Chiefs coach Reid's patience in struggling players pays off
It was an enormous mistake in the opening minutes of the AFC championship game on Sunday, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid could have easily given his young wide receiver the cold shoulder. They're going to keep me up, keep me motivated โ make sure I don't have my head down,โ Hardman said. They have been without Sammy Watkins since Week 16 because of a calf injury, and the veteran wide receiver was a surprise scratch on Sunday, putting pressure on Hardman and fellow wide receiver Byron Pringle to continue to pick up the slack. โWe are a group of guys that want to be perfect and strive for that perfection, no matter what we do. I think we're going to take that same mentality into the Super Bowl.โ___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of games
They 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.
AFC features plenty of star power even without Tom Brady
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)The AFC doesnโt lack for drama or star power even though Tom Brady has taken his talents to Davis Beach. WEST: The Chiefs (8-1) are still the class of the conference despite a hiccup against the resurgent Raiders (5-3), who won 40-32 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 100 TD passes, doing it in 40 games, four fewer than Dan Marino. The Broncos (3-5) have been waylaid by injuries and COVID-19 opt-outs, exposures and infections and Drew Lock went 45 drives without a TD pass.
Jets have no positive COVID-19 tests, game with Arizona on
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ All New York Jets players and coaches have tested negative for COVID-19, and Sunday's game against Arizona will be played on time. We look forward to our game this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.โDuring the summer, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a similar false positive. By sending everyone home from the facility Friday morning, the Jets took the appropriate steps under the NFL/NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. The league already postponed, then rescheduled the Titansโ game with Pittsburgh from Oct. 4 to Oct. 25 during the outbreak. That would be the sixth NFL game to be rescheduled โ all this month.
Risky? Dolphins to allow up to 13,000 fans at home opener
MIAMI The Miami Dolphins will allow up to 13,000 socially distancing fans to attend their home opener against Buffalo on Sept. 20, a decision that divided political leaders and upset Bills coach Sean McDermott. The same plan will be followed for the University of Miami's home opener against UAB at the Dolphins' stadium on Sept. 10. South Florida remains a hot spot for the virus, and not all reaction to the Dolphins' plan was favorable. As of now, the Bills don't plan to allow spectators at their home games. According to the Dolphins' 46-page plan for crowds, fans and stadium employees will be required to wear masks when not eating or drinking.