MIAMI — Mike McDaniel stopped treating leadership like something he talked about occasionally and started treating it like a skill that needs to be trained.

In an era of player empowerment, which is being fueled by the new NIL culture of college athletics, the Miami Dolphins head coach is a firm believer that he’s merely a steward of South ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — As the Chiefs wobbled on the verge of a loss that would further scramble their once-assumed playoff berth, Patrick Mahomes on Thursday conjured the sort of sorcery that belongs in the pantheon of his most majestic moments.

Call it recency bias, but the play was about as absurd as anything we’ve ever seen the superstar ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s not quite a regret. More like a “wish,” or an urge, or — it’s hard to explain.

The feeling Jalen Coker is trying to recall started on a balmy August night in 2020. A few childhood friends were over at the Coker household, and yes, high school was done, and yes, everything in their young lives felt destined to ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Nick Sirianni’s decision to go for two points following the Eagles’ late touchdown came under the microscope in the aftermath of their 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Trailing 24-9, A.J. Brown caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts on a slant, cutting the Eagles’ deficit to nine points with three minutes, 14 ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Get ready for more free hot dogs, Chicago. Ben Johnson delivered.

During his signature “Good, Better, Best” postgame celebration with his team in the locker room Friday, the Bears coach ripped off his shirt and flexed in front of everybody — much to the delight of the players cheering him on.

It was an emphatic ending to...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts gave up two third-quarter turnovers Friday against the Bears — first, a bad, deep throw, then a fumble during a Tush Push. Both inexcusable. Both plays that reek of poor fundamentals.

Poor fundamentals mean poor coaching.

Bears running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai ran for 125 and 130 yards, ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin isn't playing coy or trying to keep the Bills guessing.

Aaron Rodgers was a full participant in Friday's practice, according to the Steelers head coach, and will start Sunday in yet another pivotal game for the team's playoff hopes.

"It's all systems go," Tomlin said before being asked what changed from last game to ...Read more

ATLANTA — Falcons wide receiver Drake London, who has a right knee injury, was doubtful and then declared out for Sunday’s game against the Jets.

London is the Falcons’ leading receiver, with 60 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns. He suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Falcons’ overtime loss...Read more

In the NFL, there are good wins, there are bad losses, and then there is whatever the San Francisco 49ers produced on Monday night against the Carolina Panthers.

The scoreboard said 20-9. The standings say 8-4. The playoff picture says the Niners are the seventh seed in the NFC, still in control of their playoff destiny.

But the film? The film...Read more

Despite Cam Ward and the Titans looking much better in their last two games after a bye in Week 10, they remain in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall pick in next April’s NFL draft.

Only four franchises have picked first in back-to-back drafts since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976-77 and 1986-87) and ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers’ offensive linemen will have football on their minds and unique cleats on their feet Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium.

The NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign is underway, and Carolina will get its turn to shine a spotlight on several notable causes during the Week ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson vs. Joe Burrow under the lights at M&T Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving night. It had all the pageantry and drama of a heavyweight fight.

Instead, it turned out to be another bumbling affair for a Ravens offense that can’t seem to find a rhythm or get out of its own way this season.

Jackson fumbled twice, threw a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — A banged-up Eagles team got some good injury news Thursday.

DeVonta Smith, who missed team workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday with chest and shoulder injuries, plus an illness that was noted on Wednesday, was listed as a full participant in Thursday’s walk-through. Smith does not have a game designation heading into the team�...Read more

DETROIT — They haven’t ceded the throne just yet.

But even with reinforcements on the way, the Lions are looking a bit besieged.

Their NFC North title defense took a crippling blow with a 31-24 loss to Green Bay before a Thanksgiving crowd of 66,662 at Ford Field. And what’s painfully clear now, after the Packers completed a season sweep...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — If the Chiefs had a margin for error left this season, they’ll come home without it.

The Cowboys beat the Chiefs, 31-28, on Thanksgiving Day, a game that will send them reeling into the final stretch.

The Chiefs lost the game, lost two more starting offensive linemen, lost their fourth-down courage and lost ground in a ...Read more

CHICAGO — Help is on the way for the Chicago Bears secondary.

The Bears activated two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and nickel corner Kyler Gordon to the 53-man roster Thursday, clearing the way for them to play Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle of 8-3 NFC teams at Lincoln Financial Field.

Johnson has been ...Read more

NEW YORK — Russell Wilson and Ciara are using their power couple platform to make the best possible difference this Thanksgiving season.

The Giants quarterback and his Grammy-winning wife announced this week that their Why Not You Foundation is making a $3 million gift to Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York City.

The money ...Read more

Here are my fantasy football best bets for Week 13's Thanksgiving Day and Friday matchups:

GREEN BAY AT DETROIT

Obvious starters: Josh Jacobs (GB), Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET).

Who to start: Jordan Love (GB) deserves streaming consideration against a defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including ...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 13 of the NFL season.

All lines and over/under numbers are according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Last week, Farmer posted a 10-4 (.714) record. Through the first 12 weeks of the season, he is 119-59 (.669).

Using point spreads with the scores Farmer ...Read more