NFL

AP Sports WriterKevin Johnson gets warm welcome in fresh start with BillsBy JOHN WAWROWORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Cornerback Kevin Johnson required little introduction upon signing with the Buffalo Bills this spring while attempting to put behind his injury-troubled past with Houston Texans.Johnson was already familiar with Bills defensive...

AP Sports WriterBengals' streak of defensive stinginess gets flattenedBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Coach Marvin Lewis couldn't find words to describe how his team came apart. His players had no problem picking out the adjectives.''This was pretty bad,'' defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. ''It was embarrassing to put that...

Judge: Lawsuits against Hernandez can be heard in BostonBOSTON (AP) A judge says two wrongful-death lawsuits pending against the estate of late NFL player late Aaron Hernandez will be heard in Boston, in Suffolk County.An attorney for Hernandez's estate asked that the lawsuits filed by the families of...

AP Sports WriterSeahawks get crucial win to stay in NFC playoff conversationBy TIM BOOTHRENTON, Wash. (AP) For the Seattle Seahawks to have a say in the NFC playoff picture, they had to get past Green Bay. A loss would have likely proved too much to overcome with games...

AP Sports WriterWebb will be targeted replacing Eli Apple at cornerbackBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York Giants cornerback B.W. Webb is going to be targeted by the Houston Texans this weekend.It's a given.Starting cornerback Eli Apple is going to miss the game with a hamstring injury...

Warren Sapp to donate brain for medical researchMIAMI (AP) Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is donating his brain for medical research.Sapp announced Tuesday that his brain will go to the Concussion Legacy Foundation after his death.The 44-year-old says in an essay on the Players' Tribune website...

AP Sports WriterBanged-up offense isn't Giants' only concern. Defense, tooBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) A decimated receiver corps isn't the New York Giants' only problem. Throw in the defense, too.It hasn't been able the stop the run this season. The unit has blown fourth-quarter leads in the...

Bills add linebacker depth by signing Jelani JenkinsORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have added much-needed experienced depth at linebacker by signing free agent Jelani Jenkins.The 25-year-old started 34 games over the previous three seasons with the Miami Dolphins before signing with Oakland in March. Jenkins was...

AP Pro Football WriterMaccagnan sticking around, so it's on GM to turn Jets aroundBy DENNIS WASZAK Jr.NEW YORK (AP) It wasn't long after Todd Bowles was fired as the Jets' head coach that frustrated fans started asking the inevitable question:What about Mike Maccagnan?The general manager was hired a...

DENVER (AP) It's like old times in the AFC West. Jon Gruden glowering on the sideline. Philip Rivers surrounded by co-stars. An air-it-out quarterback in Kansas City. Von Miller sauntering around Denver again thanks to the arrival of a new pass rush partner in Bradley Chubb. Widely regarded as the best...

AP Sports WriterColts' playoff path grows complicated after loss to SteelersBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) For more than 40 minutes, things came easily for the Indianapolis Colts. The defense overwhelmed Pittsburgh's lifeless offense. Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor twice violently churned his way into the end zone. Philip Rivers...

AP Sports WriterAaron Rodgers set for 24th clash against rival BearsBy KEITH JENKINSGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will face off for the 200th time on Sunday. It will be Aaron Rodgers' 24th matchup against his NFC North rival.With Rodgers as the starting...