NFL; Bills Rout Dolphins

September 13, 2024 4:31 am

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — James Cook caught a touchdown pass and ran for two scores and the Buffalo Bills routed Miami 31-10 on Thursday night, with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaving early because of a concussion. Tagovailoa left in the third quarter after colliding with defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf. Tagovailoa was quickly ruled out with the concussion, casting doubt on his season after a history of dealing with head injuries. Josh Allen, playing with a glove on his left non-throwing hand after hurting it in Buffalo’s opener, completed 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards. He’s 12-2 against the Dolphins and the Bills are 14-2 against Miami since coach Sean McDermott’s first year as head coach in 2017.

Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Another Concussion

September 13, 2024 4:33 am

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf. Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room. The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion in college at Alabama. Buffalo won 31-10.

Cherington; Shelton Likely To Return As Pirates Manager

September 12, 2024 4:36 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton is likely to remain with the club in 2025. General manager Ben Cherington says Shelton is “the right person to manage this team” as Shelton finishes up his fifth season. The Pirates have faded down the stretch in 2024 despite the arrival of ace rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Cherington says he still believes the team is better than it was a year ago and it’s his responsibility to help them close the gap on the rest of the National League Central.

Pirates Complete Sweep Of Marlins

September 12, 2024 2:45 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh left-hander Bailey Falter carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 for a sweep of the season series. Falter (8-7) allowed three walks before Jonah Bride dropped a single into left field with one out in the seventh, the first of two hits allowed. Four of Falter’s five strikeouts came in the first five batters, striking out the side in the first inning on 10 pitches. The Marlins lost each of their seven games against the Pirates this season. Jonathan Bermúdez (0-1) got through two innings for Miami, allowing three runs and three hits with one walk in his first major-league start.  (Photo:  AP)

NFL Averaged Highest Per-Game Viewers Ever In Week 1

September 12, 2024 4:39 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL averaged 21.0 million viewers per game during the league’s opening week, making it the most-watched Week 1 on record. The league and Nielsen said Wednesday that the per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 12% increase over last year. Nielsen began electronic measurement of viewing in 1988. All told, 123 million people saw at least part of one game, its highest total for an opening week since 2019. NBC had the most-watched game, with defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City’s 27-20 victory over Baltimore in last Thursday’s opener averaging 29.2 million on TV and digital. Tom Brady’s first game as Fox’s top analyst — Dallas’ 33-17 win over Cleveland — averaged 23.93 million.

DeShaun Watson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

September 12, 2024 4:37 am

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said he was surprised by the latest civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman who alleges he sexually assaulted her four years ago. The woman filed the lawsuit in Texas claiming Watson forced himself on her during a dinner date at her apartment in 2020. Watson says he was unaware of the allegations before Monday. Watson says he can’t be concerned about possible new punishment from the NFL over the matter. The league is examining the new lawsuit to see if he violated the personal conduct policy. He’s made just 13 starts in three seasons with Cleveland.

Kicker Chris Boswell Named The AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

September 11, 2024 3:50 pm

PITTSBURGH (WPXI) – Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the team’s Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.  Boswell scored all 18 points for the Black and Gold over six field goals. He hit three of those field goals from more than 50 yards out, including 57, 51 and 56 yard scores.  The team said with his performance, Boswell became the first kicker in Steelers history to hit three field goals of more than 50 yards or more.  “Can’t say enough about Boz (Chris Boswell) not only in terms of him kicking the ball, but that punt was timely,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “We all know what he’s capable of. I don’t think anybody in that locker room is surprised by what he was able to do.  Boswell also stepped up after punter Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter of the game.  “It definitely feels good, but I mean we are right back on to the next week and whatever I did this week has no relevance to next week,” said Boswell after the game. “I have the same mindset I’ve always had. Next kick, good, bad, indifferent. I have to move on to the next one.  “Just because I made one, doesn’t mean I’m making the next. So, I’ve just got to stay into every single kick,” Boswell continued.  Boswell was previously named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice in his career. He won the honor in Week 6 of the 2015 season and in Week 13 of the 2017 season. He also won AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December/January) in 2015.

McCutchen Blasts 20th Homer As Pirates Beat Marlins Again

September 10, 2024 4:27 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run blast to reach the 20-homer plateau for the 10th time in his career and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 6-4. The 37-year-old designated hitter took Miami’s Adam Oller to the first row of the bleachers in left field with two on in the fifth to give the Pirates a five-run lead. Eight of McCutchen’s 20-homer seasons have come in Pittsburgh. That’s second-most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. Jhonny Pereda had three hits for Miami.

Steelers Preparing To Start Justin Fields Against Broncos

September 11, 2024 4:29 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are planning to stick with Justin Fields over an injured Russell Wilson as they get ready for a trip to Denver. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday says his team is “preparing as if Justin is going to be our quarterback” with Wilson’s status uncertain. The nine-time Pro Bowler is dealing with a balky calf that kept him out of a season-opening win in Atlanta last Sunday. Fields was steady if not spectacular against the Falcons, completing 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and running for 57 more while not turning the ball over as Pittsburgh relied heavily on its defense and kicker Chris Boswell.

NFL Investigating Lawsuit Against Browns QB Deshaun Watson

September 11, 2024 4:31 am

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL said it is investigating the latest civil lawsuit filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to determine if he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. On Monday, a woman in Texas accused Watson of sexual assault in 2020 while he played for Houston. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is reviewing the complaint. In the lawsuit, the woman alleges Watson forced himself on her sexually during an incident at her apartment. Watson was suspended 11 games by the league in 2022 after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions. The Browns traded five draft picks for the three-time Pro Bowler in 2022.