Jeff Ulbrich, who served as the Jets interim coach for the final 12 games, was interviewed for the permanent coaching position.

On Oct. 8, after Jets owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh following a 2-3 start, Ulbrich, who was the defensive coordinator, became the team’s interim coach. Johnson hoped Ulbrich would ignite a spark and lead Gang Green to the playoffs. However, Saleh’s firing had the opposite effect.

Under Ulbrich, 47, the Jets went 3-9, finishing 5-12 and in third place in the AFC East for the second consecutive season. Gang Green was the preseason favorite to win the AFC East.

“First of all, wanted to thank the Johnson family for the opportunity to be the head coach of the Jets even though it was an interim basis,” Ulbrich said last week. “It was a great honor. One of the great honors of my football career.

“I want to thank this fanbase. It’s one of the great fanbases in this game; passionate, all in, and wish I could have done more for them. I want to thank the coaching staff in this building, the support staff, unbelievable in a very trying year, stayed the course and unwavering support at all times, and then finally want to thank these players because, amazing locker room in the face of real football adversity, they stayed together, they stayed the course. They finished in a way that they should all be proud of and for that, I’m forever grateful.”

Ulbrich became the Jets defensive coordinator in 2021 after Saleh was hired. Before that, Ulbrich was a 10-year linebacker for the 49ers and an assistant coach for the Seahawks, UCLA, and the Falcons.

After Ulbrich was made interim coach, he also maintained his duties as defensive coordinator. However, it appeared that wearing dual hats was too much for Ulbrich, and the Jets’ defense suffered because of it.

Prior to becoming the Jets interim coach, Ulbrich had no head coaching experience at any level. Although the Jets defense finished third overall in yards allowed (313.8) this season, it finished 20th in points allowed (23.8), which was worse than the previous season (20.9).

After the 40-14 loss to the Bills on Dec. 29, Ulbrich was asked to evaluate Aaron Rodgers‘ performance, and his response was jaw-dropping.

“Honestly, I didn’t get to see a whole lot of the offense,” Ulbrich said. “I was doing a lot of defensive adjustments, especially that first half and a good part of that third quarter. So, we’ll see when I get a good look at the tape.

In addition to that and his questionable game management decisions, the Jets lost six games in which they were leading in the fourth quarter. Gang Green also committed 137 penalties in 2024, which led the league.

In hindsight, Ulbrich said if he could do it over again, he would not be both the defensive coordinator and coach.

“I would much rather have the ability to go from offense to defense to special teams,” Ulbrich said. “There’s moments, especially on gameday, where I’m busy being a defensive coordinator where my resources might be better equipped at being the head coach, just at certain times within games, and there’s times definitely where being a head coach can get in the way of prepping for defense for me, and vice versa.”

The Jets began interviewing candidates during the final few games of the season. Ulbrich said having other candidates in the building wasn’t uncomfortable while the Jets were preparing to win games.

“There’s things that I need to improve on, and there’s things that I got to take a critical look at myself and find the spaces where I can improve those,” Ulbrich said. “I’m far from perfect, and I’m excited about that opportunity to really, with a fine-tooth comb evaluate every decision.”

Ulbrich is the ninth known candidate to interview for the Jets coaching job. Ron Rivera, Mike Vrabel, Rex Ryan, Mike Locksley, Aaron Glenn, Matt Nagy, Darren Rizzi, and Steve Spagnuolo were all previously interviewed for the position.

Johnson hired The 33rd Team in November to help identify candidates for both the general manager and coaching positions. This was after Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas after five-plus seasons.

The Jets have interviewed 13 candidates for their general manager vacancy.

The Kansas City power couple named the baby girl Golden Raye Mahomes, they announced together Monday on Instagram.

Patrick and Brittany, both 29, were already parents to Sterling, 3, and Bronze, 2. They previously said their third baby would be their last.

“I’m done. I’ll say that,” Patrick said in July when asked about balancing his busy life with the couple’s children. “I said three and I’m done.”

The Mahomes family announced Brittany’s third pregnancy in July. While Patrick would normally be busy on Sundays, he led the Kansas City Chiefs to a bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs, so he and Brittany could focus fully on the baby.

After the Chiefs clinched the bye on Christmas Day with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brittany applauded her husband for “always keeping his promises” in a social media post.

In fact, Patrick hasn’t suited up for the Chiefs since the win in Pittsburgh. He rested during the final regular season game in preparation for the playoffs but will be back on the field Saturday as the Chiefs face the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, meanwhile, now faces the task of replacing a veteran head coach who got MVP-level play out of quarterback Dak Prescott in 2023, despite a disappointing past 13 months that fell short of expectations.

What dominoes will fall due to McCarthy’s availability? It could have a ripple effect on a lot of franchises:

The Cowboys: Presumably Dallas believes it can either land Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, or it has a chance to acquire a general like the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin via trade. Jones could view Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as his next Jason Garrett, but that would be a mistake. Moore’s questionable, pass-heavy play-calling in key spots of Sunday’s Eagles playoff win was the latest reason why. Bill Belichick was long rumored as a fit in Dallas post-McCarthy, but he carries a $10 million buyout at North Carolina until June. It’s also hard to imagine Cowboys players not getting whiplash if Belichick instilled no-nonsense accountability.

The Jets and Giants: If the Giants were able to, they should hire McCarthy tomorrow. His pedigree with quarterbacks, his consistent ability to score points, and his experience running a team all would be immediate upgrades for their program. Co-owner John Mara already recommitted to GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, so this is probably a moot point. Still, the Giants interviewed McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy back in 2020, and McCarthy just went 8-1 against them head-to-head as Dallas’ head coach. It’s worth putting out strong feelers to gauge his interest through back-channels. Frankly, Cowboys GM Will McClay and McCarthy would be a home run duo to hire for any franchise in need of a shift.

The Bears: It’s not crazy to think Chicago’s Williams could immediately flash his No. 1 overall pick pedigree in year two with a quarterback whisperer like McCarthy in his ear, compared to this past season’s learning experience with fired coach Matt Eberflus and fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The NFC North is the toughest division in football, and the Bears have a president in former Big 10 commissioner Kevin Warren who wields a lot of power for a non-football executive. But this would be a better job for McCarthy than New Orleans, Jacksonville or either New York team, it would seem, given that the QB is already in place.

The Raiders: The Lions’ Johnson seems like the clear frontrunner to take over in Las Vegas, where minority owner Tom Brady is trying to help owner Marc Davis build a winner. If Dallas swoops in to court Johnson, however, McCarthy could enter the Las Vegas sweepstakes as a trusted veteran coach who may be able to steady the Raiders’ sunken ship. That could take some convincing of McCarthy, because he’d be more likely to inherit a program that he believes is closer to competing than Vegas. Still, opportunity and money might make a strong enough case.

COMMANDERS NOT A BLUEPRINT

Magic Johnson found the cameras on Sunday night and then told the media not to make Washington’s Wild Card playoff win about him. But it was good timing for the minority Commanders owner to grandstand in the spotlight.

Because it was a good reminder that Washington’s immediate turnaround is about way more even than drafting a new star quarterback in No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. And that is exactly what Daniels is: a star.

The harsh reality for franchises like the Titans, Giants and Raiders – who are selling hope of a single quarterback draft pick like Daniels turning their own operation around – is that Washington improved because it changed everything.

Everything. From the top-down. Owner, general manager, head coach, quarterback and offensive and defensive coordinators.

Owner Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, Daniels, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are wall-to-wall improvements on predecessors Dan Snyder, Martin Mayhew, Ron Rivera, Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy and Jack Del Rio, respectively.

Peters and Quinn also inherited some talent like wide receiver Terry McLaurin, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Finding the quarterback ties it all together, no doubt. But the Houston Texans are another example of why an immediate turnaround – even with a promising young QB – isn’t necessarily replicable.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, is a superstar. Still, he hasn’t done this alone.

Texans GM Nick Caserio used a motherload of draft picks from his trade of former quarterback Deshaun Watson to restock his roster and surround Stroud with pieces once he arrived.

Caserio has drafted wide receiver Nico Collins (third round), edge rusher Will Anderson (first round), corners Derek Stingley Jr. (first round) and Kamari Lassiter (second round), safeties Calen Bullock (third round) and Jalen Pitre (second round) and other key pieces since taking over in 2021.

Getting the quarterback is imperative, but it also takes special circumstances and making the right hires or draft picks to pull a franchise out of the depths and into the light.

AROUND THE PLAYOFFS

Go figure that the recently underwhelming Texans (32) would score the most points of any team on Wild Card weekend. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw more interceptions in L.A’s playoff loss (four) than he had all regular season (three) … Lamar Jackson’s Ravens against Buffalo’s Josh Allen in the upcoming Divisional Round might end up being the game of the year. Neither offense is showing any signs of slowing down. Jackson and Allen are the top two MVP frontrunners, and both quarterbacks are under pressure to finally win in the playoffs. The loser of this game will dwell for a long time on a missed opportunity after an explosive regular season … The Eagles should beat the winner of Monday night’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card game. But if Moore, their offensive coordinator, keeps abandoning Saquon Barkley and the running game – especially in the red zone – they will be eliminated at home … No coordinator has had a bigger impact on his team this season than Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Three interceptions and only 10 points allowed against a solid Packers team, led by first-team All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun, a former special teamer signed and moved inside just this past offseason. … Fangio’s continued success is a reminder of why Michigan DC Wink Martindale could make a return to the NFL in this cycle. Fangrio’s experience, attitude and scheme has transformed and strengthened the Eagles, and Martindale has that effect wherever he goes, too. … The Giants seem to want it both ways with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: no blood on their hands if he leaves, and full confidence in him if he stays. Regardless, no one is spending more time on how Bowen’s status looks to the outside world than they are, that’s for sure.

However, Steeler fans and even former players have been frustrated by the lack of Tomlin’s postseason success, especially after they were defeated by the  Ravens 28-14 in the wild-card game.

Despite speculation from NFL pundits and media members, the Steelers are not expected to move on from Tomlin, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Nor should the Steelers fire or trade Tomlin, who has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any possible move to another team.

During his 18 years as Steelers coach, Tomlin has a record of 183-107-2, including a Super Bowl title in 2008. Since he became the team’s head coach in 2007, the Steelers have never had a losing record.

Tomlin, 52, has an 8-11 postseason record and one Super Bowl championship in 2008. Saturday was the sixth consecutive playoff game the Steelers lost under Tomlin’s watch.

The Steelers defense looked lifeless during most of Saturday’s loss to the Ravens, allowing 299 rushing yards on 50 carries. Baltimore beat Pittsburgh in its own game and out-physical the team at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Pittsburgh’s defense was among the best during the first half of the season. The Steelers allowed 14.8 points and 306 yards per game during their first eight games. However, they allowed 25.6 points and 353.6 yards in their final 10 games, including the playoff loss against the Ravens.

“The defense was horrible, couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t stop the pass, couldn’t do anything right last night,” Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw said during the Fox NFL Sunday pregame. “This doesn’t look anything like the Steeler teams we’ve seen.”

Changes are expected to be made to the Steelers’ coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who was fired during the season, will interview for both coaching and defensive coordinator jobs this offseason.

If the Steelers move on from Austin, Saleh should receive a call from Tomlin for a defensive coordinator interview. It’s probably not the move Pittsburgh fans want to hear, but the grass is not always greener on the other side.

“There were times we weren’t in our games, there were times we didn’t tackle well,” Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward said via the team’s website. “Props to them. Between 22 [Henry] and 8 [Jackson], they had a lot of success.

“I wish we had a better outcome. Guys fought, but you start the game 21-0, didn’t really do ourselves any favors.”

Tomlin has gotten the most from some lackluster rosters during the last few seasons. In 2023, in what many thought would be a down season, Tomlin guided the Steelers to a 10-7 record and a wild-card berth. However, Buffalo quickly extinguished Pittsburgh from postseason play.

Many expected the Steelers to miss the playoffs in 2024, as they were in a division with the Ravens and Browns, who both made the playoffs the previous season and a Bengals team that got Joe Burrow back from injury. But in typical Tomlin fashion, Pittsburgh finished second in the AFC North and made the playoffs, finishing 10-7 once again.

The Steelers did lose five straight games (including the playoffs) to end the season. However, context is essential when discussing whether a team should move on from a coach.

As previously mentioned, Pittsburgh wasn’t considered a contender. Some analysts predicted the Steelers would miss the playoffs and have their first losing record since 2003, when they finished 6-10 under previous coach Bill Cowher. Two years later, Cowher led the Steelers to a championship in Super Bowl XL in 2005.

The reality in the AFC is this: If you do not have a top quarterback, it’s nearly impossible to beat the Chiefs, Bills, or Ravens because all three have elite signal callers (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson). Pittsburgh went to the playoffs the last two years with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and an aging Russell Wilson under center. That’s the equivalent of going into a gunfight at the O.K. Corral with just a water pistol.

Wilson passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens. However, both touchdowns came in the third quarter, when Pittsburgh was down by two scores or more.

During the Steelers’ final four regular-season games, Wilson averaged 174.5 passing yards per game, threw four touchdowns, and committed four turnovers.

Considering the upcoming free-agent class, there is no reason to be optimistic unless the Steelers can sign the best quarterback available.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will be a free agent in March. In 17 games, Darnold passed for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions after leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and a wild-card berth this season.

Darnold is likely the only opportunity for the Steelers to truly upgrade the quarterback in 2025. Aaron Rodgers could be available if the Jets decide to release him with a new regime and likely significant roster changes coming to Florham Park.

Pittsburgh could also use a top receiver option for whoever will be under center next season. If they were to acquire Rodgers, his friend and Jets teammate Davante Adams would also come to the Steelers.

Adams is under contract with the Jets for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, but his $76.7 million is non-guaranteed, and he will have to renegotiate his contract if he stays. On locker clean-out day last week, Adams told reporters he could consider staying with the Jets if Rodgers didn’t return. However, Adams will wait to see what happens with Rodgers before determining whether he wants to return.

This season, Adams registered 85 receptions for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns for both the Raiders and Jets.

“I don’t know what his plans are yet and where that’s headed,” Adams said. “But I would imagine that would have something to do with it.”

Tomlin has a famous catchphrase, “The standard is the standard.” If the Steelers want to regain that standard of competing for championships, they must make both roster and coaching changes.

However, those changes should not include Tomlin, who, year after year, finds a way to get the most out of the Steelers roster.

Daniels, playing with a bandage beneath his right eye after his face was bloodied, became the third rookie quarterback in three years to win a playoff game.

The Commanders (13-5) will face the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions (15-2) in the divisional round.

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (10-8) missed several opportunities and the veteran quarterback committed a critical turnover in the fourth quarter. The Bucs couldn’t get 1 yard on two tries from the Commanders 12 and settled for a field goal to tie the game before Washington’s winning drive.

Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy as rookie QBs to win playoff games in the past three seasons.

Washington hadn’t won in the postseason since beating the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay 17-10 in a wild-card game on Jan. 7, 2006.

By Rob Maaddi

Hurts threw for a modest 131 yards but played with no hesitation in his return from a three-week layoff after a concussion in December. He started strong — six straight completions to open the game — and held off the Packers with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Goedert in the third quarter that will be forever stamped on the franchise’s postseason highlight reel.

Philadelphia’s defense handled the rest.

The Eagles turned a recovered fumble on the opening kickoff into Hurts’ first TD pass three plays later and the defense picked off Jordan Love twice in the first half. Holding a 19-10 lead in the fourth, the Eagles forced a turnover on downs when Green Bay had a fourth-and-3 on its own 41 with five minutes left in the game.

Quinyon Mitchell had one final interception of Love with 1:51 left in the game that sealed the win for the NFC East champions, who’ll host a division game next week at the Linc.

The Eagles had the book on the Packers — and had time for some light reading as wide receiver A.J. Brown flipped through the pages of “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy while on the bench. Brown had one catch for 10 yards.

Love threw for 212 yards and was intercepted three times as he nursed a sore right elbow that was hurt in the regular-season finale against Chicago,

Josh Jacobs ran for 81 yards and a score — and popped Green Bay’s offense with a 31-yard run in the third where he shook off one tackle, had his jersey stretched to his heel by one defender, plowed one more and dragged two more hapless Eagles to the 1-yard line. Jacobs punched it in for the score on the next play and cut it to 16-10.

Aided by an unnecessary roughness flag on Green Bay, Hurts got the Eagles close enough for Jake Elliott to kick a 30-yard field goal for a 19-10 lead. Elliott needed the short kick for a confidence boost after he missed an extra point on Goedert’s touchdown.

Elliott, who struggled with kicks from 50-plus yards this season, added a 32-yarder in the fourth and a 31-yarder in the first quarter.

Saquon Barkley, who led the NFL in rushing with 2,005 yards, had 119 yards in his Eagles’ postseason debut.

The Eagles had the Linc thumping, from the time the public address announcer put a little relish on his command to, “Welcome back to the Eagles lineup, Jalen Huuurts,” to the recovered fumble moments later.

Green Bay’s Keisean Nixon had the ball knocked loose by Oren Burks and it was recovered by Jeremiah Trotter at the Green Bay 28. Hurts needed only three plays to find Jahan Dotson for an 11-yard touchdown.

Darius Slay went over his shoulder for the cornerback to haul in the ball like an elite receiver for an interception and All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun made it two for the Eagles. The Eagles didn’t score off those picks, but did keep the Packers off the board.

Hurts put all immediate questions about his health to rest when he completed his first six passes for 39 yards, including the TD to Dotson. He then missed his next seven going into the half. He didn’t complete another pass until late in the third quarter, then hit seven of his final eight overall, that included the Goedert TD catch.

Brandon McManus, who missed a 38-yard earlier, hit one from 26 yards to make it 10-3 at halftime.

Injuries

Packers: Lost receivers Romeo Doubs (concussion) and Jayden Reed (shoulder), offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins (stinger) and Josh Myers (left leg) and several defenders to injury.

Eagles: LB Nakobe Dean was ruled out quickly after leaving with a knee injury in the second quarter.

Up next

Packers: Season over.

Eagles: Wait to find out if they play Tampa Bay, the Vikings or the Rams.

By Dan Gelston

The Bills methodically wore down the Broncos by scoring on six of their first seven drives in building a 31-7 lead in an outing where they finished with a 23-minute edge in time of possession.

And Buffalo didn’t flinch after rookie Bo Nix capped Denver’s five-play game-opening drive with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin.

With Buffalo leading 13-7, Allen broke the game open with a 24-yard touchdown pass to sliding running back Ty Johnson in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-1 with 3:06 left in the third quarter.

On Buffalo’s next possession, Allen completed a 55-yard pass to Curtis Samuel on the first snap of the fourth quarter.

The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills advanced to the divisional round for a fifth straight postseason, and will face the third-seeded Baltimore Ravens next weekend.

The Ravens, coming off a 28-14 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, routed Buffalo 35-10 at Baltimore in Week 4 this season. The outing will mark the second playoff meeting between Allen and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson after Buffalo defeated the Ravens 17-3 in the 2020 divisional round.

Cook became Buffalo’s first player to top 100 yards rushing in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas had 158 yards rushing in a 1995 wild-card playoff win over Miami.

Allen finished 20 of 26 for 272 yards and increased his playoff total to 23 passing touchdowns, breaking the franchise record of 21 held by Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.

The seventh-seeded Broncos were outclassed in their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015.

Nix finished 13 of 22 for 144 yards in an outing where Denver punted four times and turned the ball over on downs twice.

BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson threw for two touchdowns in a flawless first half, Derrick Henry scored twice while leading Baltimore’s devastating running game, and the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 on Saturday night to advance to the second round of the AFC playoffs.

The Ravens move on to face either Buffalo or Houston after jumping out to a 21-0 halftime lead and holding on against their AFC North rivals. Baltimore had a 19-2 advantage in first downs in the first half, when the Ravens produced touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards,

Henry ran for 186 yards, and Baltimore outrushed the Steelers 299-29. It was the most yards rushing allowed by Pittsburgh in a playoff game, breaking the mark of 232 set by the Oakland Raiders 51 years ago.

Jackson, the two-time MVP still seeking a postseason breakthrough, made it clear from the start he was going to make Pittsburgh (10-8) defend his arm and his legs. He kept the chains moving, and the Ravens (13-5) were happy to advance the ball methodically against a Steelers team that has relied heavily this season on forcing turnovers.

Pittsburgh’s season ends with five straight losses, two of which came in Baltimore. The ending was a familiar story for the Steelers, who have lost six consecutive playoff games. The last three times they’ve been in the postseason, they’ve fallen on the road in games that have exemplified the gap between Pittsburgh and the conference’s true contenders.

The Ravens had 10 touchdown drives of at least 90 yards in the regular season, the most by a team since at least 2000. They started at their own 5 on their first possession and drove 13 plays for a touchdown.

The Steelers have made a habit recently of winning tight games against the Ravens, capitalizing on Baltimore mistakes. The Ravens avoided that problem Saturday, taking few major risks.

They did get creative on the first drive, lining Henry up for a direct snap from center while Jackson came across and faked a sweep. Henry kept the ball for a 34-yard gain. Jackson capped the possession with a 15-yard scoring strike to Rashod Bateman, who was Baltimore’s top healthy receiver with Zay Flowers (knee) unavailable.

Jackson went 16 of 21 for 175 yards and rushed for 81.

Henry made it 14-0 with an 8-yard run with 4:09 left in the half. After a Pittsburgh punt, the Steelers called timeout on third-and-2 from the Baltimore 18, hoping to get the ball back, but the Ravens converted and then quickly moved into position to score.

On second down from the Pittsburgh 5 with 11 seconds left, Jackson nearly used up the remaining time scrambling around, but he eventually dumped the ball off to an open Justice Hill, who went into the end zone with 2 seconds left.

The Steelers drove 98 yards for a touchdown on their first second-half possession, with Russell Wilson throwing a 30-yard scoring pass to Van Jefferson. Baltimore quickly answered when Henry broke free up the middle for a 44-yard TD — Pittsburgh defenders were caught out of position because Jackson faked a run to the left after handing the ball off.

Wilson answered with a 36-yard touchdown strike to George Pickens in the third, but that was it for the scoring. Wilson went 20 of 29 for 270 yards on a night when neither team turned the ball over.

INJURIES

Pittsburgh T Dan Moore Jr. injured an ankle.

UP NEXT

The Ravens need Denver to win at Buffalo on Sunday if they’re going to host a game next weekend. If that happens, Houston would come to Baltimore. If not, Baltimore would head to Buffalo for a matchup between Jackson and fellow MVP candidate Josh Allen.

The Steelers enter the offseason after Wilson and coach Mike Tomlin were able to get them to the playoffs, but a once-promising season ended with a thud.

HOUSTON — Eric Murray returned one of Justin Herbert’s career-high four interceptions for a touchdown, C.J. Stroud threw a TD pass and the Houston Texans rolled past the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in a wild-card playoff game Saturday.

It’s the second straight year Stroud and the Texans (11-7) won in the first round after they beat Cleveland last season.

Herbert threw just three interceptions in the regular season and had never thrown more than two in a game before facing a Texans secondary led by AP All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley, who had two INTs. Kamari Lassiter had the other pick.

The Chargers (11-7), who returned to the playoffs under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, lost in the wild-card round for a second straight time after also losing in the 2022 season to remain without a postseason win since 2018.

Stroud threw for 282 yards with the touchdown pass to Nico Collins and an interception. Collins finished with seven catches for 122 yards. Joe Mixon ran for 106 yards and a score.

Herbert was 14 of 32 for 242 yards with a 40.9 passer rating.

On Saturday, the Jets interviewed Darren Rizzi, who was the Saints’ interim coach and special teams coordinator last season.

They also spoke with five candidates for their vacant general manager position: Lions special assistant to the president and CEO Chris Spielman, Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey, Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark, Bengals senior personnel director Trey Brown, and Vikings senior vice president of player personnel. Ryan Grigson. More candidates are expected to be interviewed as well.

The Jets previously interviewed Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson, Jim Nagy, Louis Riddick, Alec Halaby, Mike Borgonzi, Ray Farmer, and Mike Greenberg for the GM vacancy.

Spielman’s brother Rick and former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum are spearheading the team’s interview process working for The 33rd Team, which owner Woody Johnson hired in November to help identify candidates and coordinate interviews. Johnson fired both Jets coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in the middle of a 5-12 season.

RIZZI’S RESUME

Rizzi, a Hillsdale, New Jersey native, began coaching in the NFL in 2009 when he was hired as the Dolphins’ assistant special teams coach. The following season, Rizzi became Miami’s special teams coach, a position he held until 2019. He was promoted to associate coach along with his special teams duties from 2017-18 before not being retained after Brian Flores became Dolphins coach in 2019.

In 2019, Saints head coach Sean Payton hired Rizzi as the team’s special teams coordinator. In 2022, Dennis Allen promoted him to assistant head coach alongside his special teams responsibilities.

New Orleans handed Rizzi the keys to the castle after the organization made him the interim coach after firing Allen nine games into the 2024 season. The Saints won three of its first four games after Rizzi took over.

However, Saints quarterback Derek Carr broke his hand and suffered a concussion, sidelining him for the season’s final four games. New Orleans finished 5-12 and in last place in the NFC South. Rizzi finished 3-4 as interim coach of the Saints.

Before his stint as interim coach of the Saints this season, Rizzi’s only head coaching experience came when he was the coach at the collegiate level at New Haven (1999-2001) and Rhode Island (2008).

SPIELMAN’S RESUME

Most fans will remember Spielman, 56, as an 11-year linebacker for the Lions and Bills (1988-97). After his playing career ended, Spielman went into broadcasting, working for both Fox Sports and ESPN.

Spielman re-joined the Lions organization in a front-office role in 2021 as a special assistant to president/CEO Robert Wood. He played an essential part in the Lions hiring of GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.

In addition, Spielman has a close working relationship with the Lions’ business and football aspects. He also helps Detroit with college scouting.

On Thursday, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed with the Jets for their coaching vacancy.

GRIGSON’S RESUME

Unlike the rest of the candidates who interviewed on Saturday, Grigson has previous GM experience. After working with the Rams and Eagles as a scout and director of player personnel, Grigson was the Colts’ GM from 2012-16. During that time, the Colts drafted quarterback Andrew Luck (2012) and made three playoff appearances in five seasons.

Grigson, 52, was fired after the 2016 season. He finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. During his time in Indianapolis, he had a 49-31 record.

Following his Colts’ exit, Grigson had stops with the Browns and Seahawks working as an executive and consultant. In 2022, the Vikings hired Grigson as their senior vice president of player personnel, a role he has had ever since.

Many people blame Grigson for failing to protect Luck, which led to his sudden retirement in 2019. But he was named the 2012 NFL Executive of the Year by the Sporting News and Pro Football Writers of America after the Colts improved from a 2-14 record in 2011 to an 11-5 record, a nine-game improvement.

In addition to Grigson, the Jets have requested to speak with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown for the coaching position. So, potentially, Grigson could work with Flores or McCown, two coaches with whom he has relationships.

Minnesota finished with a 14-3 record this season and will play the Rams on Monday night in the NFL Wild-Card Round.

MOUGEY’S RESUME

Mougey is in his second season as the Broncos’ assistant general manager. He helped Denver obtain the seventh seed in the AFC after the team’s defense finished seventh in yards (317.1) and third in points allowed (18.3).

Mougey, 39, has been with the Broncos since 2012 when he was hired as a scouting intern. He has held several positions within the organization, including personnel and scouting assistant, college and pro personnel scout, assistant director of college scouting, and director of player personnel.

Since being promoted to assistant GM in 2022, Mougey has been Broncos GM George Paton’s right-hand man. Both Mougey and Paton helped the Broncos to a 10-7 record this year by selecting players such as Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto, Marvin Mims Jr., and Riley Moss and signing players D.J. Jones and Mike McGlinchey.

NEWMARK’S RESUME

Newmark is in his first season as the Commanders’ assistant GM. He worked with GM Adam Peters and helped the team finish 12-5 and earn the sixth seed in the NFC. He has 28 years of NFL experience, including 26 seasons with the Lions. During his role with the Lions, Newmark served as the senior director of player personnel (2016-21) and oversaw the college and pro scouting operations.

Newmark also was Detroit’s director of college scouting (2015-16), assistant director of college scouting (2008-14), national scout (2005-07), and area scout (1999-2004). He began his NFL executive career with the Chargers, working under then-GM Bobby Beathard, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member.

BROWN’S RESUME

In 2022, Brown, 39, became the Bengals senior personnel executive after he was promoted from his scout position.

Brown has interviewed for an NFL GM job three times: with the Bills in May 2017, with the Raiders in December 2018, and with the Raiders in January 2022. Before joining the Bengals in 2021, Brown was a Patriots scout, the Eagles’ director of college scouting, and worked for the AAF and XFL.

Reportedly, Brown declined an interview for the Patriots GM position last offseason.