Though the contest is barely more than a week old, the music already is fading out in the NFL’s annual offseason game of coaching musical chairs.

CHICAGO — Elias Lindholm reached two milestones and shrugged off the significance of each one.

The Cowboys and Redskins went the experience route in their head coaching searches. The Giants and Panthers apparently are comfortable with newcomers to the job.

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was ready to get right back on the field to play for another College Football Playoff title after the Tigers’hard-fought semifinal win over Ohio State last month.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — When Zion Williamson finished his first full-court, five-on-five work since returning to practice last week, he spent extra one-on-one time with assistant coach Fred Vinson on the free throw line.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox bolstered their bullpen Tuesday, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract with free-agent reliever Steve Cishek.

The Patriots have been compared to a sporting dynasty and to Palpatine’s Evil Empire. Regardless of which is true, there’s no denying that New England enters these playoffs more vulnerable than in quite a few years.

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings secondary will be short-handed for Sunday’s playoff game at New Orleans, with cornerback Mackensie Alexander ruled out with a knee injury and cornerback Mike Hughes placed on injured reserve with a neck problem.

The NFL goes into the playoffs with its regular-season ratings having gone up for the second straight year, the first time the league has seen back-to-back increases since 2010.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Cassius Winston had 21 points and Xavier Tillman scored 19, leading No. 14 Michigan State to a 76-56 win over Illinois on Thursday night.

SOUTH BEND — The dust has finally settled on where players from the 2019 Notre Dame football team will be at in 2020.

FILE - In this June 19, 1984 file photo, NBA commissioner David Stern, center, is flanked by Akeem Olajuwon, right, the No. 1 pick overall by the Houston Rockets, and Sam Bowie, the No. 2 pick overall by the Portland Trail Blazers at the NBA Draft in New York. David Stern, who spent 30 years…

FILE - In this Tuesday, May 5, 2009 file photo, NBA commissioner David Stern, left, presents Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James with the 2008-2009 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy before the Cavaliers' Eastern Conference basketball semifinals game against the Atlanta Hawks in Cleveland. David …

FILE - In this June 18, 1996, file photo, Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, left, receives the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy from Commissioner David Stern during a ceremony in Chicago. David Stern, who spent 30 years as the NBA's longest-serving commissioner and oversaw its growth into…

NEW YORK (AP) — David Stern had basketball as a passion and law as a profession, one he figured he could return to if a job at the NBA didn’t work out.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert celebrates after scoring with offensive lineman Penei Sewell during second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) gains yardage as he tries to get past Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (31) and defensive back DeMarcco Hellams, right, during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass as Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) rushes during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, tosses citrus fruit to his players as they celebrate their victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) slips a tackle by Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck points at the screen as he yells at line judge Jim Slayton during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Auburn Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) makes a diving catch in front of Auburn defensive back Jordyn Peters (15) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert scored his third rushing touchdown of the 106th Rose Bowl on a thrilling 30-yard run with 7:41 to play Wednesday night, and No. 7 Oregon held off No. 11 Wisconsin 28-27 to win its third straight trip to the Granddaddy of Them All.

Wisconsin wide receiver Aron Cruickshank runs for a touchdown against Oregon during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

Wisconsin wide receiver Aron Cruickshank celebrates after scoring against Oregon during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

Wisconsin wide receiver Aron Cruickshank celebrates after scoring against Oregon during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert passes against Wisconsin during first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, right, hugs offensive lineman Penei Sewell after their win against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif.

PASADENA, Calif. — Justin Herbert scored his third rushing touchdown of the 106th Rose Bowl on a thrilling 30-yard run with 7:41 to play Wednesday night, and No. 7 Oregon held off No. 11 Wisconsin 28-27 to win its third straight trip to the Granddaddy of Them All.

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) beats Auburn defensive back Roger McCreary (23) to the endzone to score on a 16-yard touchdown run during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

Auburn defensive back Javaris Davis (13) runs with the football after intercepting a pass intended for Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

Auburn wide receiver Sal Cannella (80) celebrates after his 37-yard touchdown reception during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn question a touchdown by Minnesota with line judge Jim Slayton during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. — With the clock winding down on a dominating performance in the Outback Bowl, Minnesota fans broke into a chant of “Row The Boat, Row The Boat, Row The Boat.”

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) scrambles as he looks for a receiver against Michigan during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jerry Jeudy could have sat out Alabama’s bowl game and still almost certainly would have been a first-round draft pick.

California wide receiver Nikko Remigio, right, celebrates with Makai Polk (17) after scoring a touchdown against Illinois during the second half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif.

California tight end Gavin Reinwald (84) celebrates with Ricky Walker III (21) after scoring a touchdown against Illinois during the second half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif.

California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) scrabbles away from Illinois defensive lineman Ayo Shogbonyo (52) during the first half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Chase Garbers threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, leading California to a 35-20 win over Illinois on Monday in the Redbox Bowl.

Authorities investigate the scene after a small plane crashed into the parking lot of a post office in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Several people died in the crash.

A view of the burnt wreckage of a small plane that crashed into the parking lot of a post office is shown, at left, in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Several people died in the crash.

A view of the burnt wreckage of a small plane that crashed into the parking lot of a post office is shown, at left, in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Several people died in the crash.

LSU Offensive Coordinator Steve Ensminger embracxes LSU long snapper Blake Ferguson (48) before the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game between LSU and Oklahoma, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. Ensminger's daughter-in-law, Carley McCord, died in a p…

Classmates Faith Robinson, left, and Chloe Stephens, right, place photos of Walker Vincent on a board during a 16th birthday party for Walker at Leslie Jacob's home on Sunday, December 29, 2019 in Lafayette, La. Walker Vincent was one of the victims in the plane crash on Saturday. Family and…

Friend and classmate of Walker Vincent Grace Morgan write a note to him on a balloon during a16th birthday party for him at Leslie Jacob's home on Sunday, December 29, 2019 in Lafayette, La. Walker Vincent was one of the victims in the plane crash on Saturday. Family and friends threw him a …