MINNEAPOLIS — It’s Dec. 5, 2021. Ford Field. Dan Campbell and Jared Goff are 0-10-1 as Detroit Lions. The Vikings are in town. They’re 5-6 and trailing 23-21. There’s 4:08 left and Campbell has called timeout because it certainly appears as if the big fella wants to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 28-yard line.

Jay Feely has ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — With the Rams having clinched a playoff spot, quarterback Matthew Stafford, receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams, left tackle Alaric Jackson and right guard Kevin Dotson will be held out of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium, coach Sean McVay said Friday.

Joe Noteboom will ...Read more

NEW YORK — The NFL generally recycles existing staffs on the coaching circuit when jobs come open. But sometimes there are NFL coaches in college poised to roar back into the pros.

That’s exactly what Wink Martindale is after Michigan’s 19-13 bowl game smothering of Alabama this week.

The former Baltimore Ravens and Giants defensive ...Read more

CHICAGO — Caleb Williams has one game left in his rookie season. When he takes the field Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers, he’ll become the first Chicago Bears quarterback since Jay Cutler in 2009 to start every game.

Williams will look to deliver a strong performance that creates belief and momentum heading into the ...Read more

NEW YORK — On Thursday, the Jets began searching for a new coach by interviewing Ron Rivera.

Now, one of the biggest coaching free agents will interview with Gang Green on Friday.

The Jets interviewed former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, a source confirmed. Vrabel is considered one of the hottest candidates in this coaching cycle.

Vrabel, 49, ...Read more

ATLANTA — The Falcons took a big risk by giving $100 million guaranteed to an older quarterback recovering from a major surgery. The Kirk Cousins Experiment failed soon after it started. Michael Penix Jr. didn’t get any meaningful reps with the offensive starters until two weeks ago. That unfamiliarity was a factor when the Falcons lost ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Yes, it’s true: One game really can make all the difference.

It can change perceptions of a football coach, for better or worse. It can alter the trajectory of a career.

That might seem silly. Unfair, even. But let’s take Penn State coach James Franklin as a classic example.

If Franklin had lost to SMU in the first round of...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While soon-to-be-superstar Patrick Mahomes was spending 2017 as an apprentice behind Alex Smith, another quarterback phenom was dazzling the NFL with his exceptional arm and uncanny ability to improvise and extend plays.

Stirring the hopes of Philadelphia fans that the franchise might finally be en route to winning its ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The easiest thing in the world to say about Saquon Barkley and his pursuit of the NFL's single-season rushing record is what the Eagles said Wednesday: For the good of their Super Bowl chances, for the good of Barkley's health, for the good of everyone's peace of mind, he should not pursue it.

It's easy to say it because the ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ar’Darius Washington remembers well the first time someone said he was too small.

A rival Pee Wee league coach boasted to Washington’s stepfather that there was no way his boys would lose to such a runt in the championship game.

“Yeah, we’re gonna see,” the Ravens safety remembers thinking. He scored three touchdowns to...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Rams edge rusher Jared Verse is enjoying an outstanding rookie season.

The 19th player selected in the NFL draft has been an integral part of a defense that helped the Rams rebound from a 1-4 start to clinch the NFC West title and a playoff spot heading into Sunday's finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

Verse, who has 4 1/2 ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack, safety Derwin James Jr. and offensive tackle Rashawn Slater were selected to the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Thursday.

Mack earned his ninth career Pro Bowl selection with six sacks, 15 quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and nine pass breakups. The 11-year veteran is the only player ...Read more

CHICAGO — Jaylon Johnson wasn’t so certain Wednesday whether a second trip to the Pro Bowl would be in the cards for him this season.

“I’m always hopeful,” the Chicago Bears cornerback said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out.”

That’s just the way it often goes during a last-place season with so many more ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Many Vikings players are having career years, and many will be going to the Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando, Fla.

Unless they are preparing for the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

Quarterback Sam Darnold, receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr....Read more

For the first time since he became an NFL starter, Patrick Mahomes is not a Pro Bowler.

The superstar quarterback, whose Kansas City Chiefs are an NFL-best 15-1, was among the most notable omissions when the selections for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games came out Thursday.

Instead, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen was voted to be the AFC’s starting ...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups this week. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Record last week 14-2 (.875); season 177-79 (.691). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-7 (.536); season 135-119-2 (.532). Times Pacific.

...Read more

No Thursday prime-time. No Monday night. All division games — with three division titles yet to be won. And 18 teams will play their final game of the season and await their draft order as we close the regular schedule and set the 14-team playoff field. Twelve playoff teams have been decided and five are alive for the final two spots. Exciting...Read more

BALTIMORE — Nine Ravens have been selected to this year’s Pro Bowl, more than any team in the NFL.

Quarterback and two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry were chosen for a fourth and fifth time, respectively, while second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers was selected for the first time. He ...Read more

One was clutch. The other was acrobatic.

Both of Derius Davis’ touchdown catches have been electrifying.

The second-year receiver has sparked the Chargers’ offense at just the right time with the first two touchdown catches of his career. Davis has 60 of his season-total 107 yards receiving in the last two weeks, using just four receptions...Read more