Breaking News on Coaching Carousel
Jim Nantz: We're back on THE NFL TODAY and some coaching news before we leave. A high-ranking Cardinals official told NFL TODAY NFL Insider Jay Glazer that Arizona will dismiss Dave McGinnis, the head coach following today's game against the Vikings. Falcon sources tell Glazer that senior management meets tonight to finalize a list of eight to 10 head coach candidates. They will begin interviewing this week. Topping the list are: St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, new England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. Let me continue the coaching theme. What are you hearing out of Miami?
Dan Marino: I talked to them yesterday and I get a sense that they're not sure what they are going to do. It's been reported he's going to make a decision on Monday or Tuesday. There's sentiment in Miami they're going to keep him because he's actually won...10 wins a year for -- an average 10 wins a year for four years in a row.
Boomer Esiason: They should keep him. Look at the numbers he's put up.

New Year's Resolutions
Deion Sanders: My New Year's resolution, it may be tough, but I want to love thy neighbor (turning to Boomer). I know it's hard but I am going to do it this year.
Boomer: My resolution is to be a good teammate, remain a good teammate and remain sensitive to those with a different opinion than me (turning to Deion).

Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins and Darwin Walker, who visited the set of THE NFL TODAY, on Playoffs
Nantz: There is still a chance you could get that number one seed if St. Louis loses. How important is that to you right now?
Dawkins: We have to play. First year we went to St. Louis we lost. Next year, at home, we lost. We have to play the game wherever the venue is. We would love it at the house (in Philly) but if not, we have to play. It's a different ballgame now.
Walker: We would love it at the house but I don't think anybody is complaining about playing in a cozy dome in St. Louis if we have to. Where do we play? We have to play. I don't care how you get there, we have to get there. On MVP
Marino: Tom Brady should get some consideration because of the wins and the way he's done it. Peyton Manning, should get some consideration. Priest Holmes going for the touchdown record, but Jamal Lewis, if he breaks Eric Dickerson's record for single-season rushing yards - and he's able to do that because everyone knows he's going to run the ball, get eight-man fronts all the time - if he can break that record today think he should be the MVP.
Deion: You're talking about the most valuable player. Peyton Manning has Marvin Harrison, Pollard, Edgerrin James. You're talking about Jamal Lewis, 2,000 yards. Forget the record, he's going to get the 2,000 yards. He's the M.V.P.
Boomer: Peyton Manning taken for granted here? No other player has done what he's done. We come to expect the 4,000-yard seasons, 28 touchdowns. He has been the Most Valuable Player in the league and he deserves it. I think, more than Jamal Lewis.

Marcus Allen Feature on Indianapolis Colts' playoff hopes
Peyton Manning (on not winning a playoff game yet): That's something I certainly want to change. I guess the one thing I don't think people understand is if we win a playoff game this year, I'm not going to go around bragging we won a playoff game and get our butts kicked next week. The goal here is to try and win a championship.
Tony Dungy: We are great, but - we're not consistent right now. We have to string together some wins. That's what you have to do in the playoffs, string together three or four or five good weeks in a row. That's our challenge. We're good enough on a game-by-game basis to beat anybody, anywhere. But to get to the Super Bowl, you have to do it about three weeks in a row.

Lesley Visser Feature on Brett Favre and the loss of his father this past week
Doug Pederson on Brett Favre's playing on Monday night: He played with a tremendous amount of passion in that game for his father. I think what was the deciding factor in his decision to stay with the team, was the fact that Irvin Favre said, Brett, you're going to play in this football game no matter what.
Mike Sherman: It's been a tough week for him. The emotional impact of Monday night was certainly strong and genuine. But Brett will come back and deal with the issues as he always has. He rises to the occasion whenever adversity strikes in his life. I think people look at Brett Favre and say what a glorious life but he's had a fair amount of things he's had to deal with in his life and he's dealt with them as a champion and he'll deal with this the same way.