NFL

AP Pro Football WriterMcCoy, Brown big questions heading into postseasonBy ARNIE STAPLETONMuch of the NFL season seemed like a Hollywood sequel without the leading actors from the original as injuries claimed so many superstars, leaving the playoff field awash in postseason party crashers .Among them are the Buffalo Bills,...

AP Sports WriterDistractions? What distractions? Steelers rise above frayBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) If Cam Heyward's being honest, he's lost count of distractions the Pittsburgh Steelers have dealt with this season, be they self-created, overblown or otherwise.The weeks would pass and something that had nothing to do with Pittsburgh's...

Jaguars WR Marqise Lee questionable against BillsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee practiced for the first time in three weeks Friday, increasing his chances of playing in a wild-card game against Buffalo.Lee missed the final two regular-season games after spraining his right ankle. He was limited...

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos have agreements with 3 new assistantsBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos have reached agreements with three new assistants, including former New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan to serve as their new quarterbacks coach.Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave held that role until...

Cousins ready for waiting game with Redskins this offseasonVIENNA, Va. (AP) Kirk Cousins says he is likely to wait until March for any possible negotiations with the Washington Redskins, indicating he would first make the team decide whether to apply a transition or franchise tag on him for...

AP Pro Football WriterTopsy-turvy NFC playoff field: 5 newcomers plus FalconsBy ARNIE STAPLETONIn the topsy-turvy NFC playoffs, only the Falcons return from last year, and they sneaked in as the sixth and final team. They narrowly avoided the same fate as the Cowboys, Seahawks, Packers, Giants and Lions -...

Falcons-Rams CapsuleBy The Associated PressLOS ANGELES (AP) ATLANTA (10-6) vs LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-5)Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCOPENING LINE - Rams by 5RECORD VS. SPREAD - Atlanta 7-9, Los Angeles 9-7SERIES RECORD - Rams lead 47-29-2LAST MEETING - Falcons beat Rams, 42-14, Dec. 11, 2016LAST WEEK - Falcons...

AP Pro Football WriterScoring on Titans safety's bucket list after 8 interceptionsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee safety Kevin Byard is hoping to scratch one more thing off his bucket list.The second-year safety tied for the league-lead with eight interceptions and led the NFL with 10 total...

AP Pro Football WriterBrady, Patriots again top the AFC playoff fieldBy ARNIE STAPLETONIn a year when two-thirds of the NFL playoff field is new, the AFC still features fixtures Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger , who have seven Super Bowl rings between them, and Alex Smith, who is coming...

Titans-Chiefs CapsuleBy The Associated PressTENNESSEE (9-7) at KANSAS CITY (10-6)Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPNOPENING LINE - Chiefs by 7+RECORD VS. SPREAD - Tennessee 8-7-1, Kansas City 10-6SERIES RECORD - Chiefs lead 29-22LAST MEETING - Titans beat Chiefs 19-17, Dec. 18, 2016LAST WEEK - Titans beat Jaguars 15-10; Chiefs beat...

AP Pro Football WriterPro Picks looking to beat the spread in playoffsBy BARRY WILNERPro Picks heads into the postseason with an incredible record straight up, 70 games over .500. A coach would have a lifetime contract for such an impressive showing.The key to picking NFL games, of course, is...

AP Sports WriterPanthers hoping playoff experience pays off in postseasonBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) When it comes to the playoffs, the Carolina Panthers have been there, done that.The Panthers are unquestionably the most battle-tested team in the NFC playoffs with a roster consisting of players who have participated...