NFL to ban jersey swaps over virus fears

Post-game jersey swaps will be prohibited under a range of coronavirus safety protocols set to be introduced by the NFL for the upcoming season, reports said Thursday.

USA Today reported that under the new measures put in place for the 2020 campaign, players from opposing teams would not be allowed to be within six feet of each other after the game.

The rule effectively prohibits post-game gestures such as jersey exchanges and handshakes, a measure that was greeted with scorn by some NFL players on Thursday.

"This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell," San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman wrote on Twitter.

"Players can go engage in a full contact game and do it safely. However, it is deemed unsafe for them to exchange jerseys after said game."

Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson was similarly perplexed, writing simply: "That's DAMN silly bro."

Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb added simply: "This has to be a joke."

A draft of the game-day protocols and an infectious disease emergency response plan for training camps were sent to NFL clubs on Wednesday, USA Today reported. The protocols were drawn up by the NFL and NFL Players Association.

Other measures to be put in place include strict body temperature monitoring, with no one who registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher allowed into stadiums on game days.

Players and coaches would would be "encouraged" to wear face coverings on the sideline but masks would not be mandatory.

However, game crew and medical staff would be required to don protective masks.

In a further move, home teams would be obliged to stay at hotels on the night before games and head directly to their stadium.

Team arrivals on game day would be staggered while locker and training rooms will also be regularly disinfected.

Agence France-Presse

NFL: Panthers' Kuechly retires from NFL at 28

LOS ANGELES -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 28 in an emotional social media post on Tuesday.

Kuechly fought back tears in a video posted to the Panthers' Twitter feed, saying he couldn't play the game at the level he wanted to.


"For me, now is the right opportunity to move in a different direction," Kuechly said. "There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid -- to play fast, to play physical and to play strong, and at this point, I don't know if I'm able to do that anymore and that's the part that is the most difficult."

Kuechly has played in the NFL for eight seasons, all with the Panthers who drafted him ninth overall in 2012.

The seven-time Pro-Bowler received a five-year contract extension in 2015 that went through 2021.

In each season of his career he amassed more than 100 tackles and in 2019 and this season became just the fifth player in league history to record 100-plus tackles in eight straight campaigns.

He missed just 10 games in his career, and none since the 2017 season. But he has suffered at least three reported concussions.

Kuechly, who did not cite any specific health concern for his decision, made his farewell video in the linebackers room at the Panthers' Bank of America Stadium.

"The memories I have from this place and this organization and being on the field with these guys, they'll never go away," he said.

Agence France-Presse

NFL: Titans harass Jackson, stun Ravens in divisional playoffs

Derrick Henry rushed for a franchise-postseason-record 195 yards on 30 carries and also passed for a touchdown, as the Tennessee Titans routed the host Baltimore Ravens 28-12 on Saturday night in the AFC divisional playoff round.

It was the second straight huge playoff performance for Henry, who has placed the sixth-seeded Titans (11-7) within one win of advancing to the Super Bowl. 

Tennessee will travel to face the winner of Sunday's game between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs in next weekend's AFC Championship Game, its first appearance in the game since 2002.

"Watch us work," Henry said afterward on the CBS broadcast. "We don't do too much talking. We're just going to work and believe in each other. That's our mentality, to come out here and work. That's our mindset, focus on business."

Ryan Tannehill threw for two touchdowns despite having just 88 yards passing, and he also rushed for one score as the Titans outplayed the top-seeded Ravens (14-3). Jurrell Casey contributed a big strip sack, while Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro recorded interceptions.

Henry has rushed for 377 yards in the two playoff victories. He had set a franchise record with 182 rushing yards in last week's wild-card round victory over the New England Patriots before breaking it again versus the Ravens. 

Counting a 211-yard performance against the Texans to conclude the regular season, Henry is the first player in NFL history with 180 or more rushing yards in three consecutive games.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 31 of 59 passes for 365 yards, one touchdown, the two picks and the lost fumble. He rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries, but it took him nearly 49 minutes to get the Ravens into the end zone. 

His team fell despite having a 530-300 edge in total offense.

"I had a lot of mistakes -- three turnovers. That shouldn't happen," Jackson said afterward. "But they came out to play, and we started off slow. We just got to do better next time."


Tennessee started the scoring with two touchdowns and held a 14-6 halftime lead before dominating the third quarter.

Henry rushed for 117 yards in the third quarter, including a 66-yard burst on third-and-1 to move the ball to the Baltimore 6-yard line. On third-and-goal from the 3, Henry took the direct snap and paused behind the line before elevating to throw a perfect jump pass to Corey Davis, increasing the lead to 21-6 with 6:54 left in the third quarter.

"Just trying to find the right time to call it and use it," Vrabel said of the trick play. "It was very well executed."

On Baltimore's next play from scrimmage, Casey knocked the ball away from Jackson during the sack, and teammate Jeffery Simmons recovered at the Baltimore 20. 

Six plays later, Tannehill kept the ball on the option, broke through a tackle and scored on third-and-goal from the 1 to make it 28-6 with 4:16 remaining in the third.

Baltimore finally found the end zone when Jackson threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst with 11:04 left in the game. The Ravens' two-point pass was incomplete.

Tannehill got Tennessee moving early by tossing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith, who made a fabulous juggling catch with 3:36 left in the opening quarter. He threw another scoring pass 15 seconds into the second quarter when Kalif Raymond made a diving 45-yard touchdown catch after shedding the coverage of Baltimore's Marlon Humphrey.

Justin Tucker kicked field goals of 49 and 22 in the second quarter for the Ravens, who finished 0-for-4 on fourth down, including two failures on fourth-and-1. Entering the game, Baltimore had not been stopped on a fourth-and-1 all season.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NFL bans Raiders LB Burfict for rest of 2019 season

Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the rest of the 2019 season on Monday for repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules.

The NFL announced Burfict's punishment for the helmet-to-helmet hit that prompted his ejection from Sunday's 31-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The league released a portion of the letter sent to Burfict from NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan:

"There were no mitigating circumstances on this play. Your contact was unnecessary, flagrant and should have been avoided. For your actions, you were penalized and disqualified from the game. Following each of your previous rules violations, you were warned by me and each of the jointly appointed appeal officers that future violations would result in escalated accountability measures. However, you have continued to flagrantly abuse rules designated to protect yourself and your opponents from the unnecessary risk."

Burfict has three days to appeal, which his agent Lamont Smith confirmed on Monday afternoon would take place this week. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the suspension will likely be reduced upon the appeal. 

Two years ago, Burfict had a five-game suspension reduced to three games on appeal.

Smith told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Burfict is returning home from London, where he traveled with the Raiders for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and where he was when he learned of the suspension.

Any appeal would be heard by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, who are jointly appointed to hear appeals of on-field player discipline.

Burfict's helmet-to-helmet hit on tight end Jack Doyle, who was on one knee near midfield after catching a 5-yard pass, took place Sunday with 11:34 left in the second quarter.

Burfict has amassed more than $4 million in on-field conduct fines during a turbulent seven-year stretch with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012-18.

The 29-year-old Burfict was suspended by the NFL to start both the 2016 and 2017 seasons for violation of player-safety policies, and again in 2018 for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

"It's a tough decision, it's a tough call. I think it was a flag," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said of the play in question on Sunday. 

"It was very well-documented that the league was going to review those plays this year in New York City. So, that's what happened and I'll wait to hear what their reasoning was. But it was a penalty, he went in there with his head down, it was called and, unfortunately for us, it was an ejection."

Burfict has recorded 18 tackles in four games with the Raiders since signing a one-year, $5 million contract in March.

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NFL: As Brees heads for surgery, Saints stay silent on who replaces him

WASHINGTON -- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was set for surgery on his throwing hand Wednesday, coach Sean Payton said, while delaying announcement of his NFL replacement until game-time on Sunday.

An initial recovery time for Brees indicated it would be six to eight weeks before the star passer returns, although that is expected to be adjusted once doctors examine Brees after the operation.

For now, Payton says, the team will evaluate Brees each week to see when he might be able to return. The Saints fell to 1-1 with a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday.

Brees, who injured his right thumb in the first quarter, would have been out for at least eight weeks had the Saints elected to place him on injured reserve.

Keeping him off the list allows for his return sooner.

Payton played coy when asked who will start Sunday at Seattle. That could force the Seahawks to prepare for two different sorts of Saints attacks.

Teddy Bridgewater, who replaced Brees against the Rams with limited advance work, struggled to move New Orleans. He will have more of a chance to prepare this week.

So will Taysom Hill, who plays as a runner, receiver, passer and returner for the Saints depending on where they need him most.

"We'll approach this game with two quarterbacks," Payton said.

Payton, known for his offensive schemes, could use either or both in a bid to throw off the Seahawks as he faces his first sustained stretch without Brees since first becoming Saints head coach in 2006, the year Brees arrived at the club.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NFL: Kaepernick thanks first players to kneel during national anthem

Colin Kaepernick used social media to thank the first two players who knelt during the playing of the United States national anthem on the opening Sunday of the National Football League season.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson were the only players reported to kneel before the eight early games kicked off.

"My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed!" Kaepernick said in a Twitter post accompanied by a picture of the two players kneeling.

"They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!

"Love is at the root of our resistance!"

Kaepernick is the most visible face among NFL players who have been using the anthem over the past two years to protest against social injustice and police brutality.

The issue has remained in the spotlight with U.S. President Donald Trump highly critical of the protesting players.

The NFL owners in May approved a rule requiring players to either stand on the field for the anthem or remain in the locker room, but the policy is on hold pending discussions with the NFL Players Association.

Kaepernick is no longer in the league, but remains in the headlines.

He voices a new Nike commercial that was unveiled during the first game of the NFL season between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

If Kaepernick is not backing down as the leader of the player protest movement, then neither is Trump.

On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted a reference to U.S. television ratings for Thursday's game, which started late due to bad weather.

"Wow, NFL first game ratings are way down over an already really bad last year comparison," Trump said.

"Viewership declined 13%, the lowest in over a decade. If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!"

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Old guard eye young guns as NFL season kicks off

LOS ANGELES -- Tom Brady is poised for another gruelling duel against Father Time as the 2018 NFL season kicks off on Thursday with the league's elder statesmen looking over their shoulders at a new generation of quarterbacks.

After years of wondering where and when the natural successors to the likes of Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees would emerge, the NFL now appears to be blessed with a rich seam of talent at its most coveted position.

Last season, at least, there was little indication that the old guard were ready to shuffle off into the sunset.

New England star Brady will head into a remarkable 19th campaign at the age of 41 as the reigning NFL MVP, having led the Patriots into the eighth Super Bowl of his career.

Brady's age-defying statistics -- his 4,577 passing yards were the fourth highest total of his career -- were mirrored by similar standout seasons from his evergreen contemporaries.

Four of the top five passers in 2017 are now 36 or older. New Orleans Saints veteran Brees will start the new campaign at age 39, while Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Roethlisberger and San Diego's Philip Rivers are both 36.

Brady and Brees could both pass significant milestones this year if they are able to reproduce their 2017 form.

Brady needs only 21 touchdown passes to surpass Peyton Manning's haul of 579, the most touchdown passes in league history.

Brees could also supplant Manning's all-time mark for passing yards if he adds another 1,496 yards to his total.

Brady, whose relationship with Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been the subject of intense speculation during the off-season, insists his competitive spirit remains undiminished.

"I really enjoy the competition," Brady said. "I've always thought the approach was being my very best. My motivation comes from not letting my teammates down.

"I know how much people put into it — our coaches, teammates — to have a successful season. We work year-round for it. I don't want to be the reason for why we aren't successful."

- Changing of guard? -

Yet could 2018 mark a changing of the guard? There are plenty of contenders who look well-positioned to challenge the established hierarchy.

The Philadelphia Eagles will open their season against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday with Nick Foles at quarterback, but have 25-year-old Carson Wentz poised to return to fitness following the knee injury which curtailed his dazzling 2017 campaign.

The Los Angeles Rams meanwhile, who have strengthened during the close season, will be looking for another big year from their 23-year-old quarterback Jared Goff, the 2016 number one draft pick.

While Wentz and Goff are obvious contenders, players like Chicago's Mitch Trubisky (24), Houston's DeShaun Watson (22) and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes (22) could also come into the mix.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Brady's long-time understudy at the Patriots, is also expected to be a pivotal figure in his first full season with the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL's quarterback depth will also be enhanced by the return from injury of the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck.

Luck missed the entirety of the 2017 season with a shoulder injury but insists he is fully recovered as he hopes to start delivering on the promise that saw him picked first in the 2012 draft.

Rodgers, meanwhile, regarded by many commentators as the best quarterback in the NFL, starts the new season on a high after agreeing a new $134 million contract.

The 34-year-old two-time NFL MVP missed most of last season after suffering a shoulder injury in week six as the Packers failed to reach the playoffs.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Goodell signs extension to remain NFL Commissioner

Roger Goodell has signed a contract extension to remain the commissioner of the National Football League, according to a letter from the league's compensation committee that was sent to owners on Wednesday.

Financial terms of the contract for Goodell, who has been commissioner of the most popular U.S. sports league since 2006, were not disclosed but multiple media reports said the two sides agreed to a five-year deal worth $200 million.

The contract ends weeks of hostilities during which Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones threatened to sue the NFL and the six owners on the compensation committee.


Jones had said he did not feel the committee understood his demand that all owners - not just the ones who served on the committee that were negotiating the contract - have a voice in approving the terms of Goodell's extension.

"Our Committee unanimously supports the contract and believes that it is fully consistent with "market" compensation and the financial and other parameters outlined to the owners at our May 2017 meeting, as well as in the best interests of ownership," the committee said in the letter.

"We also have expressed in those conversations our strong and unanimous belief that we should proceed to sign the agreement now, consistent with the unanimous May resolution and to avoid further controversy surrounding this issue."

According to the six-person compensation committee, there was a nearly unanimous consensus among the ownership in favor of signing the contract extension now.

Goodell has overseen significant revenue growth for the NFL but has also been the subject of major scrutiny in recent years for his handling of sensitive issues such as domestic violence and concussions.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Ed Osmond)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Players debate NFL's proposed $100 million donation

The NFL proposed joining with its players in a bid to spur social justice change, although not all players are on board with the proposal.

The league submitted the final draft of the proposal to players on Monday that would contribute nearly $100 million to causes considered important to African-American communities.

The NFL is seeking an agreement that players will stand for the anthem in return and put an end to the controversial movement that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began last season.

Players are expected to discuss the proposal during a scheduled conference call Wednesday night. If they accept the league's proposal, then the owners would vote to complete the deal at the annual league meetings in March, according to ESPN.

National funding as part of the league's current plan would offer 25 percent to the United Negro College Fund and another 25 percent to Dream Corps. The Players Coalition, which has filed for paperwork for nonprofit status, would get the remaining 50 percent.


Two players already have expressed displeasure with the NFL's proposal and plan to part from the Players Coalition, a group of approximately 40 players. Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin are viewed as the leaders of the Players Coalition.

San Francisco safety Eric Reid and Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas said they are withdrawing by releasing the same statement on Wednesday.

"With much thought and consideration, I've decided to officially withdraw my involvement in The Players Coalition founded by Malcolm Jenkins and Anquan Boldin," the statement read.

"The Players Coalition was supposed to be formed as a group that represents NFL athletes who have been silently protesting social injustices and racism. However, Malcolm and Anquan can no longer speak on our behalf as we don't believe the coalition's beliefs are in our best interests as a whole.

"We will continue to have dialogue with the league to find equitable solutions but without Malcolm and Anquan as our representative."

Reid was the first player to kneel beside Kaepernick last season during the latter's demonstration to shine a light on police brutality and social injustice.

Kaepernick opted out of his deal with the 49ers in the spring and has remained unsigned with some believing he is being blackballed from the league. Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL in October accusing teams of collusion.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Giants' Beckham out for the season: coach

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery this week to repair the left ankle he injured during the team's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, coach Ben McAdoo said.

After a Chargers defender landed on his ankle following a short passing route in the fourth quarter of the game, Beckham covered his face with one hand and held his leg with the other as he was taken off the field.

The 24-year-old had previously sprained his ankle during the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in August.

"I spoke to Odell after the game. It's a sad situation. It's fair to say his season is over," McAdoo said in quotes posted on the team's Twitter feed.

Beckham has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous receivers.

The injury is a heartbreaking one for the American, who was looking to use a huge season to negotiate a contract that would make him one of the highest paid players in the league.

It is also a significant setback for the Giants, who are 0-5 this season after Sunday's 27-22 loss to the previously winless Chargers.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Bills stun Falcons, Patriots stumble

LOS ANGELES -- The Atlanta Falcons saw their unbeaten start to the NFL season come to a shuddering halt with a 23-17 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on a day of upsets on Sunday.

The Falcons, last season's beaten Super Bowl finalists, saw their perfect start derailed after a gritty performance by the Bills.


Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 242 yards from 24 of 42 attempts but only connected for one touchdown.

Opposite number Tyrod Taylor finished with 182 yards but it was good enough to see the Bills improve to 3-1 to lead the AFC East.

The key moment at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium came in the third quarter when Tre'Davious White galloped 52 yards for a touchdown following a Falcons fumble.

A Stephen Hauschka field goal put the Bills 17-10 ahead only for Ryan to connect with Justin Hardy with a three-yard pass to level the scores.

Two monster Hauschka field goals -- from 56 and 55 yards -- put the Bills 23-17 up however and they held on to claim a deserved win.

"We knew coming into it that they had a very good defense," Falcons star Ryan said. "They have a lot of talent and we just made too many mistakes out there."

A good day for the Bills got better when AFC East rivals the New England Patriots suffered their second home defeat of the season as the Carolina Panthers closed out a thrilling 33-30 win at Gillette Stadium.

Scotland-born Panthers kicker Graham Gano sealed a pulsating win for Carolina with a 48-yard field goal with just four seconds remaining.

Gano's winner was the final act of a dramatic fourth quarter which had seen Tom Brady lead the Patriots back from a 30-16 deficit to level at 30-30.

Brady, who finished with 307 passing yards including two touchdowns with no interceptions, looked to have rescued the reigning Super Bowl champions again after finding Dion Lewis and Danny Amendola in quick succession to tie.

Newton decisive

But Panthers quarterback Cam Newton led his team upfield with a decisive 10-play drive to engineer Gano's winning kick with no time left on the clock.

Newton finished with 316 passing yards for three touchdowns and also rushed for one score as the Panthers improved to 3-1 in the NFC South.

"I feel like this was a breakthrough game for us offensively," said Newton.

The Patriots meanwhile fell to 2-2 in the AFC East, with Brady left admitting the team were way off their peak.

"There's no guarantees and every year is different," said Brady. "We just haven't done a good job at home."

In Dallas, the Los Angeles Rams maintained their impressive start to the season with a 35-30 upset over the Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff finished with 255 passing yards and two touchdowns while the defense sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott three times to help set up the win.

Rams running back Todd Gurley meanwhile outshone Cowboys counterpart Ezekiel Elliott, finishing with 121 rushing yards and a further 94 receiving yards.

The Rams, under the guidance of Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in the NFL at just 31, now lead the NFC West with a 3-1 record.

Elsewhere Sunday, Houston Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson had another scintillating performance in a 57-14 thrashing of the Tennessee Titans.

Watson threw for four touchdowns, finishing with 283 yards after making 25 completions from 34 attempts.

In the early game in London, Drew Brees passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints to a 20-0 win over a lacklustre Miami Dolphins side.

The win saw the Saints improve to 2-2 after an 0-2 start to the season.

"Those first two weeks weren't what we aspired to be -- we played two really good football teams," Brees said.

"(Since then), basically we've had two road wins at Carolina and here against the Dolphins, who have a really good defense and are a really good football team."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Chicago cops kneel in protest stance

CHICAGO - Chicago police were thrust Tuesday into a political debate over kneeling during the US national anthem, after a photo of two officers in the protest pose appeared on social media.

The photo was posted Sunday by anti-violence activist Aleta Clark on her Instagram account. By Tuesday it had graced the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper and earned the officers a reprimand.

The kneeling pose during the national anthem is a symbolic protest over racial injustice popularized by American football player Colin Kaepernick.

It has become the object of a public feud between President Donald Trump and the National Football League (NFL).

The Instagram photo showed Clark posing with two uniformed Chicago police officers kneeling with one hand raised in a fist. Clark told AFP she had gone to two police stations to ask officers to pose for the photo.


"I wanted to see if there were officers that were in agreement that racism was wrong and that police brutality was also wrong," Clark said.

Officers at the first station she visited, whom she described as "Caucasian," declined. Two African-American officers at the second station agreed.

"It takes a lot for a person to sacrifice, to possibly jeopardize their careers, for something they believe in. That's heroic," Clark said of the officers.

Chicago, the third largest US city, has one of the highest number of shootings and murders in the country. Its police department also has a strained relationship with black communities, following a history of abuses.

The police department would not name the officers in the photo, but said that their actions had violated department policy.

"We... addressed this in the same way we handled a previous incident of potential political activity while in uniform (officers with a MAGA hat)," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told AFP by email.

Guglielmi was referring to the acronym for Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

"The officers will be reprimanded and reminded of the policies concerning appearance and conduct while on-duty and in uniform," he said.

Trump called for players who engage in the kneeling protest to be fired, prompting a public outcry and more than 150 NFL players over the weekend engaging in symbolic protests at games.

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source: news.abs-cbn.com

NFL: Patriots rout Saints, Broncos down Cowboys

Patriots 36, Saints 20

Tom Brady threw for 302 of his 447 passing yards in a 30-point first-half explosion and New England rebounded from a season-opening loss to Kansas City with a rout of New Orleans.


Brady connected on 19 of 25 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone as New England (1-1) raced to a 30-13 lead and coasted to the win over the Saints (0-2).

It was the first time in Brady's career -- spanning 273 games -- that he threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter. He hit three different players - running back Rex Burkhead for 19 yards, tight end Rob Gronkowski for 53 and wide receiver Chris Hogan for 13 - and finished 30 of 39 for 447 yards.

The Patriots finished with 555 yards in total offense with Gronkowski catching six passes for 116 yards before leaving with a reported groin injury.

Drew Brees (27 of 44 for 356 yards and two touchdowns) tried to keep the Saints close, connecting with Brandon Coleman on a five-yard fade that began a 10-point comeback in the second quarter and cut New England's lead to 20-13.

- - -

Broncos 42, Cowboys 17

Quarterback Trevor Siemian shook off a pair of costly turnovers to throw for four touchdowns, and the Denver Broncos dominated the Dallas Cowboys in a game that was suspended for about an hour due to the danger of lightning strikes.

Denver's defense capped its performance with a flourish as cornerback Aqib Talib returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown, stepping in front of Dak Prescott's end-zone pass intended for Dez Bryant and sprinting down the sideline for the score.

Siemian completed 22 of 32 for 231 yards and had touchdown passes of 10 and 6 yards to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, along with a 16-yard scoring pass to C.J. Anderson and 2 yards to tight end Virgil Green.

- - -

Chiefs 27, Eagles 20

Two second-half touchdowns from running back Kareem Hunt on runs of 53 and two yards helped Kansas City (2-0) pull away from Philadelphia (1-1).

The second gave the Chiefs a 27-13 lead.

Kansas City had gone ahead for good with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to tight end Travis Kelce that put the Chiefs up 20-13.

Raiders, 45, Jets 20

Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes to wide receiver Michael Crabtree, running back Jalen Richard scored on a 52-yard run and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had a 43-yard scoring run as Oakland (2-0) rolled to an easy victory over New York (0-2).

Running back Marshawn Lynch carried 12 times for 45 yards and scored on a 2-yard touchdown in his first home game with the Raiders.

- - -

Panthers 9, Bills 3

The Carolina Panthers relied on relentless defense and three Graham Gano field goals for a victory over the Buffalo.

The Bills (1-1) put together a potential winning drive, moving to the Carolina 32 in the final minute before quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw incomplete to rookie receiver Zay Jones at the Carolina 2 on fourth down with nine seconds left.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton completed 20 of 32 passes for 228 yards. The Panthers (2-0) lost tight end Greg Olsen to a first-half injured right foot.

- - -

Steelers 26, Vikings 9

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 23 of 35 passes for 243 yards and two first-half touchdowns for Pittsburgh (2-0).

Roethlisberger threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Martavis Bryant to cap the Steelers' second possession and found JuJu Smith-Schuster for a four-yard shovel pass in the second quarter as Minnesota fell to 1-1.

- - -

Seahawks 12, 49ers 9

Russell Wilson's nine-yard touchdown pass to Paul Richardson with just over seven minutes remaining sent the Seahawks past San Francisco (0-2).

Wilson overcame a poor passing performance on a rainy afternoon to put together a 10-play, 82-yard drive that included several scrambles for first downs before throwing the go-ahead touchdown pass to Richardson.

- - -

Cardinals 16, Colts 13 (overtime)

Phil Dawson's 30-yard field goal with 8:02 remaining in overtime rallied Arizona (1-1) from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit at Indianapolis (0-2)

Dawson kicked the winner after free safety Tyrann Mathieu intercepted Indianapolis quarterback Jacoby Brissett at the Colts 22 on the first play of overtime.

- - -

Dolphins 19, Chargers 17

Cody Parkey kicked his fourth field goal, a 54 yarder with 65 seconds remaining, to send Miami (1-0) past the Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)

Charger rookie Younghoe Koo's 44-yard field goal with five seconds left was off the mark. It was the second straight week Koo had failed to win or tie a game in the closing seconds.

- - -

Buccaneers 29, Bears 7

Tampa Bay (1-0) led 26-0 at halftime against the Bears (0-2) who had four first-half turnovers.

The Bucs turned two of the takeaways into touchdowns -- a 13-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston to wide receiver Mike Evans and a 1-yard run by Jacquizz Rodgers.

Bears quarterback Mike Glennon completed 31 of 45 passes for 301 yards, but was haunted by a pair of critical second-quarter errors.

- - -

Ravens 24, Browns 10

Joe Flacco threw a pair of touchdown passes and Baltimore (2-0) forced five turnovers in the victory over Cleveland (0-2).

Flacco completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 217 yards and an interception.

Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer left with a migraine midway through the second quarter but returned.

- - -

Titans 37, Jaguars 16

Tennessee (1-1) forced three turnovers and scored on their first five drives of the second half to defeat Jacksonville (1-1).

The Titans had four straight touchdowns - by running back Derrick Henry, tight ends Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith and fullback Jalston Fowler.

- - -

Redskins 27, Rams 20

Kirk Cousins' 11-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Grant with 1:49 remaining lifted the Washington Redskins over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Redskins jumped to a 13-0 lead and never trailed. The Rams caught up to tie it, 20-20, in the fourth quarter, but never led.

(Editing by Gene Cherry)

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Elliott shines on the field despite threat of suspension

It was just another 100-yard game for Ezekiel Elliott who ran like a carefree Dallas Cowboys rusher on Sunday and not the polarising player who is facing potential suspension from the NFL.

Elliott suited up for the Cowboys' season-opening 19-3 win over the New York Giants after a court injunction froze a six-game ban from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The second-year player rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries and was a dominant force throughout the night against the Giants.

Elliott was banned by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month after a 13-month investigation into allegations of assaulting his former girlfriend.

"It just feels good to be out here with these boys," Elliott told reporters after the contest.

"It’s definitely been a tough last 14 months.

"Your name is getting dragged through the mud. Being associated with (the accusations), that’s tough."

Elliott, who also made five catches for 36 yards against the Giants, has maintained his innocence and was neither arrested nor charged over the allegations.

The NFL Players Association filed a restraining order seeking to block any suspension for Elliott, and a Texas judge ruled the player didn't receive a fair hearing during his appeal against the ban.

"I’m relieved that I’ll finally get a fair trial and a chance to prove my innocence,” said Elliott, who won the NFL's rushing crown as rookie in 2016.

"I’m glad I’m able to be with these guys for as long as it’s permitted, and not having to miss time and be away from them."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty / Ian Ransom)

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Cowboys control Giants in 19-3 win

Ezekiel Elliott made his presence felt, but the Dallas Cowboys' defense made a greater impact as it shut down the New York Giants in the season opener on Sunday night.

The Cowboys limited the Giants to 233 total yards, paving the way for Dallas' 19-3 victory on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.

Elliott, playing after an injunction filed against the NFL allowed him to start the season despite a six-game suspension, rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries.

The Cowboys didn't score in the second half until 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dan Bailey booted his fourth field goal, from 36 yards, for the game's final points.

The lack of second-half offense didn't matter after Dallas controlled the first half on the way to a 16-0 halftime lead.

The Giants opened the second half with a 68-yard drive that more than doubled their total yards to that point. New York reached the Dallas 4-yard line before Charles Tapper sacked Eli Manning for a 9-yard loss, causing the Giants to settle for Aldrick Rosas' 25-yard field goal.

That ended up being New York's most successful drive of the game.

Anthony Brown intercepted a Manning pass at the Cowboys 48-yard line midway through the fourth quarter to set up Dallas' final scoring drive.

Jason Witten had a productive first half as the Cowboys tight end became the team's career receiving yards leader and scored Dallas' first touchdown of the season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott tossed to Witten for an 11-yard gain in the second quarter that brought Witten's career total to 11,890 receiving yards, passing Michael Irvin's previous team record of 11,888.

Witten then capped a touchdown drive late in the first half. Prescott hit the tight end on a slant pass for a 12-yard score that put Dallas ahead 13-0 with 1:41 left in the second quarter.

Witten finished the first half with six receptions for 49 yards, and he ended the game with seven catches for 59 yards.

The Dallas defense dominated the first half, holding New York to 50 yards of total offense and just two first downs.

Without Odell Beckham Jr., who sustained a left ankle injury in the preseason and missed the Sunday game, Manning passed for 33 yards in the first half.

Dallas forced one final three-and-out before the break that allowed the Cowboys' offense to move in for Bailey's third field goal, this one from 42 yards. Bailey also made kicks from 21 and 48 yards in the half.

Prescott completed 24 of 39 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Manning was 29 of 38 for 220 yards and one interception.

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NFL: Former Giants player Brown banned six more games

NEW YORK - The National Football League slapped American Josh Brown with an additional six-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy due to domestic violence accusations, the US media reported on Friday.

The former New York Giant kicker served a one-game suspension at the start of the 2016 season after domestic violence allegations were made by his ex-wife.

"We reopened the investigation based on new info," the NFL said in a text to American sports broadcaster ESPN.


"Concluded there was a violation of our personal conduct policy and imposed six-game suspension, which he accepted without appeal."

The new ban is mostly a procedural move since the 38-year-old Brown hasn't kicked in the NFL since the Giants cut him loose in October.

Brown is expected to begin serving the six-game suspension immediately even though he remains unsigned.

Brown was placed on the exempt list in October when the NFL decided to launch a further investigation into his May 2015 arrest for alleged domestic violence. The Giants cut Brown four days after he was put on the exempt list

Brown was never charged by police.

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Former NFL star player kills 3-yr-old daughter in accident: media

Former NFL star player Todd Heap hit and killed his 3-year-old daughter on Friday while he was moving his truck in his driveway at his Arizona home, media reported.

The unidentified girl was hit at about 4 p.m. in Mesa, Arizona. Rescue workers took the girl to the hospital where she died, an ABC affiliate reported.

Heap was not impaired and there was no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident, police told ABC 15 Arizona.

The Pro Bowl tight end played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. Heap, a popular player with the Ravens during his 10 years in Baltimore, remains the team's all-time touchdown leader with 41.

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NFL owners approve Raiders' move to Las Vegas

SAN FRANCISCO - National Football League team owners gave the green light on Monday to the Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas, paving the way for the building of a $1.9 billion stadium in the U.S. gambling capital.

The plan by Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has been the driving force behind the relocation effort, won the support of 31 of the league's 32 owners, with only the Miami Dolphins' ownership dissenting.

"My father used to say that the greatness of the Raiders was in its future," Davis said, referring to Al Davis, from whom he inherited the team in 2011.

"The opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world will give us the opportunity to achieve that greatness," he told reporters following the vote.

The Raiders will play the 2017, 2018 and possibly 2019 seasons in Oakland before kicking off the 2020 season in Las Vegas, Davis said.

   

It marks the second time Oakland fans will see the Raiders leave the city where they began play in 1960 in the old American Football League.

The team, known for its black and silver uniforms and working-class appeal, played in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994 before returning to Oakland. The team won two Super Bowl championships in Oakland in 1977 and 1981 and one in Los Angeles in 1984.

Oakland is also about to lose their NBA team, the Golden State Warriors, which is building an arena in neighboring San Francisco

Davis acknowledged some fans in Oakland would be disappointed and even angry at the decision, but said frustration should be directed at him and not the team's coaches or players.

He said his goal in the meantime was to "bring a championship back to Oakland."

MOVE HAD BEEN IN DOUBT
The Las Vegas relocation plan appeared to be all but dead after casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and later Goldman Sachs changed their minds earlier this year about helping to finance the stadium construction.

Adelson had pledged up to $650 million toward construction of the domed stadium but pulled his support in January after the team presented a lease proposal without his knowledge.

The Raiders secured financing to replace Adelson's portion from Bank of America Corp.

An additional $750 million will come from public funds via a visitor's tax on Las Vegas strip hotel rooms.

The Raiders will become the second major professional sports franchise to be based in Las Vegas. The National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights begin playing in the 2017-18 season.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf made an 11th-hour push over the weekend to convince the owners and the NFL to delay the vote so she could promote a plan to keep the team in Oakland. It included a new, $1.3 billion stadium.

The plan would also have set aside land for the Oakland Athletics baseball team, which currently shares the 51-year-old Oakland Coliseum with the Raiders.

"We had a fully financed, shovel-ready project that was a public-private partnership and we are incredibly disappointed that was not selected," Schaaf told a news conference on Monday.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there were too many unanswered questions surrounding the Oakland stadium plan for it to be viable.

"We understand that contingencies sometimes occur but major contingencies that put the entire project into doubt are just unreasonable," he said at a new conference, citing issues about where the stadium would be located and the fate of the Athletics, who are seeking a new ballpark.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Peter Cooney)

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Patriots complete comeback to stun Falcons, win Super Bowl

HOUSTON --  Tom Brady inspired the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history as the New England Patriots stunned the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime here Sunday.

Brady became the first quarterback in history to win five Super Bowls after the Patriots overturned a 28-3 third quarter deficit to snatch a sensational victory at Houston's NRG Stadium.

Brady, 39, collapsed to the turf with emotion after James White burrowed over from close range to score the winning touchdown on the opening drive of overtime.

It completed an incredible comeback for the Patriots, who had looked dead and buried after the Falcons scored three first half touchdowns and an early score in the third quarter to power 25 points clear.

No team had ever come back from more than 10 points to win the Super Bowl before, and the Patriots looked to be heading for a crushing defeat as the Falcons ran riot.

But Brady, who had looked a pale imitation of himself for much of the game, suddenly fired into life in the second half to produce a performance that will go into National Football League folklore.

The Falcons, who had gone into the game boasting one of the most potent offenses in history, were left distraught and still waiting for their first ever Super Bowl.

They had appeared to be roaring to the championship with quarterback Matt Ryan pulling apart the Patriots in the first half.

- Falcons dominant -

The Falcons scored touchdowns through Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper before Robert Alford picked off Brady for an 82-yard interception score.

The Patriots could only muster a Stephen Gostkowski field goal to go into half-time 21-3 down.

A shellshocked Brady looked bereft after his interception blunder and it got worse for the Patriots early in the third quarter.

The misfiring Patriots offense again squandered their next possession and Atlanta were back on the charge, powering forward with a nine-play drive that ended with Ryan lobbing a six-yard pass to Tevin Coleman for a touchdown.

New England grabbed what looked like a consolation score when Brady found running back White to make it 28-9.

But Gostkowski missed the extra point afterwards, and it seemed as if all Atlanta had to do was ride out the clock.

But a further Gostkowski field goal made it 28-12 and when Brady hit Danny Amendola for a six-yard touchdown, with a successful two-point conversion to follow, it had suddenly become a one-score game.

Now the Falcons were flustered and a crucial drive faltered and the Patriots won the ball back.

Brady marched his team upfield and White scampered in from one yard to make it 28-26. Another two-point conversion followed to make it 28-28 and take the game to overtime for the first time in history.

The Patriots won the toss and elected to receive and with momentum clearly on their side, there was only going to be one outcome.

Brady, just as he had done in his first Super Bowl victory in 2002, nervelessly led his team upfield and soon they were camped on the Atlanta line.

It was left to White to score his third touchdown of the night to clinch an amazing victory.

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Rawls, Seahawks run past Lions

Thomas Rawls ran for 161 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown as the Seattle Seahawks continued their home playoff success with a 26-6 victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

Seattle advanced to an NFC Divisional playoff game at Atlanta after winning their 10th consecutive home postseason contest. The Seahawks have not lost a postseason game at home since 2005.

The winner of Sunday's Green Bay-New York Giants game travel to Dallas to face the top-seeded Cowboys in the other NFC Divisional game.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, playing without a knee brace for the first time since Week 3, completed 22 of 30 passes for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns.


Rawls had 107 of his 161 rushing yards before halftime and broke the game open with a 4-yard touchdown run with 8:49 remaining. That score, which was followed by a failed point-after kick, put Seattle up 19-6.

Rawls had 27 carries on Saturday after an injury-plagued regular season that saw him accumulate just 349 rushing yards.

The Lions failed to get across midfield on their next possession, and Seattle ate up almost four minutes of clock before Wilson threw his second touchdown pass to put the game away with 3:36 remaining.

Detroit held Seattle to one touchdown over the first three quarters and pulled within 10-6 on Matt Prater's 53-yard field goal with 4:08 left in the third quarter.

Seattle's Steven Hauschka kicked a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Prater, who booted a 51-yarder just before halftime, became the first kicker in NFL history to make two field goals of at least 50 yards in a playoff game.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 18 of 32 passes for 205 yards for the Lions, who have lost their last nine playoff games -- an NFL record -- and are 1-11 in postseason play since 1957.

Detroit's only playoff win in a span of nearly 60 years came in 1992 over Dallas.

The Lions had only 231 yards of offense. Detroit scored only one second-half touchdown during its season-ending four-game losing streak.

Wilson threw a pair of highlight-worthy touchdown passes to Paul Richardson and Doug Baldwin. Richardson's one-handed catch of a 4-yard touchdown was one of two receptions the wide receiver made with one hand while a defender was called for pass interference.

Wilson finished off his day by throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, who reached out to take the ball away from intended target Jermaine Kearse with 3:36 remaining.

Baldwin caught 11 passes for 104 yards, while Richardson added three receptions for 48 yards and the touchdown.

Seattle advanced to the divisional round for the fifth year in a row and play a playoff game in Atlanta for the second time since the 2012 postseason. The Falcons beat the Seahawks 30-28 at the Georgia Dome in a 2012 divisional game.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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