NFL

Imperfect Chiefs are headed into their bye week with a perfect record after a win over the Saints

The imperfect Kansas City Chiefs are headed into their week off with a perfect 5-0 record after beating the New Orleans Saints 26-13 on Monday night.

Jets stunningly fire coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start and tab Jeff Ulbrich as interim

Head-scratchers by Bengals and Bills coaches in waning seconds highlight NFL’s topsy-turvy Week 5

Saints quarterback Derek Carr leaves with oblique injury in another losing night against the Chiefs

Saints’ Khalen Saunders makes memorable return to Arrowhead Stadium in front of Taylor Swift

On Football

Analyzing the biggest topics in the NFL each week.

New York Giants wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (88) runs for a touchdown after a Seattle Seahawks blocked field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Analysis: Not so special teams played a major role in several outcomes in Week 5

Blocked field goals. Botched holds. Bad snaps. Wacky special teams contributed to wild finishes, upsets and more in Week 5.

Past games

On Football: It’s early enough for NFL coaches on the hot seat to cool criticism with a few wins

Analysis: Vikings, Ravens, Buccaneers and Commanders were up for the challenge in a prove-it week

Pro Picks

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games.

Pro Picks: London is calling the Jets and Vikings while 6 divisional matchups highlight Week 5

Patrick Mahomes throws for 331 yards, Derek Carr hurt as Chiefs shut down Saints for 26-13 victory

Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards, Kareem Hunt ran for 102 yards and a touchdown, and the Chiefs overcame more red-zone woes to beat the Saints 26-13 on a big night for Kansas City’s professional sports teams.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson settles latest civil lawsuit brought by woman claiming sexual assault

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has resolved the latest civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman claiming sexual assault and battery.

Pierce not ready to name Raiders’ starting QB as questions swirl

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce wasn’t ready Monday to name a starting quarterback. Gardner Minshew started the first five games.

The Vikings remained undefeated by offsetting some offensive struggles with more fierce defense

The Minnesota Vikings experienced their most pronounced struggles of the season offensively against the New York Jets in London.

Taylor Swift is back to watch Travis Kelce and the Chiefs with Eras Tour soon to resume

Taylor Swift has returned to Arrowhead Stadium to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs play the New Orleans Saints.

Cardinals hope their defense keeps improving after it keyed a comeback win over the 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals may have salvaged their season by rallying for a 24-23 win at the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.

Another Patriots loss raises the question: How long can they wait for Drake Maye?

The clock is ticking for Drake Maye. After another lackluster performance by Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots’ offense, coach Jerod Mayo took nothing off the table when looking for answers.

The Rams are starting slowly every week, and they’re already in an early season hole at 1-4

If fans of the Los Angeles Rams feel as if their team is starting every game in a hole during this dismal season, that’s because they are.

NFL Inactive Report

New York (AP) — NEW YORK (AP) — The National Football League Inactive Report.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — NEW ORLEANS: LB Willie Gay Jr., TE Taysom Hill, LB Pete Werner, OL Cesar Ruiz, DT Kristian Boyd, DE Payton Turner, QB Spencer Rattler (emergency QB).

Doubs’ return is expected to boost the Packers’ receiving depth after they beat the Rams without him

The Green Bay Packers managed to beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-19 even after their receiving depth took a major hit.

Cardinals OL Will Hernandez out for the season after suffering knee injury vs. 49ers

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez is out for the season because of a knee injury he suffered in the team’s 24-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Little time for Seahawks to make fixes after 2 straight losses with 49ers coming to town

The Seattle Seahawks have no time to dwell on Sunday’s 29-20 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Seattle welcomes NFC West rival San Francisco on Thursday night, which means there’s no time to make wholesale corrections or changes.

Bills’ ‘everybody eats’ motto on offense goes from feast to famine after 2 straight losses

Bills coach Sean McDermott’s questionable clock management decisions aside, the team’s Josh Allen-led offense has hit a major road block after two straight losses.

The Ravens’ offense is rolling with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading the way

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have become one of the most formidable duos in the NFL. And that’s a primary reason the Baltimore Ravens are back where they expect to be: atop the AFC North.

Tua Tagovailoa will consult experts during bye week as Dolphins aim for the QB to return this season

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tua Tagovailoa has an expert consultation scheduled during Miami’s upcoming bye week as the quarterback aims to clear concussion protocol and return this season.

The 49ers have little time to dwell on their latest 4th quarter collapse

The San Francisco 49ers dominated the NFC West the past two seasons, winning 11 of 12 games on the way to back-to-back division titles.

Rookie Bo Nix stands up to Sean Payton and stakes his claim as the leader of the red-hot Broncos

Bo Nix staked his claim as the offensive leader of the Broncos when he stood up to coach Sean Payton. while getting yelled after he changed a play call during Denver’s 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Banged-up Saints put OL Shane Lemieux on IR before kickoff against Chiefs in latest blow to offense

The New Orleans Saints put backup offensive lineman Shane Lemieux on injured reserve amid a flurry of roster moves before they played the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

After an 0-2 start, the Giants are showing signs of being a better team than last year

After dropping their first two games, the New York Giants are showing signs they might be a better team than a year ago when they disappointed fans posting a 6-11 record.

The Bengals will try to salvage a spiraling season after their wild loss to the Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals are scoring plenty of points but squandered one opportunity after another to beat the Baltimore Ravens.

Caleb Williams and the Bears have another big opportunity after dominating the Panthers

Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears did exactly what they wanted against one of the worst teams in the NFL. They have another big opportunity this week.

Injury to star receiver Collins puts damper on Houston’s best start since 2012

The Houston Texans improved to 4-1 with a thrilling victory over Buffalo on Sunday for their best start since opening the 2012 season with five straight wins.

Will Levis feeling better with the Titans expecting him back at practice Wednesday

The Tennessee Titans have an extra day coming off their early bye. Coach Brian Callahan is making sure that quarterback Will Levis uses that time for healing his throwing shoulder.

Browns search for answers and mull changes as season sinks lower after pitiful performance

The Browns are a mess. Nothing is working. Everything is on the table. Cleveland’s season sunk a little lower on Sunday with a 34-13 loss at Washington.

Shoddy defense remains major problem as Colts lose another division game and fall below .500

Joe Flacco and his teammates on offense certainly did their part at Jacksonville. The Indianapolis Colts defense did not.

Rico Dowdle and Jalen Tolbert are the new names to know in the Cowboys’ offense

Rico Dowdle’s migration to the role as lead running back for the Dallas Cowboys has been slow and steady.

Rodgers and the offense are looking predictable and conservative and putting the Jets in early holes

The New York Jets have gone from overwhelming optimism to the brink of desperation in just two games.

Blowout loss to Bears another reminder of just badly the Panthers botched 2023 trade for Bryce Young

Sunday’s game served as yet another unneeded reminder for the Carolina Panthers of just how badly they botched the trade for Bryce Young in 2023 — and how far back it has set the franchise.

Steelers have cooled after their hot start and coach Mike Tomlin faces a choice at QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at an early season crossroads following a second straight close loss.

Tank Bigsby’s emergence gives the Jaguars options at running back heading to London

The Jacksonville Jaguars have options at running back. Second-year pro Tank Bigsby has been more explosive than starter Travis Etienne the last two weeks.