CHICAGO — Three images of Mike Ditka filled the large screen outside the south entrance of Soldier Field Friday afternoon alongside simple text, “1939-2026.”

Michael Barone, 48, of New Jersey, stopped to take a picture.

“He was an icon. It’s tragic when you lose someone like that,” Barone said. “He embodies Chicago. He was that ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was ruled out for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after missing his third straight day of practice Friday in Owings Mills with a sprained left ankle.

Coach Jesse Minter said that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will not play, meaning Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will start for ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 1985 Chicago Bears are remembered as one of the greatest teams in NFL history, as they steamrolled three opponents in the postseason on the way to an 18-1 record.

After throttling the New England Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX, the Bears held a huge parade in Chicago. A few weeks later, running back Walter Payton and...Read more

CHICAGO — Mike Ditka imagined there was a life plan for him, a vision or a calling that he was meant to do one thing.

“I believe that everyone has a destiny in life, and mine is with the Chicago Bears,” he said when he was hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history Jan. 20, 1982. “I’m going to give Chicago a winning football ...Read more

CHICAGO — There are two flags flying on the flagpoles outside Halas Hall on any given day: the stars and stripes, and a Chicago Bears flag.

On Friday, the Bears flag stood at half-staff. The franchise lost an icon with the death of Mike Ditka at age 86.

“As far as I’m concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place,”...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — I wasn’t a fan of the Miami Dolphins signing quarterback Malik Willis in the offseason. So what’s my evaluation of Willis after four games, roughly the one-quarter mark of the 17-game season?

I kinda like him. I see potential there.

Yeah, this represents a bit of a change.

I’m the guy who wrote two columns during...Read more

DENVER — Bo Nix has a legendary coach as a father, but he’s running an offense not even his mother can love.

Through four games, the Broncos are the only team averaging less than 200 yards passing and 85 yards rushing.

“I think when it comes to the Xs and Os, my mom (Krista) all the time, she’s like, ‘You all should’ve done this. ...Read more

BALTIMORE — The preseason games are over now.

Baltimore had its extended exhibition season playing Indianapolis, New Orleans, Dallas and Tennessee during the first four games of the regular season, but the Ravens are about to enter the meat of their schedule Sunday night in Atlanta, followed by a road game in Cleveland, hosting Cincinnati, ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Sometimes I feel like I missed my window. As a sportswriter, I mean. Paul Simon has a song called “Born at the Right Time” that he released in 1990, which is fitting, because when it comes to covering pro sports, I struggle to shake the sense that I was born at the wrong time.

It would have been cooler, and perhaps more ...Read more

It’s alive!

Left for dead just a week ago, the 2026 NFL season is born again in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs pulled off their biggest upset in years behind rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels and a late interception by Alex Anzalone to beat the Cowboys, 24-16, in Dallas on Thursday night.

With the NFC South in a typical mediocre morass, the Bucs are on...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Both NFL most valuable players. Both bound for Canton. Both surgically precise with their passes.

Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen are two of the best liars in football.

Peyton Manning sat in the studio and cued the video. Stafford looked off a Philadelphia safety last Sunday to hold him in place. He froze a cornerback with a ...Read more

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins better be prepared to face at least member of the NFL’s best receiving duos in Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ja’Marr Chase, who suffered a concussion in last Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, participated in Thursday’s practice. While his involvement was limited, returning to ...Read more

CHICAGO — When it comes to the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, you can never take any statistical advantage as a given. But there’s one phase of the game — at least on paper — the Bears seem to have the Packers over a barrel: the running game.

The Bears enter Sunday’s Week 5 matchup at Lambeau Field boasting the No. 1 rushing ...Read more

Here's a look back at Week 4's action and fantasy advice for the week ahead:

WEEK 4 RECAP

Browns 27, Steelers 24: Deshaun Watson threw for 268 yards and Harold Fannin Jr. caught another touchdown as Cleveland survived Aaron Rodgers’ 299-yard, three-TD performance, but the Browns’ five sacks and two interceptions reinforced why their ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Third time’s the charm.

On Thursday, ESPN host and former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Stephen A. Smith fully apologized to both Lane Johnson and the Eagles for making light of the All-Pro’s mental health issues following his surprise retirement from the team.

“My intent was joking about the Eagles. My bottom line is ...Read more

DENVER — The Davis Webb play-calling experience, at least in its original form, lasted all of four games.

Head coach Sean Payton is set to be more heavily involved in offensive play-calling going forward, sources told The Denver Post on Thursday. It remains unclear whether Payton is assuming full play-calling duties or something short of that...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 5 of the NFL season.

All lines and over/under numbers are according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Last week, Farmer posted an 11-5 (.688) record. Through the first four weeks of the season, he is 37-27 (.578).

Using point spreads with the scores Farmer ...Read more

MIAMI — Zach Sieler played one of the best games of his nine-year NFL career on Sunday, delivering his seventh multi-sack game.

Chop Robinson finally flashed the talent and edge rushing that made him the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, producing 10 pressures and one sack in Miami’s 15-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“I was ...Read more

NEW YORK — Malik Nabers shouted at the Giants sideline during Sunday’s second half because he wanted the ball more. Now it’s not clear if he’s going to be able to play at all.

Nabers sat out Wednesday’s practice with soreness in his surgically repaired right knee and said it might sideline him for this week’s game at Washington.

�...Read more