NFL's Black Monday: Smith and Rivera fired as speculation swirls over Belichick

NFL playoff picture takes shape, Packers and Steelers join the mix

BETTER TIMES: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick

Arthur Smith, who inherited a rebuilding project in his first NFL head coaching job and failed to lift Atlanta from their playoff drought, was fired late Sunday night, hours after completing his third straight losing season with the Falcons. The Washington Commanders made the next move hours later, firing Ron Rivera. The fate of other head coaches, including Bill Belichick, on Black Monday remains unclear.

The Commanders’ firing of Rivera is the first move of many expected by the team’s new owners as they put their stamp on the franchise they bought last year. The decision came a day after the Commanders’ season-ending 38-10 home loss to division-rival Dallas.