Breaking down five players from each Jan. 1 Playoff team who could boost their NFL hopes with impressive performances.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis speaks with the media from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 ahead of Week 18 at the Atlanta Falcons.

The Chicago Bears have shut down one of their starting linebackers for the season ahead of Week 18's home game against the Detroit Lions.

Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly is once again a finalist for the NFL Hall of Fame. He was among the final seven for last year’s Hall of Fame class, earning him an automatic bid this year. Kuechly was a linebacker for the Panthers from 2012 to 2019 and led the NFL in tackles during that time.

There's a new coach in the Trinity League, which is considered high school football's toughest league in America and includes Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Santa Margarita, Orange Lutheran, Servite and JSerra.

The NFL's 2025 playoff picture is nearly complete entering Week 18. The top seed in both the AFC and NFC as well as the AFC North and NFC South division are still up for grabs. It