Snowball in Seattle Costs Jets' Ellis $10K

Tennessee upsets the Steelers' shot at top playoff berth

(NEWSER) - In NFL games today, New York Jets likely blew their playoff chances in a snowy loss to Seattle, while Tennessee clinched home-field advantage, AP reports:

• Seattle coach Mike Holmgren topped his former star player Brett Favre as the Jets missed several scoring chances and lost their bid to stay atop the AFC East, 13-3.
• The lowly Bills upended Denver, 30-23, as the Broncos failed to clinch a playoff berth.
• Tennessee routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-14 to clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage for the playoffs.
• With a 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions became the first team ever to go 0-15.

Fellow players witness media circus

(NEWSER) - Newly-minted New York Jet Tim Tebow's locker room was open to reporters for the first time yesterday, and they pounced. "It’s like shark feeding, man," said Josh Baker, a reserve tight end who, possibly unfortunately, occupies the locker next to Tebow's. Surrounded by dozens of reporters, Tebow told the press that "there’s a lot that’s exciting about being a Jet," the New York Times reports. "I’m just trying to be a little piece to try to help this team win a few games." More»

Quarterback dismisses any tension between him and Mark Sanchez

(NEWSER) - Tim Tebow donned his green and took on the gang from New York today, appearing for the first time as a New York Jet before a crush of more than 200 reporters at the Jets practice facility, reports the AP . The former Bronco was upbeat, poised, and refused to get baited into a quarterback controversy. A few highlights from the presser: More»

Joe Namath, for one, thinks 'it stinks'

(NEWSER) - Various reactions to the trade that will send Denver quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets:

• Joe Namath: "I thinks it stinks," the Jets legend tells USA Today . Mark Sanchez should be "pissed."
• Woody Paige, Denver Post : His column recaps all things Tebow, from a generous heart off the field, to Tebowing, to the mechanical flaws that might prevent him from becoming an elite passer. "And never again will a young man or quarterback quite like Tim Tebow run or pass this way again."

New York, Denver finalize deal for quarterback

(NEWSER) - Tim Tebow will, in fact, suit up for the New York Jets next season. The Jets announced the deal this afternoon, but things nearly fell apart afterward over a $5 million clause in Tebow's contract. After last-minute talks, the Jets agreed to pay half the amount to Tebow's now-former team, the Denver Broncos, reports ESPN . Tebow himself reportedly weighed in to help cinch the deal, saying he wanted to go to New York, writes Adam Schefter. More»