Sports
Rams know what they're up against in Detroit, loud and clear
The Rams are in the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons under coach Sean McVay, who has led them to two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl title.
But the Rams have never played their first playoff game on the road before a hostile, borderline maniacal crowd.
That will change Sunday night when the sixth-seeded Rams play the third-seeded Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Lions fans have been waiting 30 years for an opportunity to cheer their team and to unnerve a playoff opponent on the Lions’ home turf.
“We know this is going to be especially special for that city,” McVay said Monday during a video conference with reporters.
The Rams played three of their four previous opening playoff games under McVay at home, including two at the Coliseum. In 2017-18, McVay’s first season, the Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons. In 2018-19, they defeated the Dallas Cowboys in a divisional-round game, their first postseason step toward Super Bowl LIII.
In 2021-22, the Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium en route to Super Bowl LVI.
The Rams’ only wild-card road game was played in 2020-21 in Seattle, where the Rams beat the Seahawks in front of zero fans at Lumen Field because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Rams head coach Sean McVay realizes communication from the sideline will be essential in a loud Detroit environment.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Rams have won playoff games in crazy environments, including the 2018-19 NFC championship at New Orleans and the 2021-22 divisional round game at Tampa Bay.
McVay and his players expect something similar in Detroit.
“Everybody’s pumped up — big-time Sunday night game — and we anticipate them to have a great crowd, great support,” McVay said, “And sometimes, going into those atmospheres can be a great opportunity for us to come together and be tighter than we’ve ever been.”
The Rams won seven of their final eight games to finish with a 10-7 record.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford led the way after returning from a right thumb injury that forced him to sit out a Nov. 5 defeat at Green Bay.
Stafford, who was voted to the Pro Bowl, is returning to the city where he spent his first 12 NFL seasons. Although Stafford is beloved by many Lions fans, that will not stop the crowd from making it tough on the Rams.
“I’m sure Detroit’s going to come out and give him the love and respect that he deserves,” offensive lineman Rob Havenstein said. “If not, even better.”
Operating with a silent count because of crowd noise has not always been the Rams’ strong suit this season. For example, they struggled with communication issues late in an overtime defeat at Baltimore.
“It always starts with me that we didn’t do a good enough job,” McVay said, adding, “You don’t take for granted how difficult it is. … That is going to be a huge factor and we’ve got to do a great job of handling that with poise and execution.”
Stafford said after the Rams’ season-ending victory over the San Francisco 49ers that he was excited about returning to Detroit in a playoff setting. Fielding calls, texts and requests from outsiders will not be a problem, he said.
“I don’t have that much contact with anybody anyways, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’m a stay-to-myself kind of guy.”
Conversations with Stafford this week regarding his homecoming will be “standard operating procedure,” McVay said.
“You’re not going to run away from what that will mean in terms of the history that he has and the reverence that that city has for him and that he has for that city,” McVay said.
Etc.
The Washington Commanders, who fired coach Ron Rivera on Monday, reportedly requested permission to interview Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. … Safety Jordan Fuller (ankle) will not practice Wednesday, McVay said. “We’re hopeful that he might be able to make it to the game,” he said. … The Rams’ 2024 opponents are set. The Rams will play home games against the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in NFC West games and will have non-division games against the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. Road opponents: Cardinals, Seahawks, 49ers, Lions, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Sports
Mike Tomlin stepping down as Steelers head coach: reports
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Mike Tomlin is stepping down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to multiple reports.
Tomlin’s decision on Tuesday came after a blowout loss against the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs. It marked the Steelers’ seventh straight postseason defeat.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Sports
UCLA receives $17.3 million from a late donor to support football and men’s basketball
Bob Chesney and Mick Cronin have a new major ally in their bid to compete in the Big Ten.
A $17.3-million gift from late alumnus and longtime donor Lawrence “Larry” Layne will benefit the UCLA football and men’s basketball programs, giving them essential financial resources as they try to keep up with their cash-infused conference counterparts.
The football team will receive $9.6 million and the men’s basketball program $7.7 million as part of Layne’s more than $40-million pledge to various university programs. The donation to the athletic department is believed to be the biggest in more than a decade.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for Larry’s longstanding history of generosity to both campus and the athletic department, including this transformational gift,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement. “I am fortunate to have spent time with Larry and get to know his deep passion for UCLA Athletics, particularly his desire to help our football and men’s basketball programs thrive in this new era of collegiate sports. His investment in our programs positions us, and future generations of Bruin athletes, for long-term success.”
A former men’s rugby player and women’s rugby coach at UCLA, Layne received his master’s of business administration from the school in 1977 and went on to found Nova Storage. He was a fan of multiple Bruins sports and a donor for six decades, his generosity extending beyond his passing in December 2024 at 75.
Layne has supported UCLA athletics since giving to the women’s rugby club in 1979 and becoming the team’s first coach. He also supported the renovation of Pauley Pavilion and the construction of the Wasserman Football Center. Over the years, he’s also given to UCLA baseball, softball, women’s tennis and men’s water polo, his gifts totaling $18.8 million, including his latest donation.
“As a former UCLA student-athlete and coach, Larry fully understood the hard work and determination that was needed to be at his best both on and off the field,” Chesney said, “and this incredibly generous gift will make a big impact on helping us build a championship football team. I am very grateful to Larry and his wife Sheelagh for their support of UCLA and our football program. We will make sure that Larry’s legacy lives on by continuing to support our student-athletes and upholding our university’s True Bruin values.”
Layne’s gift also includes $11.4 million to UCLA Health, assisting research in cardiology and hepatology; $5.7 million to the UCLA Anderson School of Management to support entrepreneurial and real estate studies; $3.8 million to men’s rugby; and $1.9 million to UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance.
Cronin, who has spoken about wanting to be the moneyed Dodgers of college basketball instead of the cash-strapped Cincinnati Reds, will now be closer to reaching that status thanks to this gift.
“I would like to thank Larry for his generosity and long-time support of our athletics department, specifically toward our men’s basketball program,” Cronin said. “This university has so many fantastic resources for its student-athletes, but we simply would not be able to thrive if not for the generosity of our many loyal donors such as Larry. His generous gift will help us in the future as we continue to build a basketball program with elite young men who all of our fans can be proud to support.”
A graduate of Sylmar High, where he was captain of the football team, Layne later raised money to install lights for the school’s football field and went on to attend Occidental College before going to UCLA for graduate school. His lifelong love of rugby took him to London to play for the Harlequins, and his Los Angeles team was known as the Flying Pumpkins.
Sports
Texans defense suffocates Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in playoff win
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Crunch.
That was the sound of Houston Texans players colliding with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card Round matchup, causing him to lose the ball. Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone for what felt like the knockout blow even though there was still a lot of time left to play.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) loses possession of the ball while being tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
It was that type of game for both teams – a defensive struggle – as Houston put together a 30-6 victory. It was the franchise’s first road playoff victory.
There were big hits and little room for error. Houston had a 7-6 lead at halftime thanks to a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk.
Even as the Texans turned the ball over three times between the first half and the third quarter, the Steelers could only muster up three points. Houston’s defensive prowess was on display on each snap as Rodgers was left with little to no time to make a decision.
When he did have time to throw, wide receivers like DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III either dropped the ball or were just a hair off. Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs to the end zone for a touchdown while defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
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Steelers fans let the team hear it with plenty of boos. Pittsburgh extended its playoff losing streak to seven games.
Texans running back Woody Marks ran for 100 yards for the first time in his career and scored a touchdown to really seal the win. Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.
Stroud finished 21-of-32 with 250 passing yards and the touchdown pass. The Texans’ defense sacked Rodgers four times. Rankins was good for 1.5 sacks.
The Steelers almost had no offense throughout the game. The team was held to 175 yards and outscored 23-0 in the fourth quarter.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half of NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Houston will take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
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