Alejandro Villanueva said he never intended to stand alone during the national anthem on Sunday and apologized to his teammates and coach Mike Tomlin for what he called "a very embarrassing" butchering of the team's pregame plan.

"Every single time I see that picture of me standing by myself, I feel embarrassed," Villanueva said.

Villanueva, ...Read more

On Monday, Carolina Panthers owner and founder Jerry Richardson became the 31st team or team owner to release a statement following the remarks President Donald Trump directed at NFL players over the weekend.

"We are proud of the men we have on this football team," the statement read. "Our players have been active and impactful participants in ...Read more

PHOENIX -- The Dallas Cowboys plan to protest during the national anthem before Monday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, per multiple sources.

Nothing has been firmed up and they will likely come to some decision in the locker room. It may not be a coordinated effort. It may just be a few individuals.

One player said, "We have to do ...Read more

HYATTSVILLE, Md. -- The Raiders engaged in a peaceful protest Sunday night and then took pacifism to an extreme in a 27-10 loss to Washington at FedEx Field.

Most Raiders players, arms interlocked and faces deadly serious, did not stand for the national anthem in a form of protest against racial oppression that took different forms throughout ...Read more

CARSON, Calif. -- The streak continues.

Thanks to a pick-happy defense -- one that also found a way to consistently get off the field on third down, despite a largely dormant pass rush -- and a big run by rookie star Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs got their seventh straight victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 24-10 at the StubHub Center ...Read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- So much for the Seahawks' defense carrying the offense.

On a day when the much-maligned Seattle offense showed its most sustained life of the year, the defense fell apart by allowing Tennessee to pass and run all over them in a 33-27 victory at Nissan Stadium.

With the defeat, Seattle fell to 1-2 for the first time since ...Read more

CHICAGO -- The Steelers lost to another big underdog on the road when the Chicago Bears beat them in overtime, 23-17, Sunday at Soldier Field.

The loss dropped the Steelers to 2-1. Chicago, a 7.5-point underdog, won its first game and dropped the Steelers franchise record to 1-13 in Chicago.

The Bears won the toss and took over at the 26 after...Read more

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Sunday in one of the wildest, wackiest finishes you'll ever see.

The Lions appeared to score the go-ahead touchdown against the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons with 8 seconds to play, but Golden Tate was ruled inches short of the goal line on review and the touchdown was ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Vikings dressed just four receivers for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, confident they could bruise the NFL's 22nd-ranked run defense from a year ago with an offensive line rebuilt to facilitate an improved ground game.

They built a passing game on deep shots off play action, burning a Buccaneers team with ...Read more

INDIANAPOLIS -- Well, so much for the Browns being the favorite to win.

Favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers for the first time since Week 14 of the 2015 season, the Browns were dominated in the first half Sunday by the Indianapolis Colts and couldn't completely dig out of a hole with turnovers haunting rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer for the ...Read more

LONDON -- The Ravens insisted they'd be ready for what they called a business trip. The injuries, the long flight, the altered practice schedule and routine, the unfamiliarity with their surroundings compared with their opponent's, none of that would matter.

Very early in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium, it ...Read more

Maybe now the questions about Jim Caldwell's future as Detroit Lions coach can stop.

Caldwell has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Lions, the team confirmed Saturday afternoon.

ESPN, which first reported the news, said the deal actually was signed "months ago" but not disclosed.

Caldwell, whose original contract with the Lions ...Read more