NFL

AP Pro Football WriterGurley helps Rams clinch NFC West in 27-23 win over TitansBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Putting the ball in the hands of Todd Gurley is the easiest decision for the Los Angeles Rams. The star running back is doing his best to push himself...

AP Sports WriterThomas' mere presence mattered in Saints win over FalconsBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) With a playoff berth at stake, the Saints found ways to capitalize on the mere presence of hobbled star receiver Michael Thomas.New Orleans had been working on ways to exploit the attention opposing...

AP Pro Football WriterGritty Seahawks keep playoff hopes alive, eliminate CowboysBy SCHUYLER DIXONARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Already missing two of their defensive stars for the season, the Seattle Seahawks were coming off their most-lopsided loss under coach Pete Carroll and facing Ezekiel Elliott in his return to the Dallas...

The Latest: 17 more protests during late games, 21 totalBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the 16th Sunday of the NFL regular season. (all times Eastern):5 p.m.The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers continued to have the most players protesting during the national anthem in Week 16 of the...

AP Sports WriterChiefs' season rolls on as Dolphins' playoff hopes disappearBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Kareem Hunt stood in front of his locker room and mused about an up-and-down season, one that was highlighted by five straight wins and low-lighted by six losses in a seven-game stretch.One...

AP Sports WriterDolphins' playoff hopes crushed in 29-13 loss to ChiefsBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Dolphins needed to beat the Kansas City Chiefs at frosty Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, then have six other scenarios break their way, to have any hope of reaching the postseason.They couldn't...

AP Sports WriterBears QB Trubisky gets win against hometown teamBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) The snow was steady for most of the day, making for treacherous footing at Soldier Field.The announced crowd of 41,257 sipped on all sorts of beverages while trying to stay as warm as possible, and...

AP Sports WriterPlayoff-bound Panthers riding high behind opportunistic 'D'By STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers defense appears to be peaking at the right time.Carolina clinched a postseason berth on Sunday with a 22-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in large part behind the play of its defense,...

AP Sports WriterIrked by overturned TD, Bills still cling to playoff hopesBy KYLE HIGHTOWERFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have endured their share of near misses against the New England Patriots.With Buffalo's hopes of ending a 17-year playoff drought pinned to what happened in its final two games,...

AP Sports WriterBengals coach Marvin Lewis still coy about future after winBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Marvin Lewis knew what everybody was wondering: Is this his farewell to Cincinnati?''I guess everybody's writing me off,'' Lewis said, after his Bengals rallied for a 26-17 win over Detroit on Sunday.Well, pretty...

AP Sports WriterOsweiler or Lynch? Broncos QB carousel keeps spinningBy STEPHEN WHYNOLANDOVER, Md. (AP) The Denver Broncos' quarterback carousel continues to spin, and no one's quite sure when or where it'll stop.After Brock Osweiler was 22 of 38 for 193 yards with an interception and a fumble in...

The Latest: Cowboys feed Elliott in return from suspensionBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the 16th Sunday of the NFL regular season. (all times Eastern):5:55 p.m.Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott has 73 yards rushing at halftime in his return from a six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations.The Cowboys led...