So your team made the playoffs. Congrats! Very exciting. And sometimes, a little confusing.
When do they play? Where do they go next if they win? What other games can impact their playoff schedule? How many home games might they play, if any?
We’ve got you covered. Whichever of the 12 NFL playoff teams you root for, keep it locked right here for the next few weeks to follow all of the implications and permutations as your team tries to hold off an early vacation. We give you, ESPN’s Playoff Primer.
Note: All times are Eastern.
First game: Divisional round, Jan. 15 (4:40 p.m., Fox)
Path to Super Bowl LI: If the Lions win their wild-card matchup in Seattle, the Cowboys would host Detroit in the divisional round. If the Seahawks win that game, Dallas would host the winner of the Giants-Packers game. Win one game and Dallas advances to the NFC Championship Game Jan. 22 in Dallas.
Reason for hope: They’ve been the best team in the NFC all year. They reach the playoffs healthy. And no team in the field is better equipped to win if it loses its starting quarterback to an injury. And if the Cowboys do see the Giants… well, they say it’s hard to beat a team three times in one year, right?
Reason for concern: The Cowboys could conceivably open the playoffs against the Giants, who are the only team to beat them this year when Dallas was at full strength — meaning, not including Sunday’s rest-the-starters game in Philadelphia. Dallas was 0-2 against the Giants this year, and the Cowboys would surely breathe a sigh of relief if Green Bay were to beat New York or if Detroit were to beat the Seahawks.
Home cooking: The Cowboys don’t have to leave the state of Texas again all postseason. Any playoff game they play will be at home, and the Super Bowl is in Houston.
First game: Divisional round, Jan. 14 (4:35 p.m., Fox)
Path to Super Bowl LI: If Seattle wins its first-round game, the Falcons would host the Seahawks in a divisional-round game. But if Detroit beats Seattle, then Atlanta would host the winner of the Giants-Packers game. Win one game, and the Falcons advance to the NFC Championship Game Jan 22, either in Dallas or at home against the Seahawks, Packers, Lions or Giants.
Reason for hope: Getting the Seahawks at home would be huge. Seattle was 3-4-1 on the road this year, outscored 156-127 in those games and failed to score a touchdown in three of them. The Falcons played the Seahawks tough in Seattle in Week 6, when Atlanta had a 24-17 lead late in the fourth quarter but lost 26-24. Two weeks later, the Falcons beat the Packers by a point at home.
Reason for concern: The Georgia Dome hasn’t been the same home-field advantage this year as it was for Falcons’ playoff teams of years past. Atlanta was 5-3 at home this year, which is fine. But when they went to the playoffs three straight years from 2010 to 2012, they were a combined 20-4 at home. Maybe the Georgia Dome’s swan song will provide a boost.
Home cooking: Atlanta will play its first game at home. If the Cowboys lose that weekend and the Falcons win, then the NFC Championship Game would also be in Atlanta. But if Dallas wins its first game, it would host the conference title game.
First game: vs. Detroit, Saturday (8:15 p.m., NBC)
Path to Super Bowl LI: To reach the Super Bowl, the Seahawks would have to beat Detroit at home, beat the Falcons in Atlanta, then win an NFC Championship Game either in Dallas or at home against either the Giants or the Packers.
Reason for hope: The Seahawks do get the one home game, which is big, since they’re 7-1 at home and only 3-4-1 on the road this year. And if they can find a way to get past Atlanta in the second round, there’s a reasonable chance they could host the conference title game. The Cowboys’ divisional-round matchup against either the Giants or the Packers would be about as tough a matchup as any bye team could draw.
Reason for concern: The road, the road, the road. Yeah, you’ll say they won in Foxborough, and they did. That shows they can win anywhere. But they were dreadful on the road the rest of the season, and they had Earl Thomas that day at Gillette Stadium. Falling out of the bye with their Week 15 (home!) loss to Arizona could end up being very costly for the Seahawks.
Home cooking: Seattle definitely plays at home on the first weekend, and if they win, they play at Atlanta the second weekend. In order for Seattle to host the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks would have to win twice, and the Cowboys would have to lose to the Giants or the Packers in their first game.
First game: vs. New York Giants , Sunday (4:40 p.m., Fox)
Path to Super Bowl LI: Aaron Rodgers said the Packers could « run the table, » and they’ve since won six straight games and a division title. To finish off the table, they’ll need to beat the Giants at home next weekend — something they couldn’t do five years ago, when they were 15-1 — then travel to either Dallas or Atlanta for their second-round game. If Detroit beats Seattle and the Packers beat the Giants, the Packers would play the Falcons in the second round. If Seattle beats Detroit and the Packers beat the Giants, the Packers would play Dallas in the second round.
Reason for hope: The Giants’ defense is no joke, but neither is Rodgers, and the Packers beat the Giants 23-16 at Lambeau Field in Week 5. Overall, Green Bay was 4-2 against the NFC playoff field, and one of the losses was by one point in Atlanta.
Reason for concern: The other loss was by two touchdowns at home against Dallas, so the Packers might not match up well with the top seed if they see them in the divisional round. And while they beat Seattle the first time, if they see them again, it would be in Seattle.
Home cooking: The Packers will definitely play at home on the first weekend, and if they win, they would play at either Dallas or Atlanta in the second round. In order for Lambeau Field to host the NFC Championship Game, the Lions would have to beat Seattle and Dallas, and Green Bay would have to beat the Giants and Falcons. If all of that happens, the conference title game would be the third Lions-Packers matchup of the year, at Lambeau Jan. 22.
First game: at Green Bay, Sunday (4:40 p.m., Fox)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Giants’ path could feel very familiar to those who followed their two most recent Super Bowl runs. They start in Green Bay. If they win and Seattle beats Detroit, the Giants would go to Dallas for the second round. If they win and Detroit beats Seattle, the Giants would go to Atlanta for the second round. Then an NFC Championship Game in Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle or — just maybe — at home.
Reason for hope: The Giants were 2-0 this year against the Cowboys. The rest of the league was 1-13, with the Eagles beating the Dallas backups Sunday afternoon. New York is excellent at stopping the run and, therefore, a difficult matchup for the NFC’s top seed. And Eli Manning has gotten hot in the playoffs before.
Reason for concern: The Giants averaged 19.4 points per game this year. Houston is the only team in the playoffs that scored less. Could they score with the likes of the Packers, Cowboys and Falcons? And could they do it three weeks in a row?
Home cooking: The only way the Giants could host a playoff game is if both they and the Lions advance to the NFC title game. If that happens, that game would be in East Rutherford Jan. 22.
First game: at Seattle, Saturday (8:15 p.m., NBC)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Lions sat in the No. 2 seed only three weeks ago, but consecutive losses to the Giants, Cowboys and Packers dumped them here. They have to win in Seattle then in Dallas just to get to an NFC Championship Game at either Atlanta, Green Bay or New York.
Reason for hope: They’re never out of a game, these Lions. They trailed in the fourth quarter 15 times and won nine of those games. And while no one wants to go to Seattle, the Seahawks don’t look quite as scary, even there, as they have in years past.
Reason for concern: The Lions go in losing three games in a row. They’re 0-5 against teams that made the playoffs. Their first two games would be on the road against teams that were a combined 14-2 at home. The Lions would be a January miracle, but again, they do like making miracles.
Home cooking: There is no possible way the Lions could host a playoff game.
First game: Divisional round, Jan. 14 (8:15 p.m., CBS)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Patriots get the first week of the postseason off to rest. If Miami wins its first-round game, New England would host the Dolphins in the divisional round. If the Steelers beat the Dolphins, then the Patriots’ first opponent would be the winner of the Houston-Oakland wild-card game. One win would put the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, which they would host regardless of opponent.
Reason for hope: The only two scary quarterbacks in the AFC are Tom Brady , who plays for the Patriots, and Ben Roethlisberger , who the Patriots can’t face until the AFC title game at the earliest. New England’s first game is either going to be against a Dolphins team they’ve already beaten twice or against a Houston or Oakland team that has major questions at the most important position.
Reason for concern: It’s hard to find one. The Patriots just finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, during which their average margin of victory was 16.1 points per game. They were 8-0 on the road this year and « only » 6-2 at home, so if you want to make up a reason for concern, maybe that’s it: They don’t get to go on the road anymore!
Home cooking: The Patriots will play at home in the divisional round, and if they win, they will play at home the following Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
First game: Divisional round, Jan. 15 (1:05 p.m., NBC)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Chiefs get a week off to rest as AFC West champions. If the Steelers win their first-round game against the Dolphins, Kansas City would host the Steelers in the divisional round. If the Chiefs win that game, they’ll play in the AFC Championship Game Jan. 22, either at home or in Foxborough.
Reason for hope: Getting the bye week — which the Chiefs accomplished with their win and Oakland’s loss on Sunday — is huge for a team whose best player still isn’t 100 percent healthy. Pass-rusher Justin Houston sat out the last two games, and while he’s expected to be ready for the playoffs, getting an extra week to rest will have to benefit his chances of being at his best when the games matter most.
Reason for concern: The Chiefs are 10-21 all time against their potential second-round opponent: the Steelers. They’ve lost four of their last five against Pittsburgh, including a 43-14 loss at Heinz Field in Week 4. The Chiefs would love it if the Dolphins were to knock the Steelers off for them.
Home cooking: The Chiefs will open the playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium. The only way they play another home game is if they win their first game and the Patriots lose theirs. In that case, the AFC Championship Game would be at Arrowhead Jan. 22.
First game: vs. Miami, Sunday (1:05 p.m., CBS)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Steelers host the Dolphins. If they win, they’ll travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs in the divisional round. Win that, and they advance to the AFC Championship Game, either in New England or at home against the Texans or Raiders.
Reason for hope: Not having to see Tom Brady and the Patriots until the AFC title game is a nice benefit that comes with being the No. 3 seed instead of the No. 4. It leaves open the possibility that someone else can take out the top seed for them and allow them to play a home game to go to the Super Bowl.
Reason for concern: You could make the case that the sixth-seeded Dolphins are a tougher draw right now than the fifth-seeded Raiders and all of their quarterback questions. The Steelers hit the playoffs on a seven-game win streak, but they’re just 1-2 against fellow AFC playoff teams this year. They beat the Chiefs and lost to the Dolphins and Patriots.
Home cooking: The Steelers will definitely play their first game at home, then the division round on the road. But there remains a chance that they could host an AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh Jan. 22. That would require them to win twice (obviously) and for the Patriots to lose their first game.
First game: vs. Oakland, Saturday (4:35 p.m., ESPN)
Path to Super Bowl LI: As AFC South champions, the 9-7 Texans will host a first-round playoff game against 12-4 wild-card Oakland. If the Texans win that game, their second-round opponent depends on the result of the Steelers-Dolphins game. If Miami wins, that would send the Texans to Kansas City for the divisional round. If the Steelers win, then the Texans’ prospective second-round game would be in Foxborough against the top-seeded Patriots.
Reason for hope: The only team in the playoff field with a more unsettled quarterback situation than Houston is Oakland, which is the Texans’ first-round opponent. Facing Connor Cook or Matt McGloin is preferable to facing Alex Smith and red-hot Kansas City, which would have been Houston’s task had the Chiefs lost or the Raiders won on Sunday.
Reason for concern: Four-seed life isn’t a lot of fun. To get to the Super Bowl, the Texans would most likely have to beat the Raiders, Patriots and Steelers or the Raiders, Chiefs and Steelers. Only five No. 4 seeds have ever won the Super Bowl: the 1980 Raiders, the 1997 Broncos, the 2000 Ravens, the 2011 Giants and the 2012 Ravens.
Home cooking: The Texans will definitely play their first game at home, then their second game on the road. The only chance they have to play the AFC Championship Game at home is to win twice (obviously) and have the Dolphins beat the Steelers and Patriots. In that case, the Texans would host Miami in a conference title game Jan. 22.
First game: at Houston, Saturday (4:35 p.m., ESPN)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Raiders’ loss Sunday, combined with the Chiefs’ win, made Kansas City the AFC West champion and relegated Oakland to a wild-card spot. That means the Raiders have to play on the road to start in Houston, then at either New England or Kansas City in the second round if they win. The Raiders would play at New England if the Steelers win their game with the Dolphins. They’d play at Kansas City if Miami wins that game.
Reason for hope: They were three full games better in the regular season than their first-round opponent, which won the league’s weakest division. Their run game could help them win a low-scoring affair against another team with question marks at the quarterback position.
Reason for concern: Two of Oakland’s four losses were to division-rival Kansas City, which is why the Raiders find themselves here and is obviously a major cause for concern should they run up against the Chiefs in the second round. Plus, the history of 12-4 wild-card teams isn’t great. There have been four in the past 10 years. Only one, the 2013 49ers, reached the conference championship game. Two of the four, the 2008 Colts and 2011 Steelers, lost wild-card round games to 8-8 division champions (San Diego and Denver). The other, the 2010 Ravens, lost to division-rival Pittsburgh in the second round.
Home cooking: The only way the Raiders can play a home playoff game is if they and the Dolphins both reach the AFC Championship Game. In that case, the game would be in Oakland.
First game: at Pittsburgh, Sunday (1:05 p.m., CBS)
Path to Super Bowl LI: The Dolphins open in Pittsburgh against the Steelers, a team they beat 30-15 in Jay Ajayi ‘s breakout game in Miami in October. A win would land them a second-round trip to Foxborough to see the Patriots, against whom they went 0-2 this season. If they win that, the Dolphins would have to go to Oakland, Houston or Kansas City for an AFC title game to reach the Super Bowl.
Reason for hope: The Week 6 victory over the Steelers was Miami’s most impressive of the season, and it was the one that sparked the Dolphins’ run. They were 1-4 going into that game, and starting that day they won six in a row and 9 of 10 to get into the postseason. There should be good vibes lingering from that game and plenty of ways for the Dolphins to convince themselves they can handle Pittsburgh.
Reason for concern: The Dolphins won’t get a lot of outside help. No one’s going to eliminate Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady for them. The soft spots in the AFC field might be the Oakland, Kansas City and Houston quarterback situations, but Miami would have to get to the AFC Championship Game in order to have a chance to take advantage.
Home cooking: As the No. 6 seed, there is no chance the Dolphins can play a home playoff game.

Similarity rank: 1.1

Sentiment rank: 2.4

© Source: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18390667/2016-nfl-playoffs-primer-schedules-paths-super-bowl-li-matchup-possibilities-homefield-advantage
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Kyle Lowry relishes any chance to raise his offensive game in the fourth quarter. The Toronto Raptors needed just about every one of his big baskets to hold off the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lowry scored 20 of his season-high 41 points in the fourth, and the Raptors stopped a two-game skid with a 123-114 victory Sunday night.
He went 5 for 6 and hit three of his six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. With one high-difficulty shot after another, the diminutive guard kept the Raptors on top in the face of the Lakers’ persistent rally.
« It was my time to go out there and be more aggressive, » said Lowry, who finished two points shy of his career high. « If it’s taking the extra shot or making more shots or creating more shots, it’s just a chance to go out there and play basketball. Playing in the fourth quarter is really fun.  »
Lowry also had nine rebounds and seven assists, while DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points in another big game in his hometown. The Atlantic Division-leading Raptors’ two scoring stars got them back in winning form on the fifth stop of their six-game road trip.
« He could have had more, » DeRozan said of Lowry’s fourth-quarter dominance. « The fourth quarter has got to be ours on both ends. We’ve got to put our mark on it.  »
Toronto got its fourth straight win over the Lakers, sweeping the season series for the second straight year.
Nick Young hit seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points for the Lakers, who emerged from a miserable December with their 15th loss in 17 games despite a stirring late surge.
« That’s a good team, » Lakers coach Luke Walton said of the Raptors. « They have some All-Star Olympians that really carried the load for them. (Lowry) had it cooking.  »
D’Angelo Russell hit four of his six 3-pointers and scored 14 of his 28 points in the final period. The Lakers trimmed a 19-point deficit to six, but Lowry and Terrence Ross hit big shots down the stretch to keep Toronto comfortably ahead.
« I think the effort is there, » Young said. « We’re showing it. We have to limit the six-minute breakdowns we go through.  »
FIGHT ON
DeRozan and Young are both Los Angeles natives who played at Southern California. They dueled for long stretches on the eve of the Trojans’ return to the Rose Bowl to face Penn State. DeRozan only spent one year at USC before going pro, while Young played three years for the Trojans, leaving in 2007 — one year before DeRozan arrived.
DOWN THE STRETCH
The Raptors blew it open by hitting their first eight shots of the final period, turning a two-point lead into a 19-point margin in six minutes. Los Angeles rallied behind Russell, whose fifth 3-pointer trimmed the lead to 112-106 with 3:10 left. Los Angeles never got closer as Lowry scored on the next two possessions.
SWAGGY 3
Young’s latest burst from long range gave him 36 3-pointers in the last eight games — the most in an eight-game stretch in Lakers franchise history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
STILL SLUMPING
Los Angeles took its third straight home loss since a Christmas victory over the Clippers. The Lakers showed signs of their early-season selves after that miserable December, but weren’t rewarded with a win. Los Angeles struggled under the weight of injuries and a packed schedule last month after a 10-10 start to their first season following the worst three years in franchise history.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Patrick Patterson didn’t play. He strained his left knee at Phoenix on Thursday. … Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Lakers: Former Toronto G Jose Calderon is in uniform, but still struggling with a strained hamstring. He didn’t play for the 15th straight game. … Former Raptors G Lou Williams also struggled, going 3 of 11 for eight points.
UP NEXT
Raptors: Finish road trip at San Antonio on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Memphis on Tuesday.

Similarity rank: 1.1

Sentiment rank: 0.9

© Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article124127819.html
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MINNEAPOLIS — Two spectators rapelled from the rafters of U. S. Bank Stadium during the Chicago Bears – Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday, and hung a banner protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The incident ended peacefully and the duo was arrested.
During the second quarter of Sunday’s game, the banner was hung from the rafters and the two individuals hung from ropes while the game continued. Police climbed the rafters above the two and remained in position. One fan was wearing a Vikings purple No. 4 Brett Favre jersey.
The banner read « U. S. Bank, Divest, #NoDAPL.  » U. S. Bank is helping fund the project.
Firefighters joined the police as they searched for a way to get the individuals down.
The two were high above the seating section and one was waving to the fans. Police cleared six rows of fans from the seating area right below the individuals.
« Two individuals appear to have climbed over a guard rail to access the ridge truss, » SMG, a management group for the stadium, said in a statement during the game. « We immediately dispatched on-site Minneapolis police and fire departments to the scene and cleared the seating section below. We are working with all stadium partners, and our primary focus is on the safety of the fans and these two individuals.  »
It was the final game of the season for Minnesota and Chicago. The Vikings won 38-10 to finish at 8-8 after a 5-0 start.
« Why wouldn’t the season finish like that?  » quarterback Sam Bradford said of the banner incident. « I think it’s just been that kind of a year.  »
Receiver Jarius Wright was amazed at the scene.
« It was crazy, » Wright said. « We kind of sat there and laughed about it the whole game. How did they get up there? They had the whole setup with the rapel thing. How does that even happen? The moved out the whole section underneath them, so it was a crazy way to end out the season.  »
Said receiver Adam Thielen: « That was interesting. They got some [guts], that’s for sure.
The Vikings opened U. S. Bank Stadium, their new $1 billion home, this season.

Similarity rank: 3.2

Sentiment rank: -1.3

© Source: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2017/01/02/Protestors-hang-pipeline-banner-at-Minnesota-Vikings-game/2661483336036/
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The Broncos are in search of a coach. The Raiders are looking for a quarterback.
Neither of these AFC West rivals came out of Sunday in as good of shape as they went in.
After a 24-6 victory, Denver coach Gary Kubiak told his players he was stepping away.
During that loss, the Raiders (12-4) saw their hopes for a division title and first-round bye slip away, and also lost their quarterback-of-the-moment, Matt McGloin , to a shoulder injury.
They are faced with the prospect of rookie Connor Cook making his first NFL start in a playoff game at Houston next weekend.
« Nothing is easy about this league, » coach Jack Del Rio said. « We wanted to win the division but we didn’t earn that. We earned the playoffs.  »
He had little to offer about McGloin’s status. The fourth-year veteran, starting in place of the previously injured Derek Carr, left in the second quarter with an injury to his left shoulder and watched the rest of the game from the sideline.
In the other locker room, players voiced support for Kubiak, who has battled health problems and will leave the team only one short season after he led it to a Super Bowl title.
« I owe him a lot, obviously, » said Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, who earned the starting job this year.
The Broncos went 9-7 and missed the playoffs, and now, team vice president John Elway embarks on a coaching search he didn’t expect. Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could be candidates.
« I trust him 100 percent, » linebacker Von Miller said of Elway, with whom he had contentious contract negotiations last offseason. « We have a championship organization here.  »
But there will be a new champion this year. The Raiders once looked like as much of a front-runner in the AFC as anyone outside of New England. But now, it’s Kansas City as division champion and Oakland as a road team with no sure bet on who its quarterback will be.
« We’re big boys, » Del Rio said. « We can take it like men and move on. It’s not what we wanted by any stretch.  »
Other things we learned from Denver’s win over Oakland:
PRESSURE COOKER
Cook was a fourth-round pick out of Michigan State. His first NFL action came under the most difficult of circumstances. He finished 14 for 21 for 150 yards with a touchdown and an interception. If he starts next week, he’ll become the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to make his first NFL start in the playoffs. « It’s not going to change anything for me, » he said. « I’m still going to prep as if I’m playing. It doesn’t matter if I’m backup, starter, whatever.  »
ON THE BENCH
Kubiak hinted all week that both Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch would see playing time in the finale. With Denver’s offense rolling — 24 points is more than it scored in the last three games combined — Lynch never made it off the bench. « That’s on me, » Kubiak said. « Paxton has a bright future. It’s going to be a hell of a battle between those two kids next year.  »
GOOD NEWS, MAYBE
The Raiders went 3-3 against AFC West rivals, but won all six games against the rest of the conference. Their playoff opener is against the Texans, who they beat 27-20 in a game in Mexico City in November. « Our heads shouldn’t be down, » receiver Amari Cooper said. « We’re still going to the playoffs; we just didn’t earn a bye.  » One more tidbit: Since the playoff field was expanded to 12 teams, a No. 5 seed has never represented the AFC in the Super Bowl.
ELITE COMPANY
Devontae Booker became the seventh Broncos rookie with a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game. He joins such names as Clinton Portis, who accomplished the feat in 2002, Terrell Davis (1995) and Rick Upchurch (1975). « That just shows what our offense can do, » Booker said. « We went out there and moved the ball up and down the field. We put points on the board.  »
OTHER HEALTH WORRIES
Raiders left tackle Donald Penn left the game clutching his left knee but Del Rio said he thinks Penn should be fine for next week.

Similarity rank: 3.3

Sentiment rank: 0

© Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article124123769.html
All rights are reserved and belongs to a source media.

Last Day on the Islands Sunday, January 1
President Obama is wrapping up his 16-day winter vacation with dinner at Buzz’s in Lanikai with the first family and friends. He also made some stops at a few of his regular goodbye locations earlier in the day.
He started at the University of Hawaii Manoa.
According to the White House, his daughters and sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, joined him at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, where he met with the incoming East-West Center president, Richard R. Vuylsteke. The East-West Center was a finalist for his presidential library.
He then visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where his grandfather Stanley Dunham is buried. The president often visits the cemetery before leaving.
He spent the afternoon with his family and friends at Bellows Beach for a perfect Hawaiian, sunny afternoon.
He is scheduled to depart Hawaii at 10 p.m. HT, or 3 a.m. ET.
Gone Golfing
Saturday, Dec. 31
President Obama spent the final hours of 2016 golfing at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course at the Kaneohe Marine with golfing buddies Darrell Harrington, Mike Ramos, and Bobby Titcomb.
Around 3 p.m., he returned to his Kailua vacation rental, where he rang in the new year.
As the motorcade entered the neighborhood where he’s been vacationing, some people held up a sign saying « Thank you President and Mrs. Obama. « 
But the day was not all R&R.
Following the deadly nightclub attack in Turkey, principal deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said in a statement, « This afternoon the President was briefed by his National Security Team on the attack in Istanbul. The President expressed condolences for the innocent lives lost, directed his team to offer appropriate assistance to the Turkish authorities, as necessary, and keep him updated as warranted. « 
A Late Start and a Luau
Friday, Dec. 30
After a late night dinner Thursday night, President Obama skipped his usual gym routine and opted for a late start to the last Friday of the year. The Obamas attended a luau on Oahu’s North Shore at the home of the president’s childhood friend Bobby Titcomb, spending more than six hours at the gathering. The first family has attended Titcomb’s annual luaus in the past.
Obama Hits Russia, the Gym and the Beach
Thursday, Dec. 29
Aside from imposing various sanctions against Russia for its alleged cyberassault on Democratic political organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign, President Obama today hit the gym, the beach and a trendy Honolulu restaurant.
He kicked off the day with a workout at the Semper Fit gym on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, arriving around 8 a.m. In the afternoon, the entire Obama clan a group of friend headed to the beach at Bellows Air Force Station in the Oahu town of Waimanalo.
Toward the end of the day, the Obamas spent downtime at their vacation rental, before the president and the first lady had dinner with friends at Honolulu hotspot Mahina & Sun’s.
Family Night Out
Wednesday, Dec. 28
After President Obama started his day with his ritual gym time, he spent the afternoon on the links at Kapolei golf club, joined by Hawaii regulars Mike Ramos, Bobby Titcomb and Greg Orme.
This evening was reserved for some family time. According to the White House, the first family and their friends toured Shangri La, a center for Islamic art and cultures built by heiress Doris Duke. The Honolulu home is a « center for Islamic arts and cultures offering guided tours, residencies for scholars and artists, and programs for the purpose of improving understanding of the Islamic world, » according to its website.
The family capped the evening with a dinner at famed sushi restaurant Nobu near the Ala Moana mall area. According to the pool traveling with him, at least a hundred people stood across the street from the restaurant cheering and taking photos and videos as he exited.
Earlier today, the White House confirmed Obama called trump from Hawaii and that the call was « positive and focused on continuing a smooth and effective transition. « 
Pearl Harbor Reconciliation
Tuesday, Dec. 27
President Obama was joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe honoring the lives lost at Pearl Harbor. The two leaders met this morning for a bilateral meeting, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the USS Arizona and remarks.
The two leaders praised peace over war, offered condolences for the lives lost, and remembrance for their sacrifice.
« It is here that we remember that even when hatred burns hottest, even when the tug of tribalism is at its most primal, we must resist the urge to turn inward, » Obama said.
Following the historic meeting, Obama headed to Hanauma Bay, where he met up with the first family and friends for snorkeling.
Golf and Fine Dining
Monday, Dec. 26
After more than five hours at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, President Obama and his golf partners wrapped up their round.
His usual group joined him for the foursome: Bobby Titcomb, Mike Ramos, and Greg Orme.
This is the second time this trip that Potus has golfed here.
This evening, Obama along with the first lady and some friends dined at a Honolulu favorite: Alan Wong’s.
Christmas Greetings
Sunday, Dec. 25
The President and his family stayed in this Christmas morning. According to the White House they opened Christmas gifts and played games.
This afternoon, the President and the First Lady went to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kaneohe Bay to visit with service members and their families and thank them for their service to the country. Obama reiterated his thanks to the troops saying their sacrifice can never be fully repaid. He thanked the families who serve alongside them and joked he plans on continuing his use of the gym & golf course as ex-president.
He tweeted out a holiday greeting earlier this morning.
Obama selecting a photo from a state dinner.
The best part of the holidays is the time we share with those we love. On behalf of Michelle, Malia, and Sasha, Merry Christmas everyone. pic.twitter.com/EznGyxluS8
While the First Lady went with a throw-back photo.
May your home be filled with peace and joy. Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/ZfJKus2SsV
Obama also made calls last night to troops stationed overseas.
According to Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz: « Last night, the President made telephone calls to US service members from each branch of the military who are currently stationed around the globe. The President expressed his gratitude on behalf of all Americans for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families. « 
Merry Christmas, everyone! Yesterday, President Obama made Christmas Eve calls to U. S. Troops stationed overseas. Go to JoiningForces.gov to see how you can honor and support the service members, veterans and military families in your community – not just during the holidays, but all year round.
A photo posted by The White House (@whitehouse) on Dec 25, 2016 at 10:16am PST
Shaved Ice and ‘Live-Action Escape:’ Obama’s Dad-Daughter Day Out
Saturday, Dec. 24
After President Obama enjoyed a roughly two-hour lunch with daughters Sasha and Malia Friday at Waikiki’s Side Street Inn, the trio, along with the daughters’ friends, headed to Breakout Waikiki, which bills itself as « Hawaii’s first live-action escape room. « 
The venue allots guests roughly 60-minutes to escape from a room using codes and « your gut » by solving riddles.
The President and his daughters spent an hour-and-a-half inside the room, so whether they made it out, is unclear.
Afterwards, the group visited the president’s favorite shaved ice spot, Kailua’s Island Snow. According to the travel pool, Malia passed on partaking in the frozen dessert, but Sasha opted for a blue shaved ice treat.
The president exited Island Snow with a large-sized shaved ice treat. He was sporting a white polo, khakis, flip flops, and wearing sunglasses, while he chatted with bystanders and small children before making his way down the ropeline, making eye contact with a toddler and proceeding to pick up the child, prompting an audible « awww » reaction from the crowd.
The first lady was noticeably absent, but spent time answering phone calls received by the Santa NORAD tracking center. She spoke with children interested in knowing Santa’s whereabouts, and listening to what they want for Christmas.
Golf Again
Friday, Dec. 23
After a little more than 4-hours, Obama wrapped another round of Golf this afternoon. Returning to play at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe). Playing with him are regulars Darrell Harrington, Bobby Titcomb, Greg Orme. And in his weekday habit made his way to the gym this morning before hitting the links.
Back to the Beach
Thursday, Dec. 22
For the second time this trip, President Obama and the first family spent the afternoon at the beach with a group of friends. This time the Obamas visited the beach at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where the president started his day in the morning with his ritual workout.
After almost two hours under mostly cloudy skies, according to the press pool, they headed back to their vacation rental where they remained for the night.
Golfing on the West Side of Oahu
Wednesday, Dec. 21
On another beautiful Hawaiian day, President Obama continued his familiar pattern of an early morning workout at the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii followed by a golf outing. Today’s course: Kapolei Golf Club. He was joined by regular golf partners Bobby Titcomb, Greg Orme and Darrell Harrington.
The round lasted under five hours and the press who travel with Obama’s motorcade were invited to the 18th green to witness the commander in chief finish out his round. They reported that Obama stepped up on the green and sunk “a rather short putt” and tipped his cap in the direction of the press after making the putt. “Fellow players then approached POTUS to clasp hands and bro hug in triumph,” one of the pool reporters noted.
Family Fun at the Beach
Tuesday, Dec. 20
The Obama family went to Bellows Air Force station to visit the beach with friends. It is a favorite beach spot for the first family; last year, the first family visited the beach three times, and in 2014 made it there five times.
The visit came after Obama announced in a statement earlier in the day what he characterized as a permanent ban on drilling in parts of the Arctic and Atlantic.
Another Day of Golf
Monday, Dec. 19
Obama hit the links for the second time golfing today at Mid Pacific (or « Mid Pac ») Country Club. He was joined by long time friends Bobby Titcomb and Greg Orme — regular golf partners for the president when he returns to his home state — as well as White House aide Joe Paulsen.
This evening, the president and first lady ate out for the first time in Honolulu, visiting the Vintage Cave Cafe in Waikiki.
Obamas Visit Nature Trail
Sunday, Dec. 18
President Obama, along with first lady Michelle Obama joined some friends Sunday for a walking nature trail at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.
Located in Kaneohe, Oahu, the 400-acre nature garden is part of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. The name Ho’omaluhia means « a peaceful refuge. « 
According to the press pool traveling with the president, a steady rain persisted during their roughly one hour at Ho’omaluhia.
Keeping With His Golfing tradition
Saturday, Dec. 17
President Obama is hitting the links for his first full day on vacation. The first round is being played on the Marine Corps Base course: Kaneohe Klipper Golf Club.
According to the website it is « one of the world’s best military golf courses, consistently voted Number One by DoD patrons » and described as a « golfers’ paradise where the Ko’oalu Mountains frame the front nine and the Pacific coastline spans the back nine. « 
Along for the game are White House staffers Joe Paulsen, Luke Rosa and Michael Brush, as well as longtime Obama friend Bobby Titcomb.
Obama started his 2014 and 2015 vacations in Hawaii playing this same course, with the same group of regulars.
Off to Hawaii for Final Family Vacation as First Family
Friday, Dec. 16
President Barack Obama is heading back to his home state of Hawaii for his final vacation as president.
Taking off Friday evening, the first family returns to the island Obama grew up on, Oahu, for 17 days, staying near the beach town of Kailua.
The final vacation will be historic in another way — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor following a summit meeting with Obama in Hawaii, becoming the first Japanese leader to go to the site of the Japanese attack that propelled the United States into World War II.
The announcement came after the 75th anniversary of the attack and six months after Obama visited Hiroshima, becoming the first sitting U. S. president to visit the site of the U. S. atomic bombing.
Obama visited the island earlier this year as to designate Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument off the Hawaiian coast, creating the world’s largest marine protected area.
« This is an area twice the size of Texas that’s going to be protected, and it allows us to save and study the fragile ecosystem threatened by climate change, » Obama said following the designation at a Conference of Leaders and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii, in September.
This post will be regularly updated throughout the Obama’s final vacation as first family.

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Bono and the guys in U2 are big football fans, as in soccer.
So when they sang about “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year’s Day,” they had no intention of describing the end of the 2016 NFL season.
Yet, the firings of Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke in San Francisco, Mike McCoy in San Diego, and the resignation of Gary Kubiak for health reasons in Denver certainly rang true to those rock classics.
Usually, the axings take place the day after the regular season concludes. Except, of course, for the teams in a rush to get into the personnel market extra early, which in ’16 were the Jaguars (Gus Bradley), Rams (Jeff Fisher) and Bills (Rex Ryan).
Then-49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 1, 2017, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
On Sunday, while other franchises were scrambling to make the playoffs or improve their postseason standing, the coaching carousel spun wildly in California. With Fisher already canned in Los Angeles, Kelly and McCoy became unemployed within an hour of each other.
Both moves were predictable, as was the release of Baalke, whose success as a GM with the 49ers now, it’s clear, was dependent on how Jim Harbaugh molded and improved the players Baalke gave him. Baalke won a power struggle with Harbaugh, who headed to Michigan. The Niners became historically bad without him, and Baalke’s choice of Kelly to work with such a weak roster looks worse than hiring caretaker Jim Tomsula after Harbaugh left. At least Tomsula went 5-11, three more victories than Kelly managed.
Indeed, his only wins in a 2-14 record came against the Rams, so maybe LA owner Stan Kroenke will turn to Kelly.
Don’t count on it.
“Despite my feelings for Trent and Chip, I felt the decision to change our football leadership was absolutely necessary,” 49ers CEO Jed York said in a statement. “The performance of this team has not lived up to my expectations or those of our fans, and that is truly disappointing. We all expected to see this team progress and develop as the season went on, but unfortunately that did not happen. That is why now is the time to find a new direction for this team.”
The new direction for the Chargers looks like it will be north a bit to become a tenant of Kroenke and the Rams in the new Inglewood, California palace that will open in a few years. McCoy’s team lost its last five games and finished second for two straight seasons in the tough AFC West. Injuries tore it apart, too, but with the focus on whether the Chargers would move to LA, it was hard to judge what kind of job McCoy was doing.
Apparently Chargers chairman Dean Spanos wants a totally fresh start when the club abandons its long-time home.
Which means both of the new teams in Los Angeles, which was without the NFL since 1995 until the Rams moved back last year, will be riding the coaching carousel.
More moves could be coming, too. Is Chuck Pagano safe in Indianapolis? Might the Saints do something with Sean Payton? What about Bears coach John Fox?
Safe for another year are Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan , who the Jets are bringing back. And Cleveland coach Hue Jackson, despite a 1-15 record. And Marvin Lewis despite the meltdown in Cincinnati.
The saddest news comes from Denver. Never was there a question about Kubiak returning after leading the Broncos to their Super Bowl win last February. But Kubiak’s health issues forced him to step aside, disappointing fans, players and John Elway alike.
“We love Kube, we love how he treated us,” said cornerback Aqib Talib. “We pray he gets healthy.”
Denver won’t have any trouble filling Kubiak’s spot. One of the hot candidates, for example, is Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, son of Mike Shanahan, who coached Elway to two Super Bowl championships.
Given how well Kubiak fit in the Broncos’ family, such a hire makes a lot of sense.
Then again, sensibility isn’t always a criteria in NFL coaching circles.
(TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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