49ers dominate Jaguars 34-3 to end a 3-game skid and look like Super Bowl contenders again
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes, including a 66-yarder to George Kittle, and the San Francisco 49ers seemingly fixed all their woes with a cross-country trip and a 34-3 drubbing of Jacksonville that ended a three-game skid.
Rodgers wins 3rd MVP, Donald gets 3rd top defensive player
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers earned his third Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, while Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald took his third top defensive player prize at NFL Honors. Titans 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry won Offensive Player of the Year, and the offensive rookie honor went to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski was the Coach of the Year, and Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll earned assistant coach honors. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work in the community. Rodgers had perhaps the best season of his 16-year career, leading Green Bay to a 13-3 regular season, the NFCโs best mark.
The Latest: Packers' Aaron Rodgers wins 3rd MVP Award
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passes during the first half of the NFC championship NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. Rodgers received 44 votes, followed by Buffaloโs Josh Allen with four, and Kansas Cityโs Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 MVP, with two. ___9:52 p.m.For turning around a moribund Cleveland franchise, overcoming injuries and COVID-19 concerns, Kevin Stefanski is The Associated Press 2020 NFL Coach of the Year. Ad___9:20 p.m.Justin Herbert is the latest quarterback to win The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. ___8:08 p.m.Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has won The Associated Press NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)The NFC playoff field features the usual cast of quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 45, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, at Arlington, Texas. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 48, 43-8 over the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2, 2014, at East Rutherford, N.J. Last year: No. The Bearsโ leading tackler left in the first quarter of the Green Bay game with an elbow injury. DBs Buster Skrine, rookie Jaylon Johnson and Deon Bush missed the loss to Green Bay.
Washington beats the Eagles 20-14, captures NFC East title
Washington Football Team's Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday night to capture the lowly NFC East. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Dwayne Haskins started that game for Washington and Carson Wentz for Philadelphia. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.
No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year
Young and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the leagueโs now-canceled all-star game. โItโs crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,โ Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. โI think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. โTalk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,โ Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. โWeโre growing and weโre starting to get a hang of the game,โ said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.
Washington beaten by Panthers, fails to clinch NFC East
Haskins' failed second chance coupled with a special teams blunder and defensive miscues added up to Washington blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East by losing to the Carolina Panthers 20-13 on Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey out again, Curtis Samuel had five catches for 106 yards and was the Panthers' leading rusher with 52 yards on seven carries. 2 pick forced Bridgewater to fumble on a sack in Washington territory early in the third quarter to prevent Carolina from putting up even more points. Washington: Played without top WR Terry McLaurin, who couldn't keep gutting through a nagging ankle injury. Washington: Gets another chance to win the NFC East next Sunday at Philadelphia.
A winner: Chiefs vs Saints, with Brees back to face Mahomes
1 conference seed is tight, with the Packers one game ahead of the Saints, the Rams and Seahawks one game behind. Drew Brees will be active after missing four games with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, making for an intriguing matchup with Patrick Mahomes. The Bills (11-3) scored twice in a 17-second span in the third quarter to ice their fourth straight victory that officially ended the New England Patriotsโ 11-year reign atop the division. The Ravens have run for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, seven short of the NFL record set by Pittsburgh from 1974-77. Baltimore is averaging 173.8 yards on the ground and topped 200 yards in each of the past two games.
Washington leads NFC East after gritty 23-15 win over 49ers
Washington is the first team to get defensive touchdowns from two rookies in the same game since the Rams against the Texans in 2013. The game was in Arizona because of coronavirus restrictions in the 49ers' home county of Santa Clara. The 49ers pulled within 23-15 on a 6-yard pass from Mullens to Kyle Juszczyk and a 2-point conversion with 10:18 left. Washington won without scoring a touchdown in a road game for the first time since 1992. 49ERS ASSISTANT COACH OUTSan Francisco offensive line coach John Benton tested positive for COVID-19 and didn't coach against Washington.
Nick Chubb all about the victory, not stats or spreads
Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb (24) and Kareem Hunt (27) walk off the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. A win is a win; let Las Vegas worry about the margin of victory. It appeared there were actually 10 seconds left when down judge Dana McKenzie blew his whistle and raised his left hand. There actually should have been only 4 seconds left, which probably would have forced a Hail Mary by Stafford. But with 6 seconds left, Stafford had time for a quick pass, and he hit Marvin Jones for 9 yards.
Praterโs 59-yard FG lifts Lions to 30-27 win over Washington
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)DETROIT โ The Detroit Lions leaned on their dynamic duo for comebacks and they came through again. Matthew Stafford directed the final drive with just 16 seconds left to set up Matt Prater's 59-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Lions to a 30-27 win over Washington on Sunday. Prater made a go-ahead, 37-yard field goal with 2:42 remaining. It made a field goal and had a punt, missed field goal and Terry McLaurin's fumble on the possessions. In the second half, Washington got into the end zone on 82- and 84-yard drives and had the ball midway through the fourth quarter down a touchdown.
Tua vs Kyler as rising Dolphins visit revitalized Cardinals
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) embrace after Tagovailoa throws his first touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)When the Dolphins leave the oceanfront and head to the desert to play the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be about more than Tua vs. Kyler. Tua Tagovailoa, as touted as any signal caller coming out of college in years, will make his second start for Miami. Henry has eight rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone in five straight games. The Patriots will try to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1995.
Smith returns as Goff-led Rams beat Washington to get to 4-1
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Landover, Md. Smith played his first NFL game 693 days since breaking his right tibia and fibula, entering when new Washington starting quarterback Kyle Allen injured his left arm. โYou watch guys like Aaron all the time and as effective as he is, you guys have no idea how impressive it is with all the attention he gets week after week,โ Rams linebacker Troy Reeder said. Rivera said if Allen can play next week, Smith would back up and Haskins would again be inactive. UP NEXTThe Rams visit the 49ers next Sunday, while Washington is at the NFC East rival New York Giants.
Jackson shows MVP form to help Ravens beat Washington 31-17
โ A few big plays went a long way for the Baltimore Ravens, who took a small step toward regaining the form they displayed last year as the highest-scoring team in the league. Lamar Jackson ran for a 50-yard touchdown and threw for two scores in a bounce-back performance by the reigning NFL MVP and the Ravens, who took control early against Washington in a 31-17 victory Sunday. Washington (1-3) had more first downs, owned an edge in time of possession and had only 7 fewer yards than Baltimore. The game was tough to watch for Washington coach Ron Rivera, and not just because of the score. Weakened by treatment he received during the week for cancer, Rivera occasionally took a break by sitting on the bench.
The Latest: Hamstring injury sidelines Bucs WR Godwin
Earlier in the game, Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was ruled out with a groin/hamstring injury. Brady threw two touchdown passes to Mike Evans along with another to Chris Godwin. Golladay missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury and Detroit has missed his production. The injury woes for Dallas continued when starting center Joe Looney walked to the locker room also with an ankle injury. Out of 48 NFL games so far in 2020, 10 have included paying customers.
Ohio State football vs. Penn State: Time, TV schedule, game preview, score
9 Penn State. ABOUT OHIO STATE (10-0, 7-0)After manhandling Maryland and Rutgers the past two weeks by a combined score of 129-35, Ohio State faces their first significant opponent since they disposed of No. Running back J.K. Dobbins ranks fifth nationally in rushing yards with 1,289 despite carrying the ball only 42 times in the second half all season. Penn State and Ohio State traditionally play competitive games. PREDICTION: Ohio State 42, Penn State 20
Ohio State football vs. Rutgers: Time, TV schedule, game preview, score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. Ryan Day is doing his best to make sure second-ranked Ohio State stays sharp heading into Saturday's Big Ten road game against Rutgers without standout defensive end Chase Young. LINE: Ohio State -52.5In this week's College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State became the first team in the CFP era to fall from the No. Ohio State announced Wednesday that Young will be held out against Rutgers, which has lost 18 consecutive Big Ten games, but return for the Nov. 23 home game against Penn State. ABOUT OHIO STATE (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)The Buckeyes high-octane offense (No. PREDICTION: Ohio State 63, Rutgers 7
No. 2 Ohio State heads to Rutgers as 51-point favorite
2 Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) isnt your ordinary team. Oddsmakers have made Ohio State a 51-point favorite, which according to some bookmakers is the biggest in a Big Ten game. Ohio State coach Ryan Day had several players available at the press conference, including backup quarterback Chris Chugunov. So, it is understandable Ohio State is a 51-point favorite against a team that last won a Big Ten game in November 2017. The Ohio State defense has allowed points on 14 of 115 opponent drives this season and only three rushing touchdowns.
Ohio States Young to miss 1 more game for NCAA violation
Ohio State star defensive end Chase Young will be held out of one more game as punishment for breaking NCAA rules by accepting a personal loan. The penalty was announced by Ohio State in a statement Wednesday. That means the preseason All-American will miss Saturdays game against Rutgers and be back for showdowns with No. 3 Ohio State announced the day before its game with Maryland that Young would be held out amid concerns he violated NCAA rules by taking a loan last year from someone he describes as a family friend.Young explained his mistake in a tweet and said the loan had been paid back. Ohio State had sought immediate reinstatement.
Fields, No. 3 Ohio State overwhelm Maryland 73-14
3 Ohio State hardly missed suspended defensive star Chase Young in a 73-14 romp over Maryland. The preseason All-American was suspended Friday while Ohio State investigates a possible NCAA violation involving a loan. After starting strong under new coach Mike Locksley this season, Maryland has fallen apart, losing seven of its last eight. After falling to Ohio State by a single point in overtime last year, the Terps took a big step backward. Ohio State: The train keeps rolling, with the next big test in two weeks against Penn State, which was upset by Minnesota on Saturday.