Reports: Browns bench QB Jameis Winston, will start Dorian Thompson-RobinsonVideo
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday in Cincinnati with the switch coming after Jameis Winston threw three more interceptions, according to multiple reports. Winston, who took over Cleveland’s starting job in October when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury, was benched after throwing his...
Falcons struggle past Raiders to keep pace in division race
LAS VEGAS — Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough Monday night to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders, 15-9, and keep pace in the NFC South race. Trying to pull off a late comeback, Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder lofted...
Vikings smother Bears to win 7th straight, move into tie for division lead
MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement a smothering performance by the Minnesota defense, and the Vikings moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North on Monday night by beating the Chicago Bears, 30-12, for their seventh consecutive...
Analysis: Surging Eagles shove aside injuries, celebrate victory over SteelersVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley both played through injuries that served more as minor inconveniences than long-term concerns for the Eagles. Injuries heal. So, it turns out, do bruised egos and hard feelings caused by criticism and gossip spread not by fans, social media tolls or sports talk...
Analysis: Joe Burrow, Bengals maintain slim playoff hopes after sloppy winVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow keeps throwing touchdown passes, and the Cincinnati Bengals have won two in a row for just the second time this season. However, the star quarterback was far from happy with the effort. “It was too sloppy, we had too many penalties, too many procedural penalties. I...
Analysis: Browns mulling another switch at QB after Jameis Winston throws 3 more picksVideo
CLEVELAND — Jameis Winston’s third interception Sunday — No. 8 in three games — was the last Browns coach Kevin Stefanski could stomach. He benched Winston. Maybe for good. With three games left in this dreadful season for Cleveland, Stefanski said Monday that he’s still working through plans at quarterback...
Analysis: Lamar Jackson looks almost flawless vs. Giants as Ravens turn focus to SteelersVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A talking to from his mother seemed to bring out the best in Lamar Jackson. After a loss to Philadelphia earlier this month, Jackson said his mom cursed him out, telling him he missed opportunities to run. That wasn’t a problem in Sunday’s 35-14 victory over...
Clemson’s Swinney can’t wait for Belichick’s positive impact on the Atlantic Coast ConferenceVideo
CLEMSON, S.C. — Practice plans. Film breakdowns. Travel bookings. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had his focus split several ways getting ready to face No. 4 Texas in the College Football Playoff. Still, Swinney had enough time to follow how Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick joined the ACC as North Carolina’s...
Analysis: NFL can’t revise the onside kick fast enough for Dan CampbellVideo
The NFL already was planning to explore the onside kick before Dan Campbell made a regrettable decision to try one at an unusual time. Detroit’s ultra-aggressive coach called for an onside kick with the Lions trailing the Bills by 10 points and 12 minutes remaining. Buffalo’s Mack Hollins recovered the...
Dolphins’ Grant DuBose has movement in extremities after scary hit to the head vs. Texans
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose remained in the hospital but had movement in all extremities after being stretchered off the field following a scary helmet-to-helmet hit against the Houston Texans on Sunday. In an update Monday morning, the Dolphins said DuBose remained at a local...
Reports: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high-ankle sprain, status for this week unclearVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain, additional testing confirmed, and his status for this week’s game against Houston remains in question, according to multiple reports Monday. The Chiefs did not have any usual availability Monday but are scheduled to practice Tuesday ahead of their...
49ers suspend De’Vondre Campbell for final 3 games after LB refused to enter gameVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers suspended linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the rest of the regular season Monday after he refused to enter a game after losing his starting job. The news came four days after Campbell’s refusal to go into a game against the Los Angeles Rams...
Ravens excuse WR Diontae Johnson from practice following his suspension last week
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens excused Diontae Johnson from practice this week, another part of the fallout after the team says the receiver refused to enter a game against Philadelphia on Dec. 1. Johnson was suspended for last weekend’s win over the New York Giants. The Ravens said...
Lions lose RB David Montgomery, 2 others to season-ending injuriesVideo
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The banged-up Detroit Lions took some serious hits in their loss to the Buffalo Bills. “Nobody cares,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “Nobody is going to give us a pass, or put an asterisk next to your record.” Running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Alim...
Browns RB Nick Chubb breaks foot against Chiefs in another setbackVideo
CLEVELAND — Nick Chubb has to make yet another comeback. Cleveland’s star running back, who has inspired teammates by returning to play after a devastating knee injury last season, broke his left foot in the third quarter of Sunday’s 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Chubb left Huntington Bank...
Joe Burrow sets franchise record with 3 more TD passes as Bengals beat TitansVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards with three touchdowns for the franchise record with 36 this season, and the Cincinnati Bengals improved their faint playoff hopes by thumping the Tennessee Titans, 37-27, in a sloppy game Sunday. The Bengals (6-8) notched the 400th regular-season win in franchise...
Patrick Mahomes leaves with ankle injury in win vs. Browns
CLEVELAND — Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes before leaving in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, Xavier Worthy ran for a score and the Kansas City Chiefs finally didn’t have to sweat out the final minutes with a 21-7 victory over the mistake-prone Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Mahomes...
Lamar Jackson throws 5 TD passes, Ravens stomp Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lamar Jackson tied his career high by throwing five touchdown passes in a near-perfect performance that led the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-14 victory over New York on Sunday, sending the Giants and embattled co-owner John Mara to a franchise-record tying ninth straight loss. Jackson hit...
Miami Dolphins release veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr.Video
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday, ending the former Pro Bowler’s short tenure with the team. Beckham had missed the past two days of practice for what the team called personal reasons. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel indicated Friday that the decision...
Analysis: Win or lose at UNC, Bill Belichick’s NFL legacy is cemented
Bill Belichick didn’t wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the...
Rams get 4 field goals to beat 49ers 12-6 in sloppy gameVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Joshua Karty kicked four field goals, and the Los Angeles Rams survived a slugfest a week after winning a shootout, beating the San Francisco 49ers, 12-6, on Thursday night in a key game in the NFC West race. Four days after beating Josh Allen and Buffalo,...
Rested Ravens big favorite over struggling Giants, who are mired in 8-game losing streakVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Baltimore Ravens are doing their best to avoid all the speculation that their game against the struggling New York Giants is going to be a blowout. The Ravens (8-5) are coming off a bye week and are heading to New Jersey to face the Giants...
Off the couch and into the fire: Chiefs keep finding reinforcements for Super Bowl-contending rosterVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pick your adjective to describe the Kansas City Chiefs this season — charmed, serendipitous, fortunate or just plain lucky — and it probably fits and not just because they keep winning games that come down to the wire. Every time they need help at a position,...
In season filled with close games, nobody wins more than Chiefs
In a season on pace for a record number of close games, no team has been better at pulling them out late than the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs tied an NFL record last week by winning their 10th game this season by seven...
Luke DeCock: Bill Belichick ready to cut sleeves off an Alexander Julian blazer as UNC football coach
RALEIGH, N.C. — Bill Belichick, cutting the sleeves off an Alexander Julian plaid blazer. Bill Belichick, responding to boosters’ grinning back-slaps with a scowl and, “We’re on to Georgia Tech.” Bill Belichick, trying on Mack Brown’s old sideline puffy coat for size. Bill Belichick, being asked to shake the hand...
