TAMPA, Fla.— The offense is meh. The defense is even worse.

In a world of playoff contenders, how is it that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the driver’s seat when they average fewer yards per play than the Arizona Cardinals or Cincinnati Bengals? How come, if defense truly wins championships, the Bucs have given up more points than the ...Read more

SEATTLE — In 2024, cameras were allowed in the Los Angeles Rams’ draft room for a documentary called, “The Pick is In.” After losing to the Lions in the NFC wild-card game a few months before, coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead were trying to trade the 19th overall pick and move up.

Their mission: find an heir apparent for ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Mike Golic still remembers standing on the sideline when quarterback Randall Cunningham fell to the grass at Lambeau Field. It was Game 1 of the 1991 Eagles season. In the second quarter, Packers linebacker Bryce Paup lunged at Cunningham’s knees.

The trainers rushed to his side. Golic and his defensive teammates were stunned...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers’ win over the Dolphins on Monday night was impressive, but mostly because they did what good teams do to bad teams.

It was not close. The Steelers dominated the Dolphins and may have even ended the Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa era all in one night. I thought the Dolphins had a little energy and momentum, but to...Read more

Tom Brady knew his Las Vegas Raiders gig could be bad, but even Brady may not have foreseen how ugly his full NFL season as a limited partner would be.

The Raiders are so bad, the pirate on their helmet logo has donned a second eye patch.

Brady doesn’t have the luxury of shielding his eyes.

He’s required to bone up on the team’s NFL-...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin often points to this time of year and the significant games the Steelers historically face as the reason he wanted — and was willing to wait for — Aaron Rodgers.

For his part, Rodgers has said he wanted to join the Steelers to play in significant games at this time of year again, something he did frequently with ...Read more

Snoop Dogg has been enlisted for halftime of the Lions-Vikings Christmas Day game, Netflix announced Tuesday.

"Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party" will take over the midpoint of the broadcast on Dec. 25, offering "chart-topping tracks, plenty of holiday spirit, and special guests," Netflix said in a release.

"NFL, Netflix and your uncle Snoop on ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have successfully navigated the minefield.

Despite the injuries that piled up like unpaid parking tickets, the midseason melodrama, and the varying adversities that usually sink lesser vessels, they sit at 10-4. The playoffs are a virtual lock. The NFC West crown is within reach. The No. 1 seed is...Read more

MIAMI — The coach who helped jump-start Tua Tagovailoa’s NFL career is now considering benching him.

Mike McDaniel, who helped mold Tagovailoa into the league’s 2023 passing leader but has watched the quarterback sharply regress this season, said Tuesday that he is giving thought to a quarterback change.

“The QB play last night was not...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Davante Adams' status for Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks has not been determined as the veteran receiver works through a hamstring injury, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday.

Adams left last Sunday's victory over the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter after he clutched his left hamstring and fell to the turf ...Read more

CHICAGO — Coach Ben Johnson suggested the Chicago Bears might have to give Rome Odunze time for his foot injury to heal in order for the wide receiver to potentially help the team later in the season.

Odunze was expected to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after missing the Week 14 game in Green Bay with what NFL Media reported was a ...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — If the Detroit Lions were looking for clarity, now they’ve got it.

But if they were looking for some comfort, it’s gone.

And as the Lions rolled their suitcases to the loading dock inside SoFi Stadium on Sunday evening, the question no longer was about what it’ll take to make the playoffs. It’s about whether they�...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Ricky Pearsall was open on the crossing route. That isn’t news; the San Francisco 49ers’ second-year wide receiver is almost always open.

The problem was that Brock Purdy was busy doing a little improvisational jazz in the Niners’ backfield. And Pearsall admits he rarely sees his 6-foot quarterback back there.

But...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams handled their business Sunday, as they should.

Any real peril against the Detroit Lions and Jared Goff disappeared early in the second half of L.A.’s 41-34 victory. A field goal and two extended touchdown drives wiped out a 24-17 Detroit lead, and a 41-27 lead with 4:49 left ensured that nothing ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Jim Harbaugh has done it again.

With the 16-13 road victory Sunday over the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s all but certain Harbaugh’s second Chargers club will reach the playoffs.

In other words, L.A. has overcome the loss of two superb offensive tackles to season-ending injuries.

Harbaugh’s club (10-4) still has a puncher’s ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Shortly after learning he had a torn ACL in his left knee, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes promised to ”attack every single day.”

Mahomes did that as he made the decision to have ACL surgery Monday in Dallas. It came one day after he was hurt during the Chiefs’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers at ...Read more

All eyes were on how the Miami Dolphins would play in the cold.

In the first half, they certainly looked to be a new team. They tackled. They ran the ball somewhat effectively. And they held the Pittsburgh Steelers to just seven points.

Unfortunately, football has four quarters, and the Dolphins didn’t show up when the Steelers began to hit ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — As Pete Carroll’s first year as the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach winds down, it’s fair to wonder if he will return next season.

On Monday, Carroll said he is not approaching the final three games as if he is coaching for his job.

“I don’t feel like that at all,” he said. “I’m well beyond that.”

It’s not just the ...Read more

An MRI has confirmed that Green Bay Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a non-contact play Sunday against the Denver Broncos, according to multiple media sources.

Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in August, will miss the rest of...Read more