The stretch run

Word of Penner’s meeting with Harbaugh surfaced Saturday night, Jan. 28, when ESPN reported it, but perhaps the more meaningful igniter of the final stretch for the Broncos came Friday when Ryans reportedly started leaning toward Houston.

Denver didn’t conduct any formal “second round” of interviews and didn’t find it necessary to meet in person with finalists a second time before coming to a conclusion. When Ryans made it known he wanted to visit Houston after San Francisco’s NFC championship game before making a final decision, however, Broncos sources said the franchise remained interested but unwilling to sit around and wait.

Hurts only has 275 yards passing in the playoffs but the Eagles haven’t had to throw.

They’ve had success running, built big leads and kept it on the ground to chew the clock.

If they air it out, wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are among the top tandems in the NFL and tight end Dallas Goedert is underrated. The Chiefs allowed a league-high 33 passing TDS this season so it could be a big day for Hurts and his receivers.

Everything starts for the Eagles on the O-line. They’ve protected Hurts,

a path. It’s real,” he told King. “It’s genuine and it’s something I love.

“I absolutely adore these young men. I adore sitting down with the families and understanding the dynamics of the family and then understanding how can I assist that kid in getting to his destination.”

While Sanders talked to King, former NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones walked up and hugged Sanders and kissed