:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IHZN57MEHBCLZOW7C2DOIA6DHU.jpg)
Bears place franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson
Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II (12) sets up to block during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bears placed the franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 setting up a potential messy situation with their most consistent playmaker on offense. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears placed the franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson on Tuesday, setting up a potential messy situation with their most consistent playmaker on offense. “Hey, we love Allen Robinson,” general manager Ryan Pace said recently. Again, the franchise tag is an option for us.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FEOUZNXW3JCDDNTV6BCEFFWWJM.jpg)
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 he’s 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.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TJTTSC5PV5HFPKDYCKX2JPFOAU.jpg)
Chiefs' Chad Henne goes from backup QB to playoff stage
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Chad Henne came off the bench cold in the heat of a tense playoff game and delivered the game-sealing plays for Kansas City in his most consequential performance in a win since 2013. He got the nod again the following week in a playoff game against Green Bay with a limited number of plays on a wrist band. JEFF HOSTETLER: Hostetler had started just two games in almost seven full seasons for the Giants when Simms injured his foot in Week 14. FRANK REICH: Two years after losing to Hostetler, the Bills relied on a backup to make it to their third consecutive Super Bowl. He threw for 725 yards and six touchdowns in wins over Minnesota in the NFC title game and New England in the Super Bowl.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XCSBJUGLLNB7BBYG7KXU7AYGPA.jpg)
Gutsy or insane? Depends on the outcome of tough calls
“My coaches were on board, they all did a great job with the spot, with the calls, everything — they were spot-on. It was a great job.”That play is part of a pick-6 of great jobs — and great flops — with gutsy calls. PHILLY SPECIALThe Eagles led New England by three points approaching halftime in the Super Bowl for the 2017 season. Philadelphia went on to win its first Super Bowl. The Packers then won their second Super Bowl.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MEAWAXD6IFGAHLIR6MRX7HISPQ.jpg)
Jaguars fire Marrone; owner Khan plans to be more involved
Now, after nine NFL seasons and little success on the field, the Jacksonville Jaguars owner is taking a more hands-on approach to fixing the franchise's most glaring problems. Khan is handling the search for his next coach and general manager mostly alone, with some help from Jaguars President Mark Lamping. “This time around, I think I have a much better sense myself,” Khan said Monday after firing coach Doug Marrone. “What's evaded the history of the Jags really has been a franchise quarterback,” Khan said. Khan kept Marrone in place after firing general manager Dave Caldwell in late November, but ultimately decided on a clean sweep.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SPNBPOKSNZAZZDY7G4UFDDTT2Y.jpg)
Jaguars set sights on Trevor Lawrence after years of failure at QB
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) makes a pass during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have botched the quarterback position repeatedly over the past two decades. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft Sunday, gaining a stronghold on Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence the same day they set a team record for futility. The only thing standing in the way of the small-market team drafting Lawrence is the junior’s decision to turn pro. —Signing Nick Foles: The Jaguars gave Foles a four-year, $88 million deal in 2019 free agency that included $50.125 million guaranteed.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FGATEDGKKFFGBGFDE6XVJ4HOQM.jpg)
Bears close in on NFC playoffs, Jags lock up top draft pick
James O'Shaughnessy #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Kindle Vildor #22 of the Chicago Bears at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. The team that lost its sixth consecutive game earlier this month has now won three in a row and is on the verge of making the expanded NFC playoffs. “With where we’re at right now as a team, it’s definitely different,” Chicago coach Matt Nagy said. Chicago scored 30 or more points for the fourth consecutive week, the first time the Bears have accomplished the feat since 1965. This one came courtesy of a strong second half.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WIU3ESQARJG6VDJDVVTZCBE6DU.jpg)
Jaguars vs. Bears: How to watch, stream, listen
NFL Sunday TicketOPENING LINE – Bears by 10RECORD VS. SPREAD – Bears 7-7; Jaguars 6-8SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 4-3LAST MEETING – Jaguars beat Bears 17-16 on Oct. 16, 2016LAST WEEK – Bears beat Vikings 33-27; Jaguars lost at Ravens 40-14AP PRO32 RANKING – Bears No. BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (16), PASS (13). JAGUARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (26), PASS (22). JAGUARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (30), PASS (28).
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/X7YBHCXJEBFVVE2RFYTOC352G4.jpg)
Bears beat Vikings 33-27 to stay in stride in playoff race
That 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, his second score of the game, put Chicago ahead again by double digits. Every time the Vikings made a push, this once-flailing Bears offense had an answer. Cairo Santos, who converted all four of his kicks, stretched his streak to 22 straight field goals made. The Vikings, who finished 3-5 at home this year, had four goal-to-go situations that yielded only two touchdowns. 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.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FUPOSI6CHVFCRK4D6YWVVCORXE.jpg)
Cousins, Vikings overcome Patterson return, beat Bears 19-13
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. 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. “We’ll try to keep building on it now, and it’ll be so important to keep stringing these together if we can. It was the longest kickoff return in franchise history, surpassing Gale Sayers’ 103-yarder against Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 1967. Cousins completed 25 of 36 passes with two touchdowns to Thielen, who has nine on the season.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/S3FIQZ5FS5CZDLEETSKWHI6P3Y.jpg)
Bears' offense seeks answers after poor showing against Rams
“I don’t ever remember having our own defense score more than our offense,” Nagy said. “That’s that’s that’s hard to do. But the offense has averaged 16 points per game in Foles’ four starts since, and he’s getting little help from the players around him. The offensive line struggled against the strong front of the Rams (5-2), producing just 2.9 yards per carry. Foles was sacked four times, twice at the hands of former Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd, and he threw two interceptions.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QH3CBNY765EO3KMOYJHRYHF2GQ.jpg)
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. After his first sack, Floyd jumped up and went toward the Bears sideline, shouting and gesticulating at the team that let him go. We’re just one tight unit right now.”The 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. Johnny Mundt had a career-high 47 yards receiving in his absence, including a career-best 34-yard catch in the second quarter.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DKCHMJAZ5JFFPH54GHLFTIQX7I.jpg)
Foles beat Brady again as Bears squeeze by Tampa Bay 20-19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO – Tom Brady fell to Nick Foles again and appeared to lose count of downs on his final play, and the Chicago Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-19 on Thursday night after Cairo Santos kicked a 38-year field goal with 1:17 remaining. The three-time MVP was seen screaming on the sideline late in the third quarter after an ugly drive for Tampa Bay. Ryan Succop kicked four field goals, including a 25-yarder to give Tampa Bay a 19-17 lead with 4:49 remaining. Kyle Fuller then put a big hit on Ke'Shawn Vaughn as he caught a short pass, and Robert Quinn recovered the fumble, giving the Bears possession on the Tampa Bay 27.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3BYA3XG2D5FPLCGFYTXOQ6AKWY.jpg)
Brady, Buccaneers look to keep rolling when they meet Bears
“To join a team and to be embraced the way that I’ve been embraced — it’s been amazing for me,” Brady said. Brady threw for 369 yards and five touchdowns and helped Tampa Bay overcome a 17-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 38-31 last week. Indianapolis won 11 games that season, with Arians going 9-3 as interim coach while Pagano was battling leukemia. Getting it back in gear won't be easy this week, considering Tampa Bay ranks second against the run. “That happened to be a game there, where we were just struggling to get it going," coach Matt Nagy said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/37QPVVVY3JGLHGAJWFYZNYQNOI.jpg)
Another Falcons collapse: Foles' 3 TDs lead 30-26 Bears win
The Falcons surrendered a 16-point advantage in the final 6 1/2 minutes to the Chicago Bears, who got three touchdown passes from backup quarterback Nick Foles and pulled out a 30-26 win on Sunday. It would have seemed downright improbable — if it hadn't happened for the second week in a row. The former Super Bowl MVP won it with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Miller with 1:53 remaining. He tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Graham to make it 26-16 with 6:20 to go. But Foles got his chance after Trubisky threw an interception in the third quarter that led to a Falcons field goal, pushing the lead to 26-10.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AHCNUDJM5BCFBCJ7E5QYGIBECI.jpg)
The Latest: Wilson rallies Seahawks past Cowboys 38-31
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)The Latest on Week 3 in the NFL (all times EDT):__8 p.m.Russell Wilson threw for 315 yards and five touchdowns without an interception as the Seattle Seahawks edged the Dallas Cowboys 38-31. -Tim Booth reporting from Seattle__6:15 p.m.Russell Wilson has thrown three touchdown passes to Tyler Lockett and the Seattle Seahawks have a 23-15 halftime lead over the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson capped his big first half with a 1-yard toss to Lockett with 7 seconds left in the half. Out of 48 NFL games so far in 2020, 10 have included paying customers.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XIPSVVXHGZDTZFB2YPUFTJP7V4.jpg)
Tank for Trevor? Jaguars say no way despite roster purge
FOURNETTE WAIVEDWhy it looks bad: Jacksonville got nothing in return for Fournette, a 1,000-yard rusher in two of his first three years who scored 19 touchdowns and rarely fumbled. NGAKOUE TO MINNESOTAWhy is looks bad: The Jaguars wanted a first-rounder in return for Ngakoue, who has 37 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in four seasons. Why it makes sense: He started showing his age down the stretch last season, partly because he played close to 80% of the defensive snaps. BOUYE TO DENVERWhy it looks bad: Team whiffed on two potential replacements: Free agent Darqueze Dennard failed a physical and Rashaan Melvin opted out because of COVID-19 concerns. Why is makes sense: Bouye wasnt at his best in 2019, finishing with one interception for the second straight season, and was due nearly $13.5 million.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HBDO6QWBXRHDNLX4BMACNXPZUM.jpg)
Gase, Marrone, Quinn among NFL coaches sitting on hot seats
Hes got a lot more control of the offense this year, Gase said of Darnold. DOUG MARRONE, JAGUARSIt's hard to believe Jacksonville was a win at New England away from making the Super Bowl three seasons ago. But like Gase and the Jets, Nagy's future is likely tied to the performance of his quarterback. DAN QUINN, FALCONSThat 28-3 halftime lead over New England in the Super Bowl four seasons ago is a distant memory. A bad start this year, though, might be tough to recover from for Quinn in his sixth season.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LKR3NCTZWJCRLEY43D6G3V323Y.jpg)
Jaguars open training camp with young, rebuilt roster
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-10)CAMP SITE: Jacksonville, FloridaLAST YEAR: Jaguars lost injury-prone QB Nick Foles on first series of opener and then benched him for good three games into return from broken collarbone. Rookie QB Gardner Minshew was pleasant surprise he went 6-6 in place of Foles and earned shot to show performance wasnt fluke. Growing locker room issues became public when NFLPA publicly bashed personnel chief Tom Coughlin in December, leading to his dismissal. PANDEMIC CHALLENGES: Florida ranks second in the nation in number of COVID-19 cases, increasing likelihood that issues will arise during Jacksonvilles training camp. CAMP NEEDS: With 12 draft picks and 16 second-year pros, Jaguars among NFLs youngest teams.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5H2QP37IYJCRNC3ARFFM2INKCU.jpg)
Jaguars’ skid up to 3 straight as Titans run them over 42-20
NASHVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars are frustrated, embarrassed and angry after a third straight loss inside the AFC South. Playoff hopes too likely disappeared Sunday as the Jaguars gave up 28 points in just over six minutes of the third quarter in being routed 42-20 by the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars (4-7) have only themselves to blame after giving up more than 200 yards rushing for a third straight game, adding the Titans to the Colts and the Texans in this string. “I don’t think in this profession you can do that and be a good head coach or be a good coach,” Marrone said. “Obviously, I am not doing a good enough job, but at the end of the day it is disappointing.