NFL exec Troy Vincent hopes Rooney Rule becomes unnecessaryVideo
NFL executive Troy Vincent hopes hiring minority candidates becomes so common that the Rooney Rule is unnecessary. “We should be creating a workplace culture that doesn’t require mandates to interview people of color and minorities,” Vincent told the Associated Press on Thursday. “They should be doing the right thing for...
Aaron Rodgers says he won’t drag out decision on future
Aaron Rodgers says he won’t drag out any offseason decisions regarding his future with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 38, said he would make a decision after talking to his loved ones as well as team officials such as CEO/President Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director...
Panthers bench Cam Newton, will start Sam Darnold at QB vs. SaintsVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Sam Darnold will start at quarterback Sunday against the New Orleans Saints instead of 2015 league MVP Cam Newton. Newton is 0-5 as Carolina’s starting quarterback this year and has lost 13 straight starts as the Panthers starting QB dating to the...
After missing 2 games with ankle injury, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice WednesdayVideo
Lamar Jackson is back at practice, and Tyler Huntley could be available soon. The Baltimore Ravens won’t ever return to full strength this season, but with two games to play, perhaps the worst is behind them. Jackson was limited at practice Wednesday, but that’s a step in the right direction...
In passing league, some NFL teams still find success on groundVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Relying on a big-play quarterback to carve up opposing defenses in the passing game remains the best path to offensive success in the modern NFL. But for teams that don’t have an accomplished passer such as Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes, sticking to the...
John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85Video
John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85. The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause. Madden gained fame...
NFL cuts isolation time for players who test positiveVideo
The NFL is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for covid-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, to five days from 10. The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period...
Carson Wentz joins covid-19 list as Colts try to earn playoff spotVideo
The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period and masking over the second five days. The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday’s key game against Las Vegas...
Bengals looking for consistency as they aim for playoff spot
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow and coach Zac Taylor didn’t care that the Bengals already had the game in hand when they continued to dial up pass plays late in the win that sealed a season sweep of the Baltimore Ravens. “Last year, we hardly had anybody left, and we didn’t...
Kevin Stefanski, Browns second-guessed, stung by close losses
CLEVELAND — Despite two agonizing losses in six days, a litany of covid-19 cases and a banged-up starting quarterback who crumbles when the moment calls for strength, the Cleveland Browns still have a chance to make the playoffs. It’s a long shot. But there’s a path, a prayer. In this...
Defense, Jaylen Waddle lift Dolphins to 7th straight win
NEW ORLEANS — A Dolphins defense that intercepted Saints rookie Ian Book twice and sacked him eight times was probably enough to push Miami’s winning streak to seven games. Miami also got a big lift from rookie sensation Jaylen Waddle to outclass New Orleans on both sides of the ball....
Analysis: Depleted Ravens couldn’t keep it close against BengalsVideo
The Baltimore Ravens have remained competitive all season despite injuries that have decimated the roster. Against Cincinnati, it finally looked like one team’s backups trying to stop another team’s stars. The Ravens were helpless against a Cincinnati team that wasn’t forced to punt. After losing its previous three games by...
Dak Prescott, Cowboys celebrate with rout of Washington
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have to worry about the NFC East title anymore once they kicked off against Washington. So they took care of the star quarterback’s slump instead. Prescott threw four touchdown passes, DeMarcus Lawrence returned an interception for a score and the...
NFL roundup: Tampa Bay takes NFC South title for 1st time since 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first NFC South title since 2007 on Sunday when Tom Brady threw for 232 yards and a touchdown and Antonio Brown made a grand return to the NFL in a 32-6 rout of the Carolina Panthers. In his first game since...
Allen’s 3 TDs, McKenzie’s big day push Bills past Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With their season on the brink and several key players unavailable, the Buffalo Bills trudged into Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the New England Patriots needing somebody to step up. They wound up having too many to count. Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns, Isaiah McKenzie had a...
Joe Burrow’s 525 yards, 4 TDs power Bengals past RavensVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow’s franchise record-breaking 525-yard passing performance clearly meant something to the Cincinnati Bengals, who continued calling deep throws for him late in the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead against division rival Baltimore until the mark was secured. Only three QBs in NFL history have thrown for...
Banged-up Colts shrug off injuries, beat Cardinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Indianapolis Colts have beaten some teams with Jonathan Taylor’s legs, some with Carson Wentz’s arm and a few with stellar defense. They added another formula for a victory Saturday night: sheer grit. “We’ve got a ton of ways to beat you,” receiver T.Y. Hilton said. “You...
Chiefs get big boost as receiver Tyreke Hill clears covid protocol; Travis Kelce yet to clearVideo
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill cleared the covid-19 protocols Saturday and will be available Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told The Star. Tight end Travis Kelce, linebacker Nick Bolton and rookie tackle Lucas Niang, on the other hand, have not yet cleared. The Chiefs elected to...
Rodgers sets team record as Packers hold off Browns, 24-22Video
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rasul Douglas and the Green Bay Packers’ pass defense didn’t let the Cleveland Browns spoil Aaron Rodgers’ milestone day. Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre to become Green Bay’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, and the Packers intercepted Baker Mayfield four times in a 24-22 victory over the...
Analysis: 2 go or not 2 go for 2-pointers is the questionVideo
To go or not to go. That is the question. It’s a query Ravens coach John Harbaugh has faced twice lately and many times in the past. It’s one that fellow AFC North coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers — yes, two of the NFL’s best sideline men —...
Browns activate QB Baker Mayfield, WR Jarvis Landry from covid listVideo
CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield moved a step closer to playing against Aaron Rodgers on Christmas as the Browns activated their quarterback from the covid-19 reserve list Friday before leaving for Green Bay. Mayfield has been out since testing positive Dec. 15, one of a slew of virus cases the past...
More QB issues for Ravens: Tyler Huntley misses practice
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Tyler Huntley missed practice Friday for the Baltimore Ravens with an illness, adding even more uncertainty to the team’s quarterback situation heading into this weekend’s showdown at Cincinnati. Huntley is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, which pits the AFC North co-leaders against each other. Lamar...
Browns face huge challenge vs. Packers as they cling to their playoff hopesVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Cleveland Browns are residing in the AFC North basement, dealing with covid-19 complications and playing two road games in a span of six days. Yet they remain in the mix for a second straight playoff berth. The Browns (7-7) can give their fading postseason hopes...
Gritty Titans 1 win from clinching AFC South after big rallyVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans know how to fight and not quit, no matter how ugly a game might be. That’s the biggest reason why the Titans are a win, or an Indianapolis loss, from clinching their second straight AFC South title with two games remaining. A team that...
‘All Madden’ documentary a labor of love for Fox Sports
Many gamers will receive the latest edition of the “Madden” video game for the holidays. On Saturday, some will even find out for the first time that the name behind the popular franchise was a successful coach and broadcaster. Or as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell succinctly puts it: “John Madden...
