NFL

AP Pro Football WriterVikings sign Seahawks' Richardson to bolster defensive lineBy DAVE CAMPBELLEAGAN, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings found a new offensive coordinator this winter, and they made one of the biggest splashes of the NFL offseason this week by giving quarterback Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed $84...

CLINCHED: Denver - AFC West; Indianapolis - AFC South; New England - AFC EastClinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:- Win and Denver lossClinches first-round bye with:- Win, OR- Tie and Indianapolis loss or tie, OR- Loss and Cincinnati loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie and Baltimore...

AP Pro Football WriterGaroppolo takes lessons from Brady into 1st Super Bowl startBy JOSH DUBOWMIAMI (AP) Jimmy Garoppolo had a front-row seat in the best classroom on the best way to prepare for being a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl.After watching Tom Brady prepare for two Super...

AP Sports WriterVikings D preparing for all scenarios with Rodgers, PackersBy GENARO C. ARMASGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) For the Minnesota Vikings, it's more about whether Aaron Rodgers will have his full bag of tricks while playing with a knee injury than if he'll be playing at all.The Vikings...

Dolphins DT Phillips released after angry sideline outburstDAVIE, Fla. (AP) The Miami Dolphins released defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on Tuesday in the wake of his angry outburst on the sideline after he came out of a lopsided loss at New England.''Free at last free at last,'' Phillips wrote...

Raiders place Joseph on IR, sign Swearinger and JordanALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders have placed safety Karl Joseph on injured reserve with a foot injury after he made the game-sealing defensive play the past two weeks.Joseph hurt his foot while intercepting a Philip Rivers pass in the...

AP Sports WriterRyan throws 3 TD passes, Falcons hold off Bucs 34-29By PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Matt Ryan threw for 354 yards and three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons snapped a three-game losing streak, holding off Tampa Bay 34-29 Sunday in Jameis Winston's return as the Buccaneers starting quarterback.The...

AP Sports WriterLookin' in mirror, still losing: Bengals' season so familiarBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Fans in Bengals jerseys hiding their heads under bags. Numb players talking about looking in the mirror. Coaches promising changes, knowing full well they have no magic bag of tricks to save the season.It's...

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) As the search resumes for NFL quarterback Jay Cutler's brother-in-law, investigators are examining whether one factor in the 30-year-old's disappearance was his recent arrest on allegations that he acted threateningly toward a woman and had a gun.Michael Cavallari's car was found abandoned 12 days...

AP Sports WriterHall of Fame QB Kelly says tests show return of oral cancerBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has once again been diagnosed with oral cancer.Kelly released a statement Thursday through his publicist saying he is ''shocked and deeply saddened''...

AP Pro Football WriterPainful lesson helped shape Jets QB Darnold's cool demeanorBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The knuckle below Sam Darnold's freckled right pinkie is still slightly out of place.It serves as a once-painful reminder that the New York Jets rookie quarterback needs to keep his...

The biggest challenge at the New Jersey Meadowlands last weekend probably didn't belong to the Giants and Jets.Instead, it was the folks charged with getting MetLife Stadium ready for a Saturday night Dolphins-Jets game and an early afternoon Lions-Giants contest the next day who had to step up the...