INSIDER
Chiefs' Reid: QB Mahomes 'doing good' after concussion
Read full article: Chiefs' Reid: QB Mahomes 'doing good' after concussionโ Patrick Mahomes had enough wits about him after a concussion knocked the star quarterback from the Kansas City Chiefs' divisional-round playoff win over the Cleveland Browns to get a rather clever hashtag trending on Twitter. It was a reference to his backup, Chad Henne, who came on when Mahomes got hurt midway through the third quarter Sunday. Now, the question is whether Mahomes will be cleared to play the Buffalo Bills in the AFC title game next Sunday. He passed all the deals he needed to pass and we'll see where it goes from here,โ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the game. 1 seed and first-round bye, so Reid elected to sit Mahomes and most of his starters for the otherwise meaningless game.
Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFC
Read full article: Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFCWhile the Chiefs get another weekโs rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.
Browns lose another player vs; Jets, starting LT Wills out
Read full article: Browns lose another player vs; Jets, starting LT Wills outFILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. Wills had been placed on the COVID list on Thursday, Dec. 24 after being in close contact with someone outside the team who had tested positive. The loss of Wills further depletes Cleveland's offensive line; starting right guard Wyatt Teller will miss his second straight game with a sprained ankle. In addition to Landry, the Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. They were placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday before the team flew to the New York area.
Browns down 6 players for Jets game due to COVID protocols
Read full article: Browns down 6 players for Jets game due to COVID protocolsThe Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without four wide receivers, including star Landry, their starting middle linebacker and his replacement due to COVID-19 protocols. But despite the six players being out, an NFL spokesman said Cleveland's game at the New York Jets will be played as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 27. Cleveland's game against the New York Jets will be played as scheduled, an NFL spokesman said. Per league rules, Goodson will miss Sunday's game and the Jan. 3 matchup against Pittsburgh is also in question. Like numerous NFL teams, the Browns have been dealing with positive cases for most of the season.
Lions' Bevell can't coach vs Bucs due to COVID protocols
Read full article: Lions' Bevell can't coach vs Bucs due to COVID protocols(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)Detroit Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell is the NFLโs first head coach to miss a game because of COVID-19 protocols even though he has not tested positive for the coronavirus. The Lions (5-9) will also be without defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, defensive line coach Bo Davis, defensive backs coach Steve Gregory and linebackers coach Ty McKenzie against Tampa Bay (9-5) on Saturday. Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said โthereโs a possibilityโ when asked if Wills will play this week against the Jets. For the Lions, they will lean on two men to call plays for the first time in an NFL game. Iโm calling plays in an NFL game.
Mayfield, Browns move closer to playoffs, top Giants 20-6
Read full article: Mayfield, Browns move closer to playoffs, top Giants 20-6Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with teammate Austin Hooper (81) after they connect for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. โ Baker Mayfield led two 95-yard touchdown drives and the Cleveland Browns moved closer to ending their 17-year playoff drought with a 20-6 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night. Mayfield was sharp all night, helping the Browns (10-4) bounce back from a 47-42 loss to Baltimore last Monday night. The win got the Browns closer to clinching their first playoff spot since 2002, the NFLโs longest drought. New York's opening drive stalled at the 8 after McCoy's throw to Evan Engram fell incomplete in the end zone. It could've worked, too: Kicker Graham Gano was wide open in the end zone.
Browns' Garrett home sick, team places 3 more on COVID list
Read full article: Browns' Garrett home sick, team places 3 more on COVID listCleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) plays against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. The team also placed dependable long snapper Charley Hughlett on the growing list. Stefanski said Garrett has not tested positive. The NFL created the COVID list for players who either tested positive or have had close contact with an infected person or persons. They also put quarterback Baker Mayfield on the COVID list for a few days after he had contact with a staffer who tested positive.
The Latest: Ohio Stadium off limits to family and friends
Read full article: The Latest: Ohio Stadium off limits to family and friendsA limited number of media will be allowed to cover Saturdayโs football game, which will be nationally televised on FOX. Hickok got into the tournament as an alternate after Bill Haas tested positive earlier in the week. Thatโs the most positive tests on the PGA Tour since late June, when four players tested positive in a span of a week. Cameron Champ, Denny McCarthy and Dylan Frittelli had positive tests in Connecticut, and Harris English tested positive in Detroit. The Bosnian soccer federation said Wednesday that besides Kolasinac, another national team player, Ibrahim Sehic, also tested positive.
Undefeated Titans getting healthy after COVID-19 outbreak
Read full article: Undefeated Titans getting healthy after COVID-19 outbreakThe undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFLโs first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburghโs second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.
Mayfield throws 2 TDs, Browns hold off Colts to move to 4-1
Read full article: Mayfield throws 2 TDs, Browns hold off Colts to move to 4-1Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) and quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrate after a 15-yard touchdown by Higgins during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)CLEVELAND โ Bill Belichick was their coach and Nick Saban on his staff the last time Cleveland Browns were this good this early. Just three years removed from 0-16, the Browns are 4-1 for the first time since โ94 โ Belichickโs fourth season. โWe needed a play to be made โ and Iโm greedy when it comes to that.โOn the Colts' next possession, Browns safety Sheldrick Redwine, who came in while Harrison was being evaluated for a concussion, picked off Rivers. Mayfield showed patience on his 2-yard scoring pass to Hunt, which gave the Browns a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Browns tackle Conklin not starting against Bengals
Read full article: Browns tackle Conklin not starting against BengalsCLEVELAND โ Backup right tackle Chris Hubbard will start over injured Jack Conklin for the Cleveland Browns when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. Conklin, who was the Browns' biggest signing in free agency this winter, injured his ankle and a finger in last week's season-opening, 38-6 loss at Baltimore. He's active to face the Bengals, but the Browns announced before the game that Chris Hubbard is starting. Cleveland starting center JC Tretter (knee) and rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills (knee) are both playing. Starting cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder) will miss his second straight game andThe Bengals are missing defensive tackles Geno Atkins (shoulder) and Mike Daniels (groin).