Bengals ‘in a good place’ at midpoint but seek consistency
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals moved one game above .500 before their bye week and, despite some significant injuries, are feeling pretty good about themselves. The Bengals improved to 5-4 with a 42-21 win over Carolina on Sunday that was a more thorough beating than the score indicated. They did...
Frank Reich out, Jeff Saturday in as Colts try to fix stagnant offense
INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Reich’s attempt to fix the Indianapolis Colts’ sputtering offense failed so now team owner Jim Irsay is turning to another trusted name — former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday. The Colts made both announcements about one hour apart Monday. They come less than 24 hours after one of...
NFL Week 9: Jets shut down Josh Allen in win over rival BillsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Jets’ defense shut down Josh Allen, Zach Wilson threw a touchdown pass and Greg Zuerlein kicked a go-ahead 28-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining to lift New York to a stunning 20-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills. With the game tied at 17, the Jets...
Joe Mixon scores 5 TDs as Bengals dominate PanthersVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Mixon rushed for 153 yards and scored five touchdowns as the Cincinnati Bengals built a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 42-21 rout of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Mixon, who came into the game with three TDs all year, scored four times in the first...
Lamar Jackson, Ravens aim to stop Saints’ resurgence on ‘MNF’Video
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints’ first season since former coach Sean Payton’s retirement has been a struggle. Yet first-year coach Dennis Allen’s chances of salvaging this campaign rose considerably last week with a dominant, shutout victory that harkened back to the Saints squads that made four straight playoff...
Jalen Hurts, Eagles beat Texans for their first 8-0 startVideo
HOUSTON — Jalen Hurts threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a slow start to beat the Houston Texans 29-17 on Thursday night for the first 8-0 start in franchise history. Hurts lost a fumble in a forgettable first half and game was tied at...
Quite the catch: WR Cooper has been everything Browns hopedVideo
CLEVELAND — Amari Cooper has been everything the Cleveland Browns hoped, providing leadership and high-quality play from the moment he arrived via trade from Dallas. He has been a standard of unquestioned excellence. Except for about eight seconds. At least Cooper was able to laugh late Monday night after his...
Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman opts for surgery, out for the season
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore receiver Rashod Bateman is out for the season after deciding to have surgery on his injured foot. Coach John Harbaugh announced Thursday that Bateman opted for Lisfranc surgery after consulting with his family and agent. “We support him on that. We understand what he’s doing,”...
Ray Guy, first Pro Football Hall of Fame punter, dies at 72
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Ray Guy, the first punter to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died Thursday. He was 72. Southern Mississippi, where Guy starred before becoming the first punter ever taken in the first round of the NFL draft, said he died following a lengthy illness. He had...
Deshaun Watson to start vs. Texans after suspension, GM says
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will start on Dec. 4 in Houston — against his former team — when his 11-game suspension ends, general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday. Watson, who played four seasons with the Texans, was suspended in August when he settled with the league...
Dan and Tanya Snyder hire firm to explore sale of Commanders
The NFL’s Washington Commanders could soon be for sale, after owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said they have hired Bank of America Securities to “consider potential transactions.” The team announced the surprising decision Wednesday to enlist the investment bank’s services. Asked if the Snyders were considering selling part or all...
Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey shine with milestone games
Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey had milestone weekends. The two star running backs had memorable games on Sunday with Henry rushing for 219 yards and two TDs against Houston and McCaffrey having a rare touchdown Triple Crown against the Rams. Henry had his sixth career game with at least 200...
Buffalo Bills address needs, get RB Nyheim Hines, S Dean Marlowe
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The AFC-leading Buffalo Bills refused to stand pat Tuesday at the NFL trade deadline with general manager Brandon Beane filling key needs in Buffalo’s offensive backfield and injury-depleted secondary. Beane began by adding an established pass-catching dimension in acquiring running back Nyheim Hines in a trade...
Falcons trade suspended Calvin Ridley to Jaguars in complex deal
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Suspended Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley is getting a fresh start in Jacksonville, although it’s unclear when he will be allowed to play again. The Jaguars made a complex deal to land Ridley — and potentially give quarterback Trevor Lawrence a true No. 1 receiver in 2023...
Vikings acquire tight end T.J. Hockenson from LionsVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the division rival Detroit Lions a few hours before the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, giving the NFC North leaders another skill-position standout. The Vikings downgraded two draft picks to make the swap with the Lions. They sent a 2023...
Broncos trade pass rusher Bradley Chubb to DolphinsVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are trading star pass rusher Bradley Chubb to Miami for a package that includes the Dolphins’ first-round draft pick next year, according to multiple reports. The trade also includes Denver sending a fifth-round pick in 2025 to Miami and the Dolphins sending the Broncos...
Analysis: Bumbling Bengals look to ‘flush away’ bad loss to BrownsVideo
CINCINNATI — Playing without star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Cincinnati Bengals had a rough night. One that could have ramifications for the rest of the season. Cincinnati lost its best cornerback when Chidobe Awuzie departed in the first half of Monday’s ugly 32-13 loss at Cleveland because of a right...
Analysis: Browns stop making mistakes, make statement against BengalsVideo
CLEVELAND — In the waning minutes of October, the Cleveland Browns cut loose in their locker room, releasing the pent-up frustrations caused by weeks filled with mistakes and injuries that put their season in peril. There were smiles everywhere late Monday night, some yelling, a few sighs of relief. Crisp...
Reich fires offensive coordinator as Colts keep sputtering
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady on Tuesday, two days after another subpar offensive showing in a loss to Washington. Indy’s offense is ranked No. 18 in total yards, but has struggled to run the ball most of this season. The Colts have turned...
Browns blast Joe Burrow, Bengals again
CLEVELAND — Nick Chubb rushed for two touchdowns and Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s defense frustrated Joe Burrow as the Browns thrashed Cincinnati, 32-13, on Monday night, keeping the Bengals star quarterback winless against them. Garrett, who came to FirstEnergy Stadium wearing a Halloween costume, led a scary defense that sacked...
Reports: Bears agree to trade LB Roquan Smith to RavensVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Chicago Bears agreed to trade linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. ESPN reported the Bears will receive a second-...
Browns’ Garrett hoping to sack Burrow, Bengals on HalloweenVideo
CLEVELAND — After being the Grim Reaper — complete with scythe and cape bearing names of quarterbacks he’s sacked — a year ago on Halloween, Myles Garrett might not wear a costume to Monday night’s matchup against Cincinnati. “I was just planning to go in and do my job and...
NFL Week 8: Koo’s OT FG gives Falcons improbable win over PanthersVideo
ATLANTA — Atlanta’s Younghoe Koo booted a 41-yard field goal in overtime after the Carolina Panthers missed a pair of kicks that could’ve won it, giving the Falcons an improbable 37-34 victory Sunday that maintained their hold on first place in the NFC South. The teams combined for three touchdowns...
Frustrated Brady, skidding Bucs seeking answers to tailspinVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady sat in front of his locker in full uniform for several minutes, his head buried at times in his hands. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost five of six games after a 2-0 start, their 45-year-old quarterback has lost three straight starts for the first...
Russell Wilson will start for Broncos against Jags in LondonVideo
HARROW, England — Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will start Denver’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium after practicing Friday with “no limitations,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said. Wilson was held out of last Sunday’s 16-9 loss to the New York Jets because of a strained hamstring. “We built a...
