PITTSBURGH — If not for at least two highly questionable calls and a blatant drop near the goal line, we might be writing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ obituary today. But that’s football. So we speak of hope instead.

If the Steelers have a real quarterback, a legitimate passing game and healthy defensive playmakers, they have a chance in the ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — If Todd Bowles sounded irritated Monday, it’s because it was intentional.

The Bucs’ 24–20 loss to the Saints on Sunday wasn’t one you shrug off, file and forget about. It was the kind you sit with, at least for a moment, because Bowles believes his players should be bothered by it.

Fortunately, he said the team has no ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said Monday he didn’t believe wide receiver DJ Moore was the answer on the fourth-down interception that quarterback Caleb Williams threw in the final minute of Sunday’s 28-21 loss in Green Bay.

“I think he came open more after the ball was released from Caleb,” Johnson said of Moore.

...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — How desperate are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for pass-rush help?

Enough that they may have gotten a bit nostalgic Monday in signing outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul to their practice squad. He was signed after being the only player to work out for the team Monday.

Pierre-Paul, who will turn 37 on New Year’s Day, has been ...Read more

BALTIMORE — A day after the Ravens suffered a crushing defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, the NFL admitted that it got wrong one of three controversial calls that went against Baltimore.

In the second quarter, defensive tackle Travis Jones was flagged for unnecessary roughness on long snapper Christian Kuntz as ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Eventually, the scoreboard gets everybody in the NFL.

You can hide behind inexperience for a while, you can point at injuries for a spell, you can claim the salary cap, the schedule or the phases of the moon were at fault for a variety of stumbles. But as the losses and heartbreaks begin to accumulate, all those rational ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Houston Texans defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10 Sunday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

With the loss, the Chiefs dropped to 6-7 this season.

Here are some immediate observations from the Chiefs’ Week 14 defeat:

Turning point: The 4th-down blunder

The Chiefs never held a lead Sunday night, but ...Read more

Here are some quick takeaways after Denver Broncos’ 24-17 win over Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium:

— Hearty Harvey: Raiders Week is now Raiders Weak. But the Broncos had things to prove, and hardly Harvey becoming hearty Harvey ranked tops on the list. And just like that, the Broncos look better positioned to face their final month ...Read more

GLENDALE, Ariz. — There was no time for players and fans to send Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay get-well-soon cards.

A day after deciding not to travel with the team for fear of spreading stomach-flu symptoms, McVay arrived here Sunday morning.

McVay fist-bumped players during warmups, his trademark gelled hair spike in full effect. And ...Read more

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The game was on the line. The Chicago Bears faced fourth-and-inches from the Green Bay Packers 14-yard line inside the final minute. Trailing by seven points, they needed a first down or the game was over.

Caleb Williams faked a handoff and rolled out to his left. Tight end Cole Kmet had a man beat in the end zone and ...Read more

Talk about domination.

The Miami Dolphins drubbed the New York Jets 34-10 to extend their win streak to four in large part due to a defense that might have had its best performance of the season.

Consider this: not only did the Dolphins defense not allow a touchdown — the Jets’ sole trip to the end zone came courtesy of Isaiah Washington�...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — You could blame the rain. You could blame the injuries.

Or you could say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just had one of the worst collapses in franchise history.

Given the chance to increase their lead in the NFC South against the last-place Saints, the Bucs bungled the game in almost every way imaginable and came away a 24-20 loser ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — After scoring six points in their previous two games and getting shut out for the first time in 18 years in Seattle last week, the Vikings returned to U.S. Bank Stadium in dire need of a win that would end their four-game losing streak, give Minnesota their first home victory in nearly three months and restore some confidence in ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Now that the truth is known, it falls to Jalen No. 1 to compensate for the absence of Jalen No. 2.

Now that the drop-off in Jalen Carter’s play in 2025 compared with 2024 has been explained by his deteriorating shoulders, the responsibility for a late-season surge falls more squarely on the shoulders of embattled quarterback ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Who's No. 1?

Not the Los Angeles Rams. Not for now anyway.

Before last Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, the Rams held the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

After their defeat, the Rams (9-3) are No. 2 heading into Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals (3-9) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The Chicago Bears (9-...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are two teams trying really hard to keep their heads above water.

They are both 6-6 and will meet Sunday, and the winner will be in first place in the AFC North — and mostly because the other two teams in the division are horrific.

I can't help but wonder if the best thing for the ...Read more

It’s December, so that means football weather is upon us.

A quick disclaimer to fellow San Diegans: weather is the thing that happens usually while we sleep or like a half dozen other times throughout the year. May Gray, June Gloom and Fogust don’t really qualify.

In other, more unfortunate places people live, where they actually ...Read more

CHICAGO — Al Harris had a profound impact on the Chicago Bears long before being hired as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator.

A two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Green Bay Packers, Harris is the assistant who was tasked with piecing things together while Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon missed much of the season. He’s the guy ...Read more