On Football
Analysis: The NFC goes through Philadelphia, but the 49ers and Cowboys aren’t far behind
The NFC goes through Philadelphia. The top three challengers showed where they stand on Thanksgiving. Detroit took a step backward.
Analysis: Walkoff field goals and tight games highlight competitive Sunday
Walkoff field goals. Comebacks. Close games. Sunday was filled with competitive action across the NFL. Just the way the league wants it.
Analysis: Bill Belichick should get another opportunity if he wants to keep coaching after Patriots
Bill Belichick has won six Super Bowls as a head coach and more games than everyone except Don Shula. That won’t save his job in New England if the Patriots keep losing.
Analysis: Todd Bowles using a timeout over a 10-second runoff was biggest coaching blunder in Week 9
C.J. Stroud threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 6 seconds remaining on a play the Houston Texans shouldn’t have had time to make.
Analysis: Sunday’s stacked lineup of games could have playoff ramifications for several teams
A stacked lineup of games Sunday could determine plenty come January. The action kicks off at 9:30 a.m.
Analysis: NFL can’t protect QBs from freak injuries like noncontact Achilles tears
The NFL has done everything it can to protect quarterbacks short of putting a flag on them. Can’t hit them high. Can’t hit them low. Can’t touch them too late.
Analysis: NFL teams shouldn’t let one game affect their trade deadline approach
Some NFL teams still have to make a decision on how to approach Tuesday’s trade deadline. Contenders are buyers.
Analysis: 3 of the NFL’s most-hyped teams had a rough, humbling day as Dolphins, Lions, Bills lost
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins’ high-octane offense were shut down by a gang of kelly green Eagles.
Analysis: NFL wants to make football more popular than futbol globally
The king of American sports wants to take over the world. The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret.
Analysis: Eagles, 49ers beat themselves, leaving NFL with no undefeated teams
The NFL’s last two undefeated teams beat themselves. The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles struggled on the road against inferior opponents with backup quarterbacks and tough defenses.
Analysis: Injuries to key NFL players are piling up, making depth even more important
The NFL’s injured reserve is starting to look like an All-Pro or Pro Bowl roster. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Bills linebacker Matt Milano along with Dolphins breakout rookie De’Von Achane, Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, Cardinals
Analysis: Bill Belichick seems lost without Tom Brady, Sean Payton off to a disastrous start
Bill Belichick is lost without Tom Brady. Sean Payton is off to a disastrous start in his return to the sideline.
Analysis: Rookie QB C.J. Stroud’s impressive start underscores silliness of pre-draft process
C.J. Stroud spent weeks leading into the NFL draft answering questions about a cognition test. Nobody cares how he scored anymore.
Analysis: Few surprises among NFL’s top teams a quarter into the season
The NFL’s top preseason contenders played like it in the first quarter of the season. Defending champion Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas and Buffalo are 17-3 combined.
Analysis: Thriving NFL benefits most from Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship
The NFL didn’t need a popularity boost before Travis Kelce became enchanted with Taylor Swift. They’ll gladly welcome millions of Swifties to watch this love story unfold.
Analysis: Vikings, Chargers trade inexplicable decisions. Jets’ commitment to Wilson still baffling
The Vikings and Chargers traded inexplicable decisions in the final two minutes. The Jets are sticking with a baffling choice for the foreseeable future.
What’s next in major college football realignment? How about a best-of-the-rest league
Now that the Power Five is about to become a Power Four in college sports, the schools left out of conference realignment are looking at creative ways to stay relevant.
Nick Chubb’s injury underscores running backs’ pleas for bigger contracts and teams’ fears
Nick Chubb’s injury underscores why running backs want better contracts and why NFL teams are reluctant to pay them.
Josh Allen heads list of QBs who rebounded from poor performances in Week 1
Josh Allen was back to himself after a terrible opener. Daniel Jones and Ryan Tannehill also rebounded from awful games to lead comeback wins.
History suggests 0-2 start is too difficult to overcome in the NFL
Two losses in five days already puts the Minnesota Vikings in a big hole that’s been difficult for NFL teams to overcome.
Plenty of rust to go with the shine in NFL’s Week 1. Many of the $50 million men had shaky days
Several NFL teams looked like they needed more preseason work. Some seemed unstoppable. It’s only one game so don’t rush to judge.
Predicting the season awards: Aaron Rodgers becomes 5-time AP NFL MVP
Patrick Mahomes was the NFL and Super Bowl MVP even without Tyreek Hill. He’s going to need Travis Kelce to have a chance to do it again.
Joint practices provide more competition for NFL starters than preseason games
Some of the best competition in the NFL this summer takes place on practice fields. More teams are holding joint practices and holding their star players out of preseason games.
Column: It’s not conference realignment. It’s consolidation and no one is safe in the dash for cash
Conference realignment should be called college football consolidation because that’s what’s happening.
They’re not the same old Jets with Aaron Rodgers on board
Aaron Rodgers has rejuvenated the fan base in New York. Long-suffering Jets fans are giddy about their team’s chances to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl title since Joe Namath guaranteed a victory over the Baltimore Colts in January 1969.
Analysis: NFL can’t shake perception it doesn’t care what players and coaches think
Even when the NFL institutes a rule designed to reduce concussions, it can’t shake the perception that it doesn’t care what players and coaches think.
Analysis: Only the NFL can dominate sports headlines with a 2-day schedule release
Only the NFL can turn a schedule release into a two-day event that dominates sports headlines in the middle of the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Analysis: QBs picked 1-2 often don’t both have success
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bryce Young was walking to an interview after being picked first in the NFL draft when he heard C.J. Stroud was selected second.
Analysis: NFL players aware of risks of betting on football
NFL players aren’t permitted to bet on football despite the league embracing gambling and capitalizing on a multibillion-dollar industry through partnerships with casinos and sportsbooks.
Analysis: Ravens are Lamar Jackson’s best, only option
PHOENIX (AP) — Lamar Jackson’s frustration over contract negotiations reached a boiling point when he announced Monday that he has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens.
Analysis: Daniel Jones’ new contract raises standard for QBs
Daniel Jones turned one decent season into a mega-money contract that raises the standard in the NFL.