FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots have been at their best on offense this season when they’ve established the run and avoided facing a significant number of third downs. Achieving success in both areas could be difficult on Sunday against a Vikings team that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is expecting to offer “as big a challenge […]
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Gronk, Michel returning to form at right time for Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Entering their bye last week, the repeated refrain coming out of the Patriots’ locker room was a need for more balance and consistency on offense. New England struggled with both over a four-game stretch in late October and early November as tight end Rob Gronkowski and rookie running back Sony Michel […]
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Column: Patriots not quite at Super Bowl level
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — When Patriots players looked around the locker room Sunday, they saw a generally healthy squad. That’s scary for the rest of the NFL. Or maybe not. Unless New England makes some key improvements over the next month — and can anyone doubt the Patriots will, given their track record? — a third […]
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Tom Brady sits out practice Friday, questionable vs. Jets
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did not participate in the team’s last practice before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and was listed as questionable to play. The 41-year-old three-time NFL MVP hurt his knee when he slipped after receiving a pass in last week’s game against Tennessee. He […]
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Saints win 10th straight, beat Falcons 31-17
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes to inexperienced receivers and the New Orleans Saints won their 10th straight game Thursday night with a 31-17 victory over Atlanta that eliminated the Falcons from contention in the NFC South. Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr each caught their second career touchdown pass, and rookie […]
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Cooper paces Cowboys past McCoy, Redskins
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott made the $21 donation after his touchdown. Amari Cooper took the freebie following the first of his two scores. The bonus for the Dallas Cowboys: They’re all the way back in the NFC East race. Cooper celebrated his first touchdown with a mock free throw before a 90-yard score that sent […]
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Daniel, defense help Bears down Lions
DETROIT (AP) — Chase Daniel outplayed Matthew Stafford, proving an NFL journeyman can beat one of the highest-paid players in the league. Daniel threw a career-high two touchdowns to keep the Chicago Bears rolling with a 23-16 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday, filling in very well for injured quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. “You don’t […]
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COLUMN: Entertaining, yes, but Rams-Chiefs was no NFL classic
The Big 12 conference has come to the NFL. Without a doubt, the Monday-night scoring extravaganza between the Rams and Chiefs was entertaining. It had more spectacular plays and head-spinning twists than a game of Madden or a matchup of teams from college football’s defense-challenged conference. As for it being a pro football classic, no […]
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‘It was a whirlwind’ — Rams outlast Chiefs 54-51 in high-octane offensive showcase
LOS ANGELES — Jared Goff threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Everett for the go-ahead score with 1:49 to play, and the Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs for a 54-51 victory on Monday night in a high-octane NFL offensive showdown that somehow surpassed the hype. Patrick Mahomes threw six touchdown passes […]
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Browns GM: Team hasn’t discussed Condoleezza Rice as coach
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns’ coaching search isn’t quite ready to cross gender or diplomatic lines. General manager John Dorsey, who opened the possibility of hiring a woman to be Cleveland’s next coach, said Sunday that the team has not discussed former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a candidate to become the club’s ninth […]