NFL category, Page 222

HOUSTON — Though there are several ways the Tennessee Titans could secure a playoff berth Sunday, they’re intent on doing it by beating the Houston Texans so they don’t have to rely on anyone else. “The focus and the mentality is that now we’re playing playoff games,” coach Mike Vrabel...

Now that the Ravens have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage in the playoffs, there should be another wish on coach John Harbaugh’s Christmas list: Please don’t play the Kansas City Chiefs. Of all the other AFC teams that already have earned playoff spots, Kansas...

RENTON, Wash. — When Marshawn Lynch played his last game for Seattle in January 2016, a playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers, the idea of him ever wearing a Seahawks uniform again seemed preposterous. Yet here was Lynch on Tuesday going through his first practice with Seattle in nearly four...

MINNEAPOLIS — The first time the Green Bay Packers formally gathered in the spring, new coach Matt LaFleur presented the goal of reclaiming the NFC North. Division titles are standard preseason talking points around the NFL, and for the past quarter-century they’ve been the minimum expectation for the Packers. Considering...

MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Jones rushed for 154 yards and two second-half touchdowns, Za’Darius Smith had five tackles for loss to lead a stifling performance Green Bay’s defense, and the Packers became NFC North champions by beating the Minnesota Vikings, 23-10, on Monday night. The Packers (12-3) made Matt LaFleur the...

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks could be reuniting with former star running back Marshawn Lynch, coach Pete Carroll said during his radio show on Monday. Carroll said Lynch is flying to Seattle and will undergo a physical later Monday. Seattle is in desperate need of running backs after Chris...

CINCINNATI — The Bengals have secured the top pick in next year’s draft. All that is left is a send-off for the quarterback who had a hand in their best — and most frustrating — moments in the past decade. Andy Dalton gets to wrap up his tenure as the...

In Monday’s “First Call,” a Steelers fan pulls off an epic quick change. The Browns meltdown continues. We take a look at Will Grier’s debut with Carolina and Saquon Barkley’s huge day. Way to come prepared Here’s one Steelers fan who planned ahead. He was ready to cheer for Devlin...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Last week, Drew Brees took his latest turn writing his name into the NFL record book. Now, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has grabbed his piece of league history with the most catches in a single season. For now, those records are mere guideposts to where the...

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A laugher became a thriller for the Miami Dolphins, and they needed overtime to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Miami gave up 16 points in the final 29 seconds of regulation but regrouped, and Jason Sanders kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired for a 38-35...

NASHVILLE — Drew Brees threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and Alvin Kamara ran for two TDs as the New Orleans Saints kept their chase of the NFC’s No. 1 seed alive by rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat the Tennessee Titans 38-28 Sunday. The Saints (12-3) had...

CLEVELAND — The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through Baltimore, where its MVP candidate will be waiting. Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes — two to tight end Mark Andrews late in the first half — and rushed for 103 yards as the Ravens won their...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady appeared for his postgame media session with an ice pack on his right elbow. Bill Belichick was sporting a brand new AFC East championship hat. The New England Patriots had things a little tougher this year, but they came out on top again. Brady passed...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — For years, the Buffalo Bills have been one of three chasers in the AFC East, annually trying and failing to knock the New England Patriots from their decade-long run atop the division. Buffalo enters its Week 16 matchup with New England clinging to its best hope in...

Career receiving leader Jerry Rice is among nine Pro Football Hall of Famers selected to the NFL’s All-Time Team on Friday night. Rice, who holds nearly every major receiving record, is joined by one active player, Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt), now in his 16th season. A select panel of NFL...

CINCINNATI — The Bengals kept receiver A.J. Green on the active roster all season, hoping he could return from ankle surgery and put some life back into their foundering offense. Turns out that was wishful thinking. Green said Wednesday he has decided not to try to play in either of...