NFL Playoffs:

It's the latest game in a postseason rivalry that rose to center stage in the 1990s, with both teams led by legendary quarterbacks in Steve Young and Brett Favre. The rivalry has been renewed multiple times in the 21st century.
Saturday will be the ninth playoff meeting between these teams, tied with the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams as the most common playoff matchup in NFL history. The squads have split the previous eight meetings, with the 49ers riding a three-game postseason win streak that dates back to 2012.

San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel created his own position:

Soon after the Niners wrap up stretching and transition to a special teams period, Samuel finds himself with the only opening in his daily practice schedule. With that time, Samuel sidles up to coach Kyle Shanahan for a chat.
It happens before every practice, and the topic of conversation ranges from how Samuel is feeling to the upcoming session to the next opponent. On a recent afternoon, Samuel brought up his son -- Tyshun Raequan Samuel Jr. -- who was born on Dec. 27 but is apparently already showing signs of following in his father's footsteps.

Ranking best NFL head-coaching hires since 2017:

Sometimes, you guys make it easy for me. Wasting time on Twitter the other day, I put up a poll asking voters to pick the best coaching hire of the past five years. I listed four options and could have easily put a couple more into the conversation. The results were the internet equivalent of a four-way tie, with each option receiving between 22% and 27% of the vote.
With the league about to employ a handful of new coaches and many of the league's best hires from the past few years competing for a Super Bowl, I thought now would be a good time to weigh in with my own thoughts on the matter. There are potentially six coaches who would be plausible picks at No. 1, and that could change if one of them wins Super Bowl LVI next month.

"Words cannot express how thankful I am for Longhorn Football, The University of Texas, and the City of Austin. To my coaches, professors, teammates, and fans, thank you for your support. There is nothing like the ***** and loyalty of The University of Texas and of being a Longhorn. The Forty Acres has given me so much more than just a college football career and one of the best educations in the nation, it has given me an extended family that bleeds Burnt Orange.
"The decision to stay one more year has weighed heavy on my heart, but after careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to forgo my extra year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft. Saying goodbye to Texas is a decision that has been difficult and is one that I would not choose if I wasn't confident that God is ready to use me in this next chapter.

The Michigan Wolverines head football coach has been linked to the NFL for a couple of weeks now. Harbaugh, who previously coached the San Francisco 49ers, could be hired by the Las Vegas Raiders or the Chicago Bears, among other teams with a head coaching vacancy.
For now, Harbaugh has mostly kept quiet on the rumors, simply saying he enjoys them more this year than last year (when he was rumored to be on the hot seat at Michigan).
However, Pro Football Talk is reporting that Harbaugh feels he has “unfinished business” at the National Football League level. Harbaugh led the 49ers to a Super Bowl in 2013, though they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

The offer forms part of the American football league’s experimentation with digital collectibles and follows a trial of digital ticket stubs earlier in the season. Fans who bought a ticket for selected matches via an official channel, such as a team box office or a partner like Ticketmaster, StubHub, or SeatGeek, were eligible.
The NFL says as many as 250,000 NFTs were distributed via these trials, while the league has also offered other forms of NFTs in other drops. Most recently, several teams participating in the NFL playoffs were offering commemorative NFTs and ticket stubs for their wild card games last week.

The Detroit Lions' coaching staff and front office are not afraid of showcasing the talents of younger, inexperienced players on their roster.
Cornerback Jerry Jacobs recently shared what it was like to earn the nod to start for the first time against the Minnesota Vikings. Also, he explained how he handled the ups and downs of his debut season in the National Football League.
"Coach Campbell and Brad Holmes and (Aubrey) Pleasant and (Aaron) Glenn -- they really don't care about that rookie (status) and what's your name. They are going to throw you out there. If you can play, then you can play," Jacobs told the Detroit Lions podcast.

The former romantic partner of late New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Norman Hand is facing charges that she stole $60,000 from a healthcare program benefiting retired National Football League players and their families, authorities said Thursday.
Toni Charles, 53, allegedly submitted fake claims to the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Reimbursement Account Plan, which covers out-of-pocket medical costs for former players, their spouses and dependents. The Gretna resident was reimbursed for claims — sent throughout 2018 — for alleged medical care received by the couple's son, Louisiana State Police said in a statement.

A total of 39 Penn State alums are populating the rosters of 24 National Football League teams. The Nittany Lions are perennially a top-20 program in producing players in the NFL.
10 Nittany Lions are members of teams that have advanced to the second round of the NFL playoffs. Penn State alumni are featured on the rosters of six of the eight remaining teams.
Among the Nittany Lions apart of NFL playoff organizations are: safety Adrian Amos (Packers), offensive tackle Ryan Bates (Bills), kicker Sam Ficken (Titans), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (49ers), wide receiver Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), kicker Robbie Gould (49ers), cornerback Grant Haley (Rams), center Michal Menet (Packers), safety Nick Scott (Rams) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (Buccaneers).

The past week was challenging for the National Football League after four players were arrested.
The first player arrested was Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who was arrested on Jan. 10 on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to ESPN, a Washington State Patrol clocked Smith going 96 mph in a 60 mph zone.
On Sunday, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Lerentee McCray was arrested after a high-speed chase in Lake County, Florida, USA Today reported. He was charged with fleeing and alluding law enforcement.