49ers dominate Jaguars 34-3 to end a 3-game skid and look like Super Bowl contenders again
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes, including a 66-yarder to George Kittle, and the San Francisco 49ers seemingly fixed all their woes with a cross-country trip and a 34-3 drubbing of Jacksonville that ended a three-game skid.
Rodgers wins 3rd MVP, Donald gets 3rd top defensive player
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers earned his third Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, while Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald took his third top defensive player prize at NFL Honors. Titans 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry won Offensive Player of the Year, and the offensive rookie honor went to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work in the community. Rodgers had perhaps the best season of his 16-year career, leading Green Bay to a 13-3 regular season, the NFCโs best mark.
The Latest: Washington's Smith is comeback player of 2020
The 36-year-old quarterback completed a remarkable comeback from a broken right leg that required 17 surgeries to repair. ___9:52 p.m.For turning around a moribund Cleveland franchise, overcoming injuries and COVID-19 concerns, Kevin Stefanski is The Associated Press 2020 NFL Coach of the Year. ___9:43 p.m.One of the well-earned spoils for Derrick Henryโs 2,000-yard rushing season is The Associated Press 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year honor. ___9:30 p.m.Aaron Donald has become such a dominant defensive tackle that heโs joined elite company in winning his third Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Los Angeles Ramsโ unanimous All-Pro added the 2020 top defensive player honor to his wins in 2017 and 2018.
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)The NFC playoff field features the usual cast of quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 45, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, at Arlington, Texas. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 48, 43-8 over the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2, 2014, at East Rutherford, N.J. Last year: No. The Bearsโ leading tackler left in the first quarter of the Green Bay game with an elbow injury. DBs Buster Skrine, rookie Jaylon Johnson and Deon Bush missed the loss to Green Bay.
Washington beats the Eagles 20-14, captures NFC East title
Washington Football Team's Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday night to capture the lowly NFC East. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Dwayne Haskins started that game for Washington and Carson Wentz for Philadelphia. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.
No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year
Young and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the leagueโs now-canceled all-star game. โItโs crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,โ Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. โI think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. โTalk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,โ Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. โWeโre growing and weโre starting to get a hang of the game,โ said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.
Washington beaten by Panthers, fails to clinch NFC East
Haskins' failed second chance coupled with a special teams blunder and defensive miscues added up to Washington blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East by losing to the Carolina Panthers 20-13 on Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey out again, Curtis Samuel had five catches for 106 yards and was the Panthers' leading rusher with 52 yards on seven carries. 2 pick forced Bridgewater to fumble on a sack in Washington territory early in the third quarter to prevent Carolina from putting up even more points. Washington: Played without top WR Terry McLaurin, who couldn't keep gutting through a nagging ankle injury. Washington: Gets another chance to win the NFC East next Sunday at Philadelphia.
A winner: Chiefs vs Saints, with Brees back to face Mahomes
1 conference seed is tight, with the Packers one game ahead of the Saints, the Rams and Seahawks one game behind. Drew Brees will be active after missing four games with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, making for an intriguing matchup with Patrick Mahomes. The Bills (11-3) scored twice in a 17-second span in the third quarter to ice their fourth straight victory that officially ended the New England Patriotsโ 11-year reign atop the division. The Ravens have run for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, seven short of the NFL record set by Pittsburgh from 1974-77. Baltimore is averaging 173.8 yards on the ground and topped 200 yards in each of the past two games.
Washington leads NFC East after gritty 23-15 win over 49ers
Washington is the first team to get defensive touchdowns from two rookies in the same game since the Rams against the Texans in 2013. The game was in Arizona because of coronavirus restrictions in the 49ers' home county of Santa Clara. The 49ers pulled within 23-15 on a 6-yard pass from Mullens to Kyle Juszczyk and a 2-point conversion with 10:18 left. Washington won without scoring a touchdown in a road game for the first time since 1992. 49ERS ASSISTANT COACH OUTSan Francisco offensive line coach John Benton tested positive for COVID-19 and didn't coach against Washington.
Nick Chubb all about the victory, not stats or spreads
Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb (24) and Kareem Hunt (27) walk off the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. A win is a win; let Las Vegas worry about the margin of victory. It appeared there were actually 10 seconds left when down judge Dana McKenzie blew his whistle and raised his left hand. There actually should have been only 4 seconds left, which probably would have forced a Hail Mary by Stafford. But with 6 seconds left, Stafford had time for a quick pass, and he hit Marvin Jones for 9 yards.
Prater's 59-yard FG lifts Lions to 30-27 win over Washington
(AP Photo/Tony Ding)DETROIT โ Matt Prater made a 59-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Detroit Lions to a 30-27 win over Washington on Sunday. Stafford threw a 9-yard pass to Marvin Jones to set up the kick. Washington (2-7) pulled into a tie by scoring touchdowns on three straight series in the second half in Alex Smith's first start in nearly two years. In the second half, Washington got into the end zone on 82- and 84-yard drives and had the ball midway through the fourth quarter down a touchdown. Lions: WR Kenny Golladay (hip) missed his second straight game and has played just five times this season because of different injuries.
Tua vs Kyler as rising Dolphins visit revitalized Cardinals
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) embrace after Tagovailoa throws his first touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)When the Dolphins leave the oceanfront and head to the desert to play the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be about more than Tua vs. Kyler. Tua Tagovailoa, as touted as any signal caller coming out of college in years, will make his second start for Miami. Henry has eight rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone in five straight games. The Patriots will try to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1995.
Smith returns as Goff-led Rams beat Washington to get to 4-1
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Landover, Md. Smith played his first NFL game 693 days since breaking his right tibia and fibula, entering when new Washington starting quarterback Kyle Allen injured his left arm. โYou watch guys like Aaron all the time and as effective as he is, you guys have no idea how impressive it is with all the attention he gets week after week,โ Rams linebacker Troy Reeder said. Rivera said if Allen can play next week, Smith would back up and Haskins would again be inactive. UP NEXTThe Rams visit the 49ers next Sunday, while Washington is at the NFC East rival New York Giants.
Jackson shows MVP form to help Ravens beat Washington 31-17
โ A few big plays went a long way for the Baltimore Ravens, who took a small step toward regaining the form they displayed last year as the highest-scoring team in the league. Lamar Jackson ran for a 50-yard touchdown and threw for two scores in a bounce-back performance by the reigning NFL MVP and the Ravens, who took control early against Washington in a 31-17 victory Sunday. Washington (1-3) had more first downs, owned an edge in time of possession and had only 7 fewer yards than Baltimore. The game was tough to watch for Washington coach Ron Rivera, and not just because of the score. Weakened by treatment he received during the week for cancer, Rivera occasionally took a break by sitting on the bench.
The Latest: Patriots' Newton 2nd on career QB rushing list
The Patriotsโ single-season record for consecutive games with two or more rushing touchdowns is three by Horace Ivory (1978) and Curtis Martin (1995). 2 overall pick Chase Young, raised their fists on the sideline while standing for the national anthem in Cleveland. There were various other forms of expression as the national anthem played at NFL stadiums. The Buffalo Bills stayed in the locker room for the national anthem. Six Chicago Bears kneeled on the sideline during the national anthem before their game in Atlanta.