INGLEWOOD, Calif. — If the Detroit Lions were looking for clarity, now they’ve got it.

But if they were looking for some comfort, it’s gone.

And as the Lions rolled their suitcases to the loading dock inside SoFi Stadium on Sunday evening, the question no longer was about what it’ll take to make the playoffs. It’s about whether they�...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Ricky Pearsall was open on the crossing route. That isn’t news; the San Francisco 49ers’ second-year wide receiver is almost always open.

The problem was that Brock Purdy was busy doing a little improvisational jazz in the Niners’ backfield. And Pearsall admits he rarely sees his 6-foot quarterback back there.

But...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams handled their business Sunday, as they should.

Any real peril against the Detroit Lions and Jared Goff disappeared early in the second half of L.A.’s 41-34 victory. A field goal and two extended touchdown drives wiped out a 24-17 Detroit lead, and a 41-27 lead with 4:49 left ensured that nothing ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Jim Harbaugh has done it again.

With the 16-13 road victory Sunday over the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s all but certain Harbaugh’s second Chargers club will reach the playoffs.

In other words, L.A. has overcome the loss of two superb offensive tackles to season-ending injuries.

Harbaugh’s club (10-4) still has a puncher’s ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Shortly after learning he had a torn ACL in his left knee, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes promised to ”attack every single day.”

Mahomes did that as he made the decision to have ACL surgery Monday in Dallas. It came one day after he was hurt during the Chiefs’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers at ...Read more

All eyes were on how the Miami Dolphins would play in the cold.

In the first half, they certainly looked to be a new team. They tackled. They ran the ball somewhat effectively. And they held the Pittsburgh Steelers to just seven points.

Unfortunately, football has four quarters, and the Dolphins didn’t show up when the Steelers began to hit ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — As Pete Carroll’s first year as the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach winds down, it’s fair to wonder if he will return next season.

On Monday, Carroll said he is not approaching the final three games as if he is coaching for his job.

“I don’t feel like that at all,” he said. “I’m well beyond that.”

It’s not just the ...Read more

An MRI has confirmed that Green Bay Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a non-contact play Sunday against the Denver Broncos, according to multiple media sources.

Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in August, will miss the rest of...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will travel to Dallas for a second opinion on the torn ACL he suffered in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mahomes will meet with Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, the head team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, as he and the organization ...Read more

CHICAGO — If you haven’t heard, it was a little chilly Sunday when the Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-3 at Soldier Field, with temperatures that dipped into the single digits and a wind chill well below zero.

It may have been one of the coldest days in Bears history, which of course is full of mostly forgettable freezefests ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As with most Kansas City Chiefs games in this abruptly disillusioning season, any number of self-inflicted issues played into their 16-13 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers Sunday. Perfectly apt, under the circumstances.

A fourth quarter book-ended by ill-considered interceptions loomed largest among many issues that...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams are going to the playoffs.

The only questions now: Can they hold onto the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have home-field advantage for the entire postseason. And will receiver Davante Adams be fit for the stretch run?

The Rams clinched a playoff spot Sunday with a 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions before 74,...Read more

DENVER — Initial thoughts from the DenverBroncos’ 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 at Empower Field:

— Bo Nix breakout: Four touchdown passes. Four different receivers. With NFL observers keeping a keen eye on a matchup of two division leaders at Empower Field, Bo Nix picked a great time to have his greatest game as a ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes evaporated on a blustery Sunday afternoon at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes wasn’t there to see the final seconds tick away.

He was in the Chiefs’ locker room when backup Gardner Minshew threw an interception that sealed the Los Angeles Chargers�...Read more

The Carolina Panthers (7-7) let a huge opportunity slip through their hands Sunday during a 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints (4-10) at Caesars Superdome.

Despite holding the lead until there was 2:33 left in the fourth quarter, the Panthers coughed up their chance to close out the division race next week. The Saints mounted a comeback by ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers’ fourth straight win was never in question Sunday.

The greater mystery was how high their playoff seeding could climb, both by sundown against the hapless Tennessee Titans as well as over the next three weeks to close the regular season.

By virtue of Sunday’s 37-24 triumph, the 49ers’ ...Read more

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The New York Jets continue to spiral in the final month of the season.

Trevor Lawrence‘s five touchdowns helped the Jacksonville Jaguars steamroll the Jets 48-20 on a beautiful 70-degree day at EverBank Stadium.

Sunday marked the most points the Jets defense has allowed since 2021, when they allowed 54 to the Patriots....Read more

NEW YORK — Jaxson Dart‘s running again landed him in the blue medical tent during Sunday’s 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders.

The rookie quarterback carried the ball on first and-goal from the 1-yard line with 11:38 remaining in the fourth quarter. And his head was folded backward awkwardly on a joint tackle by Washington defensive ...Read more