Cardinals’ J.J. Watt indicates he’ll retire at end of season
TEMPE, Ariz. — J.J. Watt could be a terrifying presence on a football field, hunting opposing quarterbacks with unparalleled ferocity, particularly during the early 2010s with the Houston Texans. But the 6-foot-5, 288-pounder also could be a joyful fan favorite, playing catch on the sideline with young fans in the...
Jets’ White cleared by docs, will start at QB on SundayVideo
Mike White is back at quarterback for the New York Jets. And just in time, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. White was cleared by team doctors and will start Sunday in Seattle after he missed the Jets’ past two games while dealing with broken ribs suffered in...
Analysis: Safely in playoffs, Ravens turn focus to division titleVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have clinched a postseason berth. Coach John Harbaugh indicated that would have no impact on Lamar Jackson’s status. “Players play when they’re healthy and ready to go. That’s really all we do,” Harbaugh said after Baltimore’s 17-9 win over Atlanta on Saturday. “When...
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has returned to the NFL’s concussion protocol, Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. Tagovailoa was experiencing symptoms when he met with team doctors Monday, though McDaniel said it is unclear if Tagovailoa was concussed in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay. Tagovailoa...
Analysis: Bengals win 7th straight but still seek consistencyVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow succinctly summarized the wild inconsistency displayed by the Bengals offense Saturday. “First half was about as good as it gets,” the Cincinnati quarterback said. “And then after that, we kind of shot ourselves in the foot over and over and over again.” Burrow couldn’t seem to...
Analysis: Loss in bitter cold leaves Browns outside playoffs once againVideo
CLEVELAND — There’s nothing left for the Cleveland Browns to accomplish this season, another failed one in a long line of malfunctions for one of the NFL’s most inept franchises. Since 1999, they’ve had three winning seasons. Count ’em, three. They are masters of dysfunction, however, and coach Kevin Stefanski...
Randy Gregory, Oday Aboushi suspended 1 game for punchesVideo
NEW YORK — Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory and Rams offensive lineman Oday Aboushi were suspended one game each for exchanging punches after Los Angeles’ 51-14 win over Denver on Sunday. NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspensions Monday for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness...
Denver Broncos fire rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos fired first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday with two games left in the season. Team owner and CEO Greg Penner said he’ll lead the search for a new coach with assistance from GM George Paton, in whom he expressed confidence while announcing Hackett’s dismissal....
Analysis: NFL playoff picture tightens up after Week 16
Minshew Mania is on hold. The Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed with their backup quarterback, tightening the playoff picture in a wide-open conference. The Eagles (13-2) need only one more win to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs but a 40-34 loss...
Rams, Bucs, Packers earn wins on same day in upside down NFC
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers led comeback wins, and the Los Angeles Rams dominated Russell Wilson and the Broncos. It was a triumphant Christmas for the Buccaneers, Packers and Rams as many figured it would be when the schedule was released in May. The NFC’s top three preseason Super Bowl...
Browns eliminated from playoff contention after Saints rally for victory
CLEVELAND — Without a roof over their heads, the Saints went outside and handled the frightful weather — and the Browns. They’re still in the playoff mix. Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill each had touchdown runs and New Orleans left its comfortable dome and withstood Cleveland’s arctic-like conditions in a...
Tyler Huntley, Ravens beat Falcons, secure playoff spot
BALTIMORE — Tyler Huntley threw a first-half touchdown pass, and the Baltimore defense kept the Atlanta Falcons out of the end zone in a 17-9 victory Saturday that ended up assuring a playoff spot for the Ravens. About a half-hour after Baltimore (10-5) took care of the Falcons, New England...
Bengals force late red zone turnover, hold off Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes and the Cincinnati Bengals forced a late turnover in the red zone to preserve a 22-18 win over the New England Patriots on Saturday. The Bengals (11-4) won their seventh straight game and remained in the driver’s seat for a second...
Jets WRs coach Miles Austin suspended by NFL for gambling
New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was suspended by the NFL for a minimum of one year for violating the league’s gambling policy. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Friday confirmed the suspension, which Austin is appealing. McCarthy added the league would have no further comment until the appeal...
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ordered to take paternity test
DALLAS — A judge ordered Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take a paternity test as part of a legal dispute with a 26-year-old woman who claims the billionaire is her biological father. A Texas judge issued the order for genetic testing Thursday in a paternity case brought by Alexandra...
Rams’ Aaron Donald unlikely to return this season, McVay says
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Aaron Donald is unlikely to return to the Los Angeles Rams’ defense this season. Donald will miss his fourth straight game with a high ankle sprain Sunday when the Rams (4-10) host the Denver Broncos. Coach Sean McVay admitted Friday that his seven-time All-Pro lineman and...
NFL on Christmas Day: Some of the most memorable games of the last 51 years
LOS ANGELES — The concept of playing an NFL game on Christmas Day sounded a lot better to Jay Feely when the schedule came out in the spring than it did as the holiday season approached. It was 2010, and Feely was kicking for the Arizona Cardinals, who were 5-10...
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars continue playoff push, outclass JetsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Trevor Lawrence was in a celebratory mood, decked out in an ugly Christmas sweater while acknowledging it wasn’t exactly the prettiest performance he and his Jacksonville Jaguars have had during their playoff surge. It was plenty good enough, though. The Jags’ 19-3 victory over an embarrassed...
Baltimore star Lamar Jackson to miss 3rd straight gameVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson will miss a third straight game when the Baltimore Ravens host the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. Jackson was ruled out Thursday because of a knee injury. He was hurt in a win over Denver on Dec. 4. The Ravens have split two road games...
NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ headed to YouTube beginning next season
Fans will have to Google it beginning next season if they want to access the NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” package. The NFL announced a multiyear agreement on Thursday for Google to distribute the package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels. The NFL was seeking $2.5...
Reports: YouTube TV front-runner for NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’Video
YouTube TV has emerged as the favorite to land the NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” package of out-of-market games, but the sides have not finalized a deal, two people with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday evening. A deal could be announced as soon as Wednesday, according to the people, who spoke...
Ravens put WR Devin Duvernay on IR with foot injury, claim Sammy Watkins off waiversVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens put Devin Duvernay on injured reserve Tuesday in another blow to their increasingly maligned wide receiver group. Duvernay was limited in practice by a foot injury, and the team announced a short time later that he was going on IR. The Ravens claimed...
Zach Wilson to start at QB for Jets against Jaguars on Thursday nightVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Zach Wilson is getting another start for the New York Jets, and this one in prime time. Coach Robert Saleh announced the decision Tuesday that Wilson will be under center Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars as the Jets (7-7) try to hold on in the...
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has ‘chance’ to play at DallasVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Imagine this: Jalen Hurts back at quarterback for the Eagles only six days after his right shoulder was mashed into Bermuda sod on a blustery afternoon in Chicago. The scenario ostensibly has gone from long shot after it was revealed Hurts had sprained his throwing shoulder — the...
Chiefs’ Mahomes making MVP bid with more balanced approachVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes always has pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the field. And plenty of times over five seasons as the starting quarterback in Kansas City, a line was crossed that led to some admonishment from Andy Reid. Over the past two years, though,...
