LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[January 24, 2017] Jan 23 (The Sports Xchange) - Fresh off another dominant performance by the Atlanta Falcons, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will reportedly meet again with the San Francisco 49ers again on Friday about their head coaching vacancy.

Shanahan is in his second season as offensive coordinator with the Falcons, who averaged an NFL-best 33.8 points per contest and are headed to the Super Bowl after dismantling the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

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Linebacker Jamie Collins agreed to a new four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns after being traded to Cleveland from the New England Patriots during the regular season.

The terms of Collins' contract were not released by the team, but multiple outlets are reporting the deal is worth $50 million.

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Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins will play in his first Pro Bowl as the replacement for Atlanta Falcons MVP candidate Matt Ryan, who is headed to his first Super Bowl.

With Julio Jones, Ryan's No. 1 target, also bound for Houston, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was selected as his replacement for the NFC.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also is headed to the Super Bowl, opening the door for Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals to be named to the AFC team.

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Heading to their record ninth Super Bowl, the New England Patriots opened as three-point favorites over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, according to Las Vegas sports books.

The bookmakers also eyeing an offensive explosion on Feb. 5 in Houston. The over-under started at 57 or 58 on Sunday after the NFC and AFC title games, but ESPN.com reported that it was quickly bet up to 59 or even 59.5 at some books.

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, seeking his fifth Lombardi Trophy, admits he and counterpart Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons communicate regularly with each other.

The Patriots and Falcons will meet in Houston at NRG Stadium for Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5.

"We've kind of kept in touch over the years," Brady said Monday morning during his weekly interview on sports radio WEEI in Boston. "I'm always sending him texts over the course of the season and vice versa. I have a lot of respect for Matt. I like him a lot as a person, as a player, as a leader."

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A New England Patriots fan pleaded not guilty to pulling a fire alarm at the Pittsburgh Steelers' team hotel 15 hours before Sunday night's AFC Championship Game.

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The Philadelphia Eagles addressed their lone vacant position by agreeing to terms with Mike Groh as the team's wide receivers coach.

Greg Lewis served as the Eagles' wide receivers coach prior to the team coming to terms with Groh, who is the son of former New York Jets coach Al Groh. (Editing by Frank Pingue)

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