The NFL regular season is over, a coach already let go, more bowl games and a win for Florida women’s basketball in our Monday Sports Update…
** The NFL regular season is history after action yesterday and the season ends on a losing note for all three Florida NFL teams. Miami loses 37-24 to the New York Jets; Jacksonville loses 23-17 to Houston and Tampa Bay loses 23-20 to New Orleans. The Bucs however secure the top pick in the 2015 draft because of their woeful record.
** The NFL playoff picture is now set. In the AFC, New England and Denver get first round byes. Baltimore will play at Pittsburgh in the wild card game Saturday. On Sunday, Cincinnati is at Indianapolis. In the NFC, Seattle and Green Bay have first round byes. On Saturday, Arizona is at Carolina in the wild card game and on Sunday Detroit is at Dallas.
** One NFL coach is already gone; Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to part ways; but he may not be unemployed long; he could become the next coach at the University of Michigan.
** Other NFL coaches could be fired as early as today. Coaches on the hot seat include Mike Smith with Atlanta, Rex Ryan with the New York Jets and Marc Trestman with Chicago.
** University of Miami running back Duke Johnson says he will leave school early to enter the NFL Draft.
** Three more bowl games today. The Liberty Bowl has West Virginia against Texas A&M; the Russell Athletic Bowl has Clemson against Oklahoma and the Texas Bowl has Texas playing Arkansas.
** The Florida women’s basketball team is now 8-5 after a 63-49 win over North Florida on Sunday. The Gators open SEC play this weekend at home against LSU.
** In the NBA, Orlando is at Miami tonight.