NFL

AP Pro Football WriterCowboys maintain air of confidence as underachieving bunchBy SCHUYLER DIXONFRISCO, Texas (AP) The only other time the Dallas Cowboys started 3-0 and missed the playoffs, Jason Witten was a sixth-year tight end for a team that had been the top seed in the NFC the...

AP Sports WriterRunning duo of Carson, Penny exactly what Seahawks wantBy TIM BOOTHRENTON, Wash. (AP) When it comes to the foundation of what Pete Carroll wants from his offense, it’s always based around the run.It was that way in college when he was winning titles at Southern California....

Dolphins running back Ballage placed on injured reserveMIAMI (AP) Running back Kalen Ballage’s historically unproductive season ended Tuesday when he was placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins.Ballage hurt his left leg in Sunday’s victory over Philadelphia.The second-year pro finishes the season with 135 yards in 74...

LA Rams put kick returner JoJo Natson on injured reserveTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Los Angeles Rams kick returner JoJo Natson has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.The Rams (7-5) also signed tight end Kendall Blanton from the practice squad Tuesday.Natson is averaging 22.2 yards per...

AP Pro Football WriterVikings still on track for playoffs, but questions persistBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Vikings remain on a clear track for the playoffs, closer in perception to the four teams ahead of them in the NFC than the pack behind.After their setback in Seattle on...

AP Pro Football WriterMistakes doom Raiders in 2nd straight lopsided lossBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders are greatly improved in coach Jon Gruden's second season back on the sideline.That doesn't mean they have enough talent to overcome the type of mistakes they made in their latest...

AP Sports WriterMoving on from QB Nick Foles would be costly for JaguarsBy MARK LONGJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars are seemingly stuck with another expensive quarterback mistake.The Jaguars benched veteran Nick Foles for the final four games of the season Monday, switching to rookie sensation Gardner Minshew...

AP Pro Football Writer4th-down plays doom 49ers in loss to RavensBy JOSH DUBOWSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The difference between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens basically came down to a couple of fourth-down conversions.After the 49ers failed to convert on a fourth-and-short chance midway through the fourth...

AP Sports WriterMounting losses will test Colts’ faith in Reich’s mantraBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich considers himself a believer.He still has faith in quarterback Jacoby Brissett, still supports kicker Adam Vinatieri, and still maintains his team can reach the playoffs - no matter what...

AP Pro Football WriterJets back to drawing board after embarrassing Cincy showingBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets were feeling pretty good about themselves, riding a three-game winning streak into winless Cincinnati and hoping to keep the positive momentum going.Then, just like that, it was...

AP Pro Football WriterStreaking Titans put themselves game back of AFC South leadBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel has no plans to talk about the standings with his Titans and where they fit in the NFL picture.Sure, his Titans (7-5) have won three straight...

AP Sports WriterArians, Buccaneers encouraged by last-season progressBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are showing signs of improvement with double-digit wins in three of their last four games, even though the success has come against last-place teams.''We all knew that we were capable of this,''...