List/Grid Monthly Archives: January 2019
Caesars Becomes the NFL’s Official Casino, With a Key Restriction
The deal allows advertising, but no affiliation with sports betting. Powered by WPeMatico
Soup’s off: Peters, Payton downplay gumbo beef in big game
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Peters stood at a podium Wednesday and spoke about his respect for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. He insisted his feisty comments…
Saints’ Demario Davis must be Ram tough against Los Angeles’ run game; Gumbo Bowl update
Saints will have to stop L.A. rushing attack METAIRIE — To get to the Super Bowl, the New Orleans Saints will have to stop the best running back tandem going…
How the Showtime Saints Became Championship Favorites
With shrewd drafting and a style adjustment, New Orleans built a team capable of helping out its star quarterback—and winning a Super Bowl. Powered by WPeMatico
Aaron Donald: Rams have plan to “get after” Drew Brees
The last time the NFC championship game happened in the Superdome, a quarterback on the wrong side of 40 found himself battered, bruised, and nearly broken in two. This time,…
Mohamed Sanu interview: ‘NFL wide receivers are a fraternity, we speak and share tips every day’
Any real sports fan knows supporting a team is as much about hating your rivals as backing your own. Powered by WPeMatico
The unsurprising rise of Brian Flores
To those who’ve watched Brian Flores’ ascent to the cusp of becoming the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins, what’s remarkable is how few people are surprised. Powered by…
Saints WR may play his way into Odell money
Michael Thomas has been a huge part of New Orleans’ success this season, but is he going to get paid like one of the game’s elite pass catchers? Powered by…
With Super Bowl in sight, is Saints’ Michael Thomas also on track to land Odell Beckham-level deal?
A sampling of NFL insiders, such as agents and team executives, suggest Thomas will use Beckham’s five-year, $90 million extension from the Giants as a benchmark in negotiations. Powered by…
Robert Kraft says Tom Brady is ‘definitely the greatest player of all time’
Robert Kraft has five big reasons for picking Tom Brady as the best NFL player of all time. Powered by WPeMatico
Sorry America, team you love to hate headed to Super Bowl
Sorry America – at least outside of New England – but the team you love to hate is headed back to the Super Bowl. Powered by WPeMatico
Mel Kiper’s 1st mock draft of season has Cardinals taking Nick Bosa
Mock draft season has begun in earnest and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft of the year. If Arizona Cardinals fans are looking for something exciting, this…
Conference Title Week Matchups
Evan Silva breaks down matchups for every fantasy-relevant player in Sunday’s AFC & NFC Championship games. Powered by WPeMatico
Signing with Seahawks gives QB Paxton Lynch chance to ‘re-start’ career
The Seahawks bolstered their thinning backup quarterback role by signing former Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch to a futures/reserve contract Thursday. But for Lynch, coming to Seattle also presents a chance…
Rams-Saints Matchups
The gumbo the New Orleans Saints are cooking up is flavored with lots of passes from Drew Brees to Michael Thomas, plenty of runs by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram,…
NFL facing an ‘existential question as insurance carriers balk over concussion litigation fears’
Insurance companies are increasingly abandoning all levels of football over the cost of concussion litigation, which is a problem that one executive for the upstart XFL described as an ‘existential…
Watch NFL championship week edition of ‘Mostly Football’ on Yahoo Sports
We’re one step away from the Super Bowl, and the “Mostly Football” crew ponders a question routinely asked over the past two decades: Are the New England Patriots the team…
Report: NFL Doesn’t Have General Liability Insurance Covering Head Trauma
The NFL is facing a new obstacle in its quest to protect players past, present and future from long-term issues related to concussions and head trauma. Per ESPN.com’s Steve Fainaru and…
Almost Entire Country Will Be Rooting Against Patriots In AFC Championship
BOSTON (CBS) — It would appear as though America is sick of seeing the Patriots in the Super Bowl. As in, almost all of America. The folks at sportsbetting.ag analyzed geotagged data…
Scouting the Matchup: Surging Patriots head to K.C.
The Patriots only finished 20th in rushing in 2018 but were exceptional over the final two months of the season, anchored by rookie Sony Michel and a blend of creativity…
It’s all about offense in NFL’s conference championships
For the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, none of the teams playing this weekend in the conference title game has a defense ranked in…
Lunchbreak: ESPN Lists Top 50 Potential Free Agents
Free agency for 2019 isn’t scheduled to begin until March 13, but there will be plenty of discussion regarding pending free agents between now and then. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert put…
Biggest sleeper in Patriots-Chiefs: Phillip Dorsett, a bust with Colts, is heating up for Patriots
Without Josh Gordon, the Patriots have leaned more on receiver Phillip Dorsett, and Dorsett has delivered. Powered by WPeMatico
When I knew: Redskins’ Chris Thompson on his journey from untouchable runner to the NFL
Chris Thompson initially shied away from football. Who wants to get hit? Then the future Washington Redskins running back realized nobody could catch him on the field. Powered by WPeMatico
DFS: Notes on how to attack conference championship weekend
Damien Williams ($6,400 DraftKings/$7,200 FanDuel) is going to find his way into a lot of my lineups. Per analyst Warren Sharp, the Patriots entered the playoffs having allowed 7 yards…
NFL Playoffs Get Local Flavor With Pacific Northwest Collegiate Athletes Competing For Super Bowl
The Seattle Seahawks’ season might be over, but there is still more football ahead. There are the conference championships and the Super Bowl left to be played. While I was…
Kiper’s 2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: All the Kyler Murray possibilities
Mel Kiper Jr. Football analyst Mel Kiper has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on SportsCenter and ESPN Radio and writes…
Opinion: Awful all year, Kansas City Chiefs’ defense finds groove with Patriots looming
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense is a perfect candidate for the 10-year challenge that’s all the rage right now. Only it would be more like the…
It’s all about offense in the conference championships
Offense wins championships in the new NFL. For the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, none of the teams playing in the conference title game…
C.J. Anderson jokes he put on sympathy weight before dishing real reason for extra pounds
C.J. Anderson was candid about his weight gain but wants to remind you how good he was with those extra pounds. Powered by WPeMatico
C.J. Anderson jokes he put on sympathy weight before dishing real reason for extra pounds
C.J. Anderson was candid about his weight gain but wants to remind you how good he was with those extra pounds. Powered by WPeMatico
Only 3 possibilities remain for Packers’ second first-round pick
The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday and advanced to the NFC Championship Game, meaning only three possibilities now remain for the first-round draft pick the Saints traded…
If you’re not an NFL fan, can you still be a Saints fan?
You either think football players should stand for the National Anthem, or you support their right to protest. You either agree with the NFL cheerleaders who say they’re unfairly treated…
Vote Los Angeles Rams’ RB Todd Gurley for FedEx Ground Player of the Year
Los Angeles Rams’ running back Todd Gurley had another sensational year — and now he needs your help. When you’re done signing the petition to get Bill Vinovich and his…
Saints Divisional Round Players of the Week ~ Mike, Marshon, & Taysom
What’s good, Who Dats!? It’s Tee Word, and I’m back with the New Orleans Saints Player of the Week for the 2018 NFC Divisional Round! Getting back into the swing…
Brady motivated to prove people wrong, again
It may seem crazy to think a 5-time Super Bowl champion is trying to prove himself against a 23-year-old with one playoff victory, but that is how Tom Brady thinks….
Caesars Becomes the NFL’s Official Casino, With a Key Restriction
The deal allows advertising, but no affiliation with sports betting. Powered by WPeMatico
Broncos hire 49ers QBs coach Scangarello as OC
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The task of modernizing Denver’s outdated offense goes to Rich Scangarello, whose stellar work as San Francisco’s quarterbacks coach the last two seasons led to his…
Colin Kaepernick And Travis Scott Didn’t Reach ‘Understanding’ Over Super Bowl Performance: Radio Host Nessa
Despite reports, she said, Kaepernick and Scott found “no mutual respect” regarding the rapper’s decision to perform at the halftime show. Powered by WPeMatico
Soup’s off: Peters, Payton downplay gumbo beef in big game
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Peters stood at a podium Wednesday and spoke about his respect for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. He insisted his feisty comments…
Todd Gurley off Rams’ injury report as team lists no one
Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday he expected Todd Gurley to have a limited practice. But the Rams, who had a walk-through Wednesday, listed no one on their injury report….
The dizzying array of Giants QB options facing Dave Gettleman
The dream scenario, for any GM and any franchise, is to hit the kind of grand slam the Chiefs hit with Patrick Mahomes. Or, perhaps, to have Sam Darnold fall…
NFL playoffs 2019: X-factor for each NFC team
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and the Los Angeles Rams’ ground attack will be pivotal in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. Powered by WPeMatico
Red Smith Banquet: Former safety Nick Collins thinks Packers can make quick turnaround
APPLETON – Former Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins was the featured guest Tuesday at the 54th annual Red Smith Banquet at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley, joining honorees Chi…
Dead headsets, paranoia, “chasing ghosts”: What it’s like to face Bill Belichick in playoffs
In late January 2004, while studying film in his Houston hotel room, Jake Delhomme received a call from Peyton Manning. The New England Patriots had just beaten Manning’s Colts in…
94th East-West Shrine Game to showcase NFL hopefuls
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tropicana Field is set to host the 94th annual East-West Shrine Game on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET Saturday, and the game…
EWU’s Lewis working toward NFL goal
(STATS) – That his former Eastern Washington teammates Kendrick Bourne, Cooper Kupp and Samson Ebukam have forged NFL careers would seem to provide a comfort level for budding prospect Josh…
Nick Foles next? John DeFilippo, who coached in Philly, lands with Jaguars as their new OC
The Jaguars hired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, which is interesting considering his ties to quarterback Nick Foles. Powered by WPeMatico
B/R tabs Bills one of NFL’s ‘neediest teams’ in 2019 offseason
The Buffalo Bills appear to be turning the corner out of a re-build. They have solid, young core which is highlighted by players such as cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Tremaine…
A recap of all 17 pending Eagles unrestricted free agents
The Eagles have 17 players scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency. We take a look at what’s next for all of them. By Dave Zangaro Powered by WPeMatico
NFL mock draft 2019: Detroit Lions get Michigan football’s Rashan Gary
The Oklahoma quarterback took a big step towards becoming a star in the NFL, but that doesn’t necessarily mean playing in the MLB is out of the question. The complexion…
6 things to know about Rams vs. Saints in NFC championship
The NFC championship game is rapidly approaching as the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints gear up for a rematch of their Week 9 showdown. The Saints are currently…
Rams fan starts petition to remove referee Bill Vinovich from NFC title game
The Los Angeles Rams are just one win away from reaching Super Bowl LIII but two things stand in their way: The New Orleans Saints and referee Bill Vinovich. At…
Chiefs running back Damien Williams has unfinished business against Patriots
When Chiefs running back Damien Williams takes the field on Sunday, he’ll have a special familiarity with his opponent. No. 26 formerly donned the same number for a different team….
‘Sean got swag, man’: Payton’s bold approach gives Saints distinct edge
You might wonder what in the world Sean Payton was thinking last weekend when, already trailing 14-0 in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, he essentially bet the house…
Roughriders coach/GM Chris Jones leaving to take NFL job in Cleveland
REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders coach/GM Chris Jones is leaving the CFL team to take a coaching job with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. The move comes one week after Jones signed…
WATCH: Why Giants’ Saquon Barkley, not Browns’ Baker Mayfield, should be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley were the first two picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. They shared the same field in their first career NFL action when the Giants hosted…
Vegas shares odds on Jags QB options for 2019
The biggest question heading into the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars without a doubt will be their quarterback situation as they’ll be looking for a new No. 1 come this…
The top-heavy world of fantasy tight ends
Tight end has become a polarized position for fantasy. How are you spinning it for 2019, and are you willing to pay up for Kelce, Ertz or Kittle? Powered by…
Drew Brees calls on Michael Thomas to make the big catches for Saints
Thomas celebrated that November score by fishing a flip phone out of a goalpost pad and pretending to make a call, an homage to long-ago Saints receiver Joe Horn who…
Daron Payne’s outstanding rookie season rewarded with first-team PFWA honors
Redskins rookie defensive lineman Daron Payne was named to the Pro Football Writers of America 2018 All-Rookie Team. Powered by WPeMatico
Trojan alumni find their place in NFL
The NFL regular season has come to a close and overall Trojan performances are mixed. The rookie class featured many solid prospects who displayed great potential despite rocky starts to…
Drafting a first round QB outside of the top two picks has largely backfired lately
If the Redskins take a first round QB, it’ll be outside of the top two picks barring a major, major draft trade. But the past decade has shown that passers…
Saints’ Ingram cherishing playoff run as uncertainty looms
Mark Ingram readily acknowledges that his last game with the Saints could come Sunday, when New Orleans hosts the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game. Combined, Ingram and…
NFL NOTES: From failed CFL shot to NFL assistant coach, Ryan Lindley on Payton-like path
KANSAS CITY – It seemed a little strange when the Cleveland Browns hired Ryan Lindley to be their running backs coach last Halloween. Now more suitably positioned, what a spot…
Eight key individual matchups for the conference title games
There are many, many games within every game — especially in the nuanced sport of football. Which of those mini-games — or, as they’re more commonly known, “individual matchups —…
RB Joshua Kelley returning to UCLA in 2019, will skip NFL draft
After his breakout year at UCLA, Joshua Kelley will return for an encore. UCLA’s leading rusher will return to UCLA for his final year of eligibility in 2019, his mother…
Jerry Jones thinks the Rams’ slippery field hurt the Cowboys in playoff loss
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he didn’t want to make excuses for the Cowboys’ season-ending loss to the Rams. He just had a lot of excuses. While Jones agreed…
Saints’ quick passing game makes Rams secondary more important than pass rush
Only one team in the NFL allowed fewer sacks than the New Orleans Saints this season and that was the Indianapolis Colts. While offensive line play has a lot to…
Former Seahawks talk grueling realities of practice squad life
Caption Close It takes a village to raise a competitive sports team, and all those people are working constantly to improve their chances. And some people, according to a SB…
Steve Harvey to host NFL Honors when AP awards are announced
TV personality Steve Harvey will host the NFL Honors show on Feb. 2, when The Associated Press hands out its individual league awards. Powered by WPeMatico
Deion Sanders explains why Kyler Murray should pick baseball over NFL
On the day Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft, Deion Sanders shared his thoughts on the Heisman Trophy winner’s choice. Powered by WPeMatico
NFL teams aren’t sold on Murray’s MLB future
NFL decision-makers are beginning to do their due diligence on Kyler Murray, and some are walking away with the feeling that he’s not a home run baseball prospect. Powered by…
Sports gamblers are getting valuable data from a former NFL doctor who tweets his injury assessments
Dr. David Chao, a former doctor for the San Diego Chargers, has become famous for assessing NFL injuries in real time. Enter Dr. David Chao, aka @ProFootballDoc, a former team…
Cam Jordan: Odell Beckham belongs on Mount Rushmore of stylish athletes
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan fancies himself somewhat of a style guru, and like many other NFL athletes, he takes his fashion very, very seriously. Arguably catching fire…
Early Lines Conference Champ
Renee Miller provides an early look at the betting lines for Conference Championship Sunday Powered by WPeMatico
Packers season tickets are a bargain compared to rest of NFL
A time lapse of Lambeau Field filling up with fans before the start of the Packers vs. 49ers game Oct. 15, 2018. GREEN BAY – Ticket prices may have nearly doubled…
Alaska boy picked as NFL Kid Correspondent for Super Bowl 53
(NEW YORK) — The NFL teams aren’t quite set, but one person is already Super Bowl bound after finding out Tuesday morning that he will be this year’s NFL Kid…
The NFL’s best and worst free-agent signings of 2018
Dan Graziano ESPN Staff Writer Close Joined ESPN in 2011 New Jersey native and author of two published novels Follow on Twitter Sure, there are four NFL teams still playing,…
Bill Belichick explains why he kept in Tom Brady in blowout over Chargers
The New England Patriots took an early and commanding lead over the Los Angeles Chargers in their 41-28 win in the AFC Divisional round on Sunday. By halftime, the Patriots…
Patriots-Chiefs, Saints-Rams in conference championships
Caption Close Tom Brady versus Patrick Mahomes. Drew Brees against Jared Goff. Two high-profile rematches with the Super Bowl on the line. The NFL’s highest-scoring offenses face off in the…
Sarah Thomas becomes first female official in NFL playoff game
Sarah Thomas was the down judge as the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 41-28 in the AFC divisional clash. Powered by WPeMatico
Notre Dame’s Opponents: Early NFL departures hit Georgia, Michigan and Stanford hardest
A sign of a strong program is one that loses players to the NFL before they exhaust eligibility. In that vein, Notre Dame lost a consensus first-team All-American cornerback, its…
Winners and losers from the NFL draft early-entry deadline
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer Close College football reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University. Follow on Twitter The early signing date and the omnipresent NCAA transfer portal…
There’s a plan to help minority NFL head coaching hopefuls after this rough coaching cycle
With the NFL tilting heavily toward offensive minds, John Wooten of the Fritz Pollard Alliance is proposing an improved pipeline for minority coaches on that side of the ball. Powered…
Wade needs to learn quickly if he’s to make NFL switch a success, says Sanu
Mohamed Sanu says Christian Wade needs to adapt quickly if he is to make a successful switch from rugby union to the NFL. Powered by WPeMatico
Wade needs to learn quickly if he’s to make NFL switch a success, says Sanu
Mohamed Sanu says Christian Wade needs to adapt quickly if he is to make a successful switch from rugby union to the NFL. Powered by WPeMatico
Patriots’ Tom Brady puts premium on run game
This much is clear about the Patriots’ latest run to the AFC championship game: It’s come with a lot of introspection and reinvention on offense. Gone are the days in…
Anderson shines after rejected by 3 non-playoff teams
As the top four point-producers in the NFL were advancing to the conference championship round for the first time ever, Dak Prescott was getting sacked by his own teammate, Tom…
Reports: Terry Robiskie to become running backs coach with Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to hire Terry Robiskie as their new running backs coach, per multiple reports. The Jaguars fired Tyrone Wheatly as the team’s running backs coach at…
Coliseum Authority to get update on Raiders lease
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Coliseum Authority will meet Friday to get an update on the possibility of whether the Raiders could stay in Oakland another year. Powered by WPeMatico
Pro Bowl rosters 2019: Complete AFC, NFC teams revealed
The NFL announced full rosters for the 2019 Pro Bowl on Tuesday, in a special on NFL Network. The exhibition game, which takes place on Jan. 27 from Camping World…
Hochman: Matchup for — and of — the ages looms in AFC title game
“I definitely watched a good amount of (Brady film) in college” at Texas Tech, Mahomes told reporters in Kansas City. “Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury actually played with Tom at one point…
Philip Rivers misses another chance for ring to go with Hall numbers
Another year. Another year without a championship for Philip Rivers. The Chargers quarterback turned 37 last month and is running out of time to get a ring. “I only think…
NFL’s conference championship games have it all: Top seeds, top players, top coaches
There’s a written-in-the-stars feel to this weekend’s NFL playoff games, a synchronicity that goes beyond the fact that both conference championship games are rematches from earlier this season. Maybe it’s…
A Rams’ step-by-step guide for getting revenge vs. Saints in NFC championship game
Rams-Saints 1.0 is remembered for two major things: New Orleans’ blink-and-miss-it 21-point run in the second quarter, and Michael Thomas’ 74-yard catch-and-run touchdown over a flailing Marcus Peters. The Saints…
49ers’ Richard Sherman discusses NFL rules and healthcare on Twitter
Like all of us, Richard Sherman was watching the NFL playoffs on Sunday and took to Twitter to discuss what he was seeing. Powered by WPeMatico
Opinion: Kyler Murray will 100% play football if taken in first round of NFL draft
The Oklahoma quarterback took a big step towards becoming a star in the NFL, but that doesn’t necessarily mean playing in the MLB is out of the question. For the…
Marshon Lattimore highlights | NFC Divisional Round
New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore picks up four tackles and two interceptions in a NFC divisional win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Powered by WPeMatico
Forecast: An ‘arctic blast’ could hit Kansas City for AFC championship game
Temperatures could reach well below zero for Sunday’s AFC championship game in Kansas City. Powered by WPeMatico
