city, we love this organization here. It would have to be a dream-type job to take, where you know you can build a winning culture like we have here.”
Martindale, 56, entered the pro ranks back in 2004 when he became the linebackers coach of the Raiders. In 2009, he made a lateral move over to the Broncos before spending the 2010 season as Denver’s DC. After that, he hooked on with the Ravens as their LBs coach in 2012, before being bumped up to the DC title in 2018.
Martindale has lots of defensive knowhow, and an XLVII Super Bowl ring, but has zero head coaching experience. Right now, he says he’s not looking to move up a rung, unless he’s blown away by an offer.
We’ve heard similar talk from other playoff-bound coordinators in the past, only to see them accept head coaching positions elsewhere. If the 13-2 Ravens make a deep playoff run, you can expect to see lots of tempting opportunities come Martindale’s way.
Bengals’ Andy Dalton Aiming To Start In 2020
Andy Dalton isn’t sure where he’ll be in 2020, but wherever he winds up, he intends on starting. Dalton also acknowledges that Sunday’s game could be the final game with the Bengals, but he says it won’t be the final game of his career (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby). 
[RELATED: Andy Dalton Eager To Be Traded In 2020]
When asked if he wants to be a starter next year, Dalton replied, “Yes, absolutely.” It remains to be seen whether he’ll be given that chance – there figure to be plenty of QB-needy teams this offseason, but Dalton’s stock is at an all-time low after a season in which he temporarily lost the starting gig to rookie Ryan Finley.
Dalton was immediately installed as the Bengals’ starter after being drafted in 2011 and guided the team to multiple playoff berths. But, after an 0-8 start this year, he was benched. A few weeks later, he regained the starting job, but he hasn’t fared much better.
With one game to go, Dalton has a sub-60% completion percentage with just 15 touchdowns against a staggering 13 interceptions. On the plus side – he led the Bengals to their lone win this year against the Jets in Week 13 and threw for four TDs (with zero INTs) against the Dolphins on Sunday.
The Bengals can move on from Dalton after this season without any dead money, so he’s unlikely to return to Cincinnati for a tenth year. It’s hard to see Dalton landing a guaranteed No. 1 QB post anywhere, but he could easily land a one-year deal with a low base salary and lots of performance-based incentives.
Steelers Designate Nix, Switzer For Return
The Steelers have designated fullback Roosevelt Nix and wide receiver Ryan Switzer for return from injured reserve. Both players are eligible to practice starting today. 
[RELATED: Big Ben Vows To Return]
The door also opens for them to play in the postseason, if the Steelers qualify. If the Steelers beat the Ravens in Week 17 and the Titans lose to the Texans, they’re in. There are also a few other scenarios that could extend their season.
Nix, 27, is still in the midst of the four-year, $6.975MM extension he inked with the team after his 2017 Pro Bowl campaign. So far this year, he’s appeared in just three games.
Switzer, 25, has been traded twice in his young career. The most recent deal shipped him from Oakland to Pittsburgh, where he’s appeared in nine games. In 2019, he’s caught eight passes for 27 yards while handling some kick and punt returns.
Saints Place Krishawn Hogan On IR
The Saints have placed Krishawn Hogan on injured reserve. Thanks to a hamstring injury, Shead will miss the Saints’ regular season finale against the Panthers and the postseason. 
Hogan joined the Saints’ taxi squad in September and earned a promotion to the active roster in October. In eight games, he saw time on 83 offensive snaps and 77 special teams snaps. Last week against the Titans, he notched the first reception of his NFL career.
Hogan’s roster spot will be filled by veteran DeShawn Shead, who agreed to terms on Christmas Eve. The former Legion of Boomer can play cornerback and safety, a major help for New Orleans’ banged-up secondary.
Without Hogan, the Saints will move forward with Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn, Deonte Harris, and Tre’Quan Smith at wide receiver.
Cowboys Still “Bullish” On Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott hasn’t had a great second half to the season, but Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says he’s as confident as ever in the quarterback. In an interview on 105.3 The Fan, Jones stood behind the Cowboys signal caller. 
“We’ve never blinked on (paying Dak Prescott). We’ve had a very aggressive offer out there every step of the way…I think Dak has given us every opportunity to have success this year. I’m as bullish about Dak as I’ve ever been,” Jones said.
Prescott, 26, has completed 64.8% of his passes this year with 26 touchdowns against eleven interceptions. Those numbers are weighed down by a flat second half. Through the first seven games of the year, Prescott completed more than 70% of his passes with 12 TDs and seven INTs.
In the offseason, you can expect the Cowboys to aggressively pursue a long-term deal with Prescott, though they’ll have to leave enough breathing room for the rest of the gang. That includes wide receiver Amari Cooper, who is hoping to stay in Dallas with a top-of-the-market deal.
In the near term, the Cowboys are hoping that Prescott’s ailing shoulder will be good to go for their regular season finale against the Redskins. Prescott was not on the field for the team’s Christmas Day practice, but he managed to play on Sunday against the Eagles despite being limited throughout the week.
Vikings, George Edwards To Part Ways?
Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards is in the final year of his contract and might not return in 2020, Alex Marvez of SiriusXM (on Twitter) hears. Edwards has been in Minnesota since 2014 and, this year, he’s helped orchestrate one of the league’s better defensive units. 
[RELATED: NFL Playoff Scenarios For Week 17]
In previous years, Edwards has been connected to head coaching vacancies, so it’s not clear whether the Vikings are looking to make a change or if its Edwards that wants to go elsewhere. Last offseason, Edwards interviewed for the Buccaneers’ vacancy that ultimately went to Bruce Arians. In 2018, the Bears sat down with Edwards before hiring Matt Nagy.
Before joining the Vikings, Edwards also spent time as the DC for the Bills and Redskins among his many NFL stops. With one game to go in the regular season, the Vikings rank No. 6 in points allowed and No. 14 in total yards allowed.
Chiefs Place Spencer Ware On IR
The Chiefs have placed running back Spencer Ware on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. To fill his spot on the roster, the club activated defensive tackle Xavier Williams from IR. 
Ware returned to the Chiefs on December 3rd, but his stay was short-lived. At the time, starter Damien Williams was hampered by a rib injury, but he returned to action last week. The Chiefs now have three healthy RBs in Williams, LeSean McCoy, and sixth-round rookie Darwin Thompson.
Ware spent four years with the Chiefs between 2015 and 2018. The LSU product had his best season in 2016, when he ran for 921 yards and three scores on 214 carries. He also added another 33 receptions for 447 yards and two touchdowns that season. Ware sat out the 2017 campaign recovering from a torn PCL and knee damage, and he saw a reduced role for the Chiefs in 13 games last year.
He signed with the Colts back in April, but ankle surgery landed him on PUP, then the free agent pile in September. In this run with the Chiefs, Ware carried the ball 17 times for 51 yards in three games.
The Chiefs will enter the playoffs as the AFC West champions. They still have a outside shot at a first-round bye if they beat the Chargers, but they’ll also need the Dolphins to defeat the Patriots.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/25/19
Christmas edition:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S A.J. Howard
New York Giants
- Signed: FB George Aston
- Released: P Sean Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Tray Matthews
Ben Roethlisberger Vows To Return
Ben Roethlisberger brings Steelers fans good tidings and great news for the holidays. After wishing Merry Christmas to his followers, Roethlisberger vowed to return to the field in 2020. 
[RELATED: NFL Playoff Scenarios For Week 17]
“Contrary to recent reports out there about my football future and my ‘uncertainty’ about playing again, I am working hard and am more determined than ever to come back stronger and better than ever next year!,” Roethlisberger tweeted.
At one point, there were rumblings that the QB had some doubts about playing again. But, earlier this week, ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen heard the Steelers are confident that Roethlisberger will make a full recovery.
Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges held down the fort for the Steelers this year, with mixed results. Rudolph’s shoulder injury landed him on IR earlier this week, so the Steelers will be hitching their playoff hopes to Duck’s wagon in their Week 17 matchup against the Ravens.
Roethlisberger was sharp in 2018 with career-highs in completions (452), pass attempts (675), passing yards (5,129), and touchdowns (34). He also started in all 16 games, something he hadn’t done since the 2014 campaign. On the other hand, he led the NFL with 16 interceptions.
NFL Playoff Scenarios For Week 17
The final week of the regular season is upon us.
Here’s the official rundown of NFL playoff scenarios as we get set for Week 17:
AFC
Clinched:
Ravens – AFC North division & home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs
Texans – AFC South division
Chiefs – AFC West division
Patriots – AFC East division
Bills – playoff berth
Chiefs clinch a first-round bye with:
Chiefs win + Patriots loss
New England clinches a first-round bye with:
Patriots win or tie OR
Chiefs loss or tie
Raiders clinch a playoff berth with:
Raiders win + Steelers loss + Titans loss + Colts win + Raiders clinch strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Steelers*
*Raiders clinch strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Steelers if ONE of the following teams win or tie:
Bears, Lions, Chargers, or Patriots
Steelers clinch a playoff berth with:
Steelers win + Titans loss or tie OR
Steelers tie + Titans loss OR
Titans loss + Colts win + Raiders loss or tie OR
Titans loss + Colts win + Steelers tie Raiders in strength-of-victory tiebreaker*
*Steelers ties Raiders in strength-of-victory tiebreaker if ALL of the following teams win:
Vikings, Packers, Chiefs, and Dolphins
Titans clinch a playoff berth with:
Titans win OR
Titans tie + Steelers loss or tie OR
Steelers loss + Colts loss or tie
NFC
Clinched:
Packers – NFC North division
Saints – NFC South division
Vikings — playoff berth
49ers — playoff berth
Seahawks — playoff berth
Cowboys clinch NFC East division with:
Cowboys win + Eagles loss
Packers clinch a first-round bye with:
Packers win OR
Saints loss OR
Packers tie + San Francisco loss OR
Packers tie + Saints tie
Packers clinch home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Packers win + San Francisco loss or tie OR
Packers tie +San Francisco loss + Saints loss or tie
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-3) (at Carolina (5-10); 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Saints clinch a first-round bye with:
Saints win + Packers loss or tie OR
Saints win + 49ers loss or tie OR
Saints tie +Packers loss OR
Saints tie + 49ers loss OR
49ers loss +Packers win or tie
Saints clinch homefield advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Saints win + Packers loss or tie + 49ers loss or tie OR
Saints tie + Packers loss + 49ers loss
Eagles clinch NFC East division with:
Eagles win or tie OR
Cowboys loss or tie
49ers clinch NFC West division title with:
49ers win or tie
49ers clinch a first-round bye with:
49ers win OR
49ers tie + Packers loss or tie OR
49ers tie + Saints loss or tie
49ers clinch home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
49ers win OR
49ers tie + Packers loss or tie + Saints loss or tie
Seahawks clinch NFC West division with:
Seahawks win
Seahawks clinch a first-round bye with:
Seahawks win + Packers loss
Seahawks clinch home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Seahawks win + Packers loss + Saints loss