NFL

Bob Costas left out of NBC's Super Bowl coverageNEW YORK (AP) Bob Costas won't be working the Super Bowl for NBC next month.The longtime broadcaster was not included in the network's lineup for the NFL title game telecast from Minneapolis on Feb. 4, leading to speculation that Costas'...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kirk Cousins passed for two touchdowns in his much-anticipated Minnesota debut, and the Vikings forced four turnovers to fuel a 24-16 victory over San Francisco on Sunday to stick 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with his first loss in eight games as an NFL starter. Cousins connected with Stefon...

AP Pro Football Writer49ers, Packers look to go from losing seasons to Super BowlBy JOSH DUBOWSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers are one win away from accomplishing a turnaround that's been done only once before in the Super Bowl era.With a victory in the NFC championship...

Associated PressKyle Long returns from foot injury to practice with BearsBy GENE CHAMBERLAINLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Guard Kyle Long felt whole again Friday after returning to practice with the Chicago Bears for the first time since late October.Following seven missed games after foot surgery, Long is hoping to...

AP Sports WriterSteelers offense showing signs of life under RudolphBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) JuJu Smith-Schuster was covered. Blanketed actually. Mason Rudolph didn't care. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback flicked a pass down the left sideline and trusted Smith-Schuster to do the rest.As the ball dropped out of the sky,...

AP Sports WriterFitzpatrick awaits battle with Tua for Dolphins' QB jobBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's house was quiet at midday Thursday, probably because online schoolwork occupied his kids.He has seven. And despite the pandemic lockdown, there are often enough youngsters gathered for the Fitzpatrick...

AP Sports WriterMcAdoo finds different way to motivate GiantsBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Throughout the history of the NFL, coaches have used an assortment of ways to motivate players.They scream. They yell. They cajole, embarrass, use the fatherly approach, beg, bother, annoy. You name it, coaches have...

AP Sports WriterSaints coaches: Top pick Rankins in good shape, learns fastBy BRETT MARTELMETAIRIE, La. (AP) New Orleans Saints first-round draft choice Sheldon Rankins can accept people calling him boring, as long they're referring to the way he spends time away from football.''I'd use, `laid back,' but whatever...

AP Pro Football WriterAP source: 49ers agree to 1-year deal with Travis BenjaminBy JOSH DUBOWThe San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent receiver Travis Benjamin.A person familiar with the deal says the sides reached agreement on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity...

AP Sports WriterBengals owner Mike Brown opposes 18-game schedule proposalBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Bengals owner Mike Brown thinks the NFL's current 16-game schedule for the regular season is long enough, and he doubts that the league will be able to shorten the preseason and add games that count...

The Latest: San Francisco's Taylor carted off with injuryBy The Associated PressThe Latest on Week 12 in the NFL (all times EST):5:40 p.m.San Francisco nickel back Jamar Taylor has left the field on a cart at SoFi Stadium late in the first half of a defense-dominated game between NFC...

RENTON, Wash. (AP) - For all the importance placed around finding the right quarterback, the trade that brought Marshawn Lynch to Seattle part way through the 2010 season could be considered the most important transaction Pete Carroll made in the makeover of the Seahawks.Lynch brought more than just skills...