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Packers Advance Despite Controversy; Bears Now Focus on Coach Vacancy

 width=>>Packers Edge Cowboys To Reach NFC Title Game

(Green Bay, WI) -- Aaron Rodgers threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns as the Packers edged the Cowboys 26-21 in an NFC Divisional Round showdown in Green Bay. The Packers held on after an apparent Dez Bryant catch at the one-yard line was challenged and overturned. Davante Adams had seven catches for 117 yards and a score for Green Bay, which will travel to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game next Sunday. Eddie Lacy rumbled for 101 yards in the win. Tony Romo as 15-of-19 for 191 yards and two scores for Dallas. DeMarco Murray rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

 width=>>Colts Best Broncos In Denver

(Denver, CO) -- The Colts kept Peyton Manning in check and punched their ticket to the AFC Championship Game with a 24-13 win over the Broncos in Denver. Andrew Luck threw for 265 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Colts, who will face the Patriots for the right to go to the Super Bowl next Sunday. Indianapolis held the Broncos to just 289 yards of total offense as well as only three points in the second half. Manning was 26-of-46 for 211 yards and a touchdown for Denver. C.J. Anderson rushed for 91 yards in the loss.

>>Cowboys Involved In Second Controversial Play

(Green Bay, WI) -- The Dallas Cowboys are involved in their second controversial call in as many weeks. During Sunday's NFC Divisional Round affair with the Packers, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant connected on a 31-yard pass on fourth down that was initially ruled a catch inside the one-yard line of Green Bay with about five minutes left in the game. The Packers challenged the play and it was overturned by video replay after it was ruled Bryant didn't have complete possession before the ball touched the ground. Green Bay went on to win 26-21 to advance to the NFC title game. A week prior against the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys were the beneficiaries of a no-call on an apparent pass interference penalty that helped them advance to play this week.

NFL
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New England Patriots 35, Baltimore Ravens 31
Seattle Seahawks 31, Carolina Panthers 17

>>Bills To Hire Rex Ryan

(Undated) -- The Buffalo Bills are reportedly set to name their next head coach. NFL Media reports ex-New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan will accept the job. The report also says he will bring Dennis Thurman along as the defensive coordinator while San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman could fill the same spot in Buffalo. The Bills are looking to replace Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract after the regular season. Ryan had been with the Jets since 2009.

>>Report: Jets Zero In On Quinn

(Undated) -- ESPN reports the Jets are zeroed in on Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn for their vacant head coaching position. The network reports the Jets were prepared to travel to Seattle had the 'Hawks lost Saturday night. The Jets can't offer Quinn the job as long as the Seahawks are still in the playoffs. Seattle plays the Packers at home in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Meanwhile, New York is reportedly set to hire Mike Maccagnan as their general manager. Maccagnan was the director of college scouting for the Texans.

>>Peyton Noncommittal About Future

(Denver, CO) -- Peyton Manning was noncommittal about his future following Sunday's loss to the Colts in the divisional round. When asked after the game, Manning declined to say whether he will return for another season in the NFL.

{DENManning11zb_1} Q...not say that 000:07

He had a second straight tremendous season with Denver, throwing for 4,727 yards with 39 touchdowns and only 15 interceptions, but showed signs of struggles down the stretch. In the final four regular season games, Manning threw for less than 300 yards in three of the four games with three TDs to six picks. Manning, who will turn 39 in March, is signed through the 2016 season.

>>Bears GM: Hiring Coach Top Priority

New Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace says he's focused on hiring a coach and will wait before making decisions about anyone on the roster, specifically quarterback Jay Cutler.

Pace, who at 37 is currently the league's youngest GM, faces a big task as he tries to rebuild a team with one playoff appearance in the past eight years. The Bears were a disappointing 5-11 and fired general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman.

Pace spent the past 14 years working for the New Orleans Saints. In Chicago, he says he will have final say on the 53-man roster, but he will report directly to team president Ted Phillips.

The most immediate task is finding a coach.

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