INSIDER
Parsons, Bland are held out with injuries as Cowboys are without Elliott in key test against Falcons
Read full article: Parsons, Bland are held out with injuries as Cowboys are without Elliott in key test against FalconsRunning back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive as expected for Dallas at the Atlanta Falcons, leaving Rico Dowdle and Dalvin Cook to lead the struggling ground game as the Cowboys look to end a two-game losing streak.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will miss game at Falcons. Team doesn't say why
Read full article: Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will miss game at Falcons. Team doesn't say whyDallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t make the trip to Atlanta and will miss Sunday’s game for reasons the team didn’t disclose.
Ryan Tannehill, Xavien Howard, Patrick Peterson are among NFL's notable free agents
Read full article: Ryan Tannehill, Xavien Howard, Patrick Peterson are among NFL's notable free agentsJoe Flacco watched football from his couch last season before joining the Cleveland Browns in November, leading them to the playoffs and earning the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
Prescott has 2 TDs, Wilson 3 picks in 1st start after Rodgers injury as Cowboys beat Jets 30-10
Read full article: Prescott has 2 TDs, Wilson 3 picks in 1st start after Rodgers injury as Cowboys beat Jets 30-10Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Zach Wilson had three interceptions in his first start after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tendon injury and the Cowboys beat the New York Jets 30-10.
Jets agree to terms with former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, AP source says
Read full article: Jets agree to terms with former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, AP source saysA person with knowledge of the deal says the New York Jets agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Jets set to meet with free agent running back Dalvin Cook this weekend
Read full article: Jets set to meet with free agent running back Dalvin Cook this weekendA person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press free agent running back Dalvin Cook is scheduled to visit with the New York Jets this weekend.
DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook lead a list of remaining NFL free agents ahead of training camp
Read full article: DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook lead a list of remaining NFL free agents ahead of training campDeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook lead a list of accomplished players who are still available a week before several NFL teams open training camp.
Minnesota Vikings releasing star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says
Read full article: Minnesota Vikings releasing star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source saysThe Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons.
Offensive explosion against Vikings keep playoff hopes alive for Detroit Lions
Read full article: Offensive explosion against Vikings keep playoff hopes alive for Detroit LionsThe Detroit Lions keep rolling as their offense exploded in the 34-23 victory against the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Herbert, Crosby send AFC to 41-35 win in Pro Bowl's return
Read full article: Herbert, Crosby send AFC to 41-35 win in Pro Bowl's returnThe Chargers’ Justin Herbert hit Baltimore’s Mark Andrews with two touchdown passes to leading the AFC to a 41-35 victory over the NFC in the return of the Pro Bowl.
Saleh rejoins Jets after clearing COVID-19 protocols
Read full article: Saleh rejoins Jets after clearing COVID-19 protocolsNew York Jets coach Robert Saleh cleared COVID-19 protocols and returned to the facility to run practice for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus last Wednesday.
Browns' C Tretter, Saints QBs test positive for COVID-19
Read full article: Browns' C Tretter, Saints QBs test positive for COVID-19Both Saints veteran quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian, Minnesota star running back Dalvin Cook and Cleveland center JC Tretter, the NFL Players Association president, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
Winless no more: Lions top Vikes 29-27 for 1st W in Week 13
Read full article: Winless no more: Lions top Vikes 29-27 for 1st W in Week 13Jared Goff threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown as time expired, lifting the previously winless Detroit Lions to a 29-27 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Cards win 34-33 thriller after Vikings miss last-second FG
Read full article: Cards win 34-33 thriller after Vikings miss last-second FGKyler Murray threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and the Arizona Cardinals topped the Minnesota Vikings 34-33 after Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal wide right in the final seconds.
Aaron Jones staying with Packers on 4-year, $48 million deal
Read full article: Aaron Jones staying with Packers on 4-year, $48 million dealThe Pro Bowl running back, Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and wont be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and won’t be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones’ agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. “We anticipated bigger offers in free agency, but Aaron wanted to stay with the Packers,” Rosenhaus said via email.
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment
Read full article: 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 Bears’ 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.
Derrick Henry becomes 8th player with 2,000 yards rushing
Read full article: Derrick Henry becomes 8th player with 2,000 yards rushing(AP Photo/Sam Craft)HOUSTON – Tennessee’s Derrick Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season on Sunday. Henry, who entered the game with 1,777 yards rushing, reached the mark on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Houston Texans. He finished that drive with a career-high 246 yards rushing to give him the franchise record for a season with 2,023. Another long run, this one for 45 yards, put him at 201 yards rushing for the day later in the third quarter. Second-place rusher Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook entered this week with 1,557 yards rushing and missed Sunday’s game after the death of his father.
Cousins throws 3 TDs, Vikings end with 37-35 win over Lions
Read full article: Cousins throws 3 TDs, Vikings end with 37-35 win over Lions(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs. The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.
Lions, Vikings both stumbling to the finish of season
Read full article: Lions, Vikings both stumbling to the finish of season(AP Photo/Al Goldis)DETROIT – This season will end like so many others for Matthew Stafford: His Detroit Lions have a losing record and won’t be in the postseason. What's different now is that there are real questions about Stafford's future with the Lions. And if this is Stafford's last game with the Lions, it could be anticlimactic. The Lions (5-10) are coming off a 47-7 loss to Tampa Bay in which Stafford didn't play much. So Detroit will finish with double-digit losses for a third straight season and the sixth time in Stafford's tenure.
AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death
Read full article: AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death(AP Photo/Butch Dill)MINNEAPOLIS – Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia. He was picked for a second straight Pro Bowl, with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns in 14 games. Cook’s absence will clinch a second consecutive rushing title for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who has a 220-yard lead on Cook. Cook has a slim lead on Henry atop the NFL with 1,918 total yards.
No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year
Read full article: No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange yearYoung and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the league’s now-canceled all-star game. “It’s crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,” Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. “I think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. “Talk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,” Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. “We’re growing and we’re starting to get a hang of the game,” said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.
A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of games
Read full article: A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of gamesThey do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.
Bears beat Vikings 33-27 to stay in stride in playoff race
Read full article: Bears beat Vikings 33-27 to stay in stride in playoff raceChicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) celebrates at the end of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Cairo Santos, who converted all four of his kicks, stretched his streak to 22 straight field goals made. The Bears then intercepted a last-snap heave by Cousins into the end zone to drop the Vikings to 3-5 at home this year. When the Vikings beat them 19-13 five weeks ago in Chicago, the Bears managed two first-half field goals and needed a kickoff return touchdown by Cordarrelle Patterson to stay competitive. Vikings: play at New Orleans on Friday.
Cowboys' Elliott inactive; Stafford will start for Lions
Read full article: Cowboys' Elliott inactive; Stafford will start for Lions(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.
Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14
Read full article: Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14Ronald Jones had a 1-yard TD run and Ryan Succop kicked field goals of 18 and 48 yards. This time, Brady shrugged off a scoreless opening quarter with help from Bailey and a trio of costly of penalties on the Vikings' defense. Brady launched two of Tampa Bay’s three first-half scoring drives after Bailey missed field goals of 49 and 54 yards. Miller’s long TD catch wiped out the 6-0 lead the Vikings took on Cook’s 14th touchdown rushing. Buccaneers: travel to Atlanta for the first of two meetings with the NFC South-rival Falcons over final three weeks of the season.
Vikings outlast error-prone Jags 27-24 on Bailey's OT kick
Read full article: Vikings outlast error-prone Jags 27-24 on Bailey's OT kickMinnesota Vikings place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 23-yard field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Cowboys, Panthers and Jaguars (1-11), who lost their 11th straight game, are a combined 8-27. Chase McLaughlin even had a chance to win it with a 62-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that fell short. FOUR FIGURESJefferson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy Moss (1998) as the only rookies in Vikings history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney (calf) and TE Brandon Dillon (ankle) each left the game.
Cousins, Vikings overcome Patterson return, beat Bears 19-13
Read full article: Cousins, Vikings overcome Patterson return, beat Bears 19-13Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO – Kirk Cousins threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings overcame a 104-yard kickoff return by Chicago’s Cordarrelle Patterson to beat the Bears 19-13 on Monday night. Bears quarterback Nick Foles got taken from the field on a cart in the game’s final minute. It was the longest kickoff return in franchise history, surpassing Gale Sayers’ 103-yarder against Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 1967. Still, the Bears lost their fourth in a row, matching their longest skid since coach Matt Nagy was hired in 2018.
Detroit Lions lose to Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium
Read full article: Detroit Lions lose to Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank StadiumDETROIT – Dalvin Cook kept his brilliant season rolling by rushing for a career-high 206 yards and two scores on 22 carries, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 34-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Marvin Jones Jr. caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter that cut the lead to 13-10. Backup CB Tony McRae hurt his right knee while blocking during a punt return in the second quarter and was taken off on a cart. ... FS Tracy Walker (foot) also had his first absence, replaced by Will Harris, who was banged up on the first play of the fourth quarter. With Mark Fields joining Mike Hughes on injured reserve this week and Holton Hill (foot) sidelined for a fourth straight game, the Vikings were missing four of their top six CBs.
Unbeaten Steelers maintain top spot in AP Pro32 poll
Read full article: Unbeaten Steelers maintain top spot in AP Pro32 poll(AP Photo/Gail Burton)NEW YORK – All the votes are in. And the Pittsburgh Steelers kept the top spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll. The Steelers received 10 of the 12 first-place votes for 382 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Steelers improved to 7-0 for the second time in franchise history after holding off the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on Sunday. And the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off a bye, moved up one spot to round out the top 10.
Cook's 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22
Read full article: Cook's 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22Green Bay had the ball at Minnesota's 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Each of the Vikings’ first four possessions ended with Cook touchdowns. Green Bay went a 2-point conversion got within 28-22 when replays determined the ball crossed the goal line on Jamaal Williams’ inside run. Green Bay got the ball back and reached Minnesota’s 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Four times in the second half, Green Bay reached Vikings territory without scoring.
The Latest: Broncos top Chargers on Lock's last-play TD pass
Read full article: The Latest: Broncos top Chargers on Lock's last-play TD passThe 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.
Vikings RB Cook up vs. Packers, who keep LT Bakhtiari out
Read full article: Vikings RB Cook up vs. Packers, who keep LT Bakhtiari out(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Dalvin Cook is back for the Minnesota Vikings from a one-game absence, his injured groin cleared to play in Green Bay. Packers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Raven Greene, RB Aaron Jones, LB Randy Ramsey, OT David Bakhtiari, DL Billy Winn. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL A’Shawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge. Bengals: K Austin Seibert, WR John Ross III, RB Joe Mixon, OG Michael Jordan, C Trey Hopkins, OT Bobby Hart, OT Jonah Williams.
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 NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s 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.
Late Wilson magic gives Seahawks 27-26 win over Vikings
Read full article: Late Wilson magic gives Seahawks 27-26 win over Vikings(AP Photo/John Froschauer)SEATTLE – Russell Wilson capped a 94-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds left, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26 on Sunday night. Seattle improved to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history with Wilson providing some more prime-time magic and yet another late comeback. Seattle appeared to get a winning TD to Metcalf on second-and-goal, but he lost the ball as he was hit from behind. After Cousins' pass was intercepted by K.J. After Seattle punted for a second time inside Vikings territory, Cousins led Minnesota 97 yards, capping the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Thielen.
Titans top winless Vikes 31-30; Gostkowski has 6 FGs
Read full article: Titans top winless Vikes 31-30; Gostkowski has 6 FGsMINNEAPOLIS – Stephen Gostkowski made his career-high sixth field goal of game, a 55-yarder with 1:48 left that lifted undefeated Tennessee to a 31-30 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday after Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill carried the Titans on another comeback. Henry rushed for 119 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns for the Titans, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 after trailing for most of the game. Tannehill passed for 321 yards, guiding the Titans on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter or overtime for the sixth time in 16 games since becoming the starter. The Titans are 12-4 behind Tannehill, including the playoffs, and they're 15-0 when Henry hits the 100-yard mark. The depleted Vikings defense didn't do enough to hold it, though, as Tannehill moved the Titans just close enough for Gostkowski to go to work.
Rodgers at ease as Packers roll past Vikings 43-34
Read full article: Rodgers at ease as Packers roll past Vikings 43-34Davante Adams was predictably the biggest beneficiary, with a career-high, franchise-record-tying 14 catches for 156 yards and two scores. Aaron Jones rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Packers, who posted their highest score against the Vikings since a 44-31 victory at the Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. Jaire Alexander, who also recorded a safety on an untouched cornerback blitz in the second quarter, made the bobbling interception. When LG Lucas Patrick (shoulder) was forced out in the second quarter, Jenkins moved back to his original spot and free agent addition Rick Wagner entered at RT. ... DT Kenny Clark (groin) was hurt in the second quarter during Alexander's interception and didn't return.
Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoff
Read full article: Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoffFILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.