56 m. ago Patriots torment Stroud to beat Texans and set up AFC championship with Broncos

Houston Texans 16-28 New England PatriotsNew England intercept Houston QB four timesBroncos and Patriots will play for place in Super BowlDrake Maye threw three touchdown passes, Marcus Jones returned one of CJ Stroud’s four interceptions for a score and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years, where they will play the Denver Broncos. In Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach, the Patriots will make their 16th conference championship game appearance and first since their run to their sixth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick in the 2018 season. New England have won their last nine divisional round games.Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions as snow and rain fell throughout the game. One of Maye’s fumbles set up Houston’s first touchdown. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Houston Texans v New England Patriots: AFC Divisional Round NFL playoff – live

Live updates, 8pm GMT, 3pm ET kick-off at Foxborough Nix out for season after Broncos’ win | And mail GrahamI am going to preface this post by stating that neither the Texans or Patriots will take facing the Broncos’ terrifying defense lightly but Nix’s broken ankle puts them at a huge advantage for making the Super Bowl if they win today. The intensity was surely already going to be sky high, now it feels like it will only be higher still with such a large incentive hanging within reach if they can just snatch the victory.But first, before the spoils of victory can be doled out, the storylines heating up the action in Foxborough. We have the NFL’s likely MVP and New England quarterback Drake Maye v the toughest challenge he has faced this season in Houston’s bone-crunching defense. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Each NFL playoff team’s fatal flaw: the Bills’ run defense to the Sam Darnold problem

The eight remaining teams all have elements of brilliance. But they also have weaknesses that could send them crashing out of the postseasonDefending the run has long been a sore spot for the Bills – they finished the season 25th in defensive rush success rate. Inside, they lack mass, and are too easily pushed around by teams committed to a smashmouth approach. Outside, they struggle with discipline and technique. Against Jacksonville last weekend, both fell apart. The Jaguars rushed for 154 yards, with 119 of those yards coming on outside runs. It was the Jags’ highest total on outside runs this season. This weekend, against a Broncos offense that is happy to punch anyone in the mouth, that could put the Bills in a lot of trouble. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Texans extend Steelers’ playoff losing streak in possible farewell for Aaron Rodgers

Houston Texans 30-6 Pittsburgh SteelersRodgers says he is yet to make decision on futureTexans will face Patriots in divisional roundSheldon Rankins returned a fumble by Aaron Rodgers 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to highlight a dominant performance by the NFL’s top-ranked defense, and the Houston Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday night for the first road playoff win in franchise history.The Texans’ win means they will play the New England Patriots in the divisional round on Sunday night. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Kicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to see

The postseason consistently serves up enthralling football. But there are ways to make it even more compellingNo legitimate Super Bowl champion should have a losing record in the regular season. The Panthers, crowned NFC South champions at 8-9, are not an outlier. Since 2010, five teams with losing records have made the postseason. The 2022 Bucs were the first team to make the dance with a losing record since the league instituted a 17-game schedule. This season, the NFC South has done it again. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago NFL legend Rob Gronkowski reveals he’s never spent any of his $70 million earnings

Gronkowski played for 11 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Economics

2 w. ago NFL playoff race: Seahawks and 49ers meet with NFC’s No 1 seed at stake

The final week of the regular season delivers a winner-take-all clash in the NFC West, while Houston surge, the Rams slide and the race for the No 1 draft pick tips toward farceSeattle Seahawks (13-3) v San Francisco 49ers (12-4) Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Patriots coach echoes support for Stefon Diggs; hasn't heard from NFL following criminal charges

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says he hasn’t heard anything from the NFL that would prevent Stefon Diggs from playing in the team's regular-season finale as the receiver faces strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef

Events

2 w. ago Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore accused of throwing girlfriend to the ground

New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian J

Events

2 w. ago New England Patriots’ Christian Barmore faces domestic assault charge

Barmore accused in alleged August incidentPatriots say they informed NFL at the timeArraignment scheduled for early FebruaryNew England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore is facing a misdemeanor domestic assault charge stemming from an alleged incident on 8 August in Mansfield, Massachusetts.Barmore, 26, was in a relationship with the alleged victim, according to court documents cited Wednesday by Boston television station WCVB. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs faces strangulation charges, denies allegations

Authorities say New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges related to an incident earlier this month

Politics

2 w. ago Cardi B tells ‘mean’ fans to ‘calm down’ as they criticise her relationship

The hip-hop star has told her fans in a lengthy video on X that they need to ‘calm down’.

Politics

3 w. ago Ravens stay alive behind Henry’s four scores while Texans clinch playoff berth

Derrick Henry rushes for 216 yards, four TDs for RavensTexans clinch third straight playoff berth with win in LAChargers loss hands AFC West title to idle BroncosDerrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago New York Jets reverse decision and reinstate fan in $100k field

Jets reinstate fan after backlash over kick contestCoach had qualified before being ruled ineligibleThe New York Jets have reversed a decision that had barred a longtime fan from participating in a $100,000 halftime field-goal contest, announcing Friday that she will be allowed to take part in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.The New York Post first reported that Ashley Castanio-Gervasi, a Long Island high-school soccer coach and lifelong Jets supporter, had been informed earlier this week that she was no longer eligible for the team’s “Kick for Cash” promotion because of her coaching status. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago NFL playoff race: Bears and 49ers clash with playoff bye week at stake

Week 17 delivers a decisive at Soldier Field as Chicago and San Francisco battle for positioning in a crowded NFC race for the No 1 seed and a precious first-round byeChicago Bears (11-4) v San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago College Football Playoff ratings drop 7% as NFL competition impacts viewership

The College Football Playoff's first round averaged 9.9 million viewers across multiple networks, marking a 7% drop from last year

Sport