January 7, 2026 2:36 am
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — John Harbaugh has been fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach. Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the Super Bowl favorites. Baltimore’s season ended Sunday night when Tyler Loop missed a last-second field-goal attmpt, allowing Pittsburgh to hold on for a 26-24 victory in the game that decided the AFC North title.
January 7, 2026 4:24 am
A team official says coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both gone from head coach Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders after a 5-12 season. Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season. Quinn and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the staff changes hadn’t been announced. Whitt was dismissed. Bobby Johnson is out as Washington’s offensive line coach, too.
January 7, 2026 4:26 am
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. Despite his contributions to NASCAR, including expanding its international presence and returning the sport during the COVID-19 shutdown, his resignation comes amid controversy. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.
January 6, 2026 4:25 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t dwelling on “what-ifs” after his team edged Baltimore to win the AFC North title for the first time in five years. While Tomlin is aware Pittsburgh’s margin of error is razor thin, he’s not going to apologize after the Steelers reached the playoffs when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field-goal attempt on the final play. The Steelers face the streaking Houston Texans in the first round. Oddsmakers have made Houston an early favorite. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is optimistic, saying the thrilling victory over Ravens should give the Steelers an added confidence boost.
January 6, 2026 4:26 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is back at work following a two-game suspension for initiating contact with a fan. Metcalf says he’s relieved the Steelers were able to win the AFC North during his absence, freeing him up to return for a first-round playoff matchup with Houston. The Steelers clinched their first division title in five years with a thrilling 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night. Metcalf watched from afar as the game had four fourth-quarter lead changes. He said it was like riding a roller coaster and is eager to help the Steelers try to win a playoff game for the first time since 2016.
January 6, 2026 4:22 am
Rocco Becht has announced he will follow coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions a veteran quarterback to replace Ethan Grunkemeyer. Becht stated his decision in a social media post late Sunday. Multiple media outlets report Grunkemeyer will reunite with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. Grunkemeyer started seven games after Drew Allar was injured. Those transfers follow Drew Mestemaker’s weekend decision to join Eric Morris at Oklahoma State.
January 5, 2026 4:32 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title. Pittsburgh will host Houston in the opening round of the playoffs on Monday, Jan. 12, following an electric fourth quarter that saw four lead changes, including three in the final four minutes. Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 28-yard gain that put the Ravens within Loop’s range. But the rookie’s kick never had a chance.
January 5, 2026 4:37 am
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The team announced the moves hours after completing its its second straight 8-9 finish under Morris and eighth consecutive losing season. Morris said after Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints that he expected to return for a third season. Instead, his 16-18 record was not enough for him to keep his job after the year began with optimism that the Falcons would reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Owner Arthur Blank said in a statement that he has “great personal affinity” for Morris and Fontenot but he believes a change is needed.
January 5, 2026 4:36 am
The Las Vegas Raiders will pick first in this year’s NFL draft. The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday, ensuring the Raiders would have the worst record. The Raiders were 2-14 entering their Sunday home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Giants had lost to Dallas, Las Vegas would have needed a loss to the Chiefs to secure the top pick. This is only the second time the Raiders have had the top pick. In 2007, they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who became one of the franchise’s top draft busts.
January 5, 2026 4:33 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Sidney Crosby set up Ricard Rakell’s tying goal with 13.7 seconds left in regulation, then scored at 2:22 of overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 5-4 comeback victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. The Penguins overcame a three-goal deficit to win their fifth straight game overall and third in a row in the road. Ville Koivunen, Noel Acciari and Tommy Novak also scored, and Ben Kindel had two assists. Arturs Silovs made 25 saves. After being outshot 12–9 in the first period, Pittsburgh outshot Columbus 34–13 over the final two periods and overtime. Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski each had a goal and an assist for Columbus, and Dmitri Voronkov and Mason Marchment also scored.
