PITTSBURGH — This is what the Steelers envisioned when they brought in Arthur Smith to be their offensive coordinator.

This is what they envisioned when they signed Russell Wilson in free agency.

This is why their offense is starting to operate at a productive and consistent level for the first time in six years.

And this is why they head ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Sunday in Cincinnati was a prove-it game for the Eagles, and they spent the afternoon proving it. Their 37-17 victory over the Bengals was, top to bottom, their most impressive win since the 2022 season, and it revealed and reaffirmed a few truths about them and about the NFL this season.

Truth No. 1: The conditions around a ...Read more

MIAMI — Hope is a funny thing.

At its best, hope can be a unifying, powerful force for change. At its worst, hope can lead to delusion. It might not mean much to Miami Dolphins fans across the globe but one thing’s certainly true: the team has hope.

“You can just feel something is in the air,” Alec Ingold said Monday. “And I can’...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — After losing left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending knee injury, the Vikings made a trade on Tuesday night to replace him.

The Vikings acquired Jacksonville’s Cam Robinson, a 29-year-old who has made 91 starts for the Jaguars since he was taken in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Alabama.

Robinson, who...Read more

DETROIT — Detroit police are investigating a traffic stop involving Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Williams was briefly detained and then released by Detroit police officers earlier this month after two guns were found in a vehicle driven by his brother during a traffic...Read more

NEW YORK — Brian Daboll needs to bench Daniel Jones or stand by him.

The Giants’ head coach can’t dime out Danny Dimes for making a critical mistake in Monday night’s 26-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and then commit to him as Sunday’s starter against the Washington Commanders as if he still believes in him.

Jones hasn’t played...Read more

SEATTLE — Few stadiums in any sport stay full to the bitter end if the game fans are watching is indeed bitter.

So it was hardly an indictment of the 12s when Lumen Field began to clear out in the second half of Sunday’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo. The Bills took a 31-3 lead early in the fourth quarter in what turned out to be the second-worst ...Read more

NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers has dealt with an ankle, a knee, and a hamstring injury during the first eight weeks of the season.

But despite the short week, Rodgers says he feels good heading into Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans.

“I don’t know what it is about these Thursdays, but I made it to the game without any issues, and I ...Read more

CHICAGO — You’re back there again, aren’t you, Chicago?

Right back in that place of emotional uncertainty. Right back in that all-too-familiar state of bewilderment and agitation. Right back in the vortex of confusion where doubt always feels like the default setting.

There’s suddenly renewed doubt in the coaching leadership of your ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The daughter of 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward passed away Monday morning, he announced today on Instagram.

Amani Joi Ward battled heart issues since birth and had open-heart surgery on April 11, 2023, about six months after she was born premature with Down syndrome.

Ward’s Instagram post showed a picture of him ...Read more

BALTIMORE — The Ravens already have the NFL’s top offense, but that didn’t stop them from adding to it Tuesday.

In a mildly surprising move, Baltimore traded for Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, a source with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. In exchange, Carolina gets a fifth-round draft pick in 2025 ...Read more

Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free-agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.

Follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter) @UTEddieBrown if you ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings defense was a primary reason for the team’s 5-0 start as it gave up only 15.2 points per game.

Now the defense is reeling after the Rams and Lions offenses consistently found ways to move the ball downfield and score in Vikings’ losses.

There were similarities in how both Los Angeles and Detroit were able to ...Read more

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will recap the best and worst from around the league. Here are our winners and losers from Week 8:

Loser: Ravens

Bill Belichick was right.

Speaking on the “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this month — and later reiterating those comments on the “ManningCast” for Ravens versus Buccaneers �...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Inevitable as the Chiefs’ 27-20 victory over the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium might have seemed by the end, it also hinged on a crucial inflection point — and on freshly compelling testimony to what should be abundantly evident by now:

As much as this rightfully will always be considered the Patrick Mahomes Era, the ...Read more

SEATTLE — To conclude an understandably somber seven-minute media session, Mike Macdonald was asked Sunday if the Seahawks — at their best — can compete with the Buffalo Bills.

“I think everybody on that field knows our best can compete with them,” said the 37-year-old first-year coach. “And, look: Buffalo is a great team. They’ve...Read more

The executives who run the Philadephia Eagles are like the Silicon Valley sharks who never seem to stop working and have better information than many rivals.

The Cincinnati Bengals, in contrast, are a mom-and-pop shop that, despite having some knack for team-building, succeeds only through limited methods and relies more on good luck.

The ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Tight end George Kittle had just caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to help put the 49ers on their way to a win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night when the stadium scoreboard camera went looking for him.

The camera always looks for Kittle. And vice versa. On cue, Kittle rose from the bench and began ...Read more