In today’s Three and Out: Philip Rivers needs to prove himself this year; Domenik Hixon has a new home in Carolina and the Eagles could be shuffling their running backs.

In today’s Three and Out: Kevin Kolb is heading east; Domenik Hixon is traveling all over and Blaine Gabbert is preparing to return to Jacksonville.

1. With Redskins QB Robert Griffin III’s win at Saints in Week 1 and QB Kirk Cousins’ Week 15 win at Browns, the Redskins became the first team in a non-strike season to have two different rookie quarterbacks win their first career starts in the same season, since rookies John Elway and Gary Kubiak won their starting debuts with the 1983 Broncos. ————————————————————————————————————————————– 2. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson threw a game-winning touchdown pass in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime three times this season, the most ever by a rookie since at least the 1970 merger. ————————————————————————————————————————————– 3. Colts QB Andrew Luck led seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, which ties the highest single season […]

Much like Clark Griswald in the holiday classic, Christmas Vacation, many NFL players and coaches are in need of a few relaxing days all to themselves (and that Christmas bonus!). Whether from a disappointing season, injury, poor performance or single-handedly carrying their team through the first 15 weeks, these players and coaches could use a little respite. And probably a large glass of egg nog.

During each week of the season we will collect and curate the best Instagram photos from our NFL photographers. Here are our picks for Week 8. Follow @NFL on Instagram. Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals

Mark Kriegel is Just Sayin’ you shouldn’t judge Cam Newton on early-season struggles.

Expectations for Andrew Luck are high, but can he match Cam Newton 2011 season.

Cam Newton is the latest Carolina Panther to back up Ryan Kalil‘s Super Bowl guarantee. The quarterback says the team is doing their part and giving the center “110 percent.”

Ryan Kalil said the Carolina Panthers will win the Super Bowl, and the team doesn’t have a choice but to back him up now.

Panthers teammates Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams are working with Samaritan’s Feet with the goal to provide shoes and socks to 10 million children. Smith and Williams were recently in Memphis, Tennessee to wash the feet of 500 children and give them shoes and socks.

The 2012 NFL Draft is just three days away and NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks dropped his latest, and final, mock draft before the first round commences on Thursday.

NFL.com’s Dave Dameshek explores the alternate universe had Stanford QB Andrew Luck decided on entering the 2011 NFL Draft. And yes, it somehow involves a new gig for Tim Tebow.

Free-agent C Jason Brown is drawing interest from several teams, including the Ravens, league sources said Friday.

For an 11-year veteran of the Carolina Panthers who just signed a three-year contract extension on Tuesday, wide receiver Steve Smith sure feels like he can learn a lot from his young quarterback, Cam Newton.

Free-agent FB Jerome Felton will visit the Vikings on Monday, according to a league source.