NFL

AP Sports WriterPackers try to avoid slipping at home again as Jags arriveBy STEVE MEGARGEEThe Green Bay Packers are getting healthier and guarding against complacency before opening the second half of their season Sunday as two-touchdown favorites over the slumping Jacksonville Jaguars.Green Bay (6-2) has withstood a series of...

AP Sports WriterA rookie QB matchup: Miami's Tua faces Chargers' HerbertBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) The Miami Dolphins had an opportunity to take Justin Herbert in the 2020 draft, and early this season it was tempting to wonder why they didn't.Tua Tagovailoa is starting to provide the answer.The rookie...

AP Sports WriterNFL television ratings see 6% decline at midseason pointBy JOE REEDYThe NFL was not expected to be immune from the ratings declines that have hit all sports this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and presidential election. But the declines are not as bad as feared at...

AP Sports WriterBrady, Bucs look to rebound from lopsided loss vs. CarolinaBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers are expecting to see a highly motivated Tom Brady on Sunday.Brady and the Buccaneers are looking to bounce back after an embarrassing 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints...

AP Sports WriterPerfect Steelers facing COVID-19 issues as Bengals visitBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Cam Heyward can't figure out how the math works. The Pittsburgh Steelers keep winning games. And yet the veteran defensive tackle keeps hearing noise about how unimpressively the NFL's last unbeaten team is doing it.''They...

AP Entertainment WriterThe Weeknd to headline the Pepsi Super Bowl halftime showBy JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.LOS ANGELES (AP) The Weeknd will bring his popular falsetto vocals to the 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show.NFL, Pepsi and Roc Nation announced Thursday that the three-time Grammy Award winner will be the...

NFC-East leading Eagles seek ninth straight against GiantsBy The Associated PressPHILADELPHIA (3-4-1) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-7)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FoxOPENING LINE - Philadelphia by 3 1/2RECORD VS. SPREAD - Eagles 3-5, Giants 6-3SERIES RECORD - Eagles lead 88-85-2LAST MEETING - Eagles beat Giants 22-21 on Oct. 22...

AP Pro Football WriterRaiders thriving despite patchwork offensive lineBy JOSH DUBOWWhen the Las Vegas Raiders set out to build their roster for 2020, a priority was placed on beefing up the offensive line.The Raiders invested more money into the line this season than any other team, with a league-high...

AP Pro Football WriterTalent show: Rookie class shines despite virus limitationsBy DAVE CAMPBELLIf ever there were a year in the NFL when newcomers could be forgiven for a lack of progress, this virus-altered season would be it.Spring practices vanished, making rookie development across the league more difficult. Plenty of...

AP Sports WriterChargers' Herbert able to deliver while under pressureBy JOE REEDYCOSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Justin Herbert has surprised many people with how quickly he has adjusted to the rigors of being a starting quarterback in the NFL.So when it comes to the Los Angeles Chargers' matchup on...

AP Pro Football WriterTitans can take big step toward AFC South title vs. ColtsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans can take a big step toward winning the AFC South for the first time since 2008 on Thursday night.That means beating the Indianapolis Colts, the rival...

AP Sports WriterTua approaches injury anniversary grateful to be with MiamiBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) Tua Tagovailoa says the game ball he gave Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores last week was a token of gratitude.''For me it was like, `Thank you for taking a shot on me,''' Tagovailoa said...