Bruce Arians has agreed to a contract to coach the Cardinals. Could end up bringing Todd Bowles as his DC if Eagles let him go

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 18, 2013

After interviewing Colts OC Bruce Arians today, it appears the Arizona Cardinals are on the verge of naming him the teams’ next head coach:

#Cardinals met with Bruce Arians today. He left with a great feeling. He was rewarded with an offer. Source says he’ll be the team’s HC.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2013

This means Jay Gruden will remain the Bengals Offensive Coordinator, and the team will return both of their primary coordinators, as well as a wealth of talented young players that should be back in the postseason in 2013.

Oct 16, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals Jay Gruden watches the big screen during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Colts 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

With just one NFL head-coaching opening left, it appeared for a second as though that the Bengals would be keeping their two primary coordinators for at least one more season. However, ESPN analyst John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620 that he thinks Bengals Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden will be the next Arizona Cardinals Head Coach:

When you look at what’s there for the Arizona Cardinals they still can maybe get a Bruce Arians, they can still maybe get a Jay Gruden. I don’t know where it stands with Todd Haley but you don’t get good vibes about that. I still think in the end it’s going to be Jay Gruden.

The only other candidate Clayton foresees as a legitimate candidate for the cards ins Colts OC Bruce Arians, but doesn’t see him leaving Indianapolis after just one season:

I can’t see Bruce Arians wanting to just get a head coaching job. I mean this guy; he’s got a great situation. Why leave Andrew Luck? He’s that good.

If you’re attached to Andrew Luck and you are as good as coach as [Arians] is why leave him? You’ll get offers next year.

If you don’t feel comfortable with the coaches that you can work with, you can pick and choose. I would not doubt that [Arians] can get that offer but also too what I would question is whether he would take it if he can’t have everything that he wants.

Arians had dinner with Cardinals officials in Arizona on Wednesday night and is reportedly still meeting with them today. You can view his meeting with the Arizona media here:

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October 4, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Bradley Fletcher (32) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The biggest headline of last night’s Rams/Cardinal game may have been the news to come out before the game even kicked-off. The Rams announced they have decided to allow RB Steven Jackson to void the final year of his contract, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2013. Behind a strong performance from the Rams defense which sacked Kevin Kolb nine times, they were able to topple the previously unbeaten Cardinals by a 17-3 score. Unfortunately, Rams WR Danny Amendola suffered a broken collarbone in last night’s win.

Vikings QB Christian Ponder (hip) was limited in practice for the second-straight day Thursday

The Panthers top-corner, Chris Gamble (shoulder), is unlikely to play versus the Seahawks.

The New York Giants have ruled WR Hakeem Nicks out for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Eagles OT Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon in May, but still believes he has a chance to play this season. 

Jets incumbent starting QB Mark Sanchez still feels unthreatened at losing his job to Tim Tebow.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning’s wife, Ashley, is part of a group trying to buy the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team.

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It was a tough act to follow for the 4 o’clock games after the 1 o’clock games got the 2012 NFL season started with a bang, but all three games were thrilling to watch for all 4 quarters.

Sept 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass while under pressure from Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

In the much anticipated matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, it was Alex Smith out-dueling Aaron Rodgers to give the 49ers an early edge for the best overall-record in the NFC. Smith completed , the second of which gave the 49ers a 23-7 lead going into the 4th-quarter.

Rodgers and the Packers offense struggled for much of the day, but an electrifying 75-yard punt return for a touchdown cut the score to 23-15, but Rodgers threw a pick to Navarro Bowman with 9 minutes left, and Frank Gore rumbled into the endzone on a 23-yard TD run, and the 49ers held on for a 30-22 win in Green Bay after the PAckers drove to the San Fran 45-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass to Jordy Nelson. Alex Smith finished 20/26 for 211 yards and a pair of TDs, while Frank Gore had 116 yards and a TD on 16 rushes. Aaron Rodgers finished 30/44 for 303 and 2 TDs. It was the Packers’ first home loss to SF since 1990.