SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Three touchdowns on the San Francisco 49ers’ first three series set the stage for Sunday’s rout, which featured a season high in points.

But it was the 49ers’ greedy defense that stole the spotlight, forced five turnovers after halftime and valiantly protected the lead in a 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Los Agneles Chargers sank deeper into the NFL basement Sunday, and inched ever closer to the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft.

They lost at home to the Houston Texans, 44-22, absorbing their most lopsided loss before a half-filled SoFi Stadium, where the get-in ticket prices last week dipped below $15 on the secondary market.

...Read more

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots got smacked by the Green Bay Packers and reality in a 45-27 loss Sunday.

Safety Kevin Byard and quarterback Drake Maye called the Week 9 matchup against the Packers a “measuring stick game.” The Patriots didn’t measure up to a team with an explosive offense and a disruptive defense. They’ll...Read more

LANDOVER, Md. — Count Puka Nacua among the legion of Los Angeles Rams players who suffered injuries this season.

Nacua was sidelined for two games because of a hip injury and he has produced at an All-Pro level despite a calf problem.

But Nacua remains the Rams’ biggest weapon — with edge rusher Myles Garrett making his own case for ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles’ reign is over. The NFC East is New York Giants territory now.

Sunday’s 19-11 win by John Harbaugh’s team snapped a 13-game Giant skid at Lincoln Financial Field dating back to 2013 and improved New York’s first place record to 5-2-1.

Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese sacked Philadelphia ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs won a game comfortably after they spent the majority of it uncomfortable.

That’s especially the quarterback, who injured his elbow before returning.

The Chiefs beat the New York Jets 35-12 to snap a two-game skid.

Patrick Mahomes was in considerable pain after taking a second-quarter sack, ...Read more

LANDOVER, Md. — Count Puka Nacua among the legion of Los Angeles Rams players who suffered injuries this season.

Nacua was sidelined for two games because of a hip injury and has been playing through a calf issue.

But Nacua remains the Rams’ biggest weapon.

On Sunday, Nacua caught 14 passes for a season-high 150 yards and a touchdown and...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Trap game, let-down spot — whatever you want to call it, the Detroit Lions had an extremely slow start offensively against the one-win Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

The Lions couldn't block and couldn't throw for nearly three full quarters following two massive divisional wins, performing a high-wire ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings are an unusual 6-1 squad in that their identity isn’t personified by a quarterback, an offensive-minded head coach or a superstar receiver.

Nope, the team’s current identity is gritty, not Griddy.

It’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores entering the arena with a steely glare and a lion’s gait. It’s Flores ...Read more

CHICAGO — Jeremy Garrett was in his office on Oct. 29, a Thursday morning, working on the game plan for an upcoming matchup with the Seattle Seahawks when he heard a knock on the door.

Dennis Allen, his boss and the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, stood in the doorway. Allen had some good news for his defensive line coach.

But that’s ...Read more

DENVER — We say this with love, Chiefs Kingdom. But go flag yourselves.

Seriously. The complaints. The whining. The Zapruder-like breakdowns. Back and to the left. Back and to the left. Well, you know what? Jaylon Moore went back and to the right. Back and to the right.

It’s one of the most impactful fourth-down plays in the recent history...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Union Station officials ushered in “The Berlin Wall: A World Divided” exhibition, they sought to do what they do with every traveling presentation: incorporate uniquely regional and Kansas City flourishes.

So it features such elements as a look at British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s 1946 “Iron Curtain”...Read more

CHICAGO — It’s increasingly evident that the Chicago Bears have assembled quite the collection of pass catchers for Caleb Williams — but it’s not a simple matter of the more weapons he has, the better his production will be.

Williams has a lot on his plate, from checking alignments and setting up the right protections before the snap, ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Honk! Honk! Get out of the way, NFL. The Jagwagon is coming through!

And I have an important announcement from behind the wheel of this teal-and-black, touchdown-scoring, Trevor Lawrence-loving, Liam Coen-coached bandwagon:

We may have to make a slight detour on our way to Roarrrrrr-lando next season.

A little side trip to ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Has Lamar Jackson taken his last snap in a Ravens uniform?

That provocative question has circulated among a portion of Baltimore’s fan base over the past week, as another injury, this time a damaged thumb, clouds the quarterback’s season and an unresolved contract situation invites speculation about his future.

After watching...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Rams safety Quentin Lake says he texted Justin Herbert to apologize for comments he made about the Chargers quarterback on a podcast earlier this week.

So far, Lake said Friday afternoon, he hasn’t heard back.

“I don’t know if he read it,” Lake told The Los Angeles Times. “He probably says, ‘I don’t care about it ...Read more

NEW YORK — When John Harbaugh said “I can call Steve Bisciotti” on Monday and referred to the Baltimore Ravens owner as a “great friend,” he was speaking hypothetically about the connections he might work to do business around the league.

But after Thursday’s 33-10 Baltimore beatdown loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Harbaugh should...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brandon Aiyuk resurfaced Friday afternoon after being estranged from the 49ers for over a year, although the location was a surprise.

Rather than accompany his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium headquarters, their sit-down with unspecified team officials took place a block away at the team’s ...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — Eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson, who the Seahawks acquired in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts last week, will not play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals due to a preexisting knee injury that will require “a minor procedure,” coach Mike Macdonald announced Friday.

Macdonald said Nelson for now will not be ...Read more