Patriots in unfamiliar spot entering offseason of unknowns
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — For the first time in three years, the Patriots won't enter the offseason following a Super Bowl appearance.
Derrick Henry, Titans stun Patriots 20-13 in wild-card upset
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When the eerie Foxborough fog lifted, it became clear that New England's reign atop the NFL was ending.
Texans roar past Bills for 22-19 win in OT
HOUSTON — Deshaun Watson’s teammates talked all week about how they never feel as if they’re out of any game when No. 4 is on the field.
2019 AP NFL All-Pro team rosters and voting
NEW YORK — The Associated Press 2019 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of 50 media members:
Stern was a big-city guy and a friend to the small markets
NEW YORK — David Stern had been NBA commissioner for barely a year when the Knicks won the 1985 draft lottery, sending Patrick Ewing on the way to New...
Pickens leads No. 5 Georgia past No. 8 Baylor in Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — George Pickens caught 12 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, and No. 5 Georgia defeated eighth-ranked Baylor 26-14 in the Sugar Bowl o...
Now NFL rushing leader, Derrick Henry his own worst critic
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No one is a harsher critic of Titans running back Derrick Henry than himself.
Redskins hire Ron Rivera as coach
WASHINGTON — The Redskins hired Ron Rivera as their coach on Wednesday in owner Dan Snyder's latest step to try to turn around the wayward franchise.
No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Baylor talk motivation for Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer figures that suffering through 11 losses two seasons has given him a healthy perspective as the Bears ...
Texas-sized NHL Winter Classic for Stars, Preds in Cotton
DALLAS — Welcome to a Texas-sized NHL Winter Classic.
Unknown players step up for Eagles in clutch moments
PHILADELPHIA — Carson Wentz began the season playing with DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz and Darren Sproles and finished it...
Column: Think you know 2020? Some sports predictions for you
Predictions aren't for the faint of heart, as anyone who has ever given money to a bookmaker can attest. Strange things can happen, which is a big rea...
Jaguars keep Marrone, Caldwell despite another losing season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars are retaining coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell despite consecutive losing seasons.
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor rushes into elite company
PASADENA, Calif. — It is no longer a question of where Jonathan Taylor ranks among the greatest running backs to play at Wisconsin for assistant coach...
Giants fire Shurmur but keep GM Gettleman after 4-12 season
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Co-owner Steve Tisch is looking to take a greater role in the daily operations of the New York Giants as the organization begi...
Sports quirks in 2019: Golf balls, oddballs, watches, pants
Sometimes the general managers and player personnel directors on Mount Olympus look down on some lucky soul and declare: This is your moment.
Redskins fire President Bruce Allen, eye Ron Rivera to coach
ASHBURN, Va. — Bruce Allen was mocked four years ago when he proclaimed that his perennially last-place Washington Redskins were “winning off the fiel...
Saints finish 13-3 but miss out on first-round bye
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It turns out 13 wins weren't enough to earn the New Orleans Saints a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Titans clinch playoff spot with 35-14 win over Texans
HOUSTON — Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans ran their way into the playoffs, beating a Houston Texans team that rested several starters and setti...
Chiefs among playoff-bound teams with injury concerns
The Kansas City Chiefs will hope for good news about their depleted secondary during their first-round playoff bye week.
Chiefs top Bolts 31-21 to earn No. 2 seed, first-round bye
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mecole Hardman returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown, Damien Williams took a handoff 84 yards for another score, and the Kan...
Waiting game: 15 days between CFP semifinals, championship
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The matchup is set for a tantalizing College Football Playoff national championship game.
The King reigns: LeBron James is AP’s male athlete of decade
He left Cleveland for Miami, finally became a champion, went back to his beloved northeast Ohio, delivered on another title promise, then left for the...
49ers-Seahawks prime-time showdown highlights Week 17
The return of Beast Mode. A division title on the line. Possible home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Brady, Favre, Montana, Manning among All-Time Team QBs
You have first pick for the NFL's All-Time Team's quarterback. The 10 possibilities are Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Johnny Unitas, Otto Graham, Sammy Baug...
The Fun Guy: Kawhi Leonard is the AP’s male athlete of 2019
He was the Fun Guy. The board man who got paid. He overcame injury to reclaim his rightful place as one of the very best basketball players on the pla...
Pitt rallies to beat Eastern Michigan in Quick Lane Bowl
DETROIT — Kenny Pickett threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Taysir Mack with 47 seconds left and Pittsburgh held on to beat Eastern Michigan 34-30 in th...
QB Jacob Eason leaves Washington early, will enter NFL draft
SEATTLE — Washington quarterback Jacob Eason announced Thursday he will skip his final year of college and enter the NFL draft.
Six teams still battling for all-important first-round bye
Six teams are still fighting for three important spots to ease their path to the Super Bowl.