NFL

AP Sports WriterPayton: Saints doing due diligence on receiver Antonio BrownBy BRETT MARTELMETAIRIE, La. (AP) Prolific but embattled free-agent receiver Antonio Brown got his chance to show the New Orleans Saints how he could help them in the playoffs.Whether Brown winds up catching passes from record-setting quarterback Drew...

AP Sports WriterFalcons choose stability: Quinn, Dimitroff to remain in 2020By PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Wrapping up another disappointing season but buoyed by a strong finish, the Atlanta Falcons announced Friday they are keeping coach Dan Quinn in 2020.Owner Arthur Blank also decided to retain general manager Thomas Dimitroff...

AP Sports WriterMarshawn Mania: Lynch ready to go for Seahawks vs. 49ersBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) Four years after he last went through a full week of preparation with Seattle, it felt downright normal for Pete Carroll to see Marshawn Lynch carrying the ball during practice.The only question that...

Rookie Bush making Steelers' heavy investment in him pay offPITTSBURGH (AP) Though he was still 20 years old at the time of the draft, Devin Bush was cognizant enough of the extraordinary for them lengths the Pittsburgh Steelers went to acquire him.''I just want to thank Steelers organization...

No regrets for Cowboys' Witten after return from retirementBy The Associated PressJason Witten returned for a club-record 16th season with Dallas after a year in retirement as a broadcaster in part because the tight end thought the Cowboys could make a Super Bowl run.Now that they've lost control of...

AP Pro Football WriterDre'Mont Jones earns top NFL honor after nearly sitting outBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Denver Broncos rookie defensive end Dre'Mont Jones came very close to sitting out last week's game against the Detroit Lions because of a sprained left ankle.Good thing he didn't.On Friday, Jones...

AP Pro Football WriterEagles play their best when they can't afford to loseBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Eagles have been at their best facing elimination.They've won three in a row to improve to 8-7 and enter Sunday's game at the New York Giants (4-11) needing another victory...

AP Pro Football WriterAfter tough season, Bell wants to be part of Jets' futureBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) ?? Le'Veon Bell's return to football hasn't included the big plays and eye-popping statistics that made him one of the most electrifying and productive players in the NFL.The running...

AP Sports WriterPayton: Saints doing due diligence on receiver Antonio BrownBy BRETT MARTELMETAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints coach Sean Payton says the club has no immediate plans to sign Antonio Brown after including him in a workout with six free-agent receivers Friday morning.Payton says the Saints are mainly doing...

AP Sports WriterBuccaneers, Falcons motivated to finish 2nd in NFC SouthBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) ??? The winner will finish second in the NFC South.That’s enough to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) and Atlanta Falcons (6-9) motivated for the final game of a season in which neither team...

AP Pro Football WriterLock driven by quotes from John Elway and Winston ChurchillBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Two quotes inspired Drew Lock when he was sidelined with an injured right thumb last summer. One was from John Elway, the other from Sir Winston Churchill.When Elway sat down with...

AP Pro Football WriterOn Football: Offbeat Awards for the 2019 seasonBy BARRY WILNERThe Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on the night before the Super Bowl in Miami. Until then, here are some off-the-beaten track honors to consider. BEST GAME: Week 10, the best Monday night...