Jared Goff throws 2 TD passes, Lions advance to NFC title game with 31-23 win over Buccaneers
Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in a divisional-round playoff game, lifting the long-suffering franchise into the NFC championship for the first time in 32 years and just the second time in franchise history.
Jared Goff leads Lions to first playoff win in 32 years, 24-23 over Matthew Stafford and the Rams
Jared Goff threw for a touchdown and completed a game-sealing first down against the team that cast him away, and the Detroit Lions won a playoff game for the first time in 32 years, beating Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 24-23.
Love ties career high with 3 TD passes, leads Packers to 29-22 win over NFC North-leading Lions
Jordan Love set the tone with a 53-yard pass to Christian Watson on the first snap and finished with a career-high-tying three touchdowns, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 29-22 win over the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions on Thursday.
Stafford throws 3 TD passes, Rams edge Goff's Lions 28-19
Matthew Stafford passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns against his former team, and Jalen Ramsey made an end zone interception on his 27th birthday with five minutes left in the Los Angeles Ramsโ 28-19 victory over Jared Goff and the winless Detroit Lions.
Spend, spend, spend on 2nd day of "legal tampering" in NFL
(AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)For people wondering where is all the free-agent quarterback movement as the NFL's โlegal tamperingโ period enters its second day, well, calm down. He started seven and played in nine games last season for Miami, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He will be replaced as Tua Tagovailoa's backup by Brissett, who will get a one-year, $5 million deal in Miami. The Bengals also reached agreement with Pittsburgh safety Mike Hilton on a four-year, $24 million contract, also according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Kelly signed a three-year, $21 million deal exactly a year ago and started all 16 games at right tackle.
Tom Brady has denied 27 QBs in unparalleled playoff success
Brady is shooting for his seventh ring when he leads the Buccaneers (14-5) against the reigning champion Chiefs (16-2) in Super Bowl 55 on Sunday. Brady's postseason record includes a 33-11 mark, 14 conference championship appearances and 10 trips to the Super Bowl. If the Bucs dethrone the champs, Mahomes would become the sixth quarterback Brady has beaten multiple times in the playoffs. Although heโs not showing his age, 43, Brady will be the oldest to play in a Super Bowl, displacing Colts kicker Matt Stover, who was 42 in Super Bowl 44. Unlike Warner, he wasn't going to get ahead of himself and talk about anything but the Super Bowl title in front of him.
AP sources: Lions trade Stafford to LA for Goff, draft picks
ESPN first reported the swap, which will include the Rams' first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 along with their third-round pick this year. 1 overall draft picks will provide a fresh start for two durable starting quarterbacks who probably need a change of scenery. Stafford asked to be traded shortly after the current season ended with the Lions' third straight campaign with at least 10 losses. Los Angeles likely had to pay a premium in draft picks to persuade the Lions to take on Goff's deal. Shortly after last season, Stafford asked to be traded and spared from another rebuilding project.
Analysis: Backup QBs saw plenty of action in NFL playoffs
Jameis Winston threw a 56-yard trick-play touchdown pass to TreโQuan Smith on his first playoff action after 76 regular-season games over six seasons. In his 72nd NFL game, Henne atoned for an end zone interception with two huge plays to allow the Chiefs to escape with a 22-17 win over the Browns. Rodgers and Tom Brady, making his 14th conference championship appearance in 21 seasons, square off next week at Lambeau Field. If this was it, Brees went out with a whimper: 134 yards passing and three interceptions in the worst playoff game of his career. The Chiefs forced a punt and Henne got the ball back with just over four minutes left.
Rams' defense struggles with injury hindering Donald
Without Donald in peak form, the NFLโs top defense simply couldnโt slow down the leagueโs highest-scoring offense. The Green Bay Packers scored on their first five series and beat the Rams 32-18 in the NFC divisional playoffs. โI love Aaron Donald,โ Rams coach Sean McVay said. Yet this heavyweight matchup between the Packersโ offense and the Ramsโ defense was more like a mismatch for much of the day. You have to defend every inch as far as laterally.โThe Rams also had some uncharacteristic mistakes on defense to help Green Bay out.
Rodgers, Packers beat Rams 32-18 to reach NFC title game
Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and also ran for a score as the top-seeded Green Bay Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in an NFC divisional playoff game Saturday. The Packers didn't allow any sacks despite playing without injured All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, while Green Bay sacked Jared Goff four times. Rodgers called the Packers' offensive linemen โthe stars of the game tonight.โโDefinitely not happy,โ Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. For Green Bay, Dillon injured his quadriceps when he fumbled. UP NEXTThe Rams' season is over.
Jared Goff to start for Rams in Green Bay; Wolford inactive
They're in complete accord this week, however: Goff is the best choice to lead the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. Goff will start the Rams' postseason game at Green Bay on Saturday, while John Wolford will be inactive one week after incurring a neck injury, McVay announced Thursday. After Goff had surgery on his broken right thumb Dec. 28, Wolford got the Rams' last two starts โ even though Goff thought he was ready to play last week. McVay instead decided early in the week that Wolford would start, although he didn't announce his decision until shortly before kickoff. โI was extremely excited to have that chance in a big game up in Seattle,โ Wolford said.
Friends as playoff foes: Packers' LaFleur faces Rams' McVay
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay say their friendship and shared history shouldn't have much of an impact on their teamsโ upcoming NFC divisional playoff matchup. The top-seeded Packers (13-3) host the Rams (11-6) on Saturday with an NFC championship game berth at stake. San Franciscoโs head coach is Kyle Shanahan, who worked at Washington with Matt LaFleur and McVay from 2010-13. LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach on Quinnโs Atlanta staff from 2015-16 and worked for Mike Vrabel at Tennessee in 2018. They reunited in 2017 when McVay became the Ramsโ head coach and hired LaFleur.
McVay: Rams expect Aaron Donald to play vs Packers
(AP Photo/Scott Eklund)LOS ANGELES โ All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald is expected to play for the Rams on Saturday in Green Bay after injuring his ribs in Los Angeles' playoff victory at Seattle. McVay said he doesn't expect to name a starting quarterback this week for the Rams' showdown with the top-seeded Packers (12-4), preferring to wait until game day for the second straight week. Donald left the game and went to the locker room, but eventually returned to watch the Rams' win from the sideline. โWe'll be smart with him throughout the week,โ McVay said. Rams left guard David Edwards also left with Achilles tendinitis.
Rams get better of division rivals, toppling Seahawks 30-20
They watched less than two weeks ago as the Seattle Seahawks loudly celebrated a division title the Rams felt they gave away. No team was better at limiting yards or points than the Rams (11-6) and they continued to torment Wilson and the Seahawks (12-5). The victory sent the Rams into next weekโs divisional playoff round, likely at top-seeded Green Bay unless Chicago upsets New Orleans. His heart, his passion for the game is special,โ Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. Seahawks: will head into an offseason filled with questions after winning the division but experiencing another early playoff exit.
Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games
The first tripleheader of NFL wild-card games saw Tom Brady extend his postseason record for victories to 31 with a 31-23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington on Saturday. After a quarter-century, the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady collects โ and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. The previous playoff win was over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Billsโ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of fans in attendance (6,700) for the first time this season. The Ravens averaged an NFL-best 191.9 yards rushing per game and their 3,071 yards rushing were third highest in NFL history.
The Latest: Rams surge to 30-13 lead over Seahawks in fourth
The Los Angeles Rams are leading the Seattle Seahawks 23-13 early in the fourth quarter. The Los Angeles Rams have taken a 20-10 halftime lead over the Seahawks in their wild card game at Seattle. Metcalf to cut the Los Angles Rams' lead to 13-10 in the second quarter of their wild card game. The Buffalo Bills are taking a 17-10 lead over Indianapolis into the fourth quarter at Buffalo. Washington won the middling NFC East despite a 7-9 record to earn a home wild card game.
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)The NFC playoff field features the usual cast of quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 45, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, at Arlington, Texas. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 48, 43-8 over the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2, 2014, at East Rutherford, N.J. Last year: No. The Bearsโ leading tackler left in the first quarter of the Green Bay game with an elbow injury. DBs Buster Skrine, rookie Jaylon Johnson and Deon Bush missed the loss to Green Bay.
LA Rams' top-ranked defense still rolling as playoffs loom
He might find a moment after the Rams (10-6) finish their playoff run, which begins Saturday at Seattle. But Rams fans already appreciate a defense that topped the NFL in several important categories and excelled at nearly everything during a remarkable season. 1 in total yards allowed, yards passing allowed, passing TDs allowed, first downs allowed and points allowed while becoming the Rams' first top-ranked NFL defense in decades. โWe're proud of the way we've competed,โ Staley said Tuesday as the Rams began preparations for their trip to Seattle. ... LT Andrew Whitworth has a shot to return this week after tearing ligaments in his knee during the Rams' first meeting with Seattle in November.
Wolford, defense lead Rams past Arizona 18-7, into playoffs
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods, left, catches a pass against Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. It ended with the inexperienced quarterback fearlessly leading the Los Angeles Rams back to the playoffs. And though Wolford capably did his part, everybody in the Rams' jubilant locker room realized they owed this achievement to a dominant defense that scored as many points as the Rams' offense โ and a couple more than the Arizona Cardinals โ in Los Angeles' 18-7 victory Sunday. Wolford passed for 231 yards and rushed for 56 more, producing many moments of excitement in place of injured Jared Goff. Wolford racked up 47 yards rushing in the first half โ more than Goff managed in any game of his five-year career.
NFL races go down to the wire in AFC South and NFC East
โWe win this game, find a way to win, win the division. He's assured of repeating as NFL rushing champ, the first since Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006-07. Henry has a career-high 1,777 yards rushing and ran for 212 yards in his most recent game against the Texans. Ezekiel Elliott, despite a mediocre performance in 2020, needs 63 yards rushing for 1,000 this season, his fourth such output in five seasons. Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (4-10-1)During their four-game winning streak, the Ravens have averaged 37 points and 233.3 yards rushing per game.
Cashing in: Rams QB Wolford to make high-profile NFL debut
FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 file photo, Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford (9) gestures during an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos in Los Angeles. Wolford will make his NFL debut for the Rams on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 against Arizona after nearly two full seasons as a backup in which he never took a snap. โIt's a lot of hard work, and I'm confident in the time I've spent that has gotten me here. โI'm confident in John, but I'm also confident in the other 10 players around him. ... Los Angeles also activated LB Micah Kiser from injured reserve, but he won't play this week, McVay said.
Jared Goff to miss Rams' season finale after thumb surgery
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)LOS ANGELES โ Jared Goff will miss the Los Angeles Rams' season finale against the Arizona Cardinals after undergoing surgery on his right thumb. Goff could return a week later if the Rams make the playoffs, coach Sean McVay said Monday night. Los Angeles will clinch a playoff spot with a victory, or if the Chicago Bears lose to Green Bay. Goff played the rest of the game with the injury, but had surgery to insert screws in his thumb on Monday.
Seahawks wrap up NFC West title with 20-9 win over Rams
Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)SEATTLE โ The Seattle Seahawks claimed the NFC West title with a 20-9 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, with Russell Wilson throwing a 13-yard TD pass to Jacob Hollister with 2:51 left for the clinching score. Seattle flustered Jared Goff, shut down the Rams' run game, and held Los Angeles (9-6) to a season low in points. Now, Los Angeles risks missing the playoffs entirely if it loses to the Cardinals and Chicago beats Green Bay next Sunday. Seahawks: Seattle closes the regular season facing San Francisco next Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
Rams' Goff dislocates thumb, Jets' Gore has chest injury
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)Jared Goff popped his dislocated right thumb thumb back into place and kept playing. โItโs OK right now," said Goff, who was 23 of 42 for 224 yards and an interception in the Rams' 20-9 loss at Seattle on Sunday. In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Frank Gore ran his way to another career milestone and then was forced to watch the New York Jets' second win from the sideline. โ Baltimore center Patrick Mekari left the Ravens' 27-13 win over the New York Giants with a back injury. โ Carolina left tackle Trent Scott left early in the third quarter of the Panthers' 20-13 win over Washington with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Erase that 0!: Jets edge Rams 23-20, avoid winless season
After 51 weeks and 13 games without a win, the Jets finally earned the chance to celebrate with pride. The Jets (1-13) knew their 23-20 victory over the embarrassed Los Angeles Rams on Sunday was never pretty. Moments later, Darnold hit Gore with the short pass over the middle that allowed the Jets to run out the clock. It was an amazing feeling.โWith two games left, New York might have ruined its chances at the No. Of the nine teams in NFL history to start 0-13, the Jets were the fourth to win in Week 15.
Akers runs wild, Newton benched as Rams rout Patriots 24-3
These Rams even looked good enough to contend for a chance at some actual Super Bowl redemption later this season. โWeโve got a lot of respect for them, but itโs a totally different year,โ Rams coach Sean McVay said. New England managed only 220 total yards โ just 62 in the second half with a series of misbegotten drives. Akers' yards mostly came in big chunks during the biggest rushing game by an NFL rookie this season and just the ninth 150-yard game against a Belichick-coached defense since 2000. But Young opened the second quarter with an interception by Donald's disruption up front, taking it all the way back for the third-year linebacker's first NFL touchdown.
Big plays help Dolphins beat Rams 28-17 in Tua's 1st start
He entertained those along the bench by dancing after the Miami Dolphins' first touchdown, and greeted 5-foot-6 Jakeem Grant with a leaping chest bump to the face mask after another score. The early 33-yard scoring drive was the Dolphins' longest, as the big lead allowed them to keep Tagovailoa mostly under wraps. We tried to make him see a lot of different things, and for the most part it worked.โThe Rams' defense received little support from their offense, though. โWe heard a lot about the Rams' defense," Miami safety Eric Rowe said, โbut they had to worry about our defense.โINJURIESTwo-time Rams Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey became ill before the game and didnโt play. ANTHEMFifteen Rams players knelt during โThe Star-Spangled Banner.โ The Dolphins stayed in the locker room during the national anthem.
The Latest: Broncos top Chargers on Lock's last-play TD pass
The Denver Broncos have completed a remarkable comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a 31-30 victory on Drew Lock's 1-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Dalvin Cook scored four times for the Minnesota Vikings, who held on for a 28-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Cook has scored six touchdowns in two games against Green Bay this season. The Vikings and Green Bay Packers are tied 7-all in the final minute of the first quarter. This is shaping up to be a windy day in Green Bay.
Rams dominate matchup of tough defenses, beat Bears 24-10
Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett caught touchdown passes from Jared Goff, and the Rams won a matchup of dominant defenses, beating the Bears 24-10 on Monday night. โWe proved that we were the better defense today,โ Floyd said after a six-tackle performance in his first game against Chicago since the Bears released him last offseason. After his first sack, Floyd jumped up and went toward the Bears sideline, shouting and gesticulating at the team that let him go. Weโre just one tight unit right now.โThe Rams led 10-3 at halftime after holding the Bears to 126 yards. ... TE Tyler Higbee was inactive with a hand injury, missing his second game since 2016.
Smith returns as Goff-led Rams beat Washington to get to 4-1
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Landover, Md. Smith played his first NFL game 693 days since breaking his right tibia and fibula, entering when new Washington starting quarterback Kyle Allen injured his left arm. โYou watch guys like Aaron all the time and as effective as he is, you guys have no idea how impressive it is with all the attention he gets week after week,โ Rams linebacker Troy Reeder said. Rivera said if Allen can play next week, Smith would back up and Haskins would again be inactive. UP NEXTThe Rams visit the 49ers next Sunday, while Washington is at the NFC East rival New York Giants.
Rams hold off Giants 17-9; Ramsey, Tate fight after game
Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:56 to play, and the Rams grinded out a 17-9 victory over New York on Sunday before the wild fight between Ramsey and Tate. Los Angeles managed 240 total yards and went nearly 45 minutes between its two touchdowns, but it was enough. Williams said he recognized the Giants' play call from earlier in the game, allowing him to anticipate the throw. Graham Gano kicked three field goals in the Giantsโ first game in the Los Angeles area since 1994. Los Angeles had racked up at least 400 total yards in each of its first three games.
The Latest: Wentz has early interception against 49ers
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)The Latest on Week 4 in the NFL (all times EDT)___8:35 p.m.Carson Wentz has thrown his NFL-worst seventh interception of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. ___7:05 p.m.Bills quarterback Josh Allenโs 1-yard sneak that gave Buffalo a 23-16 lead over Las Vegas early in the fourth quarter. ___7:20 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is back guiding the Bills offense after injuring his left shoulder late in the first half at Las Vegas. ___6:40 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen headed to the locker room after falling on his left wrist. The high-scoring start to the 2020 NFL season continued Sunday with several games featuring lots of points and very little defense.
Bills rally to beat Rams 35-32 after blowing 25-point lead
(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. โ Josh Allen might get the credit for saving the Buffalo Bills from a monumental second-half meltdown. โYeah, probably just got too relaxed and thatโs on me,โ said Allen, whose five-touchdown outing (including one rushing) was clouded by two turnovers that led to Rams TDs. Jared Goff led the Rams to score on four consecutive drives, and LA took the lead on Darell Hendersonโs 1-yard run with 4:30 remaining. Aaron Donald had two sacks and also forced an Allen fumble, which he recovered at the Bills 37. Bills: Make the first of three West Coast trips, playing at the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday.
Goff tosses 3 TD passes to Higbee, Rams beat Eagles 37-19
Goff threw three touchdown passes to Tyler Higbee and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Philadelphia Eagles 37-19 on Sunday. After the Eagles (0-2) pulled within one score, Goffโs 28-yard TD pass to Higbee in the fourth iced it for Los Angeles (2-0). In their only other head-to-head meeting in Los Angeles in December 2017, Wentz tore two knee ligaments. McVay outcoached defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz early as Los Angeles scored TDs on its first three possessions. โWeโre just trying to marry the run and the pass,โ Higbee said.
Longtime baseball pro scout Gary Hughes dies at 79
SAN FRANCISCO โ Gary Hughes, a beloved professional scout for numerous big league organizations during a 54-year career, has died in Northern California after a battle with cancer. โGary Hughes was the quintessential baseball man,โ baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. โWithout Gary Hughes, I probably would have never played a day in the big leagues," said Kevin Millar, a 12-year major league veteran. Hughes' son, Michael โRockโ Hughes, longtime Marlins visiting clubhouse manager, is married to Counsell's sister. โGary was one of the great baseball scouts," former baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said, "and one of the great baseball minds of our generation.โ___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
Rams open SoFi Stadium in style with 20-17 win over Cowboys
Dak Prescott passed for 266 yards and a touchdown, but Dallas managed three points on its six drives in the second half. The opening of Rams owner Stan Kroenke's $5 billion stadium project was a historic night for the Los Angeles area, albeit one that should have been much more festive. Elliott tied it early in the second quarter with a 19-yard TD catch during which he ran through most of the Los Angeles defense. Van Jefferson's first career reception was a beautiful 31-yard grab in the second quarter, but it was the promising Rams rookie's only reception. Right tackle Cam Erving and tight end Blake Jarwin both didn't return from knee injuries in the second quarter.
Jones' Cowboys visit Kroenkeโs Rams to open SoFi Stadium
So it's only fitting that when Kroenke's Los Angeles Rams open their $5 billion West Coast NFL showpiece on Sunday night, their opponents will be Jones' Dallas Cowboys. โJerry has told us all about the stadium,โ Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. โI know heโs excited for the Rams organization and whatโs gone into this stadium. Itโs supposed to be an unbelievable venue.โMcCarthy's debut as the Cowboys' first new coach in a decade is the other milestone event at SoFi Stadium. They held two scrimmages at SoFi Stadium to familiarize their players with their new environs, but the awe still hasn't evaporated.