Analysis: Ravens are Lamar Jackson’s best, only option
March 28, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (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
March 8, 2023 GMTDaniel Jones turned one decent season into a mega-money contract that raises the standard in the NFL.
Once the New York Giants gave Jones a deal worth $160 million over four years — $82 million is reportedly guaranteed for the first two seasons — the price tag went up for quarterbacks around the league.
Analysis: Super Bowl had feel-good vibes for all
February 13, 2023 GMTGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Super Bowl had something for everyone.
Long before Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the biggest winner of this NFL season walked onto the field.
Analysis: Eagles weren’t afraid to make difficult decisions
February 3, 2023 GMTThe Philadelphia Eagles are playing for another Super Bowl title because they weren’t afraid to make difficult decisions following a disastrous 2020 season.
Just three years after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history, the organization was at a crossroads following a 4-11-1 finish in the pandemic-altered season.
Analysis: Tom Brady’s legacy goes beyond Super Bowl rings
February 1, 2023 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady had nothing left to prove.
Already considered the GOAT — greatest of all time — Brady finally walked away from the NFL on Wednesday following the most difficult, emotionally draining season in his life.
Analysis: Mahomes, Hurts set for historic Super Bowl matchup
January 30, 2023 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Black quarterbacks have come a long way in the NFL since Fritz Pollard became the first to play in the league in 1923 and Doug Williams was the first to start and win a Super Bowl following the 1987 season.
Analysis: Nick Sirianni won over fans who didn’t want him
January 27, 2023 GMTNick Sirianni is getting his flowers figuratively instead of thrown at his face.
The chest-bumping, sideline-prancing, expletive-tossing head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles has won over a tough city that questioned his credentials and mocked his introductory news conference when he was hired two years ago.
Analysis: Defense still wins in the NFL playoffs
January 23, 2023 GMTDefense stills wins in the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals advanced to the conference championship games with excellent defensive performances on Sunday.
Analysis: Right coach can turn around a franchise quickly
January 19, 2023 GMTThe Jaguars and Giants combined for seven wins last season.
Now, they’re two victories away from playing in the Super Bowl.
Both teams hired new coaches who quickly delivered success.
Analysis: Bills, Bengals look shaky in wins, set up rematch
January 16, 2023 GMTThe Bengals-Bills rematch coming next week almost didn’t happen.
Both teams squeaked past undermanned opponents on Sunday, beating backup quarterbacks to advance to the AFC divisional round.
First, the Bills blew a 17-0 lead against Miami and had to rally for a 34-31 victory.
Analysis: Teammates gave Damar Hamlin the ultimate tribute
January 9, 2023 GMTAn emotional week for the NFL filled with fear, tears, prayer and uncertainty ended with exciting games, dramatic finishes and a celebration for Damar Hamlin.
When Hamlin left the stadium in Cincinnati in an ambulance Monday night fighting for his life, football didn’t matter.
Analysis: NFC is wide open heading into final weekend of NFL
January 2, 2023 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady again was at his best when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed him most.
The 45-year-old, seven-time Super Bowl champion had one of the best statistical games of his 23-year career in a 30-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday that clinched Tampa’s second straight NFC South title.
Analysis: With 1 more game, more teams in NFL playoff race
December 30, 2022 GMTWith two weeks remaining in the NFL season, only eight teams have been eliminated from the playoff race.
That’s why the league added a 17th game and a third wild-card team last year, plus the revenue gained by another game.
Rams, Bucs, Packers earn wins on same day in upside-down NFC
December 26, 2022 GMTTom Brady and Aaron Rodgers led comeback wins and the Los Angeles Rams dominated Russell Wilson and the Broncos.
It was a triumphant Christmas for the Buccaneers, Packers and Rams as many figured it would be when the schedule was released in May.
Analysis: NFL playoff picture tightens up after Week 16
December 25, 2022 GMTMinshew Mania is on hold. The Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed with their backup quarterback, tightening the playoff picture in a wide-open conference.
Analysis: Top NFL teams had lots of close calls in Week 15
December 19, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joe Burrow wasn’t satisfied after throwing four touchdown passes in the second half to rally the Bengals to a comeback victory over Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
“Not one of my favorites,” Burrow said when asked how he felt about Cincinnati’s 34-23 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Analysis: Cowboys’ Parsons made valid point about MVP debate
December 16, 2022 GMTMicah Parsons took a lot of heat this week for expressing his opinion about the MVP race.
The Dallas Cowboys’ star linebacke r said the Philadelphia Eagles are 12-1 more because of the overall talent on the team than Jalen Hurts.
Analysis: Third-string NFL QBs rise to challenge of starting
December 12, 2022 GMTBrock Purdy outplayed Tom Brady, leaving his dad in tears with a stellar performance in his first career start.
Analysis: Dominant Eagles’ o-line worthy of MVP talk
December 9, 2022 GMTIf a unit could win the Most Valuable Player award, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line would be the frontrunner.
Jalen Hurts is among the top candidates for AP NFL MVP mainly due to a dominant line that protects him and paves the way for one of the league’s best rushing attacks.
Analysis: Deshaun Watson has long way to go for improvement
December 5, 2022 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s shaky performance wasn’t his biggest problem. Blame a two-year layoff for Watson being rusty.
His refusal to express remorse for alleged behavior that led to an 11-game suspension is more difficult to explain.
Watson has better shot winning with Browns than fixing image
December 2, 2022 GMTDeshaun Watson has a better chance of leading the Cleveland Browns to their first Super Bowl title than rebuilding his public image.
The disgraced quarterback wouldn’t address his 11-game suspension for sexual misconduct or his league-mandated therapy sessions on Thursday in his first comments since returning to the Browns.
Analysis: Aggressive coaching paid off Sunday in NFL
November 28, 2022 GMTWith the ball in Tom Brady’s hands, Todd Bowles played it safe and lost. Doug Pederson and Brandon Staley went for broke and celebrated wins.
Aggressive coaching paid off Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 23-17 at Cleveland in overtime in a game that Brady had a chance to win in regulation with another one of his vintage drives in the final minute.
Analysis: Winning isn’t always most important stat for QBs
November 25, 2022 GMTZach Wilson found out wins and losses aren’t the only stat that matters.
The New York Jets benched Wilson this week despite his 5-2 record as a starter. Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, has struggled in his sophomore year.
Analysis: How ’bout them Cowboys! Dallas is most impressive
November 21, 2022 GMTDak Prescott was nearly perfect in directing a balanced, dynamic offense. Micah Parsons again wreaked havoc in leading a dominant defense.
Analysis: NFL’s appeal to women isn’t about pink jerseys
November 18, 2022 GMTThere used to be a time when the NFL thought appealing to female fans meant pink jerseys and bedazzled apparel.
Not anymore. Those stereotypes are long gone.
The league has made it a priority to increase opportunities for women in every aspect of the sport from front-office positions to the sidelines.
Analysis: Vikings, Bucs, Packers, Colts make big statements
November 14, 2022 GMTBust out the victory chains. The Minnesota Vikings proved they’re for real.
After piling up wins against losing teams and backup quarterbacks, the Vikings earned a signature victory on the road against the Buffalo Bills.
NFL MVP race matches ex-Alabama teammates Hurts, Tagovailoa
November 11, 2022 GMTJalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa competed for the starting job at Alabama. Now they’re battling each other for the NFL's Most Valuable Player.
In a season filled with surprises, predicting the NFL awards at the halfway point is challenging.
Colts’ Saturday hiring chided on diversity, fairness grounds
November 8, 2022 GMTEven Jeff Saturday was shocked when Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay called late Sunday night to offer him the head coaching position.
A former two-time All-Pro center who snapped the ball to Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for 12 seasons, Saturday surely knows his X’s and O’s.
NFC is upside down midway through NFL season
November 7, 2022 GMTAaron Rodgers used an expletive to describe three interceptions. Tom Brady used a different expletive to express his relief and excitement after a comeback win. The Rams and Cardinals played like slop again.
Offseason moves by Eagles GM Howie Roseman set up 8-0 start
November 4, 2022 GMTWhen the Philadelphia Eagles left Tampa Bay following a playoff loss last January, they looked like they didn’t belong on the field with the Buccaneers and the NFL’s elite teams.
Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith silence critics
October 31, 2022 GMTJalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa shouldn’t hear about their teams pursuing other quarterbacks anymore.
The former Alabama teammates continued their MVP-caliber seasons with spectacular performances Sunday.
NFL trade deadline isn’t so boring anymore
October 28, 2022 GMTChristian McCaffrey already played his first game with the San Francisco 49ers. Robert Quinn and James Robinson joined their new teams this week. More players will be on the move by Tuesday.
The NFL trade deadline is far more exciting than it used to be.
Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers aren’t getting much help
October 24, 2022 GMTTom Brady threw a perfect deep ball to a wide-open Mike Evans on the third play of the game that would’ve been a 64-yard touchdown pass if the star receiver hadn’t dropped it.
Brady not thinking about retirement, so time to speculate
October 21, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady says retirement isn’t in his future, so let the 2023 speculation begin.
Brady’s comment Thursday doesn’t mean he’s coming back for a 24th season but anything is possible for the 45-year-old, seven-time Super Bowl champion.
Analysis: NFC East goes from least to beast in 2 years
October 17, 2022 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NFC East went from least to beast in less than two years.
After sending a losing team to the playoffs in 2020, the division boasts three of the four NFC teams with winning records through six weeks.
Analysis: Commanders ugly on and off the field
October 14, 2022 GMTThe dysfunctional Washington Commanders are ugly on and off the field.
A day that began with a detailed report about Dan Snyder’s toxic ownership ended with a sloppy 12-7 victory over the Chicago Bears in front of a national television audience Thursday night.
Questionable roughing the passer calls raise more questions
October 10, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Can’t touch this.
Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett found out the hard way how seriously some referees take protecting quarterbacks when he sacked Tom Brady and got flagged for roughing the passer in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 21-15 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
On Football: NFL teams aren’t doomed with losing Octobers
October 7, 2022 GMTDENVER (AP) — A losing record in October doesn’t mean playoff hopes are lost.
Last year, the Patriots, Steelers and Eagles rebounded from a 1-3 start to earn a postseason berth. The Chiefs and 49ers both opened 2-3 and still reached their conference championship games.
High-profile QBs on new teams had another rough week
October 3, 2022 GMTHigh-profile quarterbacks on new teams had a rough week.
Russell Wilson finally got Denver’s offense moving, but the Broncos lost to Las Vegas 32-23.
Analysis: Backups, be ready. NFL’s QB carousel is spinning
September 26, 2022 GMTThe NFL’s quarterback carousel may start spinning a bit faster.
Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen got banged up Sunday. Justin Herbert and Jameis Winston played hurt. Already, Dak Prescott and Trey Lance have gone down.
Analysis: ‘No lead is safe’ more than a cliche this season
September 23, 2022 GMT“No lead is safe in the NFL” is more than a cliche this season.
Three teams overcame fourth-quarter deficits of at least 13 points to win last week for the first time in 30 years.
Analysis: Week 2 a Comeback Sunday NFL hasn’t seen in years
September 19, 2022 GMTCall it a Comeback Sunday the NFL hasn’t seen in years.
The Dolphins and Cardinals made history by overcoming 20-point halftime deficits to win on the same day while the Jets rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final two minutes.
On Football: Can Black QBs pave way for Black coaches?
September 16, 2022 GMTWhen 11 Black quarterbacks started NFL games in Week 1, it was another indication those racial stereotypes have finally been overcome.
Wentz triumphant in Week 1 Revenge Tour; Wilson next?
September 12, 2022 GMTLANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Carson Wentz made clutch throws to erase big mistakes and pull out a victory that eluded Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco.
Russell Wilson is up next in the NFL’s Week 1 revenge tour.
On Football: Despite offseason, don’t bet against Tom Brady
September 9, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady’s 11-day absence from training camp following a 40-day retirement earlier this year has some people doubting the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s focus entering his 23rd season in the NFL.
Analysis: Aaron Donald wasn’t prepared for media tour
September 2, 2022 GMTAaron Donald was scheduled for a media blitz to promote a product before he swung a helmet at opposing players during a joint practice last week.
The tour went on Wednesday, as planned. Donald wasn’t prepared for it.
Analysis: Bills’ ‘thorough examination’ clearly failed
August 28, 2022 GMTThe Buffalo Bills decided releasing Matt Araiza was the “right thing” to do, two days after the rookie punter was accused of gang-raping a teenager in a civil lawsuit.
Analysis: Settlement best solution for Deshaun Watson, NFL
July 1, 2022 GMTNow that Deshaun Watson’s disciplinary hearing has concluded, the best solution for the NFL and the quarterback’s legal team is to reach a settlement before retired judge Sue Robinson issues a decision.
Accelerator program overdue for NFL diversity. Will it help?
May 25, 2022 GMTFor 15 years, Aaron Glenn was an outstanding NFL cornerback, a team leader, and a coach in the making.
Teammates, fans and coaches of the New York Jets, for whom he spent eight seasons as a shutdown defender, recognized it.
Analysis: NFL schedule filled with enticing matchups
May 13, 2022 GMTFrom Russell Wilson playing his first game as a Bronco in Seattle to Doug Pederson vs. Carson Wentz, the NFL schedule is filled with spicy matchups from the outset. Too bad we have to wait four months for it all to begin.
Analysis: Amazon Prime Video gets solid 1st slate from NFL
May 13, 2022 GMTA defensive coordinator trying to put together a game plan to stop Justin Herbert or Patrick Mahomes has an easier task than the NFL trying to put together the schedule for Thursday night football.
Analysis: NFL’s monitoring of betting must never fall short
March 9, 2022 GMTThe NFL spends multimillion dollars protecting the integrity of the game as it relates to gambling. Those expenditures paid off in the Calvin Ridley case.
The Atlanta Falcons receiver has been suspended for at least a season by Commissioner Roger Goodell for betting on NFL games.
Analysis: NFL never stops making news, even after Super Bowl
February 14, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL never stops making news.
Even after the Super Bowl, pro football doesn't fade from view. Next up is the scouting combine in two weeks, followed by free agency in mid-March and key owners' meetings at the end of that month.
Analysis: Built to win now, Rams deliver a Super Bowl title
February 14, 2022 GMTINGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Built to win now, the Los Angeles Rams delivered a shiny, new trophy for Tinseltown.
Pressure? What pressure?
With LeBron James dancing to the beat during a halftime show featuring hip-hop legends Dr.
Analysis: Diversity needed at all levels of pro football
February 10, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — When Warren Moon, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the first Black quarterbacks to make an impact in the modern NFL, was asked about potentially having an African American own a team, he saw it as an opportunity on many levels.
Analysis: Stafford, Burrow offer divergent Super Bowl paths
February 8, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — It's difficult if not impossible to downplay the importance of having a top-level quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Or even get to it.
Sure, there are exceptions such as Jared Goff, Nick Foles and Rex Grossman, though Foles played like a superstar in early 2018.
Analysis: Bengals provide hope, blueprint for lowly teams
February 7, 2022 GMTThe Cincinnati Bengals were downright dreadful at this time two years ago.
They were the worst team in the NFL, coming off a 2-14 season with a first-year head coach and facing the franchise-shaping decision of who to take with the No.
Analysis: No Tom Brady, NFL in good hands with young QBs
February 3, 2022 GMTTom Brady spent time chatting with Joe Burrow in his last interview before announcing his retirement.
Consider it passing the torch.
Saying there will never be another Brady is no exaggeration.
Analysis: Opposites attract as Stafford, Burrow get Super
January 31, 2022 GMTMatthew Stafford and Joe Burrow had almost nothing in common before Sunday except that they were top overall picks in the NFL draft.
Now, they are both Super Bowl quarterbacks.
Their journeys are almost polar opposites since each left an SEC powerhouse.
Analysis: Andy Reid helped pave the way for young coaches
January 28, 2022 GMTAndy Reid was a young, offensive-minded coach who hadn’t even been a coordinator when Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hired him to lead a franchise out of despair 23 years ago.
Now, Reid and three much younger, offensive gurus are the last coaches standing.
Analysis: NFL moving closer to 1st female head coach
January 20, 2022 GMTThe NFL is moving closer to having its first female head coach.
It may take a few more years, perhaps another decade. However, the question is no longer if it’ll happen but when it will happen.
Analysis: Old nemesis standing in way of Tom Brady, Bucs
January 13, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Despite winning an unprecedented seven Super Bowl rings, Tom Brady is still haunted by one that slipped away — literally.
As Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) prepare to host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) in an NFC wild-card game Sunday, the GOAT has been forced to recall his big drop.
Analysis: Raiders’ wild win gives NFL playoffs strong start
January 10, 2022 GMTDerek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders played to win, knocking the Los Angeles Chargers out of the playoffs and sending the Pittsburgh Steelers to the tournament.
The NFL’s playoff field was set when the Raiders locked up the final wild-card spot by beating the Chargers in overtime in a wild, winner-take-all game Sunday night.
Analysis: Antonio Brown’s mental health is no joke
January 3, 2022 GMTAntonio Brown tossed his jersey and shoulder pads toward the bench, threw his glove and undershirt into the stands and ran off the field bare-chested, waving a peace-out sign to fans in the end zone while Tom Brady huddled the offense for an important play.
Analysis: COVID-19 means teams battle 2 opponents weekly
December 27, 2021 GMTJosh Johnson joined the Ravens 10 days ago, and the well-traveled quarterback started his first game in 1,092 days with first place in the AFC North on the line Sunday at Cincinnati.
The Chargers didn’t have outside linebacker Joey Bosa, running back Austin Ekeler, receiver Mike Williams and center Corey Linsley when they faced the Texans.
Analysis: 2 go or not 2 go for 2-pointers is the question
December 24, 2021 GMT2 go or not 2 go. That is the question.
It's a query Ravens coach John Harbaugh has faced twice lately, and many times in the past. It's one that fellow AFC North coach Mike Tomlin of the Steelers — yes, two of the NFL's best sideline men — also has been asked a bunch.
Analysis: Gutsy calls, tight races set up wild finish in NFL
December 20, 2021 GMTJohn Harbaugh again went for the win and the AFC North became even more jumbled.
The Ravens (8-6) lost their third straight game Sunday when Tyler Huntley threw incomplete to Mark Andrews on a 2-point conversion attempt after Baltimore had rallied for two touchdowns in the final five minutes to get within one point of Green Bay.
Analysis: Race to playoffs enters stretch with crowded field
December 17, 2021 GMTIf your team is not in the NFL playoff race heading into the final four weeks of the schedule, well, that team must be pretty bad.
Except for the Lions, Texans, Jaguars, Bears and the two New York teams (Rotten Big Apple, indeed), everyone else remains in the conversation for the postseason.
Analysis: Bad NFL teams getting blown out is a common theme
December 13, 2021 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen wouldn’t let Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cruise to a lopsided victory after the Buffalo Bills fell behind by 21 points at halftime.
Allen led an impressive comeback with his arm and legs to force overtime before Brady connected with Breshad Perriman for a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown to win it.
Analysis: 7 teams who have let fans down bigtime in 2021
December 10, 2021 GMTA year ago, the Seahawks and Steelers were heading toward the playoffs. So were the Saints, Browns and Bears.
Now? Well, even if any of them stumbles into the postseason, the likelihood of doing any damage there is slim.
Analysis: Deciding when to gamble a coach’s toughest choice
December 6, 2021 GMTJohn Harbaugh has the best kicker in the NFL, currently and possibly ever. Yet, trailing by one point, he left Justin Tucker on the sideline Sunday night and went for a 2-point conversion in the dying seconds at Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Why Rodgers got fined and 3 Bucs got suspended
December 3, 2021 GMTAaron Rodgers flaunts the NFL/NFLPA coronavirus protocols and gets a fine that barely shows up in his paycheck.
Antonio Brown and two others do the same and get three-game suspensions.
Analysis: The pass seduces even the NFL’s best run teams
November 29, 2021 GMTThrowing the football in the NFL is so alluring it can seduce even the best run teams.
The Indianapolis Colts forgot they have Jonathan Taylor after relying on Carson Wentz’s arm to build a 10-point halftime lead against the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.
Analysis: Sizing up 10 teams with best Super Bowl chances
November 26, 2021 GMTClose games and unpredictable outcomes have been a staple this NFL season.
Thanksgiving Day was the latest example.
The Bears beat the Lions on a last-second field goal.
Analysis: Some teams just needed more time to bloom
November 22, 2021 GMTPatrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are back in a familiar spot. Same for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
The Chiefs and Patriots have surged to first place in their respective divisions with monthlong winning streaks.
Analysis: Which NFL teams are best in which quarters
November 19, 2021 GMTAll the time, fans read and hear about late-game heroics in the NFL. This quarterback has led so many comeback victories, or this defense is most stout as the final minutes tick away.
Analysis: Wilson shut out for 1st time on surprising NFL day
November 15, 2021 GMTRussell Wilson was shut out for the first time in his career. Taylor Heinicke outplayed Tom Brady. Aaron Rodgers had fewer touchdowns than Cam Newton.
Another Sunday was filled with upsets and unpredictability.
Analysis: Can halfway award contenders sustain success?
November 12, 2021 GMTIn a most unpredictable of NFL seasons, with only the Detroit Lions showing true consistency — and not quite what you seek — pinpointing the best performances at the halfway mark is a particularly difficult task.
On Football: Playoff Lamar showed up in the regular season
November 12, 2021 GMTMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — A 327-pound offensive lineman running with the football was more exciting than Lamar Jackson.
Playoff Lamar showed up in the regular season.
If Jackson and the rest of Baltimore’s offense don’t figure out how to beat cover zero defensive schemes, the Ravens won’t have to wait until the playoffs to flop.
Rough weekend for NFL teams atop the standings
November 8, 2021 GMTFirst-place teams had a rough Sunday.
Dak Prescott returned to the lineup for Dallas (6-2) and the Cowboys didn’t score until Denver led 30-0 in the fourth quarter on the road.
Josh Allen had three turnovers and the Buffalo Bills (5-3) showed no discipline in an embarrassing 9-6 loss at woeful Jacksonville.