HOUSTON — A security guard outside NRG stadium greeted fans joyously Wednesday afternoon, bellowing, “We got the greatest QB nationwide ... Merry Christmas!” as fans made their way inside for what was billed as a blockbuster showdown between AFC division leaders, the Ravens and Texans.

He was referring to the home team’s C.J. Stroud, ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — These were not the holiday plans the Steelers had in mind shortly before Thanksgiving.

This is not what they were thinking — maybe even hoping — this stretch of three games in 11 days would transpire.

One thing is certain, though: What was looking like a promising season in which they even had visions of the top seed dancing...Read more

PITTSBURGH — This is becoming Mike Tomlin’s worst December since the infamous “unleash hell” year of 2009.

OK, maybe it was 2020, when the Steelers crumbled down the stretch and got destroyed by the Cleveland Browns in a home playoff game.

Wait. Maybe it was 2018, when the Steelers blew a huge lead in the AFC North and Antonio Brown ...Read more

SEATTLE — In August, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he was “not desiring” being an NFL coach again, instead expressing his enthusiasm for a planned teaching job at USC this spring.

But during that interview with Sports Radio 93.3-KJR, he held open the idea that he could change his mind.

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter ...Read more

CHICAGO — Who would have ever imagined the Chicago Bears would be here on Christmas morning, with nary a football present and a dark lump of something beneath a scraggly tree that looks like it belongs on Mount Crumpit.

This, certainly, wasn’t what was promised. This wasn’t what anyone was imagining back in the summer when the “Hard ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles did not practice on Christmas, and had they done so, quarterback Jalen Hurts would not have participated due to the concussion he sustained in a 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Hurts’ status for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is in question while he is in the concussion protocol.

Eagles backup...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 9-7 (.563); season 163-77 (.679). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 6-10 (.375); season 126-112-2 (.529). Times Pacific.

...Read more

Here’s a look back at Week 16’s action and fantasy advice for the week ahead:

WEEK 16 RECAP

Chargers 34, Broncos 27: Gus Edwards had his best game of the season against the Broncos last Thursday, gaining 68 yards on 14 carries and scoring twice. Edwards now has four touchdowns in the last five games without J.K. Dobbins in the lineup.

...Read more

A season of down-to-the-wire victories has an outlier.

The adjective, not the noun.

The Chiefs destroyed the Steelers, 29-10, in a Christmas Day game that looked just a tad different than the holiday outing a year earlier.

A week — err, four days — after head coach Andy Reid referred to a win as the Chiefs’ best performance of the ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The 2024 Kansas City Chiefs stand alone in team history following a dominant performance on Christmas Day.

KC’s offense was exceptional behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the defense created havoc for a third straight week in a dominant 29-10 road victory at Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

With that, the Chiefs ...Read more

ATLANTA — After steering his team out of a four-game plummet, Falcons coach Raheem Morris could not ask for much more than what his team has now.

The Falcons’ win over the New York Giants on Sunday coupled with Tampa Bay’s narrow loss to Dallas has improbably returned control of the NFC South to the Falcons, as both teams lead the ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Brian Oliver sat at the foot of his hotel bed on a Sunday morning. He pulled out his phone and searched, “Ravens game Mexico City.” There had to be some sports bar nearby that could show the game, he thought.

A Facebook group popped up. That led him to a watch party at Gallo Cervecero.

“I just assumed I’d be showing up to...Read more

MIAMI — Expect the Miami Dolphins to have a new look in 2025 no matter what happens in these final two regular season games.

Most teams embrace changes each year, but the metamorphosis Miami’s roster will likely undergo isn’t optional considering more Dolphins players (48) are heading into free agency than the team has under contract (35)...Read more

SEATTLE — The debut that came earlier than expected now feels like it was three and a half months late. One of the biggest question marks of the 2024 NFL draft just revealed himself as an exclamation point.

Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made his first start Sunday because Kirk Cousins had been struggling mightily over the ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is not focused on a potential third NFL Most Valuable Player Award, even though it would put him in the rarefied company of the six current and future Pro Football Hall of Famers, including Jim Brown and Tom Brady, who have won it at least three times. He also has little interest in the talk ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Under no circumstances should Jalen Hurts play Sunday against the Cowboys. The risk exceeds the reward.

Hurts suffered the first concussion of his five-year NFL career Sunday at Washington. He is in concussion protocol, from which he will not emerge until the end of the week. His status for Sunday’s game will not be known ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have both had the merriest of times and found coal in their stockings playing on Christmas, history suggests.

The Christmas clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers at noon Wednesday marks the fifth time the Chiefs will play on the holiday. It’ll also be their third game in 11 days this season. If the ...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead sustained a right knee ailment against the New York Jets that was so bad it limited him to just five plays. Despite that, the next day Armstead hosted dozens of kids at Target for his “Team Armstead Holiday Blessing” Christmas shopping spree.

“It’s impactful to the ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — It's a short week of preparation for the Rams.

But coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the rest of the offense can take comfort knowing at least one thing can be eliminated as they get ready for Saturday's game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium:

Practicing with a silent count.

Unlike fans of the San ...Read more