TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Craig Cathers is decked out like a guy who's ready — totally fired up — for his team to play in the Super Bowl.
The 37-year-old native of Plattsburgh, New York, who...
DETROIT LIONS (6-10)
New faces: DE Trey Flowers, DT Mike Daniels, WR Danny Amendola, TEs T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James, RB C.J. Anderson, Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, S Andrew Adams,...
A look at some key fantasy football questions for Week 14:
WHICH UNDER-THE-RADAR PLAYERS HAVE THE BEST CHANCES FOR BIG GAMES THIS WEEK?
Week 14 typically marks the start of the fantasy football playoffs. If at all possible don't take too many chances when constructing your lineup this week. Digging for players isn't a great spot to be in this late in the season.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' run defense is stuck in reverse, perhaps taking the season with it.
Poor tackling, botched assignments and a manhandling up front doomed the Dolphins on Sunday, when the Detroit Lions ran for 248 yards to win 32-21.
It was Detroit's biggest total in 21 years, and the second bad game in a row for the Dolphins' run defense. They allowed 164 yards rushing a week earlier but still somehow managed to beat the Chicago Bears in overtime.
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions have beaten Aaron Rodgers- and Tom Brady-led teams this season.
And yes, they still have a losing record.
Detroit has provided glimpses of its potential, beating the Green Bay Packers 31-23 on Sunday in their first home game since dominating the New England Patriots.
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions took advantage of some mistakes they forced Green Bay to make and were fortunate some breaks simply went their way.
Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and LeGarrette Blount ran for two scores, lifting the Lions to a 31-23 win over the Packers on Sunday.
Detroit (2-3) earned a win it desperately needed under first-year coach Matt Patricia, going into its bye week.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — A day after their first win of the season, the change in the mood of the previously winless Detroit Lions was evident.
In one corner of the locker room, linebacker Marquis Flowers and running back LeGarrette Blount engaged in a heated debate over whether Kobe Bryant or LeBron James was the greater basketball player.
"Just coming in today, it was a little bit different," Lions wide receiver Golden Tate said. "It's kind of a sigh of relief."
The Latest on the second Sunday of the NFL regular season (all times EDT):
7:05 p.m.
The Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos are trying to stage big second-half rallies.
Matthew Stafford threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Michael Roberts with 3:27 remaining, and the Lions trail San Francisco 30-27. Detroit was down 30-13 with 11:21 left.
Denver was down 19-7 in the third quarter, but is now trailing Oakland 19-17 after a 1-yard TD run by Case Keenum with 5:58 to play in the fourth.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount returned to training camp a day after walking off the field during practice.
Blount declined interview requests Monday.
The Lions are counting on the 31-year-old Blount to help improve their running game, which has ranked among the NFL's worst in recent years.
He helped Philadelphia and New England win the past two Super Bowls. Blount ran for 1,927 yards and 20 touchdowns over the previous two seasons.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions had a key player on offense come back from an injury and one walk off the field during practice.
Wide receiver Marvin Jones returned to practice a day after injuring his left leg.
Running back LeGarrette Blount, meanwhile, slowly walked off the field with a trainer during Sunday's practice. It was not clear why Blount went back inside the team's training facility.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have desperately tried to improve what has been a weakness, signing and drafting players to improve their running game.
Detroit ranked last in the NFL last season in rushing offense and has been among the league's worst on the ground offensively in recent seasons.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn has made it a priority to fix the problem.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eighteen starters in the last Super Bowl were selected in the fourth round or lower, including six players who didn't get a call until the NFL draft was over.
While first-round picks receive most of the attention and players chosen the first two days of the draft get more money and better job security, success on Day 3 of the draft often separates the elite teams from the good ones.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fresh off their first Super Bowl title, the Philadelphia Eagles arrived home to a hero's welcome Monday afternoon, hours after overjoyed fans mobbed the streets in a sometimes unruly victory celebration nearly 60 years in the making.
Hundreds of fans greeted the team's plane at Philadelphia International Airport, cheering wildly and singing "Fly Eagles Fly" as Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emerged with the Lombardi Trophy.
Eagles: Knew We Had To Score A Lot of Touchdowns
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The best formula for success against the New England Patriots is to keep Tom Brady on the sideline and harass him when he's on the field.
That's not a news flash. But the good news for Eagles fans and everyone rooting against Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl is that Philadelphia has the ingredients to do it.
The Eagles (15-3) have a multidimensional, ball-control offense capable of chewing the clock and forcing No. 12 to be a spectator.
NEW YORK (AP) — Projected starters and key players for the Super Bowl at Minneapolis on Feb. 4:
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
OFFENSE
Nick Foles, QB (9), 6-foot-6, 243 pounds, 6th season, Arizona
Took over for Carson Wentz after Wentz tore his ACL in December against Rams. ... Played first three seasons with Eagles before returning as free agent. ... Became first QB in franchise history to throw for at least 300 yards and at least 3 TDs in playoff game with 352 yards, 3 TDs in NFC championship game.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski says he expects to play in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Gronkowski has been in the league's concussion protocol after taking a hit from Jacksonville's Barry Church in the AFC championship game. He made his first public appearance on Tuesday night while playing former teammate and current Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount in a game of "Madden 18" at the Mall of America.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The Eagles are playing some of their best football heading into Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Patriots.
One thing Philadelphia can't contend with is New England's huge experience advantage in the big game.
On the 53-man active roster the Patriots brought to Minnesota, 32 players have a combined 60 games of Super Bowl experience.
Tom Brady alone has been to the Super Bowl seven times during his 18-year career, winning five.
NEW YORK (AP) — Projected starters and key players for the Super Bowl at Minneapolis on Feb. 4:
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
OFFENSE
Nick Foles, QB (9), 6-foot-6, 243 pounds, 6th season, Arizona
Took over for Carson Wentz after Wentz tore his ACL in December against Rams. ... Played first three seasons with Eagles before returning as free agent. ... Became first QB in franchise history to throw for at least 300 yards and at least 3 TDs in playoff game with 352 yards, 3 TDs in NFC championship game.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Winning is an easy sell.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the first team since the 1990 New York Giants to reach a Super Bowl without a player totaling 1,000 scrimmage yards though running backs Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith have done so in the past.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — When Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount joined the Philadelphia Eagles after winning a Super Bowl in New England, both players envisioned another title run with a team on the rise.
They had more faith than most, but the Eagles are two wins away from a parade.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Foles threw a deep pass into the wind on the first play from scrimmage against the Falcons, LeGarrette Blount scored the only touchdown on fourth down and wide receiver Nelson Agholor ran 21 yards on a new play.
The Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) are aggressive no matter what.
They'll need that approach when they face the Minnesota Vikings (14-3) and their top-ranked defense in the NFC championship game on Sunday.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons nearly won a Super Bowl a year ago behind the NFL's most potent offense.
It was that side of the ball that ended their chances to get to the big game again.
Atlanta managed only 10 first-half points, both coming off Philadelphia turnovers, and lost 15-10 to the Eagles on Saturday. While Philadelphia advances to the NFC championship game, the Falcons (11-7) go home.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Even with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs already secured, the Philadelphia Eagles have one goal remaining.
A victory over the Dallas Cowboys (8-7) on Sunday would give the Eagles (13-2) a franchise-record 14 wins. It's motivation for guys who would rather play than rest .
NEW YORK (AP) — Carson Wentz has turned into one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterbacks. Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount form a potent duo at running back, and Philadelphia's stout defense features a tough front line.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Another strong performance by Carson Wentz. Another dominant effort by the defense. Another lopsided win for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wentz tossed three touchdown passes and the NFL-leading Eagles beat the Chicago Bears 31-3 Sunday for their ninth straight win.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Alshon Jeffery used to be the top receiver in Chicago. Jay Ajayi was the main running back in Miami. LeGarrette Blount led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season in New England.
Now the trio are just part of the offense instead of the focal point.
The Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) have the best record in the NFL thanks to a group of players who put team goals ahead of personal goals.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fitting Jay Ajayi into a crowded backfield is a good problem for Doug Pederson.
The Philadelphia Eagles upgraded their offense by acquiring Ajayi from Miami this week. Now the coach has to figure out the best way to use him.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeGarrette Blount sees some Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles.
After winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots, Blount came to Philadelphia and now is part of the team with the best record in the NFL. Winning seems to follow the bruising back.
"This team is special, man," Blount said with a big smile. "Special."