Rams overwhelm Vikings 27-9 in wild-card playoff game moved to Arizona because of LA wildfires

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Darnold tried to step up in the pocket to find a receiver but there was nowhere to go. The blue and yellow wall that was the Los Angeles Rams' defense closed too fast. Akhello Witherspoon got there first, knocking the Minnesota quarterback to the ground...

Sam Darnold's career-best season ends with a thud as he takes 9 sacks in playoff loss

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Darnold did nearly everything right in a renaissance season, resurrecting his career as a starter while pushing Minnesota to one of the NFL's best records. A deep playoff run was the expected next step. A disappointing night in the desert...

Los Angeles Rams beat Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in playoff game moved out of Southern California because of wildfires

Mike McCarthy won't return as the Cowboys' coach. Deion Sanders could be a candidate to replace him

DALLAS (AP) — Mike McCarthy will not return as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, who are going on three decades since their last Super Bowl title, owner Jerry Jones said Monday. Jones said the organization and McCarthy mutually agreed to part ways. A search for the team's next coach...

Rams host wild-card playoff game nearly 400 miles east of LA because of wildfires

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams made themselves at home on Monday night for their NFL wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings — even if their adopted stadium featured an unusual amount of red and was nearly 400 miles east of their regular venue. The NFC...

Commanders choose to 'be bold' going for it on 4th down, and that has them still in the playoffs

Gutsy calls by coach Dan Quinn helped the Washington Commanders win a playoff game and take another step further in a season that had already exceeded just about every external expectation. Those should be no surprise given his philosophy. “I never want to look back...

Broncos finally found their quarterback and ended their playoff drought. Now comes the hard part

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Mixed emotions permeated the Denver Broncos' locker room Monday after they ended their long playoff drought only to get blown out at Buffalo. “This year was good but not good enough,” All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz said as he and his teammates packed...

McDermott, Allen get latest chance to change Bills' early exit playoff history in hosting Ravens

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — If Bills coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen are ever going to begin changing the narrative of Buffalo falling short against the AFC’s elite when it counts, this would certainly be a good weekend to start. Lamar Jackson along with Derrick...

Baker Mayfield and a young core give Buccaneers reason for optimism despite disappointing finish

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield had a career year and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved their win total, won a fourth straight division title and made an NFC-best fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Still, they started an early vacation. A disappointing 23-20...

Despite quick exit in playoffs, Chargers made plenty of strides in Jim Harbaugh's 1st season

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — In his first season back in the NFL, Jim Harbaugh made plenty of strides in rebuilding the Los Angeles Chargers. Saturday’s loss to Houston in an AFC wild-card round game, though, showed how much more work remains. The Chargers won 11...