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

DENVER — Bo Nix stands between the Broncos and national respect.

It is the only thing that makes sense.

Last Sunday in the NFL’s game of the year, the Broncos toppled the Chiefs, stoning future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes at the goal line. On Thursday, the Jaguars clobbered the Ravens, embarrassing third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Barring a setback, Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett will return Sunday against the Washington Commanders, coach Sean McVay said Friday.

Garrett, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, has not played since the season-opening defeat by the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. Garrett had no tackles in the 27-7 defeat and said ...Read more

MIAMI — Former NFL star Antonio Brown pleaded guilty on Friday to a reduced charge in his attempted murder case.

Brown, 38, will have to complete three years of probation after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez. Brown was accused of shooting at Zul-Qarnain Kwame ...Read more

MIAMI — Everyone has a price, which means everything is for sale.

And that’s why some NFL players will feel anxiety for every second of every minute, of every hour, of every day that goes by until the NFL trade deadline comes and goes on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Miami Dolphins’ goal is likely to pick up more assets that can benefit the ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Blockbuster deals before the NFL’s trade deadline are nothing new. In the late 1980s, seismic trades involving star running backs Herschel Walker and Eric Dickerson stunned the NFL.

But the frequency with which in-season trades are occurring in today’s NFL is unlike anything we have seen before.

There is so much wheeling and...Read more

DENVER — Seven years ago, John Elway publicly questioned whether Garrett Bolles knew what a holding penalty was. Bolles not only heard the criticism — he knew his time in the NFL was slipping away

“I was on my way out of the league,” Bolles told The Denver Post.

The Broncos’ left tackle was flagged for 15 holding penalties as a ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler “Snoop” Huntley officially went on injured reserve for the first time in their careers Thursday. A few hours later, the Ravens got a taste of life without them.

It was even more rancid than expected.

With undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano making his first NFL start — with ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Justin Herbert famously loves Subway subs. During his rookie season in 2020, the Chargers quarterback told GQ magazine he was "living off" the sandwiches, consuming both a Steak Philly sub and a Chicken & Bacon Ranch sub each night for dinner. He has since appeared in at least eight TV commercials for the restaurant franchise.

...Read more

Here's a look back at Week 8's action and fantasy advice for the week ahead:

WEE K 8 RECAP

Packers 27, Panthers 19: Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three TDs, with Christian Watson catching eight passes for 113 yards, Matthew Golden adding seven receptions for 79 yards and a score, and Tucker Kraft contributing six catches for 53 yards and...Read more