NFL: Roger Goodell signs new deal and Week 14 play-off picture

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has signed a five-year contract extension that will see him continue in the role until 2023.

According to ESPN, which has obtained a letter confirming the deal, Goodell’s new contract could be worth about $40million (£29.8m) annually providing NFL team owners “approve all the bonuses and all the incentives are met”.

The 58-year-old has been commissioner since 2006 and his tenure has seen NFL achieve huge growth in revenues and expand its international games in London and Mexico.

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In the letter to owners, six members of the NFL compensation committee said it supported the contract. The letter reportedly says: “Our Committee unanimously supports the contract and believes that it is fully consistent with ‘market’ compensation and the financial and other parameters outlined to the owners at our May 2017 meeting, as well as in the best interests of ownership.

“We are pleased to report that there is a nearly unanimous consensus among the ownership in favour of signing the contract extension now.”

Week 14 play-off scenarios

We are getting to the business end of the season with many teams battling for play-off places. Here’s the NFL play-off scenarios going into the Week 14 fixtures.

AFC play-offs

• New England Patriots (10-2) travel to Miami on Tuesday and can clinch the AFC East division if they win or tie against the Dolphins, or if the Buffalo Bills lose or tie against the Indianapolis Colts.
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2) are at Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and can clinch the AFC North division with a win or a tie. The Steelers will secure a play-off spot if Buffalo lose or tie.

NFC play-offs

• Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) can secure the NFC East division with a win or tie at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, or if the Dallas Cowboys lose or tie their match at the New York Giants.
• Minnesota Vikings (10-2) can clinch the NFC North division with a win or tie at the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, or if the Detroit Lions lose or tie and Green Bay lose or tie.

NFL Week 14 fixtures (all times UK)

Tomorrow’s NFL fixture

• New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (1.25am, live on Sky Sports)

Sunday’s NFL fixtures (6pm unless stated)

• Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans
• Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
• Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
• Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
• Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
• Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (6pm, live on Sky Sports)
• Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals (9.05pm)
• Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers (9.05pm)
• New York Jets at Denver Broncos (9.05pm)
• Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (9.25pm)
• Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars (9.25pm, live on Sky Sports)
• Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (9.25pm)

Monday’s NFL fixture

• Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (1.30am, live on Sky Sports)

Tuesday’s NFL fixture

• New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (1.30am, live on Sky Sports)