NFL Page 268 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Seahawks chase 10th win in finale against stingy Rams
Not surprisingly, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will take different approaches into Sunday's regular-season finale in Inglewood, Calif.,The Rams (10-6), who already have clinched the NFC West title, plan to start backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to rest 16-year veteran Matthew Stafford...

NFL reveals dates on franchise tags, new league year
The NFL on Thursday announced several important dates that affect the league's qualifying teams for the upcoming playoffs and the 2025 season at large.,Case in point is Monday for free-agent signings and renegotiating or extending rookie contracts of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of...

Elusive playoff berth at stake as Broncos host Chiefs
Bo Nix was in high school the last time the Denver Broncos qualified for the playoffs.,Should the rookie quarterback snap his team's two-game losing streak on Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), Denver would clinch the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoffs.,It would be the first playoff ...

Eyeing division title, Bucs expect 'dogfight' with Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a simple scenario for extending their season.,If the Buccaneers (9-7) defeat the visiting Saints (5-11) on Sunday afternoon, they will be NFC South champions for the fourth consecutive season and will host a playoff game next weekend.,"We have a chance to control our ow...

AFC South rivals Colts, Jaguars playing out string
The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to play for this week and the players know where to point -- at themselves.,The Colts complete their fourth consecutive non-playoff season on Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of AFC South squads.,The Jaguars (4-12) have long been eliminat...

Patriots focused on upsetting Bills, not on top overall draft pick
Losing on purpose isn't the plan for the New England Patriots as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon in Foxborough, Mass.,While New England (3-13) officially would secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if it falls to Buffalo in the regular-season finale, Patriots...

Texans intent on halting skid in finale vs. Titans
The Houston Texans plan to use their healthy players despite having nothing to gain from Sunday's regular-season finale at the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.,After all, the Texans, who have lost two games in a row, are locked into the fourth seed for the AFC playoffs. But second-year coach DeM...

Jordan Love, Packers use clash vs. Bears as postseason tune-up
Sunday's meeting between the host Green Bay Packers and Chicago marks the first time that the Bears have visited their longtime rivals in the regular-season finale in successive years.,Darned if this one doesn't feel similarly sunny for the playoff-bound Packers (11-5) and eerily murky for the Bears...

Facing Cowboys, Commanders aim for momentum ahead of playoffs
The Washington Commanders are putting their long-standing label of laughingstocks behind them with their winningest season since the 1991 campaign.,That season also marks the franchise's most recent Super Bowl title. The current squad clinched a playoff berth last weekend and looks to finish the reg...

Ravens, Lions lead selections for Pro Bowl Games
The Baltimore Ravens placed nine players on the 2025 Pro Bowl Games rosters, announced Thursday by the NFL.,The Detroit Lions also saw seven players picked, one of six teams with at least five players chosen for the event, which culminates Feb. 2 with a flag football game between the AFC and NFC in ...

With shot at NFC South title, Falcons set for Panthers
Sunday's regular-season finale in Atlanta between the Falcons and Carolina Panthers will be do-or-die for the home team.,Had Atlanta (8-8) held on to defeat the Washington Commanders last Sunday, the Falcons could have clinched their first NFC South crown since 2016 with a victory over Carolina (4-1...

Giants aim to avert franchise record in finale vs. resting Eagles
With the host Philadelphia Eagles resting key players on Sunday, the New York Giants will attempt to avoid finishing with the most losses in the franchise's 100-year history.,The Giants (3-13) have never lost 14 games in a season, finishing 4-13 in 2021 and 3-13 in 2017. New York enters Week 18 tied...

Joe Burrow, playoff-hopeful Bengals take aim at rival Steelers
The streaking Cincinnati Bengals need a Week 18 victory and some help to crash their way into the playoffs.,The Pittsburgh Steelers just want to end their recent funk and improve their postseason fortunes.,The two AFC North rivals will have a lot on the line when the Bengals visit the Steelers on Sa...

Ravens poised to avenge earlier loss to Browns
There are sure things and then there's what the Baltimore Ravens appear to be headed for going into their regular-season finale Saturday against the visiting Cleveland Browns.,Coming off a 31-2 win at Houston on Christmas Day that gave the Ravens a one-game lead on Pittsburgh in the AFC North, Balti...

Broncos' Sean Payton: Chiefs earned right to rest players
The Broncos would clinch a playoff berth with a win on Sunday, and Denver coach Sean Payton isn't concerned that the opposition won't be at full strength.,Denver (9-7) plays host to the Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), who have wrapped up AFC West title and the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. The ...

49ers QB Joshua Dobbs to start for Brock Purdy (elbow) vs. Cardinals
San Francisco will start Joshua Dobbs in place of injured quarterback Brock Purdy when the 49ers end their season on Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals.,49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that Dobbs will replace Purdy, who sustained a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in Monday n...

Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) hopes to play in finale
Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson said he has been dealing with the most severe back spasms of his life, but he still wants to play Sunday when the Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars to end their season.,Richardson, 22, missed practice last week and Sunday's loss to the New York Giants wh...

Reports: Packers CB Jaire Alexander undergoes knee surgery
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander underwent knee surgery this week to alleviate pain and swelling, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.,Alexander, 27, first tore the PCL in his right knee on Oct. 27 and had played just 10 snaps of one game since. He could return for the Super Bowl, should...

Rams to rest QB Matthew Stafford; Jimmy Garoppolo gets start
The Los Angeles Rams are resting quarterback Matthew Stafford and will start Jimmy Garoppolo for the regular-season finale on Sunday against the visiting Seattle Seahawks.,Rams coach Sean McVay made the announcement Wednesday after giving an indication Monday that he planned to rest most of the team...

Dolphins preparing QB Tyler Huntley to start vs. Jets
The Miami Dolphins are preparing quarterback Tyler Huntley to start Sunday's critical matchup at the New York Jets in place of Tua Tagovailoa, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday.,However, McDaniel said if Tagovailoa is medically cleared and has seen enough improvement in his injured h...