The Latest on the NFL’s 15th Sunday of the regular season (all times Eastern):
2:45 p.m.
The Minnesota Vikings are cruising toward their second NFC North title in three years.
They’re leading the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 at halftime, needing a win to clinch the division crown. The Vikings have allowed only one first down and 42 total yards to the Bengals.
Cincinnati began the game missing five starters on defense to injuries. They lost a sixth when free safety George Iloka hurt his shoulder in the first quarter.
As if the game wasn’t bad enough, the Bengals are also dealing Sunday with reports that coach Marvin Lewis intends to leave the team after his contract expires following the season.
— Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
2:30 p.m.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t showing any lingering effects from a broken collarbone.
The Packers quarterback is 10 of 17 passing for 128 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the first half as Green Bay leads the Panthers 14-10. Green Bay (7-6) is looking to keep its playoff hopes alive with Rodgers playing in his first game since Oct. 15.
Along with displaying strong velocity on his throws , Rodgers has scrambled three times for 16 yards, twice sliding to avoid contact. Green Bay’s offensive line is doing its part to protect Rodgers, who hasn’t been sacked.
— Steve Reed reporting from Charlotte, N.C.
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2:18 p.m.
The NFL and the Carolina Panthers have declined comment on a report that at least four former team employees received monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by owner Jerry Richardson.
Sports Illustrated reported that Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout. The report states that the settlements came with non-disclosure requirements forbidding the parties from discussing the details.
The NFL on Sunday said it has taken over the investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct by the 81-year-old owner. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league had no comment on the report.
Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said that the team requested that the league take over the investigation.
— Steve Reed reporting from Charlotte, North Carolina
2:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy has become the NFL’s 30th player to surpass 10,000 yards rushing.
The ninth-year player, who entered the game against the Dolphins with 9,961 yards rushing, topped the milestone with a 14-yard gain in the second quarter. McCoy burst through a hole off right guard but was shaken up after a tackle by linebacker Kiko Alonso.
McCoy lay on the field for a few minutes before getting up on his own, and he returned after sitting out one play. McCoy scored his 80th career touchdown with a 4-yard run on Buffalo’s opening drive.
– John Wawrow reporting from Orchard Park, New York
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1:42 p.m.
Just three NFL players protested visibly during the national anthem at early games.
Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon was the only player to kneel during the ”The Star-Spangled Banner” before New York hosted Philadelphia, and Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills and tight end Julius Thomas took a knee prior to Miami’s game at Buffalo , according to the Miami Herald. All three have been protesting most of the season.
Roughly a couple dozen Saints, as they have since Week 4, knelt before the national anthem and then stood up as the song started prior to their home game against the Jets.
No players from the Saints or Jets knelt during the anthem.
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1:41 p.m.
Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee is questionable to return with an ankle injury.
Lee rolled his right ankle on a running play in the first quarter against Houston and had to be helped off the field and to the locker room.
Lee leads the Jaguars with 56 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns.
His injury is the latest to Jacksonville’s receiving corps. Allen Robinson was lost for the season in the opener, and Allen Hurns has missed five consecutive games with a high-ankle sprain.
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12:30 p.m.
The Packers likely need to win their last three games to reach the playoffs, and they hope the return of Aaron Rodgers will help against the Panthers.
Green Bay (7-6) is at Carolina (9-4) in one of the biggest games of the NFL’s Week 15. The Panthers are tied atop the NFC South with the Saints (9-4), who host the Jets.
Philadelphia (11-2), with Nick Foles replacing the injured Carson Wentz, has clinched the NFC East and can secure home-field with a win against the Giants and a Minnesota loss.
The Vikings (10-3) can lock up the NFC North by beating the Bengals.
Jacksonville (9-4) will earn a playoff spot with a win over the Texans, while the Bills (7-6) host Miami.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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