December 18, 2024 4:37 am
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and benching veteran Kirk Cousins as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2017. Coach Raheem Morris announced the decision in a statement Tuesday night. Morris calls it “a football decision” and says the team is focused on preparing to face the New York Giants on Sunday. The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak with Monday night’s ugly 15-9 win at Las Vegas. Cousins passed for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The 36-year-old was signed in the offseason for $100 million guaranteed.
December 18, 2024 4:39 am
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Michael Vick has agreed to become the head coach at Norfolk State in a return to football for the former NFL star, who has never coached at any level. The 44-year-old Vick announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday night that he has accepted the job. Norfolk State did not immediately confirm the hiring of Vick, who grew up in nearby Newport News. Vick starred in college at Virginia Tech and was a four-time Pro Bowler in 13 seasons for Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Jets and Pittsburgh. He served 18 months in federal prison in the prime of his career after pleading guilty to his role in a dogfighting ring.
December 18, 2024 4:38 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Cody Bellinger has been acquired by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Cody Poteet. Chicago will send the Yankees $5 million as part of the trade. The 29-year-old Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, could play center field next year as Aaron Judge returns to right following the departure of Juan Soto to the Mets. Bellinger also can play first base, a position that opened when Anthony Rizzo became a free agent.
December 17, 2024 4:43 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic star linebacker T.J. Watt’s balky ankle won’t keep him out of a showdown with rival Baltimore. The perennial All-Pro twisted his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of a 27-13 loss to Philadelphia. Watt said afterward X-rays on the ankle were negative. The 30-year-old was one of the few bright spots for the AFC North-leading Steelers (10-4) in the loss. Watt had two sacks and forcing a fumble. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North title with a victory over the Ravens.
December 17, 2024 4:42 am
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have excused Diontae Johnson from practice this week. That’s another part of the fallout after the team says the receiver refused to enter a game against Philadelphia on Dec. 1. Johnson was suspended for last weekend’s win over the New York Giants. The Ravens said Monday the team and Johnson “mutually agreed” for him to miss practice this week. Ravens coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t say whether he expects Johnson back with the team next week. The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a similar situation after linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter a game.
December 17, 2024 4:40 am
The Auburn Tigers have picked up a second transfer quarterback, with the addition of two-year Stanford starter Ashton Daniels. Daniels, who announced his destination Monday on Instagram, joins ex-Oklahoma starter Jackson Arnold in heading to the quarterback-starved Tigers. Auburn must replace starter Payton Thorne, and two backups have entered the transfer portal. Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula is not sticking around for the team’s matchup with SMU in the College Football Playoff.
December 16, 2024 4:41 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts threw touchdown passes to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to mute scrutiny of the Eagles’ offense, and Philadelphia won its franchise-record 10th straight game, 27-13 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eagles running back Saquon Barkey’s chase of the NFL season rushing record was slowed when he ran for just 65 yards on 19 carries. The Eagles were denied a shot a clinching the NFC East when Washington beat New Orleans earlier in the day. AFC North-leading Pittsburgh lost for the second time in nine games but clinched a playoff spot thanks to losses by Miami and Indianapolis. Hurts also had a rushing TD on a tush push. The Steelers clinched a playoff spot after both the Dolphins and Colts lost on Sunday. They can clinch the AFC North Division title with a win against the Ravens in Baltimore on Saturday.
December 16, 2024 4:43 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Star Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt says he’s in “wait-and-see” mode for next weekend’s matchup with AFC North rival Baltimore. Watt rolled his ankle in Sunday’s 27-13 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers lead the Ravens by one game in the division. Watt leads Pittsburgh with 11 1/2 sacks. He was hurt in the fourth quarter when pursuing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He was examined in the sideline medical tent and did not return.
December 16, 2024 4:47 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes before leaving with an ankle injury, Xavier Worthy ran for a score and the Kansas City Chiefs finally didn’t have to sweat out the final minutes with a 21-7 victory over the mistake-prone Cleveland Browns. Mahomes connected for TDs in the first half with Juju Smith-Schuster and Noah Gray as the Chiefs built a 21-0 lead. The defending Super Bowl champions have 10 wins by seven points or less, with six coming on the game’s final play. Mahomes left in the fourth quarter after he ankle got rolled up on. X-rays were negative. The Browns had six turnovers. Jameis Winston threw three more interceptions.
December 16, 2024 4:46 am
DETROIT (AP) — Josh Allen ran for two scores in the first quarter and threw two touchdown passes in the second half, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions. The AFC East-champion Bills have won eight of nine games, taking advantage of Allen’s ability to make plays with his right arm and legs. He extended a league record by throwing for multiple touchdowns and rushing for more than one score for the sixth time in his career. The NFC-North leading Lions had their franchise-record 11-game winning streak snapped. Jared Goff matched a career high with five touchdown passes.
