BALTIMORE — Declan Doyle didn’t wait long to suggest one of the more significant changes Lamar Jackson has made going into what is his ninth NFL season.

The first time Doyle spoke with the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Jackson wasn’t even sure yet that Doyle would be the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. It was late January, and the ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — There has been a great deal of focus about the development of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza and how his success or failure will ultimately decide the fate of the Las Vegas Raiders over the next few years.

That is with good reason.

NFL teams can’t miss on first-round quarterbacks, especially those drafted No. 1 overall. A ...Read more

MIAMI — Whether it’s a byproduct of money paid or owed, the draft pick used to select them or an elevated status created by injuries, windows of opportunity for NFL stardom open and close with the consistency and speed of a blinking eye.

Those who thrive in professional sports’ most physical game are the ones who seize on it.

For many ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers come full circle — again.

It has been more than three years since the teams executed a trade that proved monumental for both franchises.

On March 10, 2023, the Bears traded the No. 1 pick in that year’s draft to the Panthers, acquiring the Nos. 9 and 61 picks in 2023, a first-round pick ...Read more

SEATTLE — Losing Wednesday night’s season opener to the Seahawks was the likely outcome heading into Week 1 for the Patriots.

Losing to Drew Lock, however? Inconceivable.

But Lock wound up outplaying Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who finished the game with one touchdown and three interceptions in the 13-10 loss to the Seahawks.

The ...Read more

SEATTLE — A night that began in celebration of last season ended in celebration of the beginning of a new one.

In between came a lot of angst as the Seahawks lost Sam Darnold to a hip injury five plays into the game and were held scoreless for most of the first three quarters.

Backup Drew Lock led a rally from a 10-0 deficit, aided by ...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 1 of the NFL season.

Last season, including playoffs, Sam Farmer posted a 181-104 record (.635).

Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, his record against the spread last season was 130-155 (.466). All team records shown below are ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman spoke for the first time Wednesday since news broke last month of his arrest earlier this summer on a family violence battery charge involving the mother of his child.

“There’s only so much I can say right now,” Bateman said. “It’s a legal situation. I’m looking forward to just ...Read more

Football loves an adage, an axiom, a sacred cow it can chew on talk radio until everyone’s teeth hurt.

And two of the sport’s favorites make zero sense when you shove them into the same room.

We’re told that football is the ultimate team game. Twenty-two starters, plus specialists, all must be locked in precise sync — where a single ...Read more

GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 1 THURSDAY PICK

49ERS (0-0) vs. RAMS (0-0) in Melbourne, Australia

Line: LAR by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: LAR, 27-24.

TV: 8:35 p.m., Thursday, Netflix.

G’day, mate. Welcome to the land Down Und-ah. The first of Week 1’s five division games also is the first ever NFL regular-season faceoff in Australia — and first of...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will back up Vikings starter Kyler Murray in Week 1, head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a news conference Wednesday.

Wentz, who re-signed this March after first joining the Vikings on a one-year contract in August 2025, supplants J.J. McCarthy in the No. 2 role.

“This gives us the best ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders got one of their star players back for Wednesday’s practice at the team facility.

Another was notably absent and is now expected to miss some time.

Tight end Brock Bowers underwent a procedure on his knee this week and will miss at least Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, though his absence is not...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Ask Mike McDaniel where his head is, and you'll get a philosophical answer.

Ask him where his feet are, and you'll get the same.

"That's a huge compass for me, or a guiding measurement — being where my feet are," said McDaniel, Yale-educated offensive coordinator of the Chargers.

To him, that means living in the present. Not...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Before the Eagles won two Super Bowls, before they established themselves as a franchise that expects and is expected to compete for a championship every year, before they built the defense they have now — a defense that might be the best in the NFL this season — there was a moment that scarred everyone who cheered for or ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — When their careers end, quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Davante Adams are probably headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and defensive end Myles Garrett are locks.

That is the top end of a Rams roster that also boasts All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, Pro ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Remember how the Ravens’ 2025 season ended? No, not the kick.

What stands out most is that then-42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown strike to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left to give the Steelers the lead in a 26-24 win that sealed the AFC North title...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Blockbuster trades and high-profile free-agent signings have been Rams trademarks during the Sean McVay era, but success also has been built on more subtle transactions.

After the Seattle Seahawks exposed the secondary — and especially cornerbacks — in the Rams' NFC championship game defeat last season, McVay and Rams ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — So much for the deadline. Baker Mayfield has a new deal.

The Buccaneers quarterback, who had refused to negotiate a contract extension after reporting to training camp, reached an agreement on a three-year deal with the team Tuesday.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg reached out to ...Read more

The last player on your fantasy bench should never get comfortable.

He should know that every Tuesday morning you’re checking snap rates, goal-line carries, route participation and target shares for somebody younger, faster or simply more gainfully employed.

Too many fantasy managers treat the roster they drafted like a legally binding ...Read more