NFL Teams

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) For all the postseason appearances that the Green Bay Packers have made in coach Mike McCarthy's tenure, this year's run to the playoffs might be the most unique yet. The Packers were considered a likely Super Bowl contender in the preseason. They look like a Super...

Before this weekend, just five NFL playoff games since 1966 have featured a team favored by at least 15 points. Just one of those underdogs won the game (Google ''Joe Namath'' if you need more information on that). Oddsmakers don't think Brock Osweiler should guarantee the 16-point underdog Houston Texans...

NEW YORK (AP) Free agency is not the lifeblood of NFL teams. The draft remains the most significant means by which to build and fortify a franchise. Yet, as the salary cap increases exponentially each year under the 10-year labor agreement reached in 2011, the lure of veterans on the...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Latest from the NFL's annual scouting combine (all times local): --- 3:05 p.m. Longtime linebacker Chad Greenway is still contemplating his NFL future. The Minnesota Vikings think he'll make a decision within the next week. ''Obviously he'll want to get the decision done before the start of free agency,'' coach...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Matt Ryan's poise under pressure has produced 25 fourth-quarter comebacks, a ''Matty Ice'' nickname and his first All-Pro selection. The Atlanta Falcons' quarterback also is a leading MVP candidate . The glaring void on Ryan's resume is his 1-4 postseason record. At 31, Ryan may not have...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia beat the contending New York Giants 24-19 on Thursday to hand Dallas the AFC East title and put the Giants' playoff ambitions in jeopardy. Malcolm Jenkins had the second two-interception game of his eight-year career, returning one for a touchdown, and the Eagles snapped a five-game...

FRISCO, Texas (AP) Ezekiel Elliott pelted fellow rookie Dak Prescott with straw wrappers and a spitball , and the Dallas quarterback tried to get his teammate to move along with an offer of candy. Not that Prescott is innocent in such exchanges when reporters surround the lockers of these road-trip...

FRISCO, Texas (AP) Sean Lee's first All-Pro season will end with the first trip to the playoffs for the oft-injured Dallas linebacker. If that sounds like a breakout year, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten would argue otherwise. ''To me, it's not like, oh, we're seeing a different player than we've seen...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Latest from the NFL's annual scouting combine (all times local): --- 1:25 p.m. Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio is a happier man now that he has a new contract. Three weeks ago, team owner Mark Davis rewarded the coach for the team's playoff run by tearing up the original...

WASHINGTON (AP) Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is not attending the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Team spokesman Tony Wyllie confirmed McCloughan's absence in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday, saying McCloughan ''is taking care of some family matters.'' Coach Jay Gruden and other officials are representing the Redskins...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Latest from the NFL's annual scouting combine (all times local): --- 2:45 p.m. Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio both said they enjoyed their time in Mexico City last season. In fact, Smith was such a big fan of the experience he thinks...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Lane Johnson immediately showed why he's so valuable to the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson cleared the way for Ryan Mathews to run 17 yards on Philadelphia's first play from scrimmage and then opened a big hole on Darren Sproles' 25-yard touchdown run by knocking Landon Collins out of the...